Learn English with Songs: “Hand in my pocket”

Good morning!

Remember we learnt some vocabulary with Alanis Morissette’s Ironic? Such a great song!

Another fantastic song, with plenty of good English vocabulary words is “Hand in my Pocket”. Let’s learn it!

1. Read the lyrics
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Sing along!

Lyrics

I’m broke but I’m happy, I’m poor but I’m kind
I’m short but I’m healthy, yeah
I’m high but I’m grounded, I’m sane but I’m overwhelmed
I’m lost but I’m hopeful, baby
What it all comes down to
Is that everything’s gonna be fine, fine, fine
‘Cause I’ve got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five

I feel drunk but I’m sober, I’m young and I’m underpaid
I’m tired but I’m working, yeah
I care but I’m restless, I’m here but I’m really gone
I’m wrong and I’m sorry baby

What it all comes down to
Is that everything is going to be quite alright
‘Cause I’ve got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is flicking a cigarette

What it all comes down to
Is that I haven’t got it all figured out just yet
‘Cause I’ve got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a peace sign

I’m free but I’m focused, I’m green but I’m wise
I’m hard but I’m friendly, baby
I’m sad but I’m laughing, I’m brave but I’m chicken s**t
I’m sick but I’m pretty baby

And what it all boils down to
Is that no one’s really got it figured out just yet
I’ve got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is playing the piano

And what it all comes down to, my friends, yeah
Is that everything is just fine fine fine
I’ve got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is hailing a taxi cab

Vocabulary

Broke – not having any money.

Grounded – used to describe a person who is sensible and has a good understanding of what is really important in life.

Overwhelmed – to affect (someone) very strongly.

Hopeful – full of hope.

Sober – not drunk.

Underpaid – to pay too little for something.

Restless – feeling nervous or bored and tending to move around a lot :not relaxed or calm.

Flicking a cigarrette – the short, quick movement we do to eliminate the ash from the end of a cigarrette.

Green – not having training, knowledge, or experience.

Chicken s**t – slang to mean weak and cowardly.

All boils down to – to have (something) as the main or basic part.

Hailing a taxi cab – to call out in order to stop or get the attention of (someone or something), in this case a taxi.

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