Teach Future tenses using songs (Lesson Plan)

Listening to songs in English is not only fun but it is a valuable material for practising grammar.

We compiled a list of songs that can be used to teach Future tenses. This worksheet contains lyrics with target grammar structures, links to the videos and some questions for discussion. If you want to use our worksheets for higher levels, upgrade the task.

Table of contents:

• Song 1. Emeli Sandé — Next To Me
• Song 2. The Beatles — You’re Going To Lose That Girl
• Song 3. Charlie Puth — One Call Away
• Song 4. Maroon 5 — Fortune Teller
• Song 5. Lenny Kravitz — I’ll be waiting

Song 1. Emeli Sandé — Next To Me

Grammar: Future Simple 
Level: Pre-intermediate

Task 1

Complete the gaps with “will” or “won’t”. Listen and check your answers. Circle the gaps where “will” is used as ’ll.

You _____ find him drinking at the tables.
Rolling dice and staying out ’til three
You _____ ever find him being unfaithful
You _____ find him, you _____ find him next to me

You _____ find him trying to chase the devil
For money, fame, for power, out of grief
You _____ ever find him where the rest go
You _____ find him, you _____ find him next to me

Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
You _____ l find him, you _____ find him next to me

When the money’s spent and all my friends have vanished
And I can’t seem to find no help or love for free

I know there’s no need for me to panic
‘Cause I _____ find him, I _____ find him next to me

When the skies are gray and all the doors are closing
And the rising pressure makes it hard to breathe
When all I need’s a hand to stop the tears from falling

I _____ find him, I _____ find him next to me

Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
I _____ find him, I _____ find him next to me

When the end has come and buildings falling down fast
When we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea
When everyone has lost their heads around us
You _____ find him, you _____ find him next to me

Next to me, oh…

Key:

You won’t find him drinking at the tables
Rolling dice and staying out ’til three
You won’t ever find him being unfaithful
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

You won’t find him trying to chase the devil
For money, fame, for power, out of grief
You won’t ever find him where the rest go
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

When the money’s spent and all my friends have vanished
And I can’t seem to find no help or love for free

I know there’s no need for me to panic
‘Cause I’ll find him, I’ll find him next to me

When the skies are gray and all the doors are closing
And the rising pressure makes it hard to breathe
When all I need’s a hand to stop the tears from falling

I will find him, I’ll find him next to me

Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
Next to me, oh
I will find him, I’ll find him next to me

When the end has come and buildings falling down fast
When we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea
When everyone has lost their heads around us
You will find him, you’ll find him next to me

Next to me, oh…

You might also like:

Task 2

Discuss the questions with your teacher. 

1. Find the examples of behaviour which the singer disapproves of.
2. Would you be bored to have a partner who is always next to you?

Song 2. The Beatles — You’re Going To Lose That Girl

Grammar: Be going to
Level: Pre-intermediate (if to practice only “be going to”, can be used for Elementary)

Task 1 

Listen to the song and underline all examples of “be going to” and “will”. Explain the difference between these two structures in this song.

You’re going to lose that girl
You’re going to lose that girl
If you don’t take her out tonight
She’s going to change her mind
And I will take her out tonight
And I will treat her kind

You’re going to lose that girl
You’re going to lose that girl
If you don’t treat her right, my friend
You’re going to find her gone

Cos I will treat her right, and then
You’ll be the lonely one

You’re going to lose that girl
You’re going to lose that girl
I’ll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah
The way you treat her what else can I do?
You’re going to lose that girl
You’re going to lose that girl
I’ll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah
The way you treat her what else can I do?
If you don’t take her out tonight
She’s going to change her mind
And I will take her out tonight
And I will treat her kind

You’re going to lose that girl
You’re going to lose that girl
You’re going to lose that girl.

Task 2

Discuss the questions with your teacher.

1. Why does the singer think that the boy is going to lose that girl?
2. Did the singer like that girl? Why(not)?

Song 3. Charlie Puth — One Call Away

Grammar: Future Simple
Level: Pre-intermediate

Task 1 

Listen and underline the correct option.

Chorus:
I’m / I’ll be only one call away
I’m / I’ll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I’m /I’ll only one call away

Call me, baby, if you need/ ‘ll need a friend
I just wanna give you love
Come on, come on, come on
Reaching out to you, so take a chance
No matter where you go /’ll go
You know you’re not alone.

Chorus:
Come along with me and don’t/ won’t be scared
I just wanna set you free
Come on, come on, come one
You and me can/will make it anywhere
For now, we can stay here for a while, ay
‘Cause you know, I just wanna see you smile
No matter where you go /’ll go
You know you’re not alone.

Chorus:
And when you’re weak I’m/ I’ll be strong
I’m gonna keep holding on
Now don’t/won’t you worry, it will /won’t be 
long, Darling
And when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my arms.

Key:

Chorus:
I’m only one call away
I’ll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I’m only one call away
Call me, baby, if you need a friend
I just wanna give you love
Come on, come on, come on
Reaching out to you, so take a chance
No matter where you go
You know you’re not alone.

Chorus:
Come along with me and don’t be scared
I just wanna set you free
Come on, come on, come one
You and me can make it anywhere
For now, we can stay here for a while, ay
‘Cause you know, I just wanna see you smile
No matter where you go
You know you’re not alone

Chorus:

And when you’re weak I’ll be strong
I’m gonna keep holding on
Now don’t you worry, it won’t be long, Darling
And when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my arms

Task 2

Discuss the questions with your teacher.

1. What does ‘I’m only one call away’ mean?
2. Do you have someone who is only one call away?

Song 4. Maroon 5 — Fortune Teller

Grammar: Future Simple and Continuous
Level: Intermediate

Task 1

Listen and correct the mistakes in the sentences in bold. If the line is correct, put “+”.

I’m not a fortune teller, I won’t bring news _____
Of what tomorrow brings, I leave that up to you _____
I’m not a fortune teller, don’t have a crystal ball _____
I can’t predict the future, won’t see nothing at all _____
It doesn’t mean I’m afraid of all the things that you say
But I just think we should stay stuck in the moment today
And as the seasons roll by, no matter how hard I try
Summer will be ending and the leaves will turn again _____

Chorus:
I don’t know why you’re acting like this
I don’t know why you had to do it again
Why’d you have to go and ruin the night
Don’t worry about tomorrow’s mess

I never know how the future will go _____
I don’t know what to tell you, I’m not a fortune teller _____
I never change, but I want you to stay _____
I don’t know what to tell you, I’m not a fortune teller
I don’t like watching TV, I don’t know what it all means
And your American dream, baby it just isn’t me
I know that what I’m thinking may not be on your mind
I know the song I’m singing is not your favorite kind
It doesn’t mean I’m afraid of all the things that you say
But I just think we will stay stuck in the moment today _____
And as the seasons will roll by, no matter how hard I try _____
Summer will be ending and the leaves will turn again _____

Chorus:
This feeling keeps growing
These rivers keep flowing
How can I have answers
When you drown me in questions.

Key:

I’m not a fortune teller, I won’t be bringing news
Of what tomorrow brings, I’ll leave that up to you
I’m not a fortune teller, don’t have a crystal ball
I can’t predict the future, can’t see nothing at all
It doesn’t mean I’m afraid of all the things that you say
But I just think we should stay stuck in the moment today
And as the seasons roll by, no matter how hard I try
Summer will end and the leaves will turn again

Chorus:
I don’t know why you’re acting like this
I don’t know why you had to do it again
Why’d you have to go and ruin the night
Don’t worry about tomorrow’s mess

I never know how the future will go
I don’t know what to tell you, I’m not a fortune teller
I’ll never change, but I want you to stay
I don’t know what to tell you, I’m not a fortune teller
I don’t like watching TV, I don’t know what it all means
And your American dream, baby it just isn’t me
I know that what I’m thinking may not be on your mind
I know the song I’m singing is not your favorite kind
It doesn’t mean I’m afraid of all the things that you say
But I just think we should stay stuck in the moment today
And as the seasons roll by, no matter how hard I try
Summer will end and the leaves will turn again

Chorus:
This feeling keeps growing
These rivers keep flowing
How can I have answers
When you drown me in questions

Task 2

Discuss the questions with your teacher.

1. What does the singer mean by saying “I’m not a fortune teller”?
2. Are you interested in fortune-telling? Do you want to know how the future will go?

Song 5. Lenny Kravitz — I’ll be waiting

Grammar: Future Simple, Present Continuous and Future Continuous
Level: Intermediate

Task 1

Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form in Future Simple, Present Continuous or Future Continuous.

He broke your heart
He took your soul
You’re hurt inside
Because there’s a hole
You need some time
To be alone
Then you will find
What you always know
I’m the one who really loves you baby
I’ve been knocking at your door

Chorus:
As long as I _____ (live), I _____ (wait)
As long as I _____ ( breathe), I _____ ( be) there
Whenever you call me, I _____ (wait)
Whenever you need me, I _____ (be) there
I’ve seen you cry
Into the night
I feel your pain
Can I make it right
I realized there’s no end inside
Yet still I _____ (wait)
For you to see the light
I’m the one who really loves you baby
I can’t take it anymore

Chorus:
You are my only I’ve ever known
That makes me feel this way
Couldn’t on my own
I want to be with you until we’re old
You have the love you need right in front of you
Please come home.

Key:

He broke your heart
He took your soul
You’re hurt inside
Because there’s a hole
You need some time
To be alone
Then you will find
What you always know
I’m the one who really loves you baby
I’ve been knocking at your door

As long as I’m living, I’ll be waiting
As long as I’m breathing, I’ll be there
Whenever you call me, I’ll be waiting
Whenever you need me, I’ll be there
I’ve seen you cry
Into the night
I feel your pain
Can I make it right
I realized there’s no end inside
Yet still I’ll wait
For you to see the light
I’m the one who really loves you baby
I can’t take it anymore
As long as I’m living, I’ll be waiting
As long as I’m breathing, I’ll be there

Whenever you call me, I’ll be waiting
Whenever you need me, I’ll be there
You are my only I’ve ever known
That makes me feel this way
Couldn’t on my own
I want to be with you until we’re old
You have the love you need right in front of you
Please come home
As long as I’m living, I’ll be waiting
As long as I’m breathing, I’ll be there
Whenever you call me, I’ll be waiting
Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.

Task 2

Discuss the questions with your teacher.

1. How does the singer feel?
2. Why is he ready to wait?
3. Is there anything you will be waiting for as long as you’re living?

Have a great lesson!