Music and Lyrics

We watched the movie "Music and Lyrics" starring Hugh Grant and Drewberry Moore. It was a fitting end to the lessons on writing and performing songs. Here are some reviews of the movie

Music and lyrics. By Elsa Amelia Tungadi

There are lots of romance flicks with soppy stories about a hot pop idols meeting a regular girl and how the two fall in love. This is the dream of many a starry-eyed lovestruck teenage fan. There are, however, few stories apart from this one about a pop star "has been" straight out of the 80’s as the idol and a plant-killer, natural-born lyricist as the damsel in distress. Besides, most idols are not in danger of needing a hip replacement. Neither do they spend their days observing how long their CD has stayed on the shelves of the local music shop, let alone keeping track for the last six years.

"Music and Lyrics", just like how the title not-so-subtle title implies, is a romantic comedy wrapped up intimately with music. The two main characters meet and are joined together through the process of composing music and writing lyrics. Alex Fletcher is a forgotten star with the ability to compose. Sophie Fischer is a young woman who is aspiring to be a writer but has her dreams crushed by her writing teacher who exploits her life story. Throughout the course of the story, as they strive to work together to write a song for the idol Cora Corman, they become vulnerable to each other. Predictably, the two of them get to know each other and fall in love.

With catchy songs and poetic lyrics, "Music and Lyrics" speaks of letting go of the past, making a fresh start, and being honest with oneself. The dialogue is witty particularly Alex who is the best character for Hugh Grant to spout his hilarious self depreciating comments. Watching the movie is definitely an enjoyable way to spend one’s leisure time.

However, in the end, the characters and the plot do not leave any lasting impression in your mind. The movie is too mild and light-hearted. All you are going to remember, at the very most, is the tune of the borderline silly POP! Song: ‘Pop Goes My Heart!’. And with that, pop goes the movie into fluff!

Music and Lyrics Review By Vania

What I felt when the movie started was déjà vu. I watched this movie with my friends in Indonesia several years ago and I loved it! Even though today was not the first time I watched the movie "Music and Lyrics", I still found the movie as interesting as when I watched it for the first time. The best thing about it for me was the songs. They were so creative, original and heart-warming. The songs have deep and meaningful lyrics that make me feel as if I am part of the action that takes place in the movie. Apart from the songs, my favorite character is Cora, the singer who commissioned Alex to write a new song. She is so confident and even though some of her dance moves are very sensual, she is still a "good" girl at heart who is willing to help Alex win back Sophie. Cora maybe famous but she is not strong-headed or arrogant; she respects others and is willing to hear their stories. She is the key person in all the wonderful dance sequences, the coordination the dancers was great. The performance is supported by creative decorations, brilliant stagecraft and appropriate lighting effect. All in all,I think this film is worth watching a second time. The characters, songs, dances and stories can all be summed up in a word-- entertaining.

Saying Goodbye through song

Part 1: We sing Shout to the Lord as a reminder of how powerful God can be on earth and in people's lives. The original http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fcBJOzY9Tk&feature=related
My class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpiU8xqmNAk&feature=channel_page

Shout To The Lord Chords by Chris Tomlin.
G D Em D C
My Jesus, My Savior, Lord there is none like you
C G C G Em C D
All of my days, I want to praise, the wonders of your mighty love
G D Em D C
My comfort, My shelter, tower of refuge and srength
C G C G Em C D
Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship you
G Em C D
Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing
G Em C D
Power and majesty praise to the king
Em C D Em D
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name
G Em C D
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
G Em C D
Forever I'll love you forever I'll stand
Em C D G
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You


Part 2: My class teaches me a song by an Indonesian singer
Glenn Fredly ~ You`re My Everything
A
Cruising when the sun goes down
E
Across the sea

D
Searching for
Bm A
Something inside of me

I will find all the lost pieces
E
Heart will feel
D
Deep and real
E F#m
I was blind but now I see

E
Yeah…You`re the one
F#m Bm
Yeah....You're the one
F#m E
Yeah…I can`t live without you.

A Bm
Take me to your place
D F#m
Where our hearts belong together

I will follow you
D
Cause you`re the reason that I breathe
A Bm
I`ll come running to you
D F#m
Fill me with your love forever
F
Promise you one thing
D
I will never let you go
E
Cause you are my everything

My class teaches me song by Glenn Fredly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfYhs0VJ0hg

You are my everything by Glenn Fredly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcH5Z3m7CNc

Part 3: As a debrief we talk about what we learnt from writing, performing and recording songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM-qADb91Z4&feature=channel_page

New songs and the lyrics

Rainy December
Group 1: Fefe, Elsa, Quincy, Vania, Daryl

The morning clouds are gradually shifting
Drowsy, even after a splash of cold water
Trying to stay in the warmth of a blanket
It's a rainy December in Whitley Road

Just before breakfast, in the first drizzle
Trembling, causing me to look discouraged
The scent of French toast wafting through the air
It's a rainy December in Whitley Road

Chorus:
Walking as a stranger in a new town
Forlorn you pretend to be strong
Like a charm, your gentle friends words are whispering
"Together in a rainy December."

A new song group 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHbA_d76YFI&feature=channel

Group 2: Friends Forever
Athethea, Nathania, Reinetta, Rosalia
( Music from Kemenangan Hati by Yovie Widianto)

I've never imagined
That I could be here
With all of you (x2)

For every step I take
Makes me feel perfect
Changing myself, and changing my life

It's not easy to pass the days
Without you here by my side

Chorus
You are the friend that I have in my life
You are always there when I need you to fill my days
For every love you've given to me
Makes my sorrow pass through easily
Hope this friendship last forever in my heart.

A new song group 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwGk_NIPRko&feature=channel_page

Group 3: Live alone without you
Gaby, Irene, Ferlika, Sheila, Felicia

In this quiet night
No one by my side
Pale moon hide behind
The shadow dimming the twinkling star
Tonight's still alone
Without you along
I remain empty
Without your beautiful smile
Everything dies coz you're my life.

Chorus:
Live alone without you
Like a fading newspaper
Everything passed and gone
Live alone without you
Nothing special
I can feel the loneliness
The darkness of my life
I miss you now
Without you

I'm sitting here
Wondering about the time
When you were always here
When we were together side by side
Longing for those days
Unforgotten days
But now they are gone
What remains is hollow
I am in my dream
Only about you

A new song group 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64OhUL4vi6M&feature=channel

Lemon tree by Fools Garden

Lemon Tree by Fool's Garden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3x4HvXTyGQ
A song to act out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3DehsSQZ0&feature=channel_page


Intro: C#m F#m C#m F#m C#m Bm C#m F#m
VERSE 1
C#m F#m
I'm sitting here in a boring room
C#m F#m
It's just another rainy Sunday afternoon
C#m F#m
I'm wasting my time I got nothing to do
C#m F#m
I'hanging around and I'm waiting for you
C#m Bm
But nothing ever happens
C#m F#m
And I wonder...

VERSE 2
I'm driving around in my car
I'm driving too fast
I'm driving too far
I'd like to change my point of view
I feel so lonely
I'm waiting for you
But nothing every happens and I wonder

CHORUS:
A E
I wonder how. I wonder why.
F#m C#m
Yesterday you told me about the blue-blue sky
D
And all that I can see
E A E
It's just a yellow lemon tree
A E
I'm turning my head up and down
F#m C#m
I'm turning turning turning turning turning around
B
And all that I can see
E A E
It's just a yellow lemon tree
POST CHORUS: C#m F#m C#m F#m C#m Bm C#m F#m

VERSE 3
I'm sitting here, I miss the power
I'd like to go out taking a shower
But there's a heavy cloud inside my head
I feel so tired, put myself into bed
Well nothing ever happens and I wonder

BRIDGE:
B C#m F#m
Isolation It's not good for me
B C#m F#m
Isolation, and I don't want to sit on the lemon tree

VERSE 4
I'm stepping around in the desert of joy
Baby anyhow I'll get another toy
And everything will happen and you wonder.

Using picture language:
In this song what does the lemon tree represent? Why?

What is the difference between using the lemon tree as a metaphor or using it as a similie? Which is more effective?

Thea: A comparison between "Home" and "My Love"

Home
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=fDQnkYwfNfk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLH0_IV6jnk
My Love
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=-tRHCXGAP6I
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=5VG0Vi9JKQE

Songs are very much part of our lives. We cannot live without them. Songs come in many different forms of musical traditions such as rock, pop, classical, blues, regae and many others. Generally, I enjoy the blues but two songs that speak to me most at this current moment is "Home" by Michael Buble and "My Love" by Westlife. Both songs speak of someone who misses their love and are also separated from their life at home and feel alone. However, there are some obvious differences in the songs as well, such as the tone and specified goals of the song.

The songs are similiar in theme. They speak of someone who misses their love. It is the voice of someone who is far away and misses their boyfriend or girlfriend because they are caught in a long distance relationship. In "My Love" this theme is obvious in the chorus. The songs states "Oh my love, I'm holding on forever. Reaching for a love that seems so far"..."To see you once again, my love." Similiarly in "Home" the singer talks about writing letters that he never sends to his "Baby". He is unable to express himself adequately to his girlfriend who "deserves more than that".

Both songs speak of being separated from a life that they are hanker for and they feel alone. This feeling of loneliness is expressed in "My Love" in the words "I'm all alone, the room is getting smaller." In "Home", the song goes, " Maybe surrounded by a million people, I, still feel all alone, I just wanna go home".

Yet, the songs strikes different tones. "My Love" is often implicit in meaning. Metaphors like "a hole inside my heart", "the rooms are getting smaller" are vivid images of a feeling rather than specific events or thoughts. Love is personified in the lines: "love that seems so far." "Home" has explicit meaning and is easier to understand. Lines such as , "I just wanna go home, I miss you, you know"; "I've been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you." The song speaks of specific seasons passing, "another summer day has come and gone away" and specific geographical locations such as "Paris and Rome." Unlike, "My Home" that is more general and unspecific moving "overseas from coast to coast."

The other difference is that the songs seems to desire different solutions to their loneliness. "My Love" is happy to hope that "dreams" bring back the images of "blue sky", "green fields" and the "love" one again. Throughout the song there is a strong separation between the physical, and the emotional and mental. The person carries on normal activities but is really wanting to be somewhere else. This leads to this dream, a completely mental image, of being back with his love. "Home" is a more physical and purposeful song in attempting to get home. The song expresses desire "I wanna go home" and a plea to "let me go home", and a determination, "I've gotta go home." This song is not content with a dream-like return home.

We do need songs in our lives. Some songs may help us express the condition of our hearts, a temporary cure or teach us another perspective to problems. For me, these songs express how much I miss home.

Second Conditionals: Stone in love with you and El Condor Pasa

Turn to page 143 and 144

Fill in the blanks with the right verb forms
Here are the answers

Stone in love by Stylistics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX0e72zhGlc&feature=related

If I could, I'd like to be a great big movie star,
Overnight sensation, drive a big expensive car
I would buy you everything your little heart desires
These things I'd do 'cause I'm stone in love with you
(Stone in love with you)

If I were a business man, I'd sit behind a desk
I'd be so successful, I would scare Wall Street to death
I would hold a meeting for the press to let them know
I did it all 'cause I'm stone in love with you
(Stone in love with you)

I'm just a man, an average man
Doing everything the best I can
But if I could, I'd give the world to you
I'd like to someday be the owner of the first house on the moon
There would be no neighbors and no population boom
You might say that all I do is dream my life away
I guess it's true 'cause I'm stone in love with you
I guess it's true 'cause I'm stone in love with you
I guess it's true 'cause I'm stone in love with you

El Condo Pasa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6i8HHrz2BI
I'd [Em]rather be a sparrow than a [G]snail
Yes I would, if I could, I surely [Em]would
Hmm I'd rather be a hammer than a [G]nail
Yes I would, if I only could, I surely [Em]would
HmmA[C]way, I'd rather sail away
Like a [G]swan that's here and gone
A [C]man gets tied up to the ground
He gives the [G]world its saddest sound
Its saddest [Em]sound
I'd rather be a forest than a [G]street
Yes I would, if I could, I surely [Em]would
I'd rather feel the earth beneath my [G]feet
Yes I would, if I only could, I surely [Em]would [C] [G] [C] [G] [Em]

Examining Issues through

Where is the love by Black Eyed Peas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H1r1BMmGbc&feature=related

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIAThe Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Nigga, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above'
Cause people got me, got me questionin
'Where is the love (Love)Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With the ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love

Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'

Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' in the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes
I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above'
Cause people got me, got me questionin
'Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love




Turn to page 60-61 (From your literature books)

KKK, mama, discriminate, trauma, terrorism, mamas. race, drama, livin', CIA, hate

What's wrong with the world,__________(1)
People livin' like they ain't got no __________(2)
I think the whole world addicted to the __________(3)
Only attracted to things that'll bring you __________(4)
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop __________(5)
But we still got terrorists here __________(6)
In the USA, the big __________(7)
The Bloods and The Crips and the _________(8)
But if you only have love for your own _________(9)
Then you only leave space to _________(10)
And to discriminate only generates _________(11)


Listen to the lyrics of the song and answer the following questions

1) Who are the terrorists?

2) What leads to discrimination?

3) What has happened to people and children?

4) What does the songwriter feel is the problems faced today?

5) What does he think solutions are?

More exercises on this song found on
http://www.isabelperez.com/songs/wheresthelove.htm

House of the rising sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDwK-Zir8ls&feature=related (orginal)

My class: House of the rising sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Fb3x5holU (Take1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqLSAFfH7hk (Take 2)

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu2WMMli34U (Final Cut)

There is(Em) a house(G) in New Orleans(A)

They(C) call(Em) the Rising(G) Sun(B7)

And it's been(Em) the ruin(G) of many(A) a poor boy(C)

And God(Em) I know I'm one(Em) (B7)

Teaching points

The phrase "House of the Rising Sun" is often understood as a euphemism for a place where prostitues live, but it is not known whether or not the house described in the lyrics was an actual or fictitious place. We learnt this song in class (just the first verse) together with a list of common English euphemisms.

Humorous expressions to refer to death

meet your maker: "He's gone to meet his maker."six feet under:
"I won't worry about money When I'm six feet under.
"pushing up daisies: "Last I heard about him, he's pushing up daisies.
kick the bucket: "So Joe has finally kicked the bucket."

Unemployment
between jobs: "Steve is between jobs at the moment."
a resting actor: "Harry's a resting actor." (Only use for unemployed actors.)

Pregnancy
in the family way: "She was in the family way, so they got married.
"have a bun in the oven: "Have you heard that Katy has a bun in the oven?"

Drunk
tired and emotional: "The newspaper said the president was tired and emotional.
"have a bit too much to drink: "He had a bit too much to drink last night."
to be a bit worse for wear: "He was a bit worse for wear by the time he came home.
"to have over-indulged: "I think he over-indulged in the free beer at the party."

Lying
economical with the truth: "The boss is known for being economical with the truth."

Arguments
full and frank discussion: "The directors had a full and frank discussion in the meeting.
"have words with someone: "Those two have had words."
(for more see
http://www.english-at-home.com/vocabulary/english-euphemisms/)

We also looked at interesting English constructions such as:
Rising sun--Not raising sun
Many a poor boy --Not many poor boys or many boys.