We’re in the middle of summer and it has brought to mind (made me remember) the song “Summertime.” This is a song that was part of a well-known musical (show or movies with singing) called Porgy and Bess, and was written in 1935 by the famous composer (someone who writes music) George Gershwin. This song is now a standard, which is song that most people recognize and is played and performed a lot.
George Gershwin wrote this song to sound like a spiritual. A spiritual is a style of song that was originally developed by African American slaves (people owned by other people and forced to work without pay) to express religious feelings and later, as a part of their protest (expressing disagreement) against slavery. Today, you’ll hear spirituals in churches and other places of religious worship.
This version of “Summertime” is performed by two jazz legends (extremely famous people): Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
~ Lucy
“Summertime”
written by George Gershwin
performed by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Summertime,
And the living is easy
Fish are jumping
And the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy’s rich
And your ma’s good looking
So hush (be quiet) little baby
Don’t you cry
One of these mornings
You’re going to rise up (to wake up in the morning) singing
Yes, you’ll spread (open to its fullest) your wings
And you’ll take to (go to) the sky
But (un)til that morning
There’s nothing can harm (hurt) you
Yes, with daddy and mommy standing by (nearby and watching or waiting)
Summertime,
And the living is easy
Fish are jumping
And the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy’s rich
And your ma is good looking
So hush little baby
Baby, don’t you cry
A few of you have asked for a Beatles song, but how do you pick one song out of so many great ones?
I looked at the lyrics (words) of some popular hits. “Hey Jude” and “I Saw Her Standing There” have very simple lyrics, so simple that they don’t need explaining. “Come Together” has weird (strange) lyrics that don’t make sense even if you know what each word means. I like “Eleanor Rigby” but it is a little depressing (makes you feel very sad) on a Friday and just a little creepy (makes you feel strange and a little afraid). And “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”? I’m sorry to those who like this song, but I heard it sung to me so many times when I was a kid (child), too many times.
Which one will it be? I picked “Let it Be.” Why? Well, it’s one of my favorites, it has a beautiful melody (main notes in a song), and it has interesting lyrics. “Let it be” means to let something happen. The singer, Paul McCartney, is hoping and wishing that the things he’s singing about will happen. “Let it be” also means to leave something alone, to not worry about or try to change it.
“Mother Mary” is mentioned in the song several times. Many people thought that Paul McCartney, who wrote the song, was referring to the Christian Mary, who was the mother of Jesus. However, Paul said in interviews that he wasn’t writing about that Mary. Instead, many people believe it is his own mother, also named Mary, who died when Paul was 14 years old. He has never confirmed (said for certain) that this is right, so the speculation (guessing) and mystery continues…
~ Lucy
“Let it Be”
by the Beatles
When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom (knowledge and good judgment), let it be.
And in my hour of darkness (sad, difficult time in one’s life) she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper (speak very softly) words of wisdom, let it be.
When the broken hearted (sadness because of lost love) people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted (separated) there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, (yeah) let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines (puts light) on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
there will be no sorrow (sadness), let it be.
Let it be, let it be, (yeah) let it be, let it be.
There will be no sorrow, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
It’s Monday, the start of a new week, and for those of us who work Monday to Friday, the most dreaded (disliked before it happens) day of the week.
We used to say that the average work week for Americans if 40 hours. These days, Americans are actually working more, with about 40% working 50 hours or more. That’s more work and more pressure. Pressure is the force we feel to do something. Bosses may pressure workers to do more work. Workers are under pressure to do well to keep their jobs.
This song is called “Under Pressure” and is by the classic rock group Queen. You may recognize the first seven notes (musical sounds). They have been sampled (music used from other songs) in other, more recent songs. The video is interesting to watch, too. I sometimes feel like screaming (yelling loudly with a high voice), just like the women in the video. Don’t stand too close to me.
~ Lucy
“Under Pressure”
by Queen
Mm ba ba de
Um bum ba de
Um bu bu bum da de (just sounds with no meaning)
Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure - that burns a building down Splits (divides) a family in two Puts people on streets (makes people homeless)
Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da
It’s the terror (being very scared) of knowing what the world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, ‘Let me out’ Pray (communicating with a god) tomorrow - gets me higher
Pressure on people - people on streets
Day day de mm hm
Da da da ba ba
O.K.
Chippin’ around (going around (not used in American English)) - kick my brains (the organ in your head that allows you to think) around the floor
These are the days it never rains but it pours (rains very hard)
Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap
People on streets - ee da de da de
People on streets - ee da de da de da de da
It’s the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, ‘Let me out’
Pray tomorrow - gets me higher high high
Pressure on people - people on streets
Turned away from it all like a blind (unable to see) man Sat on a fence (not supporting one side or another; being neutral) but it don’t work
Keep coming up with love but it’s so slashed (cut into pieces with a knife) and torn
Why - why - why ?
Love love love love love Insanity (craziness; mental illness) laughs under pressure - we’re cracking (breaking into small pieces; becoming emotionally unstable)
Can’t we give ourselves one more chance
Why can’t we give love that one more chance
Why can’t we give love give love give love give love
give love give love give love give love give love
‘Cause (because) love’s such an old-fashioned (traditional; not modern) word
And love dares you (asks that you have courage) to care for the people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
This song by Green Day is, I think, about saying good-bye. The title, Good Riddance, is something we say when we are glad that something or someone is no longer here. I think the title is facetious (joking; being funny). He is not really glad that the person he is saying good-bye to is gone.
This song is dedicated to P.D.M. It is not “good riddance” but a loving farewell to one of the best men who ever lived.
~ Lucy
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”
by Green Day
Another turning point (time to make a major life change), a fork stuck in the road (a place or time where/when more than one option or way is possible)
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of (accept a bad situation and make it as good as possible) this test, and don’t ask why
It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It’s something unpredictable (not able to know the future), but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life (a great experience; the most enjoyable, interesting, and exciting experience of your life).
So take the photographs, and stillframes (each individual picture in a film) in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time Tattoos (permanent pictures on your body made with ink) of memories and dead skin on trial (being judged) For what it’s worth (even though it may not be important) it was worth all the while
It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Country music is very popular in the U.S., especially in the southern states. One of the queens (important and respected women) of country music is Patsy Cline. Like many other great country singers, many of her songs were crossover hits. A crossover is something that is successful in more than one area or field. Many of her songs were popular on the country music charts (list of the most popular songs), as well as the pop music charts.
Like Jeff Buckley, she died a tragic (terrible and sad) death at the height of her career, when she was at her most popular. She died at the age of 30 in a plane crash in 1963.
Her most famous hit was “Crazy” and it is a very well known song today. Friday’s podcast, ESL Podcast 361 - Feeling Lonely, reminded me of the lyrics of this song. Another of her songs I like is called “I Fall to Pieces.” To fall to pieces mean to lose control emotionally. From these songs, I think you get a good idea of some of the common themes or topics in country music.
Notice that she drops the “-g” sound at the end of some words, such as “feeling,” “thinking,” “trying,” and “crying.” This is common among speakers of southern dialects in the U.S.
~ Lucy
“Crazy”
by Patsy Cline
Crazy, I’m crazy for feeling so lonely.
I’m crazy, crazy for feeling so blue (sad).
I knew you’d love me as long as you wanted.
And then someday, you’d leave me for somebody new.
Worry, why do I let myself worry?
Wondering what in the world did I do?
Oh crazy, for thinking that my love could hold you (keep you).
I’m crazy for trying,
And crazy for crying,
And I’m crazy for loving you.
Crazy, for thinking that my love could hold you.
I’m crazy for trying
And crazy for crying,
And I’m crazy for loving you.
One of the most popular TV shows in the U.S. right now is American Idol. It’s a singing competition, where unknown people from all over the country compete to be the best singer. The winner receives a record deal, so that he or she can record and sell their music. An idol is a person who is greatly admired, someone who others want to be like. This show started in the U.K. (called “Pop Idol”) and this is the seventh season of this show in the U.S. Now, there are many versions of this show all over the world.
A few weeks ago, one of the contestants sang a beautiful song called, “Hallelujah.” Hallelujah is a word used in the Christian religion that means “God be praised,” and you will hear it a lot during a religious service. We also use “hallelujah” as an everyday expression, without the religious meaning, to mean “that’s great,” “I’m relieved,” or “I’m very glad or happy.”
This song was first recorded by Leonard Cohen, but the version that most people know is by Jeff Buckley. You can hear the song below, but to see the official video, you will need to see it on YouTube because the record company does not allow other websites, like ours, to have it on their websites.
I find this song haunting (difficult to ignore or forget), both because of Jeff Buckley’s voice and the beautiful melody (main notes in a song).
~ Lucy
“Hallelujah”
by Jeff Buckley
Well I heard there was a secret chord (a group of musical notes played together)
that David played and it pleased the Lord (God)
But you don’t really care for music, do ya (you)?
Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift (all musical terms)
The baffled (confused) king composing (writing) Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…
Well your faith (belief) was strong but you needed proof (evidence)
You saw her bathing (taking a bath) on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew (removed one’s power) ya
And she tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne (chair that a king or queen sits on) and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…
(Yeah but) Baby I’ve been here before
I’ve seen this room and I’ve walked this floor
(You know) I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I’ve seen your flag on the marble (a type of hard stone) arch (a large, curved structure, usually over a door)
and love is not a victory march (soldiers walking in a row together to celebrate after winning)
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…
Well there was a time when you let me know
What’s really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do ya?
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove (bird representing peace) was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…
Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew (someone taking out a gun to shoot you before you could take out your gun to shoot them) ya
And it’s not a cry that you hear at night
It’s not somebody who’s seen the light (made an important discovery or realization)
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
Lucy’s maid: “I clean all day because Lucy is a slob (messy and dirty). ”
Lucy’s dog: “Cry me a river! I have to play with her and pretend I like her. Who has the harder job?”
…
I don’t have a maid to clean my house, and I don’t have a dog, but if I did, I can imagine conversations like this.
“Cry me a river” is a phrase we use when someone complains (say they don’t like something) and we want to tell them to stop because we don’t care what he or she is saying. When one of our listeners recently asked a question about this phrase, it reminded me of one of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite singers.
The song is called “Cry Me a River” and it is sung by Diana Krall, a jazz singer who is originally from Canada and now lives in the U.S. This is actually an old song and Diana Krall is not the first to sing it, but I like her version (interpretation).
In this song, she is singing to a man who broke her heart (made her sad because he did not love her). And now, he wants to return to her. When he complains that he is lonely and sad, she says, “cry me a river,” meaning she doesn’t care because she had “cried a river” over him when he said he didn’t love her. Now, she says, he will need to cry a lot, enough to fill a river, for her to forgive him.
~ Lucy
“Cry Me a River”
by Diana Krall
Now you say you’re lonely
You cry the long night through (entirely; from beginning to end)
Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river
I cried a river over you
Now you say you’re sorry
For being so untrue (unfaithful; being with other lovers)
Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river
I cried a river over you
You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head (made me go crazy)
While you never shed atear (cried)
Remember, I remember, all that you said
You told me love was too plebeian (low class; common; vulgar)
Told me you were through with me (done with our relationship) and
Now you say you love me
Well, just to prove (to show without doubt) that you do
Come on and cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
I cried a river over you
I cried a river…over you…
From your blog comments, it looks like we have a lot of listeners/readers who are fans of the TV show Friends. We also recently had a question about some of the lyrics to the theme song (song that a show or person is known by), so I thought I would post them here with some explanations. For those of you who are not fans of the show, this is still a well-known song in the U.S. and I hope you enjoy it.
~ Lucy
“I’ll Be There For You”
by The Rembrandts
So no one told you life was gonna (going to) be this way
Your job’s a joke (not good; not adequate), you’re broke (have no money), your love life’s D.O.A (dead on arrival; not lively).
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear (wheels in your car moving slowly)
And it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year*, but…
I’ll be there for you (you can rely on me)
When the rain starts to pour (to fall heavily)
I’ll be there for you
Like I’ve been there before
I’ll be there for you ‘Cuz (because) you’re there for me too…
You’re still in bed at ten
And work began at eight
You’ve burned (cooked too long) your breakfast
So far…things are going great
Your mother warned (told you something would happen beforehand) you there’d be days like these
Oh, but she didn’t tell you when the world has brought
You down to your knees** that…
I’ll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I’ll be there for you
Like I’ve been there before
I’ll be there for you
‘Cuz you’re there for me too…
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you’re the only one who knows
What it’s like to be me
Someone to face the day with Make it through (to successfully pass through an event although it is difficult) all the rest with
Someone I’ll always laugh with
Even at my worst I’m best with you, yeah
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear
And it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month,
or even your year…
I’ll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour
I’ll be there for you
Like I’ve been there before
I’ll be there for you
‘Cuz you’re there for me too…
I’ll be there for you
I’ll be there for you
I’ll be there for you
‘Cuz you’re there for me too…
*to be (one’s) day = to have good things happen **to be down to/on your knees = to feel hopeless or defeated
This is a holiday to celebrate with your sweetheart and loved ones. It’s not a national holiday, which means that workers don’t get the day off from work. Traditionally, on this day, couples (two people in a romantic relationship) give each other presents, such as flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and jewelry. On the radio, you’ll hear callers make dedications to the one they love, requesting a song that expresses their feelings.
A very popular love song this past year was by the band, the “Plain White T’s” (T = T-shirt). It’s a simple love song sung by a man who is in a long-distance relationship (a relationship where the two people are in different places) with a woman named Delilah. When this song became popular, women would wear shirts that said “I’m Delilah” to nightclubs, perhaps because they wished that the song had been written for them. If you want to impress a woman you love, maybe you can serenade (sing to) her with this song. Just don’t forget to change the name!
~ Lucy
“Hey There Delilah”
by Plain White T’s
Hey there, Delilah
What’s it like in New York City?
I’m a thousand miles away
But girl, tonight you look so pretty
Yes, you do Times Square (the center and busiest part of New York city) can’t shine (give off light) as bright as you
I swear (promise) it’s true
Hey there, Delilah
Don’t you worry about the distance
I’m right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice, it’s my disguise (method of hiding)
I’m by your side (near you)
Oh it’s what you do to me (how you affect me)
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
What you do to me
Hey there, Delilah
I know times are getting hard
But just believe me, girl
Someday I’ll pay the bills with this guitar
We’ll have it good
We’ll have the life we knew we would My word (promise) is good
Hey there, Delilah
I’ve got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away (to leave someone feeling surprised and speechless because of the beauty they experienced)
I’d write it all
Even more in love with me you’d fall
We’d have it all
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they’ve got planes and trains and cars
I’d walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us (laugh at us)
and we’ll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah, I can promise you
That by the time we get through (are finished)
The world will never ever be the same
And you’re to blame (responsible)
Hey there, Delilah
You be good and don’t you miss me
Two more years and you’ll be done with school
And I’ll be making history like I do
You’ll know it’s all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there, Delilah, here’s to you
This one’s for you
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
Oh it’s what you do to me
What you do to me.
In today’s English Cafe 120, Jeff talks about the dumb blond stereotype. When Americans think of dumb blonds, the classic example is Marilyn Monroe, or at least the characters she played in films. Here she is singing a song from the classic movie Gentlemen Prefer Blonds (1953).
~ Lucy
Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend
The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels (fight for honor between two people)
But I prefer a man who lives
And gives expensive jewelsA kiss on the hand may be quite Continental
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
A kiss may be grand (great)
But it won’t pay the rental (rent; money you pay each month for the place you live)
On your humble (modest) flat (British term for “apartment”)
Or help you at the automat (laundromat; where you pay to wash your own clothes)
Men grow cold
As girls grow old
And we all lose our charms (attractiveness) in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don’t lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
Tiffany’s. . . Cartier. . .
Black frost. . .
Pearl ‘bossed. . .
Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it!
There may come a time when a lass (girl) needs a lawyer
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
There may come a time when a hard-boiled (difficult; strict) employer
Thinks you’re awful nice
But get that ice (slang meaning diamonds)
Or else no dice (not okay; cannot proceed)
He’s your guy when stocks are high
But beware when they start to descend (to come down; decline) Cos (because) that’s when those louses (bad people)
Go back to their spouses (husbands or wives)
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
I’ve heard of affairs which are strictly Platonic (friendship without sex)
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
And I think affairs that you
Must keep Masonic (with strength; solid)
Are better bets
If little pets get big baguettes (a shape of diamonds)
Time rolls on (continues), and youth is gone
And you can’t straighten up when you bend
But stiff (not easy to move) back, or stiff knees
You stand straight at Tiffany’s
Diamonds, diamonds. . .
I don’t mean rhinestones (inexpensive stones that look like diamonds)
Diamonds. . .
Are a girl’s best. . . best friend
