Lorna at Vicenza

Calling all you music lovers.

I am going to have a music lesson at school one week. The students will have the printed lyrics to the songs but there will be lots of gaps that they have to fill in whilst listening to the songs.

I haven't watched MTV for ages and although I know singers like Lady Gaga are very big right now, she's no good. I'm not explaining to classes full of hormonal kids what "huffin with my muffin" and "vertical stick" means. Neither do I want a class full of kids singing "your sex is on fire" by Kings of Leon.

One song I used sucessfully in the past was Ironic by Alanis Morissette but I'd like something more recent as well.

1. It has to be clear and easy enough to get the missing words. No mumbling and no songs where the music is louder than the lyrics.

2. It has to make some kind of 'normal' sense. Nothing too 'out there' that only makes sense to the songwriter.
Old Sinatra and Phil Collins etc. had clear and sensible lyrics but I think they're a bit old hat for today's teens.

3. Nothing explicit or too sexual.

4. Better if it's a "proper" song with verses and a chorus and not just a mixup and rehash of the same lines over and over again.

5. It must be something that I can listen to about 24 times in one week without pulling my hair out.


I quite like Viva la Vida by Coldplay but I'm not sure if all the words are clear enough for them to get.


Any ideas?

Lorna at Vicenza

It's just hit me.
I'm 40!

indiebird

Could the Beatles work?? I know it's not necessarily trendy but everyone here seems to think the Beatles songs are amazing.....

indiebird

or maybe the Arctic Monkeys?? (I can only really give you stuff I like!!) some of their songs are easy to understand.

One of my Italian friends is a bit of an old Metaller and he told me he learnt English to translate Iron Maiden's lyrics.... and then wished he hadn't because he realised they were shite!!!

Lorna at Vicenza

Some of them probably could but I'm not doing "Yesterday" 24 times.

duffer

During my teacher training we used Bob Marley. Why does it have to be contemporary music? Can't it be the music that you like, so that you can introduce a new generation to some classic songs.

Lorna at Vicenza

It doesn't have to be contemporary. I just thought it might be nice to use a group/singer that they might be familiar with but not know the lyrics.

duffer

Play them Cat Stevens FFS!

Lorna at Vicenza

If I had to lisen to Father & Son 24 times, not only would I be pulling my hair out but possibly self harming as well. Clear lyrics though.

Pecora Nera

I'm with you use where do the children play?

Pecora Nera

Two Little boys Rolf Harris ..snigger

indiebird

I hope Lorna's not on the top floor of the building... she'll probably chuck herself out of the window!!

indiebird

I'm not sure any of us are 'down with the kids' are we.... what about something by Lily Allen?? Maybe not the one they play on the radio with F**k in it though.....

Pecora Nera

Big Girl you are beautiful by what's his name... Clever lyrics


MIKA.... see I remembered

Lorna at Vicenza

I'm pretty damn sure that the kids would love it if I used "F**k You" in the classroom. It's a clear sung song with a definite meaning ...... but I'm pretty sure the regular teacher would hate it.