Should I Stay Or Should I Go? by The Clash — ESL Song Worksheet | ClassPlan.ai

SHOULDISTAYORSHOULDIGO?

+ The Clash · 1982 +

Listen carefully and fill in the missing words.

    Verse 1
Darlin' you got to let me (1)
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are (2)
I'll be here 'til the end of (3)
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Verse 2
It's always (4) tease tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees
One day is fine and next is (5)
So if you want me off your (6)
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Chorus
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be (7)
And if I stay it will be (8)
So come on and let me know

Bridge
This indecision's buggin' me (esta indecisión me molesta)
If you don't want me, set me (9) (Si no me quieres, librame)
Exactly whom I'm (10) to be (Dime! ¿Qué tengo ser?)
Don't you know which clothes even (11) me? (No sabes que ropas me queda)
Come on and let me know (Pero tienes que decir)
Should I (12) it or should I blow? (¿Me debo ir o quedarme?)

Break
Split

Outro Chorus
Should I stay or should I go now? (Yo me enfrio o lo soplo)
Should I stay or should I go now? (Yo me enfrio o lo soplo)
If I go there will be trouble (Si me voy, va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (Si me quedo, es doble)
So you gotta let me know (Pero que tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I (13)? (¿Me frío o lo soplo?)
Should I (14) or should I go now? (¿Me frío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble (Si me voy, va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (Si me quedo, es doble)
So you gotta let me know (Pero que tienes que decir)
Should I stay or should I go
  

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

The Clash · 1982

classplan.ai

Song Worksheets

Definition Match

Match each word (1–7) to its correct definition (A–G). Write the letter on the line.

1. indecision

2. tease

3. trouble

4. double

5. knees

6. set free

7. blow

A. to release someone; to allow them to leave or be independent

B. the state of being unable to make a choice between two options

C. to provoke or annoy someone by repeatedly hinting at something without following through

D. to leave suddenly or explode with anger; to lose control of a situation

E. twice as much or twice as bad as before

F. difficulty, conflict, or a problematic situation

G. the joints in the middle of your legs; often bent in a position of weakness or submission

Rewrite a Line

Choose one line from each verse below and rewrite it. Keep the same meaning but use different words. Try to keep the rhythm and rhyme if you can.

Verse 1: 'If you say that you are mine / I'll be here 'til the end of time' Verse 2: 'One day is fine and next is black / So if you want me off your back' Chorus: 'If I go there will be trouble / And if I stay it will be double' Rewrite your chosen lines here:

Did you know?

Read these facts about the song. Which one surprises you most?

🎵The Clash released 'Should I Stay or Should I Go?' in 1982 on their album 'Combat Rock.' It only reached number 17 in the UK charts at the time, but re-released in 1991, it shot to number one after featuring in a Levi's jeans advertisement.
⭐The song features bilingual lyrics — parts are sung in both English and Spanish. The Spanish sections were provided by Mick Jones's friend, a Colombian musician, and some native Spanish speakers say the translations are slightly imperfect but full of character.
🎸The Clash were a British punk rock band formed in London in 1976. Often called 'The Only Band That Matters,' they mixed punk, reggae, rockabilly, and even hip-hop, making them one of the most musically adventurous bands of their generation.
📀Guitarist Mick Jones reportedly wrote the song about his on-and-off relationship with model Ellen Foley. The push-and-pull tension in the lyrics directly mirrors the real emotional uncertainty he was experiencing in that relationship at the time.
🎤The song's distinctive guitar riff is one of rock's most recognisable. Decades after its release, it has appeared in TV series, films, and video games including Stranger Things, which introduced the song to an entirely new generation of fans worldwide.

Discussion & analysis

Discuss each question with your partner.

1The singer keeps asking 'Should I stay or should I go?' — why do you think it is so hard to make this decision? Have you ever felt the same way about a difficult choice?
2The lyrics say 'If I go there will be trouble / And if I stay it will be double.' What does this tell us about the relationship? Is there a good option for the singer?

3Think of a time you had to decide between two difficult options. How did you finally make your decision? Did you regret it?
4The song uses a conditional structure throughout — 'If I go... if I stay...' Why do you think conditionals are such a natural way to talk about relationships and decisions?

🎭 Play It! — Charades

A student (or teacher) secretly picks a song title or artist from the board. They act it out — no speaking, no miming letters. First person to guess correctly takes the next turn.