Shadowing Practice: Nelly - Just A Dream (Official Music Video) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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I was
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thinking about her, thinking about me Thinking about us, who we gon' be?
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Open my eyes, yeah, it was only just a dream So I travel, stay down here We should come back,
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no one knows I realize, yeah, it was only just a dream
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I was at the top and I was like I'm in the basement Number one spot, now she found her a replacement I swear now I can't take it
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Knowing somebody's got my baby And now you ain't around, baby, I can't think I should've put it down,
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should've got that ring Cause I can still feel it in the air See her pretty face, run my fingers through her hair My love,
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my life, my Charlotte, my wife She left me untight,
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cause I knew it already just there I was thinking about her, thinking about me Thinking about us, where we gonna be?
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Open my eyes, yeah It was only just a dream So I travel back, down the road We should come back,
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no one knows I realize that it was only just a dream When I be riding,
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man, I swear I see her face at every turn Trying to get my usher on, but I can't let it burn And I just hope she know
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that she the only one I yearn for More and more, I miss her when I learn Didn't give her all my love,
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I guess now I got my payback Now I'm in the club thinking all about my baby Hey, she was so easy to love But wait,
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I guess that love wasn't enough I'm going through it every time that I'm alone
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And now I'm wishing she'd pick up the phone
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But she made the decision that she wanted to move on Cause I was wrong
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And now I'm thinking about her Thinking about me, thinking about us What we gonna be,
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open my eyes It was only just a dream So I travel back, down that road We should come back,
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no one knows I realized it was only just a dream If you ever love somebody,
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put your hands up If you ever love somebody, put your hands up And how'd it burn them?
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You wish you could give them everything Something Said if you ever love somebody, put your hands up If you ever love somebody,
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put your hands up And how'd it burn them?
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You wish you could give them everything I was thinking about her, I was thinking about me Thinking about us, who we gon' be?
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Open my eyes, yeah It was only just a dream
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It was so much time back down that road It should come back
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and no one knows I realized it was only just a dream I was thinking about her,
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thinking about me Thinking about us, who we gonna be?
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Open my eyes, it was only just a dream It was so much travel back down that road
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You should come back and no one knows I realize that it was only just a dream

Explore Emotion and Language with "Just A Dream" by Nelly

Ever wanted to learn English with YouTube while diving into a catchy, emotional song? Nelly's "Just A Dream" is perfect for that! The video's dialogue blends personal reflection with relatable heartache, making it easy to connect with the lyrics while practicing real-world English. The conversational flow and repetitive structure make it ideal for mastering pronunciation, rhythm, and everyday phrases—all while enjoying a classic track.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "I was thinking about...": A simple way to share reflections. Use it like, "I was thinking about our weekend plans."
  • "Should've put it down": Short for "should have," this common contraction expresses regret. Try, "I should've called her earlier."
  • "Can't take it": Means "can't handle it." Example: "The noise is so loud—I can't take it!"
  • "Move on": To leave the past behind. Like, "It's time to move on from that mistake."
  • "Put your hands up": A fun, interactive phrase for group settings. Use it at a party: "If you're ready to dance, put your hands up!"

Step-by-Step Shadowing Guide for This Video

The shadowing technique is all about mimicking speech in real time, and this song is a great shadowing site! Here's how to start:

  1. Listen first: Play the video once to grasp the emotion and rhythm. Notice how Nelly stresses words like "dream" and "baby."
  2. Break it down: Pause after 2-3 lines. Repeat them out loud, copying the tone and speed. Focus on "I was thinking about her"—keep the flow natural.
  3. Shadow speak in real time: Play the video again and speak along as Nelly sings. Don't worry about mistakes—this builds fluency.
  4. Check your pace: The song has a steady beat, so match it. If you stumble, slow down, then speed up as you get comfortable.
  5. Practice daily: Spend 5-10 minutes shadowing the chorus. You'll notice your pronunciation and confidence improve fast!

With "Just A Dream," you're not just learning English—you're connecting with a story. Use the shadowing technique, and watch your speaking skills soar. Ready to start? Hit play and let the music guide you!

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 →