I Can Change Him – English Lyrics

• By: Jensen McRae

Lyrics & Translation

"I Can Change Him" by Jensen McRae offers a poignant exploration of universal relationship dynamics, making it an excellent song for language learners. Through its sharp, relatable lyrics and vulnerable storytelling, you can delve into expressions of hope, denial, and eventual acceptance in the context of a challenging relationship. The song's accessible indie-pop style and clear vocals provide a compelling way to engage with nuanced emotional vocabulary and common conversational phrases related to personal change and relationships.

[English]

Same old eight-dollar cologne

Same old he can't be alone

Same old cigarettes he rolls

Same old Cozmo's "Plastic Soul"

Wisdom sketches on his face

Still won't learn to act his age

Same old little tricks he plays

I guess some things never change

I'll go back to him

And he'll go back to who he's always been

Maybe I, maybe I just love him

Maybe I, maybe I just think

All he needs is a little something

Maybe that little something's me

Maybe I'll be his exception

And I'll never be the same

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Unless he doesn't want to change

He's still dying on his hill

He still hides his dirty films

He still never gets his fill

And I know he never will

Here I am still handing out

The benefit of the doubt

Knowing how he'll let me down

Knowing I know that by now

Maybe I, maybe I just love him

Maybe I, maybe I just think

All he needs is a little something

Maybe that little something's me

Maybe I'll be his exception

And I'll never be the same

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Unless he doesn't want to change

If I go back to him

We're only gonna do this dance again

I know I can't win

It's me against the man he's always been

Maybe I, maybe I just love him

Maybe I, maybe I just think

All he needs is a little something

Maybe that little something's me

Maybe I'll be his exception

And I'll never be the same

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Unless he doesn't want to change

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Maybe I, maybe I could change

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Maybe I, maybe I could change

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Maybe I, maybe I could change

Maybe I, maybe I could change him

Maybe I, maybe I could change

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
change tʃeɪndʒ A1	verb - to make or become different noun - the act of becoming different
exception ɪkˈsɛpʃən B1	noun - a person or thing that is not included in a general statement or rule
wisdom ˈwɪzdəm A2	noun - the ability to make good judgments based on experience
sketch skɛtʃ B1	noun - a rough drawing representing the main features of an object or scene verb - to make a rough drawing of something
trick trɪk A2	noun - a cunning or skillful act or scheme verb - to deceive or outsmart someone
doubt daʊt A2	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction verb - to feel uncertain about
benefit ˈbɛnəfɪt A2	noun - an advantage or profit
hand hænd A1	noun - the part of the body at the end of the arm verb - to give something to someone
let lɛt A1	verb - to allow or permit
down daʊn A1	adverb - towards a lower position
know noʊ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
by baɪ A1	preposition - indicating the person or thing that does the action
now naʊ A1	adverb - at the present time
love lʌv A1	noun - a deep affection verb - to have a deep affection for
need nid A1	noun - a requirement or necessity verb - to require something because it is essential
something ˈsʌmθɪŋ A1	pronoun - an unspecified thing

Key Grammar Structures

• Same old eight-dollar cologne

  ➔ Adjective Order

  ➔ The phrase 'Same old' follows the opinion-size-age-shape-color-origin-material-purpose order. 'Same' (opinion) comes before 'old' (age).

• Maybe I, maybe I just love him

  ➔ Parallel Structure

  ➔ The repetition of 'Maybe I' followed by different clauses creates a parallel structure, emphasizing the speaker's conflicting thoughts.

• Unless he doesn't want to change

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1)

  ➔ This sentence expresses a possible condition and its result. 'Unless' introduces a condition contrary to the main clause.

• I guess some things never change

  ➔ Present Simple for General Truths

  ➔ The present simple 'never change' is used to express a general truth or a timeless fact.

• Maybe I'll be his exception

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will'

  ➔ The future simple 'Maybe I'll be' expresses a future possibility or prediction based on present feelings.

• Knowing how he'll let me down

  ➔ Gerund after Preposition

  ➔ The gerund 'knowing' is used after the preposition 'Knowing' to describe an action that accompanies the main clause.

• It's me against the man he's always been

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous

  ➔ The present perfect continuous 'he's always been' emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action up to the present.