Tonight’s band is one of the most famous rock bands in America: Aerosmith, with the singer Steven Tyler and his enormous voice. This is a slow, dramatic song about a love that never happened.
Learn from Songs · Unit 8: Modals · B1–B2
What Could Have Been Love
Aerosmith’s big power ballad of regret: past modals (could have been, should have been, might have been), will never be, and talking about missed chances, with Philo, Sophia, Marcos and Demetria.
SOPHIA
DEMETRIA
Never happened? Why not?
SOPHIA
The song doesn’t say exactly. It looks back on what could have been, what should have been, and what will never be. Three past modals in one chorus!
MARCOS
I could have been a champion, if I had trained.
Before you listen: the song
Boston and Los Angeles, 2012
Aerosmith formed in Boston in 1970 and became one of the best-selling American rock bands of all time, with songs such as “Dream On”, “Walk This Way” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. Their singer, Steven Tyler, and guitarist, Joe Perry, have been called the “Toxic Twins” for their famous quarrels and reconciliations.
Music from Another Dimension! (2012) was their first album of new songs in eleven years. “What Could Have Been Love” was released as a single in August 2012, a power ballad in the style of their great 1990s hits. It reached number seven in Japan.
In the song, the singer looks back on a love that could have been real and should have been real. Now he says goodbye to it: it will never be.
Don’t let what could be become what could have been.
Listen: the regret
PHILO
Listen once. What could have been? What should have been? What will never be?
SOPHIA
Listen to how the music grows in the chorus. Then answer Section A.
🌹 Listen to the song: “What Could Have Been Love” (2012), by Aerosmith.Listen to the recording →
📜 Read the words while you listen: “What Could Have Been Love”, Aerosmith.Read the lyrics →
Could have been
MARCOS
It could have been love. I could have won. We could have gone to the beach.
SOPHIA
could have + past participle = it was possible, but it didn’t happen. Often with regret: You could have told me! = you didn’t, and I’m annoyed.
Should have been
DEMETRIA
It should have been the right thing. I should have said something. You shouldn’t have waited.
SOPHIA
should have + past participle = it was the right thing, but it didn’t happen: regret or criticism. I should have studied (but I didn’t).
Might have been, will never be
PHILO
It might have been perfect. Now it will never be.
SOPHIA
might have + past participle = perhaps (possible past). will never + infinitive = no chance in the future. Song lyrics often put all three together: could have, should have, will never.
Sophia’s comparison: Orpheus and Lot’s wife
SOPHIA
Orpheus could have brought Eurydice back from the underworld. He should have kept walking. But he turned to look at her, and she vanished. What could have been love became what will never be.
PHILO
And Lot’s wife looked back at the city she was leaving, and became a pillar of salt. Looking back too long at what might have been can freeze you.
Sophia’s summary
| Words and forms | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| could have + past participle | possible, but didn’t happen | It could have been love. |
| should have + past participle | right, but didn’t happen | I should have said something. |
| shouldn’t have + past participle | wrong, but happened | You shouldn’t have waited. |
| might have + past participle | perhaps in the past | It might have been perfect. |
| will never + infinitive | no future chance | It will never be. |
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. What is the song about?
2. What kind of song is it?
3. Which album is it on?
4. Where did Aerosmith form?
5. Who is their singer?
6. Where did the single reach number seven?
B · Grammar and vocabulary
Write the missing word or words.
7. It could have love. (be)
8. I should have something. (say)
9. You have waited. (it was wrong)
10. It might have been perfect. Now it will be.
11. We could have to the beach. (go)
12. You could have me! (tell)
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
13. “I should have went earlier.”
14. “It could have been worse.”
15. “You shouldn’t have to wait for me.” (= it was wrong that you waited)
16. “It might have been a mistake.”
Talk and write
Discussion and writing
Regrets and lucky escapes. Tell a partner about something you should have done, something you could have done, and something that could have been much worse.
Discuss. 1. Is it useful to think about what could have been? 2. How can we avoid future regrets? 3. Why are songs about lost love so popular?
Write (120–150 words). What could have been. Write about a missed chance (real or imagined). Use could have, should have, might have and will never.
Now play the gamebook: Marcos, and the chance of a lifetime.Play the gamebook →