The Reason – English Lyrics

• By: Hoobastank
• Album: The Reason (15th Anniversary)

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the heartfelt story behind Hoobastank's hit song, 'The Reason,' a powerful anthem of regret and transformation. Explore the song's creation, meaning, and cultural impact, and learn how its relatable themes can help you express emotions and understand the nuances of personal growth and relationships.

[English]

(people chattering)

(tires screeching)

(birds squawking)

♪♪♪

♪ I'm not a perfect person ♪

♪ There's many things I wish I didn't do ♪

♪ But I continue learning ♪

♪ I never meant to do those things to you ♪

♪ And so I have to say before I go ♪

♪ That I just want you to know ♪

♪ I've found a reason for me ♪

♪ To change who I used to be ♪

♪ A reason to start over new ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪ I'm sorry that I hurt you ♪

♪ It's something I must live with everyday ♪

♪ And all the pain I put you through ♪

♪ I wish that I could take it all away ♪

♪ And be the one who catches all your tears ♪

♪ That's why I need you to hear ♪

♪ I've found a reason for me ♪

♪ To change who I used to be ♪

♪ A reason to start over new ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪♪♪

♪ I'm not a perfect person ♪

♪ I never meant to do those things to you ♪

♪ And so I have to say before I go ♪

♪ That I just want you to know ♪

♪ I've found a reason for me ♪

♪ To change who I used to be ♪

♪ A reason to start over new ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪ I've found a reason to show ♪

♪ A side of me you didn't know ♪

♪ A reason for all that I do ♪

♪ And the reason is you ♪

♪♪♪

(sirens wailing)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
reason /ˈriːzən/ A2	noun - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event. verb - think, understand, and form judgments logically.
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	verb - to make or become different. noun - the act or instance of becoming different.
start /stɑːrt/ A1	verb - to begin. noun - the beginning.
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - to cause physical pain or injury. verb - to cause emotional pain or distress.
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - to remain alive.
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury. noun - mental suffering or distress.
take /teɪk/ A1	verb - to get possession of something.
away /əˈweɪ/ A1	adverb - to or at a distance from a particular place or person.
catch /kætʃ/ A1	verb - to intercept and hold (something thrown, propelled, or dropped).
tears /tɪərz/ A1	noun - drops of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye in response to strong emotion, pain, or irritation.
perfect /ˈpɜːrfɪkt/ B1	adjective - completely free from faults or defects; flawless.
person /ˈpɜːrsən/ A1	noun - a human being regarded as an individual.
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	verb - to allow or cause something to be visible.
side /saɪd/ A1	noun - a position next to and along one of the edges of something

Key Grammar Structures

• There's many things I wish I didn't do

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (Wish)

  ➔ The structure "I wish + subject + past perfect" expresses a regret about something that happened in the past. Here, "I wish I didn't do" expresses regret over past actions.

• I never meant to do those things to you

  ➔ Verb + Infinitive (Meant to)

  ➔ The verb "meant" is followed by an infinitive "to do", indicating intention. "I never meant to do" signifies a lack of intention to perform those actions.

• And so I have to say before I go

  ➔ Modal Verb (Have to)

  ➔ "Have to" expresses obligation or necessity. Here, it shows the speaker feels compelled to say something before leaving.

• It's something I must live with everyday

  ➔ Modal Verb (Must)

  ➔ "Must" expresses a strong obligation or necessity. Here, it indicates that the speaker feels a strong, unavoidable need to endure the consequences of their actions every day.

• I wish that I could take it all away

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (Wish)

  ➔ The structure "I wish + subject + past simple/modal verb ('could')" expresses a desire for something that is impossible or unlikely in the present. Here, it conveys the speaker's yearning to undo past harm.

• And be the one who catches all your tears

  ➔ Relative Clause (who catches)

  ➔ "Who catches" is a relative clause modifying "the one." It identifies a specific person based on the action of catching tears.

• I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be

  ➔ Past Habit (Used to) & Noun Clause (who I used to be)

  ➔ "Used to be" describes a past habit or state. The clause "who I used to be" acts as a noun, defining the speaker's former self. The entire phrase denotes finding a motivation to transform from a past identity.