Learning English through music can be a fun and effective way to improve your language skills. As you listen to the song, pay attention to the words and try to understand their meaning. Today, we will be focusing on the hit song “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa. This upbeat and catchy song is a great way to practice your listening, vocabulary, and grammar skills. So, let’s dive in and learn English with this fun and exciting song!
Don’t Start Now (Lyrics) – Dua Lipa
Fill in the Blanks
Listen to the songs and fill in the blanks with the correct lyrics.
Don’t Start Now (Lyrics)
If you don’t wanna see me
Did a full one-eighty, crazy
Thinking ’bout the way I was
Did the heartbreak change me? Maybe
But look at where I ended up
I’m all good already
So moved on, it’s scary
I’m not where you left me at all, so
If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody
If you wanna believe that anything could stop me
Don’t show up, don’t come out
Don’t start caring about me now
Walk away, you know how
Don’t start caring about me now
Aren’t you the guy who tried to
Hurt me with the word “goodbye”?
Though it took some time to survive you
I’m better on the other side
I’m all good already
So moved on, it’s scary
I’m not where you left me at all, so
If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody
If you wanna believe that anything could stop me
(Don’t, don’t, don’t)
Don’t show up, don’t come out
Don’t start caring about me now
Walk away, you know how
Don’t start caring about me now (‘Bout me now, ’bout me)
Up, up
Don’t come out, out, out
Don’t show up, up, up
Don’t start now (Oh)
Up, up
Don’t come out, out
I’m not where you left me at all, so
If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody
If you wanna believe that anything could stop me
Don’t show up (Don’t show up), don’t come out (Don’t come out)
Don’t start caring about me now (‘Bout me now)
Walk away (Walk away), you know how (You know how)
Don’t start caring about me now (So)
Up, up
Don’t come out, out, out
Don’t show up, up, up
Walk away, walk away (So)
Up, up
Don’t come out, out, out
Don’t show up, up, up
Walk away, walk away, oh
Understanding This Song’s Meaning
The song delivers a message of self-assurance and liberation, encouraging listeners to let go of toxic relationships, embrace personal growth, and not allow the opinions or actions of others to hold them back.
The first verse acknowledges the transformation the singer has gone through, from being heartbroken to feeling confident and content. She declares that she has moved on and is in a better place than before.
If you don’t wanna see me
Did a full one-eighty, crazy
Thinking ’bout the way I was
Did the heartbreak change me? Maybe
But look at where I ended up
I’m all good already
So moved on, it’s scary
I’m not where you left me at all, so
“If you don’t wanna see me”
“Wanna” is an informal contraction of “want to”, typically used in spoken English. “See” here means “encounter or meet”.
“Did a full one-eighty, crazy”
This is a way of saying that the speaker has made a complete change in their life. A “one-eighty” informally refers to a 180-degree turn, similar to saying “I’ve done a U-turn”. “Crazy” is an adjective meaning wild, extreme, or unbelievable.
“Thinking ’bout the way I was”
“‘Bout” is short for “about” and is used in many dialects. It refers to considering or reflecting on one’s past self or behavior.
“Did the heartbreak change me? Maybe”
“Heartbreak” refers to the emotional pain following a disappointing event or relationship. “Maybe” shows uncertainty or a possibility.
“But look at where I ended up”
A phrase that means see my current situation.
“I’m all good already”
A phrase meaning “I’m completely fine now”.
“So moved on, it’s scary”
“Moved on” means having overcome a difficult event. “It’s scary” is used here to emphasize the extent of the recovery.
“I’m not where you left me at all, so”
This phrase is saying that the speaker has changed significantly from when the person they’re addressing last saw them (“where you left me”).
The chorus serves as a direct message to her ex-partner, stating that if they don’t want to see her happy and moving on, they should stay away. She emphasizes that she is no longer interested in their presence or their opinion of her. The lyrics assert her independence and determination to continue living her life without any concern for their judgments or interference.
If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody
If you wanna believe that anything could stop me
Don’t show up, don’t come out
Don’t start caring about me now
Walk away, you know how
Don’t start caring about me now
“If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody”
Again, “wanna” is used in place of “want to”. Dancing with somebody implies that the person is moving on and enjoying life with other people.
“If you wanna believe that anything could stop me”
If you choose to believe that there are impediments to my progress or success.
“Don’t show up, don’t come out”
“Show up” means to appear or arrive, and “come out” here means making a public appearance. Both phrases imply avoiding contact.
“Don’t start caring about me now”
This phrase is self-explanatory. It is instructing the person not to begin showing concern or affection towards the speaker at this point.
“Walk away, you know how”
“Walk away” means to leave, specifically leaving a challenging or undesired situation. “You know how” implies that the person has done it before.
The second verse reflects on the past hurt caused by her ex-partner, questioning if they are the person who tried to hurt her with a goodbye. It suggests that she has overcome the pain and is now thriving without them. The lyrics reaffirm her strength and resilience, emphasizing that she is now better off without them.
Aren’t you the guy who tried to
Hurt me with the word “goodbye”?
Though it took some time to survive you
I’m better on the other side
I’m all good already
So moved on, it’s scary
I’m not where you left me at all, so
“Aren’t you the guy who tried to hurt me with the word ‘goodbye’?”
This is a rhetorical question. It is used to remind the person they have caused emotional pain
“Though it took some time to survive you”
This phrase employs a metaphor, where the speaker’s interaction with the other person is likened to a survival situation, indicating its difficulty or pain.
“I’m better on the other side”
The phrase “the other side” generally refers to a situation or phase that has followed a difficult time, suggesting that the speaker has successfully moved past this person and their relationship.
Overall, “Don’t Start Now” uses common colloquial phrases and idioms that one might use in everyday conversation, particularly in the context of moving past a difficult or hurtful relationship.
Bear in mind that English can vary greatly by region and even by individual speaker. The language and idioms used in this song are most common in contemporary, colloquial English and might not be used, or even understood, by all English speakers. However, this song can still serve as a valuable learning tool for English learners, particularly those who want to familiarize themselves with slang phrases and contractions.
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