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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Missing episodes?
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Music, lyrics and explanation all in one place: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/soundofsilence.html
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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Music, lyrics, and free transcript all in one place: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/bohemian.html
Let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.
Lyrics Difficulty: Hard
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Music, lyrics, and explanation all in one place: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/bohemian.html
Let's learn some English with music as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.
Lyrics Difficulty: Advanced
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Music, lyrics, and free transcript all in one place: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/blowin.html
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: Intermediate
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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: Basic
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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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: Advanced
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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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: Advanced
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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Music, lyrics, and free interactive transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/dontknowwhy.html
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: Intermediate
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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Music, lyrics, and free interactive transcript at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/dockofthebay.html
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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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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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/herecomes.html
Let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles.
Lyrics Difficulty: Basic
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
Music:
Blind Love Dub by Jeris. Creative Commons 3.0.
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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/hunghead.html
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: Intermediate
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
Let's improve your English as I explain the lyrics and meaning of the song The Scientist by Coldplay.
Lyrics Difficulty: Intermediate
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:
More 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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Free interactive transcript, lyrics and music at:
https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/nosurprises.html
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:
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
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:
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
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: Intermediate
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:
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Free clickable transcript with lyrics and music: https://explainedinenglish.com/podcast/landslide.html
Let's learn English with music as I explain the song meaning and lyrics of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac.
Lyrics Difficulty: Intermediate
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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