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

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: the action comes back to the speaker: I reminded myself.
myself — emphasis: I made it myself emphasizes who did it.
by myself: alone or without help: I went by 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?

Vocabulary — Matching A (meaning)

bigshot
company
bad guy
visit

1) an important or powerful person (informal; sometimes critical)

2) a person people think did something wrong

3) the presence of other people; companionship

4) go to see someone socially (verb)

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) In standard written English, “My sister and me stayed home” uses the correct subject pronoun.
2) “They invited my sister and me” uses object case correctly.
3) “I wrote this myself” uses myself for emphasis.
4) “They gave the ticket to I” is correct.

Sequencing — Song Moments

Put these moments in the order they first appear. Drag a card or use its Move up and Move down buttons.

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.”

The opening verse returns near the end.

Listening Cloze — I / me / myself

Song: “Me, Myself, I” by Joan Armatrading. Listen and choose I, me, or myself in each gap. Complete one section at a time; contractions are left intact. Capitalization is not tested. The repeated title phrase is a song fragment, not a model for a complete sentence.

1. Enjoying time alone

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 .

2. Travel plans

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 .

3. Dreams and companionship

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 .

4. Explaining the choice

Don't wanna be the bad guy don't wanna make a soul cry it's not that love just don't want company except and just .

5. Returning to the opening

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 .

Grammar Practice — I / me / myself

5) Which sentence uses myself correctly?

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 when I’m on my own.

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 — open separately)

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

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” → the opening verse returns

Grammar Practice: 1 I; 2 me; 3 myself; 4 I; 5 I enjoyed myself at the café.

Lyrics Cloze: Use Show Answers to review the completed listening text. Capitalization is not assessed.