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If you don't know me by now 00:15
You will never, never, never know me, ooh-ooh-ooh 00:21
All the things that we've been through 00:33
You should understand me like I understand you 00:40
Now, baby, I know the difference between right and wrong 00:47
I ain't gonna do nothin' to upset our happy home 00:56
Oh, don't get so excited when I come home a little late at night 01:07
'Cause we only act like children when we argue fuss and fight 01:11
(If you don't know me by now) if you don't know me by now 01:17
(You will never, never, never know me) you will never, never, never know me 01:23
(If you don't know me by now) if you don't know me, baby 01:32
(You will never, never, never know me) no, you won't 01:38
We've all got our own funny moods 01:50
I've got mine, woman, you've got yours too 01:58
Just trust in me like I trust in you 02:05
As long as we've been together that should be so easy to do 02:13
Just get yourself together or we might as well say goodbye 02:18
What good is a love affair when we can't see eye to eye, oh 02:28
(If you don't know me by now) if you don't, if you don't know me, baby 02:34
(You will never, never, never know me) hey, hey 02:40
(If you don't know me by now) if you don't know me by now 02:49
(You will never, never, never know me) no, you won't 02:55
(If you don't know me by now) 03:02
(You will never, never, never know me) 03:11
(If you don't know me by now) 03:18
03:25

If You Don’t Know Me By Now

By
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Viewed
3,958,136
Learn this song

Lyrics:

[English]

If you don't know me by now

You will never, never, never know me, ooh-ooh-ooh

All the things that we've been through

You should understand me like I understand you

Now, baby, I know the difference between right and wrong

I ain't gonna do nothin' to upset our happy home

Oh, don't get so excited when I come home a little late at night

'Cause we only act like children when we argue fuss and fight

(If you don't know me by now) if you don't know me by now

(You will never, never, never know me) you will never, never, never know me

(If you don't know me by now) if you don't know me, baby

(You will never, never, never know me) no, you won't

We've all got our own funny moods

I've got mine, woman, you've got yours too

Just trust in me like I trust in you

As long as we've been together that should be so easy to do

Just get yourself together or we might as well say goodbye

What good is a love affair when we can't see eye to eye, oh

(If you don't know me by now) if you don't, if you don't know me, baby

(You will never, never, never know me) hey, hey

(If you don't know me by now) if you don't know me by now

(You will never, never, never know me) no, you won't

(If you don't know me by now)

(You will never, never, never know me)

(If you don't know me by now)

...

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary Meanings

know

/noʊ/

A1
  • verb
  • - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information

things

/θɪŋz/

A1
  • noun
  • - objects; items

understand

/ˌʌndərˈstænd/

A2
  • verb
  • - to perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)

difference

/ˈdɪfərəns/

B1
  • noun
  • - a point or way in which people or things are dissimilar

right

/raɪt/

A1
  • adjective
  • - morally good, justified, or acceptable

wrong

/rɔːŋ/

A1
  • adjective
  • - not correct or true; incorrect

upset

/ʌpˈsɛt/

B2
  • verb
  • - to make someone worried, unhappy, or angry

happy

/ˈhæpi/

A1
  • adjective
  • - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

home

/hoʊm/

A1
  • noun
  • - the place where one lives

excited

/ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

B1
  • adjective
  • - feeling or showing happiness and enthusiasm

late

/leɪt/

A1
  • adjective
  • - doing something after the expected or usual time

act

/ækt/

A2
  • verb
  • - take action; do something

children

/ˈtʃɪldrən/

A1
  • noun
  • - young human beings below the age of puberty or full physical development.

argue

/ˈɑːrɡjuː/

B1
  • verb
  • - give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.

fight

/faɪt/

A2
  • verb
  • - take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons.

trust

/trʌst/

B1
  • verb
  • - believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

easy

/ˈiːzi/

A1
  • adjective
  • - achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties.

good

/ɡʊd/

A1
  • adjective
  • - to be desired or approved of.

love

/lʌv/

A1
  • noun
  • - an intense feeling of affection.

see

/siː/

A1
  • verb
  • - perceive with the eyes; discern visually.

Grammar:

  • If you don't know me by now

    ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1)

    ➔ This is a first conditional sentence. "If" clause uses the simple present tense ("don't know"), and the main clause implies a future result. The implication is, "If you don't know me now, there's a strong possibility you will *never* know me."

  • You will never, never, never know me, ooh-ooh-ooh

    ➔ Future Simple with Adverb of Frequency (Emphasis)

    ➔ The repetition of "never" emphasizes the certainty of the statement. The structure is Future Simple ("will know") modified by the adverb "never". The repeated "never" adds emotional weight.

  • All the things that we've been through

    ➔ Relative Clause with Present Perfect Continuous

    "That we've been through" is a relative clause modifying "all the things". "We've been through" is the present perfect continuous, emphasizing the *duration* of the experiences they have shared.

  • You should understand me like I understand you

    ➔ Modal Verb (Should) with Simile (Like)

    "Should" expresses expectation or obligation. "Like I understand you" is a simile, comparing the desired level of understanding to the speaker's own understanding of the listener. It emphasizes reciprocity in the relationship.

  • I ain't gonna do nothin' to upset our happy home

    ➔ Double Negative (Non-Standard English)

    "Ain't gonna do nothin'" is a double negative, grammatically incorrect in standard English but common in some dialects and informal speech. In standard English, it should be "I'm not going to do anything" or "I'm going to do nothing". Here, it's used for emphasis and stylistic effect.

  • 'Cause we only act like children when we argue fuss and fight

    ➔ Subordinating Conjunction ('Cause) with Simile ('Like')

    "'Cause" is a shortened, informal version of "because", a subordinating conjunction introducing a reason. "Act like children" uses "like" as a preposition, creating a simile to compare their behavior to that of children. This highlights the immaturity of their arguments.

  • Just trust in me like I trust in you

    ➔ Imperative Mood, Simile (like)

    "Trust in me" is in the imperative mood, which is used to give commands or make requests. "like I trust in you" is a simile showing the expectation of mutual trust. Emphasis is on the reciprocal nature of the relationship.

  • What good is a love affair when we can't see eye to eye, oh

    ➔ Question Form (Rhetorical), Idiomatic Expression

    "What good is...?" is a rhetorical question; it's not asking for information but making a statement. "See eye to eye" is an idiomatic expression meaning to agree. The sentence questions the value of a relationship when there is disagreement.