Shadowing Practice: Keane - Somewhere Only We Know (Lyrics) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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I walked
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across an empty land
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I knew the pathway like the back of my hand I felt the earth beneath my feet
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Sat by the river and it made me complete Oh,
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simple thing, where have you gone?
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I'm getting old and I did something to rely on So tell me when you're gonna let me in
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I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
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I came across a fallen tree I felt the branches of it looking at me
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Is this the place we used to love?
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Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
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Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
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I'm getting old and I need something to rely on So tell me when,
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you're gonna let me in?
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I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin And if you have a minute,
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why don't we go?
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Talk about it, somewhere only we know This could be the end of everything So why don't we go?
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Somewhere only we know Somewhere only we know
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A simple thing, where have you gone?
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I'm getting old and I'm at something to rely on So tell me when you're gonna let me in
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I'm getting tired and I'm at somewhere to break in And if you have a minute why don't we go
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Talk about it somewhere only we know
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This can't be the end of everything So why don't we go So why don't we go Oh,
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this could be the end of everything So why don't we go somewhere only we know
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Somewhere only we know Somewhere only we know

Learn English with Videos: Practice Speaking with "Somewhere Only We Know"

Ready to boost your English speaking skills while enjoying a classic song? This lesson uses the heartfelt lyrics of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" to help you practice pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. Whether you're new to shadowing or looking to refine your skills, this video is a perfect tool—its slow-to-moderate tempo and clear vocals make it easy to follow along. By the end, you'll feel more confident speaking English and have a fun song under your belt!

Key Vocabulary & Phrases to Master

  • Pathway: A small road or track. Example: "I knew the pathway like the back of my hand."
  • Rely on: To depend on something. Example: "I need something to rely on."
  • Fallen tree: A tree that has fallen over. Example: "I came across a fallen tree."
  • Somewhere only we know: A special, private place. This phrase repeats often—great for practicing rhythm!
  • Complete: Feeling whole or satisfied. Example: "It made me complete."

Practice Tips for Shadowing Success

Shadowing (repeating speech immediately after hearing it) is a powerful way to improve English pronunciation and fluency. Here's how to make the most of this video: Start slow—pause after each line and repeat it, focusing on matching the singer's tone (soft and reflective). Notice how words like "simple" and "something" are stressed. Once you're comfortable, try shadowing without pausing—this trains your brain to keep up with natural speech. For extra practice, record yourself and compare it to the video—you'll be amazed at how quickly you improve! This video is a top pick for shadow speech because its melody helps you remember the rhythm of English. So, grab your headphones and start shadowing—your fluency journey starts here!

Ready to try? Head to the video, hit play, and let "Somewhere Only We Know" guide your English practice. With tools like this, learning English with videos has never been more enjoyable. Keep shadowing, and watch your skills soar!

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowI'm getting
Future with “going to” be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see cominggonna let

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.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →