Friday Sessions #19: ‘I’d get him to swap our places’ – ‘Running Up That Hill’, Kate Bush

When you come across a new word in English, have you every noticed that you can still understand the meaning of a phrase (in general,) without needing to stop and translate? On a basic level, there is sometimes nothing wrong with this, but as you progress, you will probably want to reach a higher level of accuracy and comprehension. A really great motivation for expanding your vocabulary is to help you gain a deeper understanding of any context or situation. Is the context informal or formal? What is the typical word used? How does the choice of word change the feeling or message?

In today’s Friday Session, we are listening to ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush. Check the lyric: ‘And I’d get him to swap our places’

The verb ‘to swap’ is a synonym of the words ‘exchange’ or ‘trade,’ so they have similar meanings, but we might choose to use them in different contexts.

Examples:

I’ve read this book before, can we swap?

It is common for different countries to trade goods and services.

We exchanged many ideas before coming to a final decision.

*Tip: Always learn new words in a context and try creating your own phrases connecting other words: swap a book, trade goods, exchange ideas etc…

Lyrics:

It doesn’t hurt me
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know, know that it doesn’t hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal I’m making?
You, it’s you and me

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
See if I only could, oh

You don’t want to hurt me
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware I’m tearing you asunder
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don’t we?
You, it’s you and me
It’s you and me, won’t be unhappy

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building
Say, if I only could, oh

You
It’s you and me
It’s you and me, won’t be unhappy

Oh come on, baby
Oh come on, darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Oh come on, angel
Come on, come on, darling
Let’s exchange the experience, oh

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

Said, if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

So if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

Said, if I only could
I’d be running up that hill
With no problems

(If I only could, I’d be running up that hill)
(If I only could, I’d be running up that hill)