Shadowing Practice: Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso (Lyrics) - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
1
Now here Thinkin' bout me, every night oh Is it that sweet, I guess so See you can't sleep,
2
baby, I know Does that mean, it's crystal?
3
Move it up, down, left, right, oh Switch it up like Nintendo See you can't sleep, baby, I know Does that mean, it's crystal?
4
So, I can't relate to desperation Might give a fuck,
5
or on vacation And I got this one boy, and he won't stop calling When they act this way,
6
I know I got him Too bad your ex don't do it for ya Walked in and drinking,
7
truly for ya Soft skin and I perfumed it for ya Yes, I know I'm out into it for ya
8
That morning coffee brewed it for ya One touch and I'm brand new for ya
9
And now here you're thinking about me every night old So that's sweet, I guess so So you can't sleep,
10
baby, I know That's that me espresso Move it all down, I've tried it all Switch it up like Nintendo So you can't sleep,
11
baby, I know That's that me espresso Holy shit Is it that sweet?
12
I guess so I'm working, babe Cause I'm a singer Oh,
13
we look so cute Wrapped around my finger My twisted humor Making laughs so often My honeybee
14
Come and get this pollen Too bad your ex don't do it for ya Walked in
15
and drinking through it for ya I'm coming through it for ya Soft skin
16
and I perfumed it for ya I know I'm out into it for ya I'm on a coffee,
17
put it for ya I'm touching a brand new order for
18
ya Now he's thinking about me every night home Isn't that sweet, I guess so I see you can't sleep,
19
baby, I know It's that me, it's my soul Move it up, down, I've dried old Switch it up like Nintendo Say you can't sleep,
20
baby, I know Cause that means my soul Thinkin' bout me at night all Is it that sweet, I guess so?
21
Say you can't sleep, baby, I know Cause that means my soul Move it up,
22
down, up, down, up, down Teach it up like Nintendo Say you can't sleep,
23
baby, I know Cause that means my soul Is it that sweet, I guess so?
24
That's that mi espresso

Who Will Love This Video for English Practice?

This video is perfect for intermediate learners ready to level up their conversational flow and slang. If you want to sound natural while talking about relationships, daily moments, or even playful banter, Sabrina Carpenter’s "Espresso" is your secret weapon. It’s great for shadowing practice—mimicking the rhythm and tone—since the lyrics are catchy and repetitive, making it easy to follow along. Whether you’re prepping for casual chats or just want to sound more like a native, this track delivers quick wins.

Words & Idioms to Add to Your Toolkit

Steal these standout phrases to spice up your English:

  • "Can’t sleep, baby, I know": A casual way to say you’re sure someone is thinking about you (playful, not literal). Example: "You texted at 2 AM? Can’t sleep, baby, I know."
  • "Switch it up like Nintendo": To change things in a fun, dynamic way (Nintendo = classic gaming, so it feels nostalgic). Example: "Let’s switch it up like Nintendo—instead of dinner, let’s go mini-golfing!"
  • "Wrapped around my finger": To have someone completely infatuated with you. Example: "My dog? He’s wrapped around my finger—he does anything for a treat."
  • "Holy shit": A shocked, informal exclamation (use with friends!). Example: "Holy shit, that concert was amazing!"

Master the Accent: Tips for Sabrina’s Style

Sabrina’s vocals are bright and conversational, with a focus on rhythm over rigid pronunciation. Here’s how to nail it:

  • Shorten "can’t" to "can’t" (not "cawn’t"): She keeps it crisp—listen for the quick "t" sound. Practice: "You can’t sleep? I can’t either!"
  • Stress the beat in "espresso": Say "es-PRESS-oh" (not "es-PRES-so"). The second syllable pops, just like the drink!
  • Slur "move it up, down" smoothly: Link the words: "move-it-up-down" to keep the flow. This is key for sounding natural in fast speech—try it with a shadowing app to match her pace.
  • Exaggerate "sweet" with a long "ee": She draws out "sweet" to sound playful. Say "Is it that sweeet?" with a smile—it’ll feel more authentic.

Ready to practice? Hit play, pause, and repeat—shadow speak your way to a more confident accent. You’ve got this!

Grammar in this video

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

StructureIn the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowI've tried · I've dried
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowyou're thinking · I'm working · I'm coming

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 →