Learning English with John Lennon -
I'm Just a Jealous Guy

John Lennon lived from 1940 to 1980. He was a member of the famous rock band, the Beatles. This song is from 1971.

Lennon said this about the song: "When you're in love with somebody, you tend to be jealous, and want to own them and possess them 100 percent. Intellectually, I think owning a person is rubbish [nonsense], but I love Yoko, I want to possess her completely. But I don't want to stifle her.” [to stifle = to stop a person from being free]

Grammar: this song uses many past tense verbs. See the exercise at the end of this article.

Usage: there are different ways to apologize. How does Lennon apologize in this song?

PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH:

Look at the exercises below. You can send your answers to Teacher Jesse at learnenglishwithjesse@gmail.com.

Learning through songs is a great way to learn English! This song contains some interesting things for Intermediate English learners.


Lyrics

I was(1) dreaming of the past

And my heart was beating fast

I began(2) to lose control

I began to lose control


I didn't(3) mean to hurt you

I'm sorry that I made you cry

Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you

I'm just a jealous guy


I was feeling insecure

You might not love me anymore

I was shivering inside

I was shivering inside

(lyrics continued)

I didn't mean to hurt you

I'm sorry that I made you cry

Oh no, I didn't want to hurt you

I'm just a jealous guy


I was trying to catch your eyes

[I] thought that you was trying to hide

[Note: correct English is, “you were trying to hide.”]

I was swallowing my pain

I was swallowing my pain

...

Watch out, I'm just a jealous guy

Look out baby, I'm just a jealous guy

EXERCISE 1: What is the infinitive, or basic form, of each of the numbered verbs?


  1. To _________________

  2. To _________________

  3. To _________________



EXERCISE 2: Match the words with words that are similar

  1. catch your eyes _____

  2. insecure _____

  3. jealous _____

  4. might not _____

  5. shivering _____

a - feeling suspicious

b - look at you directly

c - not sure of myself

d - shaking a little

e - possibly no

WRITING PRACTICE: Apologies

There are different ways to apologize. How does Lennon apologize in this song?


You can send your answers in an email to Teacher Jesse at learnenglishwithjesse.com@gmail.com.