Learn in three simple steps:
1 |
Listen to the song Enjoy listening to the music using the video below. Make a mental note of any interesting words or parts, but don't worry if you can't understand yet. No video? Watch on YouTube. |
2 |
Play the explanation Grab a hot drink and relax. I'll explain each line of the song for you. Use the explanations to understand the song lyrics, but don't worry about knowing every word that I use to explain. For an extra challenge listen without the transcript. |
[Transcript]
INTRODUCTION:
Hello English learners and music lovers. Welcome to Explained in English. My name's Ki and today I'm explaining the song Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
If there's one truth about life that I've learned, it's that everything changes -- nothing will stay the same forever. If you look at a mountain, what you see seems so strong, so big, so solid. It seems like nothing could ever change it, but I know that even mountains change. Everything changes. And when something that we consider unchangeable changes, it creates some of the most difficult times of our lives. And that's exactly what this song is about. It's about finding the strength within us to overcome the most difficult and often, unexpected events in life. The first verse begins:
LYRICS:
I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
'Till the landslide brought my down
Oh mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Well I've been afraid of changing
Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too
Take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turned around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well the landslide'll bring you down (x2)
INTERPRETATION:
So, to me, this song seems to push us to reflect on the fact that the landslides of our lives will eventually take everything down, which can really be a beautiful or a sad thing depending on how you look at it. It's a searching song. Searching for strength, searching for meaning in events and situations that we don't understand. It can be such a scary thing to rebuild your life, to have a complete change of plans from the way you thought your life would be. But, despite the deep pain and the hurt, there's hope in this song that we can find the strength to handle the changes, that we'll become bold enough to move on, to keep moving our way through this marvelously beautiful life.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Alright! That is it for Landslide. Now's the time to listen to the song. I would suggest the live version, it really showcases the feeling and heart of this song.
If you're enjoying learning English with music, there are full albums of song explanations by decade available at explainedinenglish.com. Each explanation comes with pronunciation practice and a full PDF transcript -- so you never miss a word.
I also offer personal lessons where you can discuss these songs with me and improve your conversational English. Contact me using the form at explainedinenglish.com.
I'm including an example pronunciation practice at the end of this audio. So, you can stay around for that or otherwise, I will see you in the next explanation.
Happy listening! Bye bye.
-Kiah
PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION:
Hello English learners and music lovers. Welcome to Explained in English. My name's Ki and today I'm explaining the song Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
If there's one truth about life that I've learned, it's that everything changes -- nothing will stay the same forever. If you look at a mountain, what you see seems so strong, so big, so solid. It seems like nothing could ever change it, but I know that even mountains change. Everything changes. And when something that we consider unchangeable changes, it creates some of the most difficult times of our lives. And that's exactly what this song is about. It's about finding the strength within us to overcome the most difficult and often, unexpected events in life. The first verse begins:
LYRICS:
| [Verse 1] |  |
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
'Till the landslide brought my down
| [Verse 2] | |
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
| [Chorus] | |
Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too
| [Verse 1 Variation] | |
Climb a mountain and turned around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well the landslide'll bring you down (x2)
INTERPRETATION:
So, to me, this song seems to push us to reflect on the fact that the landslides of our lives will eventually take everything down, which can really be a beautiful or a sad thing depending on how you look at it. It's a searching song. Searching for strength, searching for meaning in events and situations that we don't understand. It can be such a scary thing to rebuild your life, to have a complete change of plans from the way you thought your life would be. But, despite the deep pain and the hurt, there's hope in this song that we can find the strength to handle the changes, that we'll become bold enough to move on, to keep moving our way through this marvelously beautiful life.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Alright! That is it for Landslide. Now's the time to listen to the song. I would suggest the live version, it really showcases the feeling and heart of this song.
If you're enjoying learning English with music, there are full albums of song explanations by decade available at explainedinenglish.com. Each explanation comes with pronunciation practice and a full PDF transcript -- so you never miss a word.
I also offer personal lessons where you can discuss these songs with me and improve your conversational English. Contact me using the form at explainedinenglish.com.
I'm including an example pronunciation practice at the end of this audio. So, you can stay around for that or otherwise, I will see you in the next explanation.
Happy listening! Bye bye.
-Kiah
PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE
3 | Well done! You just improved your English with a lovely song. Now listen to the live version and enjoy listening to this song again and again. |
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