Shadowing Practice: Damiano David - The First Time (Sub. Español + Lyrics) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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I thought
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my heart had felt it all I swam for miles across the ocean Never met the shore
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My eyes were closed, my eyes were closed Just getting drunk on pills and portions,
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craving something more Traveled the world but it got me nowhere,
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nothing could ever compare A kiss, a touch, a song that made me cry
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and all the drugs I've done They never got me higher
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than the first time we met There's nothing like the first time we met I crashed my car,
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oh baby I was flying And I talked to God,
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he couldn't get me higher than the first time we met There's nothing like the first time,
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the first time we met That night,
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the stars align Heaven dropped a line Before you I was
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just a flare in the sky A kid too afraid to go play in the light A colorless painter,
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a man with no sight Before you I was nothing, was nothing, had nothing I only had a kiss, a touch, a song that made me cry,
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and all the drugs I've done, ain't never got me higher than the first time we met,
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there's nothing like the first time we met.
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I crashed my car, baby I was flying And I talked to God,
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He couldn't get me higher The first time we met, there's nothing like the first time The first time we met
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You set the room on fire You take the angels higher
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I heard a thousand choirs Oh baby you ain't seen nothing yet Traveled the world,
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it got me nowhere Nothing could ever compare Kiss or touch,
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a song that made me cry The drugs I've done,
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they never got me higher Than the first time we met There's nothing like the first time we met
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And when I crashed my car, oh baby I was flying And I talked to God,
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He couldn't get me higher And there's nothing like the first time we met The first time we met
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The first time we met Cause I've been like a fool I'm the first time we met

Context & Background

The video "Damiano David - The First Time" features a heartfelt narration where the speaker reflects on memories of love and emotional connections. The lyrics portray the depth of experiences, emphasizing the importance of that initial encounter which holds a special place in one's heart. Using vivid imagery and relatable emotions, the speaker takes the audience through a journey of personal revelation, touching upon themes of nostalgia, longing, and self-discovery. This context provides a rich backdrop for English learners, offering both lyrical beauty and complex expressions of feelings to practice.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "There's nothing like the first time we met." - A phrase that emphasizes the uniqueness of first experiences, great for discussing memories.
  • "I traveled the world, but it got me nowhere." - A perfect expression to convey feelings of disappointment despite efforts.
  • "I crashed my car, oh baby, I was flying." - This metaphor can be used to describe moments of exhilaration or reckless abandon.
  • "I talked to God, he couldn't get me higher." - Consider using this in exaggerated expressions about seeking joy or meaning.
  • "You set the room on fire." - An engaging way to compliment someone's presence or impact in a situation.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Utilizing shadow speech can dramatically enhance your english speaking practice. Here’s how to approach shadowing with the content of this video:

  1. Listening: Begin by listening to the song without any visual distraction. Focus on the emotions conveyed through both the lyrics and vocal delivery.
  2. Repetition: Choose a small section of the transcript, such as a phrase that resonates with you. Repeat it after the speaker, mimicking their intonation and rhythm.
  3. Break It Down: Analyze difficult phrases. For instance, break "I traveled the world, but it got me nowhere" into smaller segments. Practice them individually before combining them.
  4. Record and Compare: Record yourself performing the shadow speech. Then, compare your recording with the original audio to identify areas of improvement.
  5. Integrate and Use: Start using these phrases in your daily conversations with peers or during your IELTS speaking practice. This not only builds vocabulary but also enhances your fluency and confidence.

By integrating the emotional depth of the lyrics into your shadowing practice, you will not only improve your articulation but also develop a more nuanced understanding of English communication.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.