I Can't Forget – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: Im Your Man

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the profound and poetic world of Leonard Cohen with "I Can't Forget." This song offers a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of English through Cohen's distinctive lyrical style, characterized by its emotional depth and introspective nature. You'll encounter vocabulary that delves into themes of memory, aging, and the human condition, all delivered with his iconic baritone. Its accessible yet profound lyrics make it an excellent choice for understanding how English can convey complex emotions and philosophical ideas in a seemingly simple way, making it special for anyone wanting to appreciate the artistry of language.

[English]

I stumbled out of bed

I got ready for the struggle

I smoked a cigarette

And I tightened up my gut

I said this can't be me

Must be my double

And I can't forget, I can't forget

I can't forget but I don't remember what

...

I'm burning up the road

I'm heading down to Phoenix

I got this old address

Of someone that I knew

It was high and fine and free

Ah, you should have seen us

And I can't forget, I can't forget

I can't forget but I don't remember who

...

I'll be there today

With a big bouquet of cactus

I got this rig that runs on memories

And I promise, cross my heart,

They'll never catch us

But if they do, just tell them it was me

Yeah I loved you all my life

And that's how I want to end it

The summer's almost gone

The winter's tuning up

Yeah, the summer's gone

But a lot goes on forever

...

And I can't forget, I can't forget

I can't forget but I don't remember what

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
stumbled /ˈstʌm.bəld/ A2	verb - to walk or move in an unsteady way, almost falling
struggle /ˈstrʌɡ.əl/ A2	verb - to try hard to do or achieve something noun - a forceful or violent effort or resistance
tightened /ˈtaɪ.tənd/ B1	verb - to make something firm or secure
double /ˈdʌb.əl/ A1	noun - twice the amount or number adjective - twice as much or many
forget /fəˈɡet/ A1	verb - to be unable to remember
burning /ˈbɜːr.nɪŋ/ A2	verb - to be on fire or set something on fire adjective - very intense or passionate
heading /ˈhɛd.ɪŋ/ A2	verb - to go in a specified direction
bouquet /buˈkeɪ/ B1	noun - an arrangement of flowers
cactus /ˈkæk.təs/ A2	noun - a plant with sharp spines and thick stems
memories /ˈmem.ə.riz/ A1	noun - something remembered from the past
promise /ˈprɒm.ɪs/ A1	verb - to tell someone that you will do something noun - a statement telling someone that you will do something
catch /kætʃ/ A1	verb - to get hold of someone or something
summer /ˈsʌm.ər/ A1	noun - the warmest season of the year
winter /ˈwɪn.tər/ A1	noun - the coldest season of the year
forever /fəˈre.vər/ A1	adverb - for all future time

Key Grammar Structures

• I stumbled out of bed

  ➔ Past Simple with 'stumbled'

  ➔ The verb 'stumbled' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past.

• I got ready for the struggle

  ➔ Past Simple with 'got'

  ➔ The verb 'got' is in the past simple tense, describing a completed action in the past.

• I said this can't be me

  ➔ Past Simple with 'said'

  ➔ The verb 'said' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action of speaking in the past.

• I'm burning up the road

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'burning'

  ➔ The verb 'burning' is in the present continuous tense, describing an action happening now.

• I got this old address

  ➔ Past Simple with 'got'

  ➔ The verb 'got' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action of obtaining in the past.

• I promise, cross my heart

  ➔ Present Simple with 'promise'

  ➔ The verb 'promise' is in the present simple tense, indicating a habitual or general truth.

• They'll never catch us

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will catch'

  ➔ The verb phrase 'will catch' is in the future simple tense, indicating a future prediction or promise.

• The summer's almost gone

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'has gone'

  ➔ The verb phrase 'has gone' is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has a result in the present.