Tonight’s song is about someone who should have forgotten a love long ago, but can’t. It has been years, she sings, and she should be over him by now. But the moment she hears his name, everything comes back.
Learn from Songs · Unit 6: The perfect aspect · B1–B2
Misty Blue
Dorothy Moore’s soul ballad about a love that won’t go away: the present perfect for time up to now (it’s been years), I’ve tried, can’t help + -ing, and the language of memory and feeling, with Philo, Sophia, Marcos and Demetria.
SOPHIA
DEMETRIA
That happens to everyone.
SOPHIA
It does. And it’s the perfect song for the present perfect: the perfect aspect links a time that started in the past to now.
PHILO
Grammar for a feeling that won’t end.
Before you listen: the song
Jackson, Mississippi, 1976
“Misty Blue” was written by the songwriter Bob Montgomery in the 1960s and first recorded as a country song, by Wilma Burgess in 1966 and then Eddy Arnold. Almost ten years later, a small record company in Jackson, Mississippi, Malaco, recorded it again with a young soul singer, Dorothy Moore (born 1946).
Her slow, aching version became a huge hit in 1976, reaching the top three in America and the top five in Britain. It has been recorded by many other singers since, but hers is the one most people remember.
In the song, the singer tells her old love that it has been such a long time. She has tried to forget him, but she can’t. Just hearing his name brings the old feeling back, and everything looks misty blue.
Some memories stay with us; we can learn to carry them gently.
Listen: a feeling that won’t go away
PHILO
Listen once. How long has it been? What has she tried to do? What happens when she hears his name?
SOPHIA
Listen to how slowly she sings. Then answer Section A.
💙 Listen to the song: “Misty Blue” (Bob Montgomery, 1966), sung by Dorothy Moore (1976).Find the video →
📜 Read the words while you listen: “Misty Blue”, Dorothy Moore (1976).Read the lyrics →
The present perfect for time up to now
MARCOS
It’s been such a long time. I’ve tried to forget you. I’ve never stopped thinking about you.
SOPHIA
have / has + past participle for a period that started in the past and continues now. It’s been = it has been. With for (a period) and since (a starting point): I’ve known her for years / since 1970.
Can’t help + -ing
DEMETRIA
I can’t help thinking about you. I can’t stop loving you.
SOPHIA
can’t help + -ing = I can’t control it: I couldn’t help laughing. can’t stop + -ing is similar. Notice the -ing form after help in this meaning.
Colour, light and feeling
PHILO
A small spark becomes a fire. Everything looks misty blue.
SOPHIA
English uses colours for feelings: blue = sad (the blues), green = jealous, red = angry. A flicker or spark is a small, weak light; a flame is strong. To rekindle a feeling = to bring it back to life.
Sophia’s comparison: Jacob mourns Joseph, and Orpheus
PHILO
When Jacob thought his son Joseph was dead, he refused to be comforted. “I will go down to my grave mourning,” he said. Years passed, and he never forgot. And then, one day, the news came: Joseph is alive.
SOPHIA
And Orpheus loved Eurydice so much that he went down to the underworld to bring her back. Love that won’t let go is one of the oldest stories in the world.
Sophia’s summary
| Words and forms | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have / has + past participle | time up to now | It’s been a long time. |
| for / since | period / starting point | for years / since 1970 |
| can’t help + -ing | can’t control it | I can’t help thinking of you. |
| blue / misty blue | sad, unclear feelings | Everything looks misty blue. |
| spark → flame, rekindle | a weak feeling becomes strong | The old feeling was rekindled. |
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. How long has it been, in the song?
2. What has the singer tried to do?
3. What happens when she hears his name?
4. Who wrote the song?
5. Where was Dorothy Moore’s version recorded?
6. What does “blue” mean in songs?
B · Grammar and vocabulary
Write the missing word or words.
7. It’s such a long time. (be)
8. I’ve to forget you. (try)
9. I can’t help about you. (think)
10. I’ve known her 1970.
11. I’ve known her years.
12. The old feeling was . (brought back to life)
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
13. “It’s been such a long time.”
14. “I know her since many years.”
15. “I can’t help to think about you.”
16. “I’ve tried to forget you.”
Talk and write
Discussion and writing
Time up to now. In pairs, ask: How long have you lived here / known your best friend / studied English? Answer with for and since.
Discuss. 1. Why do some memories never fade? 2. Is it good or bad to remember a lost love? 3. Which song, smell or place brings back a memory for you?
Write (100–120 words). Never forgotten. Write about something or someone you have never forgotten. Use the present perfect, for and since, and can’t help + -ing.
Now play the gamebook: an old glassmaker, a blue vase, and a memory he can’t let go.Play the gamebook →