He Didn't Have To Be – English Lyrics

• By: Brad Paisley

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music can be a deeply rewarding experience, and Brad Paisley's "He Didn't Have To Be" offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with the heart of English storytelling. The song's clear and narrative lyrics make it accessible for learners, while its emotional depth provides a rich context for understanding cultural values around family and fatherhood. Through this song, you can learn vocabulary related to family, relationships, and personal reflection, all while being moved by a universally touching story.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
dad /dæd/ B1	noun - father; a male parent
mom /mɑːm/ B1	noun - mother; a female parent
family /ˈfæməli/ A2	noun - a group consisting of parents and their children, or all related people
marriage /ˈmærɪdʒ/ B2	noun - the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship
wife /waɪf/ A2	noun - a married woman considered in relation to her spouse
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child
hope /hoʊp/ B1	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen verb - to want something to happen or be true
half /hæf/ B1	noun - one of two equal parts that together make a whole adjective - describing something as being 50 % of the whole
missing /ˈmɪsɪŋ/ B2	adjective - not present or not found; absent verb - to fail to hit, reach, or come into contact with something
interview /ˈɪntərˌvjuː/ B2	noun - a formal meeting in which someone is asked questions verb - to conduct a formal questioning session
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - to be in an upright position on the feet noun - a place or position where someone stands
surrounded /sərˈraʊndəd/ B2	verb (past participle) - to be all around; encircled adjective - being in a state of being surrounded
question /ˈkwɛs.tʃən/ B1	noun - a sentence worded to elicit information verb - to ask someone about something
perfect /ˈpɜːr.fɪkt/ B1	adjective - without any flaws or defects; complete
strange /streɪndʒ/ B2	adjective - unusual or surprising in a way that is difficult to understand
single /ˈsɪŋ.ɡəl/ B1	adjective - unmarried; not in a relationship
bring /brɪŋ/ A2	verb - to cause something to come to a place with you
pop /pɒp/ B2	verb - to make a sudden short sound, or to cause something to burst quickly