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Love Songs

Love Songs

Date: Feb 09 2009

Themes: Holidays, Romance

Grammar: The Unreal Past

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Imagine you just had an amazing first date. You went out for a delicious dinner, had a great conversation, made eyes at each other all night. Now you’re sitting in the car, getting ready to say goodnight. You think the moment might be right to go in for a kiss. What’s playing on the radio? Hopefully not heavy metal or hardcore rap. To help set the mood, you probably want a soft, romantic love song, right?

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s a good time to think about what makes the perfect love song. Is it romantic lyrics? Sweet melodies? Funky beats? Find out what kind of songs make Marni and Amanda’s hearts race.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Amanda

Amanda

Marni

Marni

Amanda:  It’s that time of year…

Marni:  Oh, St. Valentine’s Day.

Amanda:  Wonderful.

Marni:  It really is, isn’t it? Love songs. You got some favorites?

Amanda:  I do. It has to have a beat that you can…you know.

Marni:  Dance to?

Amanda:  No. Um, a couple of my favorites right now, maybe Alicia Keys, “No One.” She just sings it so hard.

Marni:  She’s got a good voice, that Alicia Keys.

Amanda:  Um, a little John Legend, I don’t care what it is, any time.

Marni:  Any classic love songs?

Amanda:  Those are classic love songs!

Marni:  Well, they’re more contemporary, which…I’m thinking, you know, timeless...

Amanda:  Oh, like the Righteous Brothers you mean?

Marni:  Oh, “Unchained Melody”?

Amanda:  Is that what you’re talking about?

Marni:  I don’t know, I have to say, I think one of the greatest love songs is “You Were Always on My Mind.” A little Willie Nelson.

Amanda:  Really?

Marni:  Yeah, it’s just so heartwarming.

Amanda:  So if you were on a first date, and the guy took you back to his apartment, and he dimmed the lights…

Marni:  No, not that. But if you want to think about that gut-wrenching feeling of loving someone…

Amanda:  So painfully?

Marni:  Apparently, I like the emotional thing, and you just want a good beat.

Amanda:  I just want the beat, OK?

 

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Discussion

Valentine’s Day is a time of year when we hear a lot of love songs, whether we want to or not. Marni and Amanda discuss their favorite love songs. Amanda likes love songs with a strong beat, while Marni prefers classic love songs with tender lyrics and a sweet sound.

Amanda is surprised when Marni names Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind” as one of her favorite love songs. Willie Nelson is known as an elderly, pot-smoking, hippie country singer. Not the sexiest of images. Plus, the lyrics to “Always on my Mind” are sad and lonely. They’re more about heartbreak than good lovin’. But Marni likes love songs that are very emotional, while those types of songs don’t satisfy Amanda.

What do you think makes a perfect love song? Do you have a favorite?

 

Comments

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nour_2

nour_2

Syrian Arab Republic

i  like love songs that are heartwarming ,containing effective meanings and soft ,brilliant tunes…..

my fovourite love songs are Shayne Ward's

02:21 PM Feb 09 2009 |

LEo

Taiwan

i do love love songsEmbarassed which i love is the music made by james blunt's though i don t have girl friend now but love songs mention the hardtime i 'd had..happy valentine's day to all~

02:21 PM Feb 09 2009 |

champaign

China

valentine's day is beautiful, i like it. but its story make me sad. every story about love should has a happy ending.

01:15 PM Feb 09 2009 |

nil_fm

nil_fm

Turkey

aaahh valentine aahh….
all lovers in the earth hate you…;)

12:58 PM Feb 09 2009 |

gonca sözbir

Turkey

i dont like valentine’s day because there isn’t my boyfriend
=((

12:46 PM Feb 09 2009 |

gonca sözbir

Turkey

i dont like valentine’s day because there isn’t my boyfriend
=((

12:46 PM Feb 09 2009 |

izzy5999

izzy5999

China

    i do not like love songs because i do not like Valentine's Day without reasons

   

12:37 PM Feb 09 2009 |

gonca sözbir

Turkey

is it good or bad? i don't know!!!!    

12:10 PM Feb 09 2009 |

marcioasilva

Brazil

"Always on my mind" is a Elvis Presley"s song actually !!

11:57 AM Feb 09 2009 |

alice197

alice197

China

What does it matter is that if there are some love hearts catch the love songs .Therefore differnent love songs have various stories .

09:43 AM Feb 09 2009 |

suzon

Viet Nam

 I like Love songs the best, all of them are so heartwarming. I remember i cried when i first heard "My heart will go on". I really longed for a boyfriend at that time. However, love hurts are quite painful. It could take away everything, and also leave unhealed hurt in your soul. It is life, though! Ups and downs.

09:15 AM Feb 09 2009 |

Naomi1010

Naomi1010

Taiwan

Yeah, totally. Love is just like a mystery and it’s difficult to get it sometimes. And it does hurt!! :)

07:48 AM Feb 09 2009 |

nurbiya.

nurbiya.

China

Sealed   my god…

03:08 AM Feb 09 2009 |

shad84

shad84

United States

love hurts and sucks pretty much…..why didja hafta bring this lesson up for gosh sakes anyhows,huh?...:(

02:08 AM Feb 09 2009 |

shad84

shad84

United States

i dont like them LOVE songs coz LOVE HURTS and sucks pretty muchCry

02:07 AM Feb 09 2009 |

minami00

minami00

Japan

Norah Jones!

01:23 AM Feb 09 2009 |

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