Don't Blame It on Love – English Lyrics

• By: Shakatak

Lyrics & Translation

Ready to dive into the smooth sounds of 80s British jazz-funk? 'Don't Blame It on Love' by Shakatak is a great song to learn English with. The lyrics tell a relatable story about a relationship ending, using clear and expressive language. You'll pick up phrases for talking about love and responsibility, all while enjoying a timeless, danceable tune. What makes this song special is its blend of heartfelt lyrics with an upbeat, sophisticated musical style.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
blame /bleɪm/ B1	verb - to assign responsibility for a fault or wrong noun - responsibility for a fault or wrong
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to feel a strong affection for
pretend /prɪˈtend/ B1	verb - to behave as if something is true when it is not
affair /əˈfeər/ B2	noun - a romantic relationship, especially one of brief duration
ending /ˈendɪŋ/ B1	noun - the way in which something ends verb - coming to a close.
accept /əkˈsept/ B1	verb - to receive willingly
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to engage in activity for enjoyment noun - a dramatic work for the theatre
fall /fɔːl/ A2	verb - to drop to the ground unintentionally verb - to succumb to temptation or sin
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist
glove /ɡlʌv/ A2	noun - a covering for the hand
hardest /ˈhɑːrdɪst/ A2	adjective - requiring great effort
throw /θroʊ/ A2	verb - to propel something with force
guide /ɡaɪd/ B1	noun - a person who shows the way verb - to show the way
power /ˈpaʊər/ A2	noun - the ability to do something
strong /strɒŋ/ A1	adjective - having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - to cause physical pain or injury noun - physical injury or pain
wrong /rɒŋ/ A1	adjective - not correct or true noun - an unjust, dishonest, or immoral act
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - be aware of (something) through touching
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
friend /frend/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
turn /tɜːrn/ A2	verb - move in a circular direction

Key Grammar Structures

• Don't blame it on love, Don't blame it on love

  ➔ Imperative sentence with negation and emphasis

  ➔ Uses the imperative form 'Don't blame' to express a strong suggestion or command not to blame love.

• It ain't no use pretendin'

  ➔ Informal expression using 'ain't' and gerund

  ➔ Uses informal contraction 'ain't' and the gerund 'pretending' to convey a casual or emotional tone.

• When two people fall in love

  ➔ Conditional clause with present tense

  ➔ Uses a conditional clause starting with 'When' to describe a situation that happens under certain conditions.

• And turn against you in the end

  ➔ Simple present tense in a descriptive context

  ➔ Uses the simple present 'turn' to describe a general or inevitable outcome.

• The power of love can be so strong

  ➔ Modal + base verb to express possibility

  ➔ Uses the modal verb 'can' followed by the base form 'be' to indicate that love has the potential to be powerful.

• It hurts so much when things go wrong

  ➔ Simple present tense expressing general truth or ongoing feeling

  ➔ Uses the simple present 'hurts' to describe a universal or ongoing emotional pain when negative events happen.

• But love can be a passing friend

  ➔ Modal + base verb to indicate possibility or condition

  ➔ Uses the modal 'can' + base verb 'be' to express that love might sometimes be transient or fleeting, like a passing friend.