I Should Have Known – English Lyrics

• By: Foo Fighters

Lyrics & Translation

Learning English through “I Should Have Known” offers a deep dive into the language of emotion and introspection. The song's powerful, repetitive phrasing like “I should have known” and “I cannot forgive you yet” provides a clear look at how English is used to express regret and unresolved feelings. What makes this song special is its raw honesty and layered meaning, making it a compelling piece for understanding nuanced emotional expression in language.

[English]

(soft music)

♪ I should have known that it would end this way ♪

♪ I should have known there was no other way ♪

♪ Didn't hear your warning ♪

♪ Damn my heart gone deaf ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Look at the shape you're in ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ But I dove right in ♪

♪ One thing is for certain ♪

♪ As I'm standing here ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Lay your hands in mine ♪

♪ Heal me one last time ♪

♪ Though I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ You leave my heart in debt ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ I was inside of you ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ There was that side of you ♪

♪ Came without a warning ♪

♪ Caught me unaware ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ I've been here before ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Don't want it anymore ♪

♪ One thing is for certain ♪

♪ I'm still standing here ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Lay your hands in mine ♪

♪ Feel me one last time ♪

♪ Though I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ You leave my heart in debt ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ You leave my heart in debt ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Maybe you was right ♪

♪ Didn't want a fight ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Couldn't read the signs ♪

♪ Couldn't see the light ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

♪ Though I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ You leave my heart in debt ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ You leave my heart in debt ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ No, I cannot forgive you yet ♪

♪ You leave us all in debt ♪

♪ I should have known ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
known /noʊn/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
end /ɛnd/ A1	verb - to come to a final point noun - the final part of something
warning /ˈwɔr.nɪŋ/ A2	noun - a statement telling about a possible danger or problem
deaf /dɛf/ A2	adjective - unable to hear partially or completely
shape /ʃeɪp/ A1	noun - the form of something
dive /daɪv/ A2	verb - to jump headfirst into water
certain /ˈsɜr.tən/ A2	adjective - definitely true or sure
heal /hil/ A2	verb - to make or become well again
forgive /fərˈɡɪv/ A2	verb - to stop being angry about something
debt /dɛt/ B1	noun - something owed, especially money
catch /kætʃ/ A1	verb - to grasp or take hold of something
unaware /ˌʌnəˈwɛr/ B1	adjective - not knowing or realizing something
fight /faɪt/ A1	noun - a violent confrontation verb - to take part in a violent confrontation
sign /saɪn/ A1	noun - a gesture or symbol indicating something
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - brightness from the sun, lamp, etc. adjective - not heavy or dark

Key Grammar Structures

• Didn't hear your warning

  ➔ Past Simple with Auxiliary 'did' & Contraction

  ➔ The use of 'didn't' (did not) is a common contraction in English. It forms the negative past simple tense. The sentence indicates a failure to perceive a warning.

• Though I cannot forgive you yet

  ➔ Subordinating Conjunction 'Though' + Modal Verb 'cannot'

  ➔ 'Though' introduces a contrasting idea. 'Cannot' expresses inability. 'Yet' indicates that this inability might change in the future.

• You leave my heart in debt

  ➔ Present Simple for Habitual Action/State, Metaphorical Use of 'Debt'

  ➔ The present simple here isn't about something happening *now*, but the ongoing emotional state. 'Debt' is used metaphorically to represent emotional harm or obligation.

• I've been here before

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ The present perfect ('have been') indicates an experience in the past that has relevance to the present. It suggests the speaker has faced similar situations before.

• Couldn't read the signs

  ➔ Past Modal of Negation ('couldn't')

  ➔ 'Couldn't' expresses a lack of ability in the past. The 'signs' refer to clues or indications that were missed.