“could have” (could’ve) song

There are hundreds of “could have” (could’ve) songs out there. But this one contains more examples than could have than any other song I’ve ever heard.

As I’m writing this, Madonna’s getting ready to release her 12th studio album.
One of the songs that leaked on YouTube is a gorgeous ballad in which she takes the blame for a failed relationship. In it, Madonna readily admits that she screwed up, except that she doesn’t say “screwed”, if you get my drift. So, needless to say, I had to edit that part (which explains the high-pitched, 78rpm-like beginning).
But I digress. It’s a gorgeous mid-tempo tune and, come on, it’s not every day you run into a song containing nine examples of the grammar you’re targeting. Take a listen and if you don’t find the lyrics objectionable in any way (especially the driving part), your intermediate / upper intermediate students are in for a treat.

I * up
I made a mistake
Nobody does it better than myself
I’m sorry
I’m not afraid to say
I wish I could take it back but I can’t

I’m so ashamed
You’re in so much pain
I blamed you when things didn’t go my way
If I didn’t, you’d be here
If I didn’t fight back, I’d have no fear
If I took another path
Things would be so different, but they’re not

I could’ve just kept my big mouth closed (could have just kept)
I could’ve just done what I was told (could have just done)
Maybe I should have turned silver into gold
But in front of you, I was cold

I * up
I made a mistake
Nobody does it better than myself
I’m sorry
I’m not afraid to say
I wish I could take it back but I can’t

I thought we had it all
You brought out the best in me
And somehow I destroyed the perfect dream
I thought we were indestructible
I never imagined we could fall
Do you wanna know how to make god laugh?
Tell him your plans

We could’ve bought a house with a swimming pool (could have bought)
Fill it up with Warhols, it would be so cool
Could’ve gone riding stallions in the countryside (could have gone)
With a pack of great things
Kissing eye to eye

We could’ve toured the world in a private jet (could have toured)
Run naked on the beach, all soaking wet
We could’ve climbed a mountain (could have climbed)
Seen a perfect sunrise
Written our names across the sky

We could’ve gotten drunk and driven on the autobahn (could have gotten)
We could’ve got ourselves arrested and sort them out (could have got)
We could’ve lived like crazy til’ the day we die (could have lived)
Instead I made you cry

I * up
I made a mistake
Nobody does it better than myself
I’m sorry, sorry, sorry
Je suis désolée
I wish I could take it back but I can’t

I * up
I made a mistake
Nobody does it better than myself
I’m sorry
I’m not ashamed to say
I wish I could have you back, maybe one day,
Or not

Thanks for reading. Click on the link to buy the album and listen to the entire could have song.