UB40 – The way you do the things you do

To practise: Modal verbs, Modal verbs of ability
Band/singer:

This song comes with a worksheet to use in the classroomPractice the perfect modal verb “could have” in your ESL class with this song, The Way You Do The Things You Do by UB40. This song’s lyrics contains 10 examples of “could have been…”

There is a suggestion on how to use this song in your ESL classes below, but for more ideas, click here.

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Lyrics

You got a smile so bright
You know you could’ve been a candle.
I’m holding you so tight
You know you could’ve been a handle.
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could’ve been a broom
And baby you smell so sweet
You know you could’ve been some perfume

Well you could’ve been anything
that you wanted to, I can tell
The way you do the things you do, alright.
The way you do the things you do.

As pretty as you are
You know you could’ve been a flower
If good looks were minutes
You know you could’ve been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could’ve been a crook
And baby you’re so smart
You know you could’ve been a schoolbook

Well you could’ve been anything
that you wanted to, I can tell
The way you do the things you do, alright.
The way you do the things you do.

You make my life so rich
You know you could’ve been some money
And baby you’re so sweet
You know you could’ve been some honey

Suggested activity: matching

Download this exercise (PDF)

UB40English reggae/pop band

UB40 are an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times, and in 1984 were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group. UB40 have sold more than 70 million records worldwide. The ethnic make-up of the band’s original line-up was diverse, with musicians of English, Welsh, Irish, Jamaican, Scottish, and Yemeni parentage.

Not convinced?

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