Tonight’s song is a happy one, with a harmonica. But its title is a very useful expression about mistakes.
Learn from Songs · Unit 8: Modals · B1
I Should Have Known Better
A happy Beatles song with a useful expression: should have / shouldn’t have + past participle for regrets and criticism, ought to have, I should have known better, and should + verb for advice now, with Marcos, Philo’s precious book, and a wave over the harbour wall.
SOPHIA
MARCOS
I make a lot of mistakes.
SOPHIA
Then this is your song, Marcos. I should have known better means: I should have been wiser.
PHILO
Wise after the event. Like everyone.
Before you listen: the song
London, 1964
“I Should Have Known Better” was written mainly by John Lennon for the Beatles’ first film, A Hard Day’s Night (1964). In the film, the band sings it in a train carriage, playing cards, while screaming fans watch through the window. Lennon plays the harmonica at the start.
In the song, the singer says that he should have known better: he had decided not to fall in love, and then he did. It’s a happy “mistake”. The expression I should have known better means: I was not wise enough; I should have realised what would happen.
In everyday English, we usually say it after a real mistake: I left my bike outside and it was stolen. I should have known better!
I should have known better.
Listen: a happy mistake
PHILO
Listen once. Is the song sad or happy? What is his “mistake”?
SOPHIA
Then listen for should have. Answer Section A.
📕 Listen to the song: “I Should Have Known Better” (John Lennon and Paul McCartney, 1964), sung by The Beatles.Listen to the official recording →
📜 Read the words while you listen: “I Should Have Known Better”, The Beatles.Read the lyrics →
Should have: regrets and criticism
DEMETRIA
You shouldn’t have taken it to the harbour! You should have left it at home.
SOPHIA
should have + past participle = it was a good idea, but it didn’t happen (regret, criticism). shouldn’t have + past participle = it happened, but it was a bad idea. I should have studied. You shouldn’t have shouted.
Ought to have, and should now
MARCOS
He ought to have listened. What should we do now?
SOPHIA
ought to have = should have (more formal). And for advice about now or the future, should + base verb: You should apologise. What should I do?
Apologising well
PHILO
I’m sorry. I should have listened. It was my fault. I apologise for losing your book. How can I make up for it?
SOPHIA
A good apology: say sorry, admit the mistake (no excuses!), and offer to put it right. apologise for + -ing, make up for = compensate.
Sophia’s comparison: Epimetheus
SOPHIA
Prometheus means “thinking before”. His brother Epimetheus means “thinking after”: he always realised his mistakes too late. He was the one who accepted Pandora.
PHILO
And King David, after his great sin, didn’t make excuses. He said: I have sinned. That was the beginning of putting it right.
DEMETRIA
So we’re all a bit Epimetheus.
Sophia’s summary
| Words and forms | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| should have + past participle | regret, criticism: it didn’t happen | You should have listened. |
| shouldn’t have + past participle | it happened, but it was a mistake | I shouldn’t have shouted. |
| ought to have | = should have (formal) | He ought to have known. |
| should + base verb | advice now | You should apologise. |
| I should have known better | I should have been wiser | I should have known better! |
Practice
Listen to the song for Section A, then do the rest. Press “Check my answers” at the end. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Listen: the song
Listen to the song and choose the best answer.
1. Is the song happy or sad?
2. What is his “mistake”?
3. What instrument opens the song?
4. Where do the Beatles sing it in the film?
5. What does “I should have known better” mean?
6. Who mainly wrote it?
B · Grammar and vocabulary
Write the missing word or words.
7. You have taken it! (bad idea)
8. You should have it at home. (leave)
9. I should have better. (know)
10. He ought have listened.
11. What I do now? (advice)
12. I apologise losing your book.
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
13. “You should have came earlier.”
14. “I shouldn’t have eaten so much.”
15. “He should have to study more.”
16. “You should apologise to her.”
Talk and write
Discussion and writing
Regrets. Tell your partner about three small mistakes you’ve made: I should have… I shouldn’t have… Your partner gives advice: You should…
Discuss. 1. What makes a good apology? 2. Is it better to make no mistakes, or to learn from them? 3. Why do people make excuses?
Write (100–120 words). I should have known better. Tell the story of a mistake: what happened, what you should or shouldn’t have done, and how you put it right.
Now play the gamebook: Marcos and Philo’s precious book.Play the gamebook →