How Not To – English Lyrics

• By: Dan + Shay

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw emotions of Dan + Shay's "How Not To," a song that masterfully navigates the universal pain of heartbreak and, through its evocative music video, the challenging journey of overcoming addiction. Its relatable lyrics and powerful storytelling offer a unique opportunity to explore nuanced English vocabulary related to love, loss, and resilience, making it a compelling piece for language learners to connect with deeply felt human experiences.

[English]

I can honestly understand why it's over

I can go through the motions walking away

I can give you the key and take my things back

I can find plenty things to fill my days

But I don't know how not to

Think about you, when it's late at night and quiet

And I know that I ought to be the one who

Is strong and just moves on

But I'll probably turn down your road

Knock, knock on your door

Fall back in your arms

Wake up in the morning

Hating myself and the way that I can't help

The way I still want you

I just don't know how not to

How not to, how not to

I just don't know how not to

How not to, how not to

You're like second nature baby

You're just like breathing

Melody that you hear and you can't forget

And time goes by and I still need you

Yeah, you're worth the heartbreak and no regret

But I don't know how not to

Think about you, when it's late at night and quiet

And I know that I ought to be the one who

Is strong and just moves on

But I'd probably turn down your road

Knock, knock on your door

Fall back in your arms

Wake up in the morning

Hating myself and the way that I can't help

The way I still want you

I just don't know how not to

How not to, how not to

I just don't know how not to

How not to, how not to

Don't know how not to

Think about you, when it's late at night and quiet

And know that I ought to

Be the one who is strong and just moves on

But I'll probably turn down your road

Knock, knock on your door

Fall back in your arms

Wake up in the morning

Hating myself and the way that I can't help

The way I still want you

I just don't know how not to

How not to, how not to

I just don't know how not to

How not to, how not to

...

Mmm

Oh-oh-oh-oh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
understand /ˌʌn.dɚˈstænd/ B1	verb - to grasp the meaning, significance, or nature of something
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move along on foot at a moderate pace
give /ɡɪv/ A1	verb - to provide or hand over something
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - to discover or perceive by chance or investigation
think /θɪŋk/ A1	verb - to have a thought or opinion
late /leɪt/ A2	adjective - happening after the expected or usual time
quiet /ˈkwaɪ.ət/ A2	adjective - making little or no noise
strong /strɔŋ/ B1	adjective - having great physical power or emotional resilience
move /muːv/ A2	verb - to change place or position
turn /tɜːrn/ A2	verb - to change direction or rotate
knock /nɑːk/ B1	verb - to hit a surface to get attention
door /dɔːr/ A1	noun - a movable barrier used to open and close an entrance
arm /ɑːrm/ A2	noun - the upper limb of the human body
wake /weɪk/ A2	verb - to stop sleeping
hate /heɪt/ B1	verb - to feel intense dislike
heartbreak /ˈhɑːrtˌbreɪk/ C1	noun - extreme emotional pain or grief, especially from love lost
regret /rɪˈɡret/ B2	noun - a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something done or not done verb - to feel sorrow or remorse
melody /ˈmel.ə.di/ B2	noun - a sequence of musical notes that is pleasant and recognizable
nature /ˈneɪ.tʃɚ/ B2	noun - the basic character or qualities of something
need /niːd/ A2	verb - to require something because it is essential or important
want /wɑːnt/ A1	verb - to desire something