Explained in English: Recent Episodes

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*Sorry for the low audio quality. I recorded this a long time ago but still wanted to release it to you.

Most people live in cities and have lots of other people around them. Still, many would say that they feel lonely, or alone. This is a song about how people live their lives, often without good friendships or any close relationships. It's a critique of society and the way we live.

Now, let's take a look at the lyrics of the song "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles.

LYRICS:

Verse 1

Ah, look at all the lonely people

Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been

Lives in a dream

Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door

Who is it for?

Chorus

All the lonely people

Where do they all come from?

All the lonely people

Where do they all belong?

Verse 2

Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear

No one comes near

Look at him working, darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there

What does he care?

Verse 3

Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name

Nobody came

Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave

No one was saved

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Life is always changing. This is a song for anyone feeling the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the cycle of struggle and ease in relationships, work, and every area of our lives. Now, let's take a look at the lyrics of the song "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Listen to the real song, read the lyrics, and follow the explanation with the transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/therain.html

Happy listening!

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Join the Music Lovers Club today and get your favorite song explained! You can also get exclusive access to printable PDF transcripts, unreleased song explanations, or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music, lyrics and explanation all in one place:https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/soundofsilence.html

Dear Spotify listeners: Did you know we have playlists available? ♡the playlist in your language. https://open.spotify.com/user/slj0nvfycbbkqlds6avj5p6tg/playlists

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "The Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✦ 

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Join the Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to printable PDF transcripts of every word, unreleased song explanations, personal song explanations of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music, lyrics, and free transcript all in one place:https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/bohemian.html

Dear Spotify listeners: Did you know we have playlists available? ♡the playlist in your language. https://open.spotify.com/user/slj0nvfycbbkqlds6avj5p6tg/playlists

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✦ 

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Join the Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to printable PDF transcripts of every word, unreleased song explanations, personal song explanations of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music, lyrics, and explanation all in one place:https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/bohemian.html

Dear Spotify listeners: Did you know we have playlists available? ♡the playlist in your language. https://open.spotify.com/user/slj0nvfycbbkqlds6avj5p6tg/playlists

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✦ 

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Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Dear Spotify listeners: Did you know we have playlists available? ♡the playlist in your language. https://open.spotify.com/user/slj0nvfycbbkqlds6avj5p6tg/playlists

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Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music, lyrics, and free transcript all in one place:https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/blowin.html

Dear Spotify listeners: Did you know we have playlists available? ♡the playlist in your language. https://open.spotify.com/user/slj0nvfycbbkqlds6avj5p6tg/playlists

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧ 

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Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

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Music, lyrics, and free transcript all in one place:https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/everybreath.html

Dear Spotify listeners: Did you know we have playlists available? ♡the playlist in your language. https://open.spotify.com/user/slj0nvfycbbkqlds6avj5p6tg/playlists

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Every Breath You Take" by The Police.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✧✧ 

Photo of Sting (The Police). Cropped to fit frame. By Raph_PH - QueenbdayRAH210418-34, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76810661

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Download all 18 unreleased song explanations here:

Discover the 1960s: https://explainedinenglish.com/60s.html

Discover the 1970s: https://explainedinenglish.com/70s.html

[TRANSCRIPT]

Hey Everybody! It's Kiah. I just wanted to take a minute to explain why there hasn't been a new episode of Explained in English in the past month.

When I started the podcast, I had a lot of extra time because the school where I teach was closed. I'm an English teacher in Italy and the school where I work -- they were closed for the coronavirus.

Now, I'm back working full time. I'm working almost everyday -- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday -- almost everyday. And so, I just don't have as much time as before. However, fear not! Don't worry! I will still be releasing new episodes from time to time, whenever I get the chance. Just, unfortunately for now, not as frequently.

However, if you're dying for an explanation, if you just can't wait, there are currently 18 unreleased song explanations. That is, new explanations that are not on the podcast, which you can download and listen to right away. Nine of those song explanations are from the 1960s and the other nine are from the 70s. I'm currently working on the 1980s Album. Eventually I'll have an album for every decade -- for all of the decades. But, that's going to take some time.

So, if you're motivated to learn more English with music and if you'd like to get to know some of the best songs and artists from the 60s and 70s, you can go over to explainedinenglish.com and download either one of those albums. You'll get a full explanation of each song as well as a complete transcript of everything I say in the podcast, and an additional, extra, pronunciation practice section.

I've found that this combination of learning materials really helps my students learn the music and also improve their English at the same time. All I ask in return is a donation of whatever you can afford. It was very important for me to make these explanations available and accessible to everyone who wants them.

So, thank you to all the listeners out there who have already donated. I really appreciate your positive comments and feedback. Everytime I get a kind message I'm inspired to keep going with this project. So, thank you thank you again!.

Okay, that is it for now! I will see you all in the next explanation. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Bye bye!

-Kiah

https://explainedinenglish.com

Outro Song: All of the World by Jeris. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/VJ_Memes/47838

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Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music, lyrics, and free transcript in one place: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/deathwithdignity.html

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Death with Dignity" by Sufjan Stevens.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✦

INTRO:

(00:23) Why I chose this song; dark music; Sufjan Stevens

(00:47) Introduction to "Death with Dignity"

(02:12) Notes on advanced explanation; music and transcript available at https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/deathwithdignity.html

VERSE ONE:

(06:00) Spirit of my silence I can hear you but I'm afraid to be near you

(07:13) And I don't know where to begin

VERSE TWO:

(07:45) Somewhere in the desert there's a forest and an acre before us

(09:01) But I don't know where to begin

(09:15) Again I've lost my strength completely. Oh be near me tired old mare with the wind in your hair

VERSE THREE:

(10:54) Amethyst and flowers on the table. Is it real or a fable?

(12:57) Well I suppose a friend is a friend and we all know how this will end

VERSE FOUR:

(14:04) Chimney swift that finds me be my keeper

(15:22) Silhouette of the cedar

(15:58) What is that song you sing for the dead?

(16:34) I see the signal searchlight strike me in the window of my room. Well I got nothin' to prove

VERSE FIVE:

(18:29) I forgive you mother. I can hear you and I long to be near you

(19:56) But every road leads to an end

(20:22) Your apparition passes through me in the willows. Five red hens -- you'll never see us again

OUTRO:

(22:40) Listen to the song and the rest of the album "Carrie and Lowell" at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/deathwithdignity.html

(23:17) Download nine unreleased song explanations at: https://explainedinenglish.com/#albums

Photo of Sufjan Stevens: By Sufjan Stevens playing banjo.jpg: Joe Lencioniderivative work: Antilived - Sufjan Stevens playing banjo.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1495745

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Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music, meaning, and text transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/911.html

Special links for today's episode:

Easy Stories in English - A podcast by Ariel Goodbody https://easystoriesinenglish.com

"The Monsters Inside Us" - Kiah voiced a character in this story!

https://easystoriesinenglish.com/monsters

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "911" by Lady Gaga.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✦

INTRODUCTION WITH ARIEL GOODBODY:

(00:22) A note about today's advanced explanation

(00:47) Introducing our guest interpreter Ariel Goodbody

(02:12) Ariel on Lady Gaga and 911

SONG EXPLANATION:

(04:50) Kiah's introduction to "911"

VERSE ONE:

(06:02) Turnin' up emotional faders

(07:47) Keep repeating self-hating phrases

(08:29) I have heard enough of these voices

(08:49) It's almost like I have no choice

(09:09) This is biological stasis

(09:59) My mood's shifting to manic places

(11:05) Wish I'd laughed and kept the good friendships

(11:57) Watch life, here I go again

PRE-CHORUS:

(12:27) I can't see my cry, can't see me cry ever again

(13:24) I can't see me cry, can't see me cry, this is the end

CHORUS:

(13:40) My biggest enemy is me, pop a 911

(14:49) Ever since day one, pop a 911 then pop another one

VERSE TWO:

(15:24) Keep my dolls inside diamond boxes

(16:47) Save 'em 'til I know I'm gon' drop this

(17:54) Front I've built around my oasis

(19:07) Paradise is in my hands

(19:22) Holdin' on so tight to this status

(19:56) It's not real but I'll try to grab it

(20:18) Keep myself in beautiful places, paradise is in my hands

SONG OUTRO:

(20:43) Please patch the line, need a 911, can you please patch the line?

INTERPRETATION WITH ARIEL GOODBODY:

(21:39) Ariel on 911 lyrics and Chromatica album

(24:14) Are we all a bit psychotic?

(26:42) Music video interpretation

(29:44) Easy Stories in English and "The Monsters Inside Us"

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Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

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Music, lyrics, and free interactive transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/dontknowwhy.html

Now, let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Don't Know Why" performed by Norah Jones.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:23) Introduction to "Don't Know Why"

VERSE ONE:

(01:25) I waited till I saw the sun

(02:25) I don't know why I didn't come

(03:34) I left you by the house of fun

VERSE TWO:

(04:37) When I saw the break of day

(05:06) I wished that I could fly away

(05:37) Instead of kneeling in the sand

(06:21) Catching teardrops in my hand

CHORUS:

(06:50) My heart is drenched in wine

(08:01) But you'll be on my mind forever

VERSE THREE:

(08:31) Out across the endless sea

(09:21) I would die in ecstasy

(09:53) But I'll be a bag of bones

(10:43) Driving down the road alone

VERSE FOUR:

(11:28) Somethin' has to make you run

(12:20) I feel as empty as a drum

FINAL THOUGHTS:

(12:56) "Don't Know Why" song meaning

Photo of Norah Jones by Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77833927

Significato spiegato, significado canción explicada, sens

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Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

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Music, lyrics, and free interactive transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/dockofthebay.html

Now, let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:23) Notes about today's explanation

(01:27) Introduction to "The Dock of the Bay"

VERSE ONE:

(02:19) Sittin' in the mornin' sun

(03:28) I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come

(04:07) Watching the ships roll in

(05:01) And then I watch 'em roll away again

CHORUS:

(05:23) I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay

(06:38) Watching the tide roll away

(07:22) I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay, wasting time

VERSE TWO:

(07:47) I left my home in Georgia

(08:56) Headed for the 'Frisco bay

(09:30) 'Cause I've got nothin' to live for

(10:29) And look like nothin's gonna come my way

BRIDGE:

(11:16) Look like nothin's gonna change

(11:36) Everything still remains the same

(11:47) I can't do what ten people tell me to do

(12:50) So I guess I'll remain the same

VERSE THREE:

(13:05) Sittin' here resting my bones

(13:42) And this loneliness won't leave me alone

(14:24) It's two thousand miles I roamed

(16:00) Just to make this dock my home

INTERPRETATION:

(16:20) "The Dock of the Bay" song meaning

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

What does the song mean to you? Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

LINKS:

Check out all the unreleased song explanations at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

Bedeutung. Lied bedeutung. Liedtext bedeutung. Significado. Significado de la canción. Significado de las letras. Sens. Signification de la chanson. Signification des paroles. Senso. Significato della canzone. Significato dei testi. Имея в виду. Значение песни. Смысл лирики.

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Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

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Music, lyrics, and free interactive transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/withorwithout.html

Now, let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "With or Without You" by U2.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:23) Introduction to "With or Without You"

VERSE ONE:

(01:20) See the stone set in your eyes

(02:28) See the thorn twist in your side

(03:59) I wait for you

(04:29) Sleight of hand and twist of fate

(05:45) On a bed of nails she makes me wait

(06:46) And I wait -- without you

CHORUS:

(07:03) With or without you

VERSE TWO:

(07:28) Through the storm we reach the shore

(08:35) You gave it all but I want more

(09:27) And I'm waiting for you

CHORUS TWO:

(09:45) With or without you -- I can't live with or without you

BRIDGE:

(10:14) And you give yourself away

VERSE THREE:

(11:37) My hands are tied my body bruised

(12:45) She got me with nothing left to win and nothing left to lose

INTERPRETATION:

(03:33) "With or Without You" song meaning

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(16:40) 80s song and artist requests

What does the song mean to you? Leave a comment on our Facebook page.

LINKS:

Check out unreleased song explanations and search for songs by grammar topic at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

U2 Montage: By File:U2 montage.jpg:File:Bono at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg: David Shankbone (photo editing by Megapixie)File:The Edge's face.jpg: Flickr user Christopher HarteFile:Adam clayton 1.JPG (derived from File:Adam Clayton rdblk.jpg): Flickr user Eliane Kobayakawa (derivative work by Suede67)File:LarryMullenJr.jpg: atu2.comderivative work (crop, placement, and coloration): Michael Barera (talk) - File:U2 montage.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17450025

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Please consider supporting us on Patreon. You'll get access to bonus content, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, and a personal song explanation of your choice:

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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/herecomes.html

Now, let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✧✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:23) Introduction to "Here Comes the Sun"

CHORUS:

(01:28) Here comes the sun (Doo da doo doo)

(02:30) Here comes the sun, and I say it's all right

VERSE ONE:

(02:48) Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter

(05:05) Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

VERSE TWO:

(05:46) Little darling, the smiles returning to their faces

(06:20) Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

BRIDGE:

(06:33) Sun sun sun, here it comes

VERSE THREE:

(06:55) Little darling, I feel the ice is slowly melting

(07:53) Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

INTERPRETATION:

(08:15) "Here Comes the Sun" song meaning

(08:51) What does the song mean to you? Leave a comment on Facebook or YouTube

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(09:04) About the new difficulty labels: ✦✧✧

(09:23) Check out the explanation of "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles.

LINKS:

Find unreleased explanations and search for song explanations by grammar and difficulty level:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

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Website: https://explainedinenglish.com

Do you love music but find it hard to understand in English? My name is Kiah and I'm an English teacher from the United States. I created Explained in English to help language learners like you discover great music and improve their English skills at the same time.

In each podcast I take a song and explain the lyrics, grammar, and meaning in simple English. Choose a song you like and listen to the explanation using the lyrics and transcript in the description. Remember to subscribe and share any episodes you enjoy. Thanks everybody and I'll see you in the next explanation.

-Kiah

Website:

https://explainedinenglish.com

Is this show helping improve your English? If so, consider supporting us on Patreon. You'll get access to bonus content, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, and a personal song explanation of your choice:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Music:

Blind Love Dub by Jeris. Creative Commons 3.0.

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Please consider supporting us on Patreon. You'll get access to bonus content, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, and a personal song explanation of your choice:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/hunghead.html

Now, let's Improve your English with this special dual episode featuring an explanation of the song "I Hung My Head" by Sting and covered by Johnny Cash.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:22) Introduction to "I Hung My Head"

VERSE ONE:

(02:20) Early one morning with time to kill

(03:01) I borrowed Jeb's rifle and sat on the hill

(04:21) I saw a lone rider crossing the plain

(04:56) I drew a bead on him to practice my aim

(05:26) My brother's rifle went off in my hand

(05:59) A shot rang out across the land

(06:24) The horse he kept running, the rider was dead

(06:54) I hung my head, I hung my head

VERSE TWO:

(07:37) I set off running to wake from the dream

(08:18) And my brother's rifle went into the stream

(08:41) I kept on running into the salt lands

(09:14) And that's where they found me, my head in my hands

(09:52) The sheriff he asked me, "Why had I run?"

(10:16) Then it came to me just what I had done

(10:48) And all for no reason, just one piece of lead (I hung my head, I hung my head)

VERSE THREE:

(11:34) Here in the courthouse, the whole town is there

(12:28) I see the judge high up in his chair

(13:15) "Explain to the courtroom what went through your mind

(13:52) And we'll ask the jury what verdict they find"

(14:45) "I said I felt the power of death over life

(15:04) I orphaned his children, I widowed his wife

(15:43) I beg their forgiveness, I wish I was dead" (I hung my head, I hung my head)

VERSE FOUR:

(16:40) Early one morning with time to kill

(16:48) I see the gallows up on the hill

(17:35) And out in the distance a trick of the brain

(17:59) I see a lone rider crossing the plain

(18:19) He's come to fetch me to see what they done

(18:53) We'll ride together till Kingdom come

(19:31) I pray for God's mercy, for soon I'll be dead (I hung my head, I hung my head)

INTERPRETATION:

(20:12) "I Hung My Head" song explanation

(21:18) Is the Sting or the Johnny Cash version better? Vote and leave a comment at facebook.com/explainedinenglish

(22:02) More narrative songs available at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

LINKS:

Find unreleased song explanations and search by grammar at:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

Image Credit: By Sting_by_Yancho_Sabev.jpg: Yancho Sabevderivative work: Fiorellino (talk) - Sting_by_Yancho_Sabev.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped from the original version at https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10723467

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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/thescientist.html

Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

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Now, let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song The Scientist by Coldplay.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:22) Introduction to "The Scientist"

VERSE ONE:

(01:56) Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry

(02:38) You don't know how lovely you are

(03:03) I had to find you, tell you I need you

(03:48) Tell you I set you apart

(04:29) Tell me your secrets, ask me your questions

(05:22) Oh let's go back to the start

(05:48) Running in circles, coming up tails

(07:42) Heads on a science apart

CHORUS:

(08:22) Nobody said it was easy

(08:47) It's such a shame for us to part

(09:34) No one ever said it would be this hard

(10:04) Oh take me back to the start

VERSE TWO:

(10:28) I was just guessing at numbers and figures

(11:32) Pulling the puzzles apart

(11:56) Questions of science, science and progress

(12:31) Do not speak as loud as my heart

(13:18) Tell me you love me, come back and haunt me

(14:10) Oh and I rush to the start

(14:33) Running in circles, chasing our tails

(15:21) Coming back as we are

INTERPRETATION:

(15:32) "The Scientist" song meaning explained

(16:44) Full albums of song explanations at (https://explainedinenglish.com)

(16:54) Let's create a music learning community! Share this episode.

LINKS:

Email me your feedback:

info@explainedinenglish.com

Unreleased song explanations at:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

Image Credit: By Chris_Martin_-_Viva_la_Vida.jpg: Alberto Ferreroderivative work: DC at en.wikipedia - Chris_Martin_-_Viva_la_Vida.jpg, CC BY 2.0

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Is this show helping improve your English? If so, consider supporting us on Patreon. You'll get access to bonus content, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, and a personal song explanation of your choice:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/nosurprises.html

Now, let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song No Surprises by Radiohead.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

INTRODUCTION:

(00:22) Introduction to "No Surprises"

VERSE ONE:

(01:56) A heart that's full up like a landfill

(03:26) A job that slowly kills you

(04:23) Bruises that won't heal

(05:31) You look so tired unhappy

(06:00) Bring down the government

(06:39) They don't, they don't speak for us

(07:27) I'll take a quiet life

(07:56) A handshake of carbon monoxide

CHORUS:

(09:10) With no alarms and no surprises

(10:03) Silent, silent

VERSE TWO:

(10:38) This is my final fit

(11:37) My final bellyache

VERSE THREE:

(12:08) Such a pretty house

(12:56) Such a pretty garden

CHORUS VARIATION:

(13:12) Please get me outta here

INTERPRETATION:

(13:52) "No Surprises" song explanation

(17:01) Please leave feedback! (https://explainedinenglish.com)

LINKS:

Email me your feedback:

info@explainedinenglish.com

Search for song explanations by grammar, difficulty level, or decade:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

Image Credit: Photo of Thom Yorke by Goldberg. The photo was cropped from the file found on Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC-by-SA-2.0

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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/yesterday.html

Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

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Now, let's improve your English language skills as I explain the song meaning and lyrics of Yesterday by the Beatles.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✧✧

EXPLANATION:

(00:23) Introduction to "Yesterday"​

VERSE ONE:

(01:20) Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away

(02:15) Now it looks as though they're here to stay

(03:40) Oh I believe in yesterday

VERSE TWO:

(04:27) Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be

(06:21) There's a shadow hanging over me

(07:43) Oh yesterday came suddenly

CHORUS:

(08:07) Why she had to go

(08:49) I don't know, she wouldn't say

(09:30) I said something wrong

(10:16) Now I long for yesterday

VERSE THREE:

(11:21) Yesterday, love was such an easy game

(13:03) Now I need a place to hide away

(14:09) Oh I believe in yesterday

INTERPRETATION:

(14:14) "Yesterday" meaning explained

(14:55) More songs at https://explainedinenglish.com

LINKS:

Email me your feedback:

info@explainedinenglish.com

Find all unreleased song explanations at:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://expainedinenglish.com/podcast/condor.html

Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Now, let's improve your English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" by Simon and Garfunkel.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

EXPLANATION:

(00:22) Introduction to "El Condor Pasa"

VERSE ONE:

(01:32) I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail

(03:55) Yes I would, If I could, I surely would

CHORUS:

(04:35) Away, I'd rather sail away

(05:59) Like a swan that's here and gone

(07:31) A man gets tied up to the ground

(10:32) He gives the world its saddest sound

VERSE TWO, THREE, FOUR:

(12:07) I'd rather be a hammer than a nail

(13:52) I'd rather be a forest than a street

(14:52) I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet

INTERPRETATION:

(16:19) Interpretation of song meaning

(18:16) More songs at https://explainedinenglish.com

(18:44) Need English lessons? I'm your teacher!

LINKS:

Lots of unreleased song explanations at:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

Email me:

info@explainedinenglish.com

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Free clickable transcript with lyrics and music: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/landslide.html

Love learning English with music? Join our Music Lovers Club today and get exclusive access to unreleased song explanations, printable PDF transcripts for new episodes, a personal song explanation of your choice or even online English lessons. Learn more at:

https://www.patreon.com/explainedinenglish

Now let's learn English with music as I explain the song meaning and lyrics of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac.

Lyrics Difficulty: ✦✦✧

EXPLANATION:

(00:22) Introduction to "Landslide"​

VERSE ONE:

(01:11) I took my love, I took it down

(03:09) I climbed a mountain and I turned around

(04:36) And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills

(07:50) 'Till the landslide brought me down

VERSE TWO:

(09:44) Oh mirror in the sky, what is love?

(11:53) Can the child within my heart rise above?

(13:43) Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?

(15:17) Can I handle the seasons of my life?

CHORUS:

(17:06) Well I've been afraid of changing

(18:22) Cause I built my life around you

(19:53) But time makes you bolder

(20:35) Even children get older

(21:42) And I'm getting older too

VERSE ONE VARIATION:

(21:55) [Notes on v1 variation]

INTERPRETATION AND PRONUNCIATION:

(22:18) "Landslide" song meaning explained

(23:31) Full album of 70s songs at https://explainedinenglish.com/70s.html

(23:52) Want conversational English lessons?

(24:47) Pronunciation practice

Find lots of unreleased song explanations at:

https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast.html

Main website:

https://explainedinenglish.com

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Website: https://explainedinenglish.com

Need help understanding? Use the text transcript below.

Sections:

(00:01) Introduction

(00:21) Who is Kiah?

(00:59) About the Explained in English project

(02:24) Why not just use translations?

(03:22) What level English should I have?

(03:53) How to use the podcast

(05:48) Try an explanation now (https://explainedinenglish.com)

[Transcript]

Introduction (00:01)

Hello and welcome to Explained in English, a new podcast for English learners and music lovers. Today, I’m explaining how to use this podcast, with music, to improve your English.

Who is Kiah? (00:21)

I’m so excited to finally share this podcast with all of you. I’d like to start by introducing myself. My name is Kiah, or Ki, for short. It kind of has a weird spelling, K-I-A-H. I’m from the state of Michigan in the United States, but I live and work in Italy. My job is an English teacher. I’ve been a language teacher for over 10 years now. I started teaching Spanish in the United States, but here I teach English.

About the Explained in English project (00:59)

Since I work with students who are learning English, I’m always looking for authentic, real ways for them to improve their English. Music and song lyrics in general are something that everyone seems to like. But, even my advanced students often find learning English with music and songs challenging. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what the singer is singing. Sometimes we lack cultural knowledge or history to understand the song properly, and sometimes we lack the motivation to sit down and look up the unknown words. Sometimes it just feels like a lot of work!

For all of these reasons, my students felt a little bit blocked in using music as a learning tool. So, this project, this podcast, is to fix that problem. This podcast is all about giving you the support that you need to enjoy and feel confident understanding songs, all in English. I go through and explain each line of the song, making the words, phrases, and grammar easy to understand and easy to remember.

Why not just use translations? (02:24)

Some people have asked me, “Why not just use translations?”, and my answer is: well, that depends on your goal or what you’re hoping to accomplish. For example, if you just want to understand the meaning of a song then I think translations are a great way. However, if you also want to improve your language skills, then you’ll learn and remember more if you learn all in English.

As an intermediate or advanced student, you want to train yourself to think, interpret, and speak in English, using your native language as little as possible. These explanations will help move you in that direction and get you closer to thinking, speaking, and interpreting in English.

What level English should I have? (03:22)

So, because everything is explained in English, this podcast is not intended for beginners. These explanations are really for intermediate to advanced students of English. If you can understand most of what I’m saying now, then you’re in the right place. If you are really struggling to understand, then this podcast is probably not for you yet.

How to use the podcast (03:53)

So, how should you use this podcast? To get the most of these explanations follow three simple steps. Step one:

1. Get familiar with the real song.

Even if you know the song already, I still suggest listening to it once before you go to the explanation. However, if the song is new or unknown, you should spend some time getting to know it; becoming familiar with the tune, the singer’s voice. Just getting comfortable with what the song sounds like. You don’t need to understand all the lyrics yet. After you’ve heard the song, you can move to step two. In the second step you...

2. Listen to the explanation audio.

You should preferably listen in a place free of distractions, where you can relax and enjoy the explanation. The goal of the explanation is for you to understand the song lyrics. However, you don’t have to understand every word that I say. I use a lot of examples, a lot of extra words to help you comprehend and understand the lyrics. You definitely don’t have to memorize all of the words in the explanation. Just focus on grasping the meaning of the song lyrics. At the end of the explanation you move to step three, the final step, where you...

3. Listen to the song again.

This time, you should be able to understand and appreciate the song in a much deeper way. Hopefully, understanding all of the words and the meaning of the song.

Okay! That’s it for this introductory podcast. In the future, I’ll likely record more in-depth information about how to use this podcast. But, for now, I invite you to try one of the explanations. Follow the three basic steps I mentioned before, and you’ll be all set to improve your English with music.

Thanks again and I’ll see you in the next explanation. Bye bye!

-Kiah

Website:

https://explainedinenglish.com

E-mail:

info@explainedinenglish.com