Every summer has its soundtrack: what will 2017’s be? We are looking at some of the summer hts (so far) for 2017 and also taking a look back at the summer jams from last year. The songs are catchy . . . and they’re also a great way to learn some very useful English phrasal verbs!

Note: many phrasal verbs have multiple definitions. The definitions given here are the definitions for how these phrasal verbs are used in the song. 

Phrasal Verbs in Summer Jams

Selena Gomez, Kygo “It Ain’t Me”

GROW UP

Definition: to mature, become an adult.

“I had a dream
We were back to seventeen
Summer nights and The Libertines
Never growing up”

WAKING UP

Definition: stop sleeping.

“Who’s waking up to drive you home when you’re drunk and all alone?”

WALK (SOMEONE) THROUGH (SOMETHING)

Definition: explain or demonstrate something carefully to someone (in this case, to help).

“Who’s gonna walk you through the dark side of the morning?”

STAYING OUT

Definition: not go home.

“Somewhere along the lines
We stopped seeing eye to eye
You were staying out all night
And I had enough”

Read the complete lyrics.

Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”

FILL UP

Definition: fill something completely.

“You and me are thrifty, so go all you can eat
Fill up your bag and I fill up a plate”

GO OUT

Definition: to go on a date.

“One week in we let the story begin
We’re going out on our first date”

START UP

Definition: begin, especially sounds or conversation.

“And you come over and start up a conversation with just me”

You can read the lyrics here.

Katy Perry “Chained to the Rhythm”

TURN IT UP

Definition: increase volume, temperature, etc.

“Turn it up, it’s your favorite song”

KEEP ON

Definition: continue.

“Come on, turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumbling around like a wasted zombie”

Read the lyrics here.

2016 Summer Jams

In 2016, these four songs were on repeat, and they’re still popular a year later.

Justin Bieber “Sorry”

Phrasal Verbs to Know:

RUN OUT

Definition: to have no more of something.

“You know I try but I don’t do too well with apologies / I hope I don’t run out of time.”

LET DOWN

Definition: to disappoint someone.

“Yeah, I know that I let you down / Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?”

To read the lyrics, click here.

 

Mike Posner “I Took a Nizagara Pill in Ibiza”

STEP OFF

Definition: exit.

“But you don’t wanna be high like me / Never really knowing why like me / You don’t ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone”

GET ALONG WITH

Definition: have a good relationship“I get along with old timers / ‘Cause my name’s a reminder of a pop song people forgot.”

COMES UP (the sun)

Definition: the sun rises.

“And I can’t keep a girl, no / ‘Cause as soon as the sun comes up / I cut ’em all loose and work’s my excuse”

OPEN UP

Definition: share emotions.

“I cut ’em all loose and work’s my excuse / But the truth is I can’t open up”

To read the lyrics, click here.

 

DNCE “Cake By the Ocean”

KEEP ON

Definition: continue.

“I keep on hoping we’ll eat cake by the ocean”

Note: this phrasal verb is followed by ING: keep on + ing.

To read the lyrics, click here.

 

Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling”

TURN ON

Definition: to start (lights, cars, etc.)

“I got this feeling, inside my bones / It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on”

CREEP UP (slang)

Definition: approach (because you’re interested in the person romantically)

“Feeling good, good, creeping up on you / So just dance, dance, dance, come on”

COME ON

Definition: let’s go!

“Feeling good, good, creeping up on you / So just dance, dance, dance, come on”

To read the lyrics, click here.