Joan Armatrading — “Me, Myself, I” (Song Lesson • Level 3)

About the Song

“Me, Myself, I” is a song by Joan Armatrading. In this lesson, students practice the correct use of I, me, and myself through the song’s themes of independence and self-knowledge.

Grammar Cheatsheet — I vs me vs myself

I = subject (doer): I sit here by myself.
me = object (receiver): The song speaks to me.
myself = reflexive or emphasis: I enjoy myself • I wrote this myself.
Compound forms: My friend and I / They invited my friend and me.
Avoid using myself as the subject by itself: ❌ “Myself want…” → ✅ “I want…”

Comprehension — Choose the Best Answer

1) What central idea repeats throughout the song?

2) Which line best shows a desire for independence?

3) “Just me myself I” suggests what about the speaker’s feelings?

4) Which sentence uses myself correctly?

Vocabulary — Matching A (meaning)

bigshot
company
bad guy
visit

1) important or powerful person

2) a person people think did something wrong

3) time spent with other people

4) going to see someone socially

Vocabulary — Matching B (use in a sentence)

1) I don’t want unexpected ___ tonight.

2) He acts like a ___ with ninety cars.

3) The movie makes him look like the ___.

4) Please call before you ___.

True or False — Usage

1) “My sister and me stayed home” is correct for a subject.
2) “They invited my sister and me” uses object case correctly.
3) “I wrote this myself” is a correct emphatic/reflexive use.
4) “They gave the ticket to I” is correct.

Sequencing — Song Moments (drag to reorder)

The speaker enjoys sitting alone.

They imagine big dreams (cars, being a bigshot).

They prefer company only sometimes (e.g., Saturdays).

They insist they’re not a “bad guy.”

They return to being happily alone.

Lyrics Cloze (Paragraph Form) — All “I / me / myself” removed

Song: “Me, Myself, I” by Joan Armatrading. Choose the correct form in each dropdown. (— is always first.)

sit here by and you know love it you know don't want someone to come pay a visit wanna be by came in this world alone . wanna go to China and to see Japan I'd like to sail the oceans before the seas run dry wanna go by I've just room enough for one . wanna be a bigshot and have ninety cars wanna have a boyfriend and a girl for laughs but only on Saturdays six days to be alone just and just . Don't wanna be the bad guy don't wanna make a soul cry it's not that love my self just don't want company except and just . sit here by and you know love it you know don't want someone to come pay a visit wanna be by came in this world alone .

For Example — I / me / myself

1) ___ prefer quiet nights.

2) The song speaks to ___.

3) On Saturdays, I treat ___ to a long walk.

4) My neighbor and ___ share music recommendations.

Role Play — (12 lines)

Maya: I heard the song again—now I want a solo day.

Jon: I get it. The chorus makes me smile by myself.

Maya: My friends invited me out, but I might pass.

Jon: Treat yourself. I’ll check on you later.

Maya: Thanks. I’ll remind myself to take a walk.

Jon: Text me if you change your mind.

Maya: I will. The quiet helps me think.

Jon: Me too—sometimes I need space.

Maya: I wrote a list myself: read, cook, nap.

Jon: Nice. Save me a playlist?

Maya: Sure. I’ll share it tonight.

Jon: Great. Enjoy yourself.

Answer Key (Teacher)

Comprehension: 1 Preferring time alone and self-reliance; 2 I wanna be by myself; 3 They are comfortable and happy being alone.; 4 I enjoyed myself at the café.

Matching A (meaning): 1 bigshot; 2 bad guy; 3 company; 4 visit

Matching B (use): 1 company; 2 bigshot; 3 bad guy; 4 visit

True/False: 1 F, 2 T, 3 T, 4 F

Sequencing (1→5): enjoys being alone → big dreams → company only sometimes → not a “bad guy” → happily alone

Mini Practice: 1 I; 2 me; 3 myself; 4 I

Lyrics Cloze: All dropdowns reflect the original tokens (“I,” “me/Me,” “myself”).