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      TeachingEnglish
      Most quoted lines from songs - language and culture links
      Submitted by angol on 17 March, 2011 - 13:41

      Dear teachers:

      I'm looking for your tips regarding such songs the lines of which not so rarely pop up in genuine conversation between native speakers, or that might be heard in films or in series, such that are used in typical situations and which convey a more or less commonly shared meaning. (I'm not looking for lines that are merely personal favourites.) 

      Examples - that survived the test of time - include:

      - "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen" ("I feel so utterly miserable" or "don't you want to help me end my suffering" or...)

      - "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow, you're only a day away" ("OK, now I feel quite wretched, but hope springs eternal")

      - "I believe I can fly" (to encourage someone or oneself)

      - Amazing Grace ...

       

      Thanks for your help putting together this special chart.

      I would be also most grateful if you could direct me to relevant books or online resources.

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      laurendamas's picture
      laurendamas
      Music that has withstood the test of time; thank you Angol …
      Submitted on 18 March, 2011 - 22:39

      Hi Angol
      Thank you for starting this blog on lyrics that have withstood the test of time.

      For me, perhaps what comes to mind at this moment are the words from Westlife lyrics. I particularly like listening to Josh Groban singing this song, as it makes me feel more hopeful.

      “…..You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;


      You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong when…”

      Thank you, and best wishes

       

      Lauren

      oriolazhiva's picture
      oriolazhiva
      Hi Angol
      Submitted on 18 March, 2011 - 20:41

      The lyrics that my students found really interesting during one of my classes was Ronan Keating "If tomorrow never comes"

      :So tell that someone that you love

      just what you're thinking of

      if tomorrow never comes

      I used this song to explain conditionals and students had lots of fun while learning.

      Janitorial16's picture
      Janitorial16
      Bon Jovi
      Submitted on 22 April, 2011 - 13:18

      This ain't a song for the brokenhearted
      No silent prayer for the faith departed
      And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
      You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud

      It's my life
      It's now or never
      I ain't gonna live forever
      I just wanna live while I'm alive

      My heart is like an open highway
      Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
      I just wanna live while I'm alive
      'Cause it's my life

       

      Bon Jovi