Katy Perry

Intro

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

• catchy
• controversial
• slutty
• ban

• bubble gum pop
• lock lips
• scandal
• number one hit

• cross a line
• make out

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

One sure way for girl musicians to get a lot of publicity is to kiss other girls. Remember when Madonna and Britney Spears locked lips at the MTV music video awards? Or what about that crazy girl band t.A.T.u., who made out in one of their music videos? And let’s not forget Jill Sobule, who wrote the first song called “I Kissed a Girl” back in 1995.

The pop singer Katy Perry has a song called “I Kissed a Girl” too. It’s made her a huge success on the pop charts, but a controversial figure for some. Listen to Beren and Dale talk about the song and the scandal.

Dialog

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

Log in to Listen

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

Dale

Beren

Dale:  I’m actually a DJ and I do a lot of parties. And one of the ones that’s a number one hit is “I Kissed a Girl.”

Beren:  Oh, I think that’s a number one hit everywhere. I went to a teeny, tiny town and went out dancing…like nobody on the dance floor. All of a sudden, they started playing “I Kissed a Girl,” and girls started making out.

Dale:  Do you think that’s kind of weird though?

Beren:  It’s very weird.

Dale:  This Katy Perry character or person is actually trying to make other girls kinda make out with other girls…I don’t know. Does that seem like a good thing or a bad thing?

Beren:  Do you think the song was written and intended to be like that hit that would make girls slutty on the dance floor?

Dale:  Well, after I started listening to the song, actually it was banned in high schools.

Beren:  I heard that too, actually.

Dale:  Because more girls started doing that. And saying they kissed a girl and they liked it. From rumors I heard also, Katie Perry said that she’s not gonna have sex for a year.

Beren:  I heard that possibly is incorrect, but I don’t know.

Dale:  So do you think she’s very controversial anyway?

Beren:  Somewhat controversial. I mean, maybe. I don’t know. ‘Cause to me she seems more modern day bubble gum pop. Like, really well-written songs actually, ‘cause it’s super catchy.

Dale:  Oh, super catchy.

Beren:  I don’t know, maybe it’s the last line kids can cross now, you know?

Dale:  Mm-hm.

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Passive Voice" from this lesson

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3