A Better Man – English Lyrics

• By: Thunder
• Album: 1993

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the power of personal transformation through Thunder's classic ballad, "A Better Man." This song offers a great opportunity to explore the English language through its heartfelt and direct lyrics about growth and redemption. What makes this song special is its raw honesty and the universal message that love can inspire us to become better versions of ourselves, a theme that resonates across any language.

[English]

Once in a while, I drift in time

To a place in my memory, that it still hurts to find

I was taking on the world with a see-through smile

But dying on the inside all the while

I was, dying on the inside all the while

Like a martyr that don't want sympathy

I locked away my feelings, and threw away the key

It was gonna take a miracle to pierce my pride

And you were the tower of strength to try

When your loving washed right over me like the tide

And now I believe in love (I believe in love)

I believe in love (I believe in love)

You're the reason why I can

Cos when I look, at myself, in the mirror

I see a better man

A better man

Yes its hard finding words that can say how I feel about you

I don't care if it sounds like another old cliche

But I can't stand the thought of living my life without you

For even a day

Oh baby

And now I believe in love (I believe in love)

Yes I believe in love (I believe in love)

You're the reason why I can

Cos when I look, at myself, in the mirror

Oh baby

When I look at myself in the mirror

When I'm looking at myself in the mirror

I see a better man

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
drift /drɪft/ B2	verb - to be carried slowly by a current of air or water
memory /ˈmɛm.əri/ B1	noun - the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information
hurts /hɜːrts/ A2	verb - to cause pain or injury
manage /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ B2	verb - to succeed in doing something, especially something difficult
pride /praɪd/ B2	noun - a feeling of satisfaction from one's achievements
strength /strɛŋθ/ B2	noun - the quality or state of being strong
love /lʌv/ A2	noun / verb - a profound affection for someone / to feel deep affection for someone
better /ˈbɛtər/ B2	adjective - improved or surpassing another
man /mæn/ A1	noun - adult male human
love /lʌv/ A2	noun / verb - a profound affection for someone / to feel deep affection for someone
live /lɪv/ B1	verb - to have life; to exist

Key Grammar Structures

• I was taking on the world with a see-through smile

  ➔ Past continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "I was taking" indicates an action that was ongoing in the past.

• I locked away my feelings, and threw away the key

  ➔ Simple past tense

  ➔ The phrase "I locked away" indicates a completed action in the past.

• It was gonna take a miracle to pierce my pride

  ➔ Future intention with 'gonna'

  ➔ The phrase "was gonna take" expresses an intention or plan for the future.

• I believe in love

  ➔ Simple present tense

  ➔ The phrase "I believe" indicates a general truth or belief.

• You're the reason why I can

  ➔ Relative clause

  ➔ The phrase "the reason why" introduces a clause that explains the reason.

• When I look at myself in the mirror

  ➔ Present simple for habitual actions

  ➔ The phrase "When I look" indicates a habitual action.

• I see a better man

  ➔ Simple present tense

  ➔ The phrase "I see" indicates a current perception or realization.