Using Songs and Music to learn English

Studying song lyrics as a method to learn English:

Studying song lyrics can be effective in learning English.  Here are some benefits:

 1. 2 of our 5 human senses (eyesight & hearing) are used when studying song lyrics.

 2. The brain processes this new information more effectively.

 3. Song writers invest alot of time and effort to tell a story or message and their English is used in a natural setting.

 4. It is an enjoyable means of learning English.

 5. An understanding of the words is promoted.

 6. It allows an opportunity to distinguish between good and bad grammar.

 7. It increases exposure to idioms, metaphors, phrases, slang and other parts of speech.

 8. Songs train your ear to learn the pronunciation of words as spoken by native-speakers.

 9. It allows a basis of comparison between American and British English.

10. You can easily stop the song and repeat portions for further investigation.

Suggested Procedure:

1.  Select a song that is easy to understand the message and the pronunciation of words.

2. If possible, try to determine the lyrics and write them down before reading them.

3. Try to understand the message in the song.

4. Compare your initial writing with the actual words.

5. Identify any idioms, phrases, slang, and incorrect grammar.

6. After studying the song, replay it and follow along and instantly understand each verse as its being sung.

7. Enjoy the song and your advancement in learning English!

Ezadmehr, I like the voice of Nana Mouskouri, very soothing to listen to.  The lyrics of the song is very touching.  Sorry for the delay.

A beautiful music for listen and learn English. If you want listen this music visit my profile,listened and enjoyed and if you enjoyed, please tell me your opinion special you Dear Mr. Alston. Thanks all friend in Ebaby. Ezadmehr
A Place In My Heart Of Nana Mouskouri
I got your latter yesterday
From some small town I never knew
It told me you were on your way
But not where you were going to
You said you’re following the sun
But do you really know for sure
For after all is said and done
Just what it is you are looking for
There is a place in my heart
I wish that your eyes could see
And there’s no one on earth
Who loves you as much as me
If you just travel on and on
Till i don’t know where
There is a place in my heart
You may never find again
And so you travel with the wind
You’ll find some road to fly along
And though your letter says the word
Your heart may soon for get the song
Then you may some day write the poem
That tells your life in words of fire
But you will never have a home
Or find the love that you desire
There is a place in my heart
I wish that your eyes could see
And there’s no one on earth
Who loves you as much as me
If you just travel on and on
Till i don’t know where
There’s a place in my heart
You may never find again
And so you’re heading for the sea
Now that the flowers are in bloom
Just when the wild mimosa tree
Is like the colour of our room
If you just travel on and on
Till i don’t know where
There’s a place in my heart
You may never find again

“You beat me to the punch” by Mary Wells – Detailed Paraphrase:

Snoopyboy did a fine job of paraphrasing this song.

However, I want to inform you that in the English language, almost anything can be said using different words and still have the same basic meaning.  Therefore, I want us to analyze this song in detail to learn from it.

Please read the lyrics while you listen to the song from the “Relaxation Lounge” in the Love songs section (song no. 5) on my profile page. If you cannot access the song, try to locate it on the internet.

First, I want to explain some phrases to give the logic of their use.

1. Beat me to the punch- This phrase comes from the sport of boxing.  A punch is when a boxer hits his opponent with his boxing glove.  To beat is to win a competitive act.  In this case, one boxer is faster at hitting his opponent who is trying to do the same thing.  Therefore, the faster boxer “beats him to the punch.”  When using it as a phrase, it means one person is faster than another person who is trying to do the same thing.

2. So hard- To do something intensely.

3. Had a hunch- A positive emotional feeling (intuitive feeling) about something.

4. Play my hunch- To act on the emotional feeling (intuitive feeling).

5. Playboy- A guy who starts surface (insincere) relationships with women or girls.

6. Leave me blue- ‘The Blues’ means to be in a depressed state about something. 

7. Put me down- To be rejected.

8. Hang around- To remain in a location.

9. Beyond a doubt- To be sure about something without any reservations.

Original lyrics unbolded text, Paraphrase is the bolded text:

That day, I first saw you passing by, I wanted to know your name but I was much too shy

On that day when I first saw you passing by, I wanted to know your name but I was very shy

But I was looking at you so hard, until you must have had a hunch

But I was looking at you intensely to the point that you got a hint

So you came up to me and asked me my name

So you made the move to ask me for my name

You beat me to the punch, that time, you beat me to the punch, you beat me to the punch

You were faster than I was at that time to exchange names, yes, you were faster, yes faster than I was in asking for your name

After I hadn’t known you for it seems like a long, long, time, I wanted, wanted to ask you, would you please, please be mine!

After a short time (which seems like a very long time), my emotions inside was that I was begging that you would be mine

Whenever you came around, my heart would pound, so you must have had a hunch, so you came up to me and asked me to be yours

Whenever you were near me, my heart would race, you also had an idea to meet me and make me your girlfriend and you took the lead and started the relationship

You beat me to the punch, one more time, you beat me to the punch, you beat me to the punch, yeah

Once again, you were faster than I was and started the relationship, yes

Since I love you, I thought you would be true, and love me tender, so I let my heart surrender to you, yes I did!

Since being in our relationship, I believed you would be faithful to me and love me in a sweet way, so I had no reservations about you and committed myself to you, yes I did!

But I found out beyond a doubt one day, boy, you were a playboy who would go away and leave me blue

But one day I discovered you loved other women in addition to me and would leave me hurt and depressed

So I ain’t gonna wait around for you to put me down, this time I’m gonna play my hunch, and walk away this very day

Therefore I’m not going to continue this relationship for you to put me in a position to be hurt , so I’m going to listen to my conscience and end this relationship immediately

And beat you to the punch, this time, and beat you to the punch, this time I’ll beat you to the punch, yes, I will let you know, know, how it feels

This time I’ll be the first one instead of you and end this relationship, yes I’ll be first, I’ll be first to end this relationship and you’ll know how it feels to be hurt and rejected!

End of paraphrase

Original lyrics copied from MetroLyrics.com

If you would like more information on how to say the same thing using different words, please look for the next lesson in the “Inside the language” series on my profile page.

http://www.englishbaby.com/findfriends/gallery/detail/1207903

Please scroll back to August 2, 2012 for Song Lesson No. 3 “You beat me to the punch”

Thank you.
Well… I could just find the like button of the comments not the post itself.

The “Like” button is at the bottom of the post on the left side across from the date.

Thanks.

I want to say that I like this post, but I can’t find the “Like” button.

Keep on keeping on!

( mamnoon baraye hedayate man: in persian language) thank you  for help me,dear teacher!

I ‘m successful! I know!!!

Ezadmehr, here’s how you can improve your understanding of lyrics in songs:

1. Identify the words or phrases you do not understand.  For example, in this song, here are the phrases that were used:

• You beat me to the punch


• So hard


• Had a hunch


• Playboy


• Leave me blue


• Put me down


• Hang around


• Beyond a doubt

2. Generally, you cannot learn the meaning from a regular dictionary, you would need a phrase or idiom dictionary or use a search engine on the internet.

3. Once you have learned the meanings, put it all together to understand the message of the song and train your ears to listen to English spoken in song.

Snoopyboy, you’ve hit a home run and your paraphrase of the song is 100% correct.  Superb job, drum roll please!

here’s my interpretation of this song :)

That day, I first saw you passing by, I wanted to know your name but I was much too shy.

(…)

But I was looking at you so hard, until you must have had a hunch.  So you came up to me and asked me my name.

( I was looking at you so intently and it’s like you’ve had read my mind, so you came closer to me and asked me my name)

You beat me to the punch, that time, you beat me to the punch, you beat me to the punch.

( That day you were ahead of me, you made the first step)

After I hadn’t known you for it seems like a long, long time, I wanted, want to ask you, would you please, please be mine.

(….)

Whenever you came around, my heart would pound, so you must have had a hunch, so you came up to  me and asked me to be yours.

(Whenever you were around , my heart would beat  right out of my chest, so you must have known what that meant and you asked me to be yours (your soulmate)

You beat me to the punch one more time, you beat me to the punch, you beat me to the punch, yeah.

( and once again, you were ahead of me, you made the first step again, oh yeah ;)

Since I love you, I thought you would be true and love me tender, so I let my heart surrender to you, yes, I did!

( Because I loved you so much and   thought your love for me was true and tender, I trusted you and gave you my  whole heart )

But I found out beyond a doubt one day, boy, you were a playboy, who would go away and leave me blue.

( But I found out without any doubt that you were a womanizer, who would go away and leave me feeling heart-broken)

So I ain’t gonna wait around for you to put me down, this time I’m gonna play my hunch, and walk away this very day

( So this time I will not let you get the better of me, I will follow my intuitions and walk away today)

And beat you to the punch, this time, and beat you to the punch this time, I’ll beat you to the punch, yes I will and let you know, know, how it feels.

( yes, this time I will be one step ahead of you, I will let you know how it feels )

 ~~

Basically this woman saw this guy that she found somewhat attractive and fell head over heel for him, she was in love at first sight one might say. However she was so shy that she couldn’t gather enough courage to approach him and ask him for his name, luckily the guy saw her eager eyes and made the first move and introduced himself to her and asked her for her name.  They became close acquaintances, and eventually that guy suggested they become soulmates, the girl gladly complied ;). Nice rosy love story so far, right? I mean how luckier can she be, having the guy you crushed over ask you if you would want to be his girlfriend! It’s like a real life fairy tale, like it’s as if it was too good to be true. it was  in fact too good to be true :’(. The guy was only after some personal gratifications and pretending that he loved her; and for quite a while he thought he had her fooled until the woman had walked away from him, never to return again ;).

I think the girl (although she had wised up and left him so abruptly- which I think it’s the right decision) is still the main victim of this fiasco, sad but true. While the girl is crying and thinking “how could he have done this to me?” the guy is thinking “How did she find out?” not shedding one crocodile tear.  

She had commited herself to the handsome guy  a little too soon

Thanks Mr Alston for the assignment,

thanks dear teacher,but my listening is very weak.can you tell me more about this and help me??

Song Lesson No. 3: “You Beat Me To The Punch” by Mary Wells

This song was very popular at one time and contains a story about a budding romance that didn’t work out.  It has various phrases that are well known.  Read the lyrics while you listen to the song from the “Relaxation Lounge” in the Love songs section (song no. 5) on my profile page. 

If you can’t access the Relaxation Lounge, try to locate the song on the internet.

Lyrics:

That day, I first saw you passing by, I wanted to know your name but I was much too shy.

But I was looking at you so hard, until you must have had a hunch.  So you came up to me and asked me my name.

You beat me to the punch, that time, you beat me to the punch, you beat me to the punch.

After I hadn’t known you for it seems like a long, long time, I wanted, want to ask you, would you please, please be mine.

Whenever you came around, my heart would pound, so you must have had a hunch, so you came up to  me and asked me to be yours.

You beat me to the punch one more time, you beat me to the punch, you beat me to the punch, yeah.

Since I love you, I thought you would be true and love me tender, so I let my heart surrender to you, yes, I did!

But I found out beyond a doubt one day, boy, you were a playboy, who would go away and leave me blue.

So I ain’t gonna wait around for you to put me down, this time I’m gonna play my hunch, and walk away this very day

And beat you to the punch, this time, and beat you to the punch this time, I’ll beat you to the punch, yes I will and let you know, know, how it feels.

Copied from MetroLyrics.com

Question: Can you understand the meaning of this song?  If so, please write your interpretation of this song.  I intend to write mine later.

Song No. 2 Paraphrase- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston:

Background of the song:

This is the theme song to the movie “The Body Guard”

Actor Kevin Costner was Whitney’s body guard (she was a famous singer) in the movie.  There was a conflict of interest because they both found themselves becoming romantically involved with each other.

The lyrics of the song is describing the ending of the romantic and business relationships.

The song was originally written by Country singer Dolly Parton in her breaking off a musical partnership with Country singer Porter Wagner.

Lyrics:

If I should stay,

If I should remain in this relationship

I would only be in your way.

I will be a hindrance to you.

So I’ll go, but I know

Therefore, I’ll leave our relationship

I’ll think of you ev’ry step of the way.

But I’ll continue to think of you

And I will always love you.

And always love you.

You, my darling you.  Hmm.

You, my loved one

Bittersweet memories

Bad and good memories

that is all I’m taking with me.

are all I’m taking  from the relationship.

So, goodbye. Please, don’t cry.

So, goodbye. Please don’t cry.

We both know I’m not what you need.

Both of us know you don’t need me to make your life difficult.

And I will always love you.

But I’ll always love you!

I will always love you.

I will always love you.

I hope life treats you kind

I hope good things will happen to you in life

And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of.

And you reach all of your goals

And I wish to you, joy and happiness

I wish you the best in life

But above all this, I wish you love.

And most of all, I  hope you will have the love of your life

And I will always love you.

And I will always love you.

I will always love you (X 5)

You, darling, I love you.

You, my love, you!

Ooh, I’ll always, I’ll always love you.

I’ll always love you so much!!!

End of lyrics*

There were no phrases in this song with the possible exception of “bittersweet” which means something is bad (bitter) and good (sweet).

Please scroll back to March 25, 2012 for the instructions on how to effectively use this song to learn English.

Note: For those of you who are following the “Understanding American English Phrases” mini lessons, it has been posted.

ilneill just stop spamming!!!

It’s beneficial that you see the value of using song lyrics to learn English.

although it seems that I didn’t make full use of this lesson, I have to say that listening to music is really an efficient way to learn. The first English song that I’ve ever heard is Yesterday Once More, old and beautiful one. The lyrics “it can really make me smile” had helped a lot in my exams .. and sometimes Eminem’s songs could calm me down(don’t know why  = =), though it’s really tough for me to sing

i like it ! good idea.

Go for it!