Directions for our first semester in-class presentations (ideally starting the week of November
13)
(1) Work in groups of 4 students.
(2) Each presentation should last approximately 10-15 minutes total.
(3) I encourage you to play all or part of the song (5
minutes or less), while projecting the lyrics on screen.
(4) Every person in the group must speak during the
presentation; equal time for each student.
(5)
The overall goal for each presentation, taken as a whole, is to offer an interpretation (or
more than one interpretation) of the song’s meaning (or
meanings). Be specific, thorough, and clear.
(6) Highlight (i.e. call our attention) to specific lines,
phrases, or images in the song to illustrate your interpretation: analyze the
meaning and/or the poetry in the lines you choose to highlight. Explain why
they are significant, poetic, and/or beautiful.
(7) Also indicate any lines that do NOT fit or could actually contradict your overall interpretation of the song.
(7) Also indicate any lines that do NOT fit or could actually contradict your overall interpretation of the song.
(8) Where relevant, analyze the use of poetic or rhetorical devices
in the song's lyrics – such as metaphor, simile, metonymy etc. as well as the use of idiomatic expressions, puns, or play-on-words.
(9) Perhaps your song aims to convey a message to listeners – as opposed to telling a story or relating the personal experience of the 'narrator' (i.e. the narrational, singing voice, which does mean simply the singer). If this is the case, discuss whether you and the other members of your group agree with the message and to what extent, i.e. in whole or in part. Do you share the ideas expressed in the song? Can you identify with narrator's feelings? Why or why not?
(10) Where necessary, discuss the historical-cultural context behind the song and its contents and/or the circumstances or historical moment in which it was written. For instance, what were the specific circumstances behind Bob Dylan's composition of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"? (It was part of the soundtrack for the film... which is about.... Therefore the song...).
(11) For some songs it may be important to discuss their reception by the public – i.e. the reaction provoked among the song's listeners and the general populace or public at large.
(12) Is the song as relevant today as when it was first written (or more or less so)? If so, why? If not, how and why has its relevance changed?
(13) You may also want to discuss the interaction of the music and the words. How do these two elements of the song complement or contrast with each other?
(9) Perhaps your song aims to convey a message to listeners – as opposed to telling a story or relating the personal experience of the 'narrator' (i.e. the narrational, singing voice, which does mean simply the singer). If this is the case, discuss whether you and the other members of your group agree with the message and to what extent, i.e. in whole or in part. Do you share the ideas expressed in the song? Can you identify with narrator's feelings? Why or why not?
(10) Where necessary, discuss the historical-cultural context behind the song and its contents and/or the circumstances or historical moment in which it was written. For instance, what were the specific circumstances behind Bob Dylan's composition of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"? (It was part of the soundtrack for the film... which is about.... Therefore the song...).
(11) For some songs it may be important to discuss their reception by the public – i.e. the reaction provoked among the song's listeners and the general populace or public at large.
(12) Is the song as relevant today as when it was first written (or more or less so)? If so, why? If not, how and why has its relevance changed?
(13) You may also want to discuss the interaction of the music and the words. How do these two elements of the song complement or contrast with each other?
(14) Here are some hints for choosing your song. Pick a song that: has
a message; and/or tells a story; and/or that you find poetic; and/or that you
find difficult to understand; and/or that could be open to multiple interpretations/meanings.
(15) Your song must be approved by me beforehand.
If you are having trouble selecting a song, here are some suggestions:
(15) Your song must be approved by me beforehand.
If you are having trouble selecting a song, here are some suggestions:
Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” or “House of the
Rising Sun”
Bob Marley – “Redemption Song”
Bruce Springsteen - "The River"
Dead Prez – “Police State”
Dead Prez – “Police State”
Fugazi – “Smallpox Champion”
Gil Scott Heron – “The Revolution will not be Televised”
Interpol – "Pace is the Trick"
Interpol – "Pace is the Trick"
Jack Johnson – “Drink the Water"
John Lennon – "Instant Karma" or "Mind Games" or "Working Class Hero"
Lowkey – "Obama Nation"
Louis Armstrong – “(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue”
Nouvelle Vague – “In a Manner of Speaking” or “The American” or "God Save the Queen"
Otis Redding – “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”
John Lennon – "Instant Karma" or "Mind Games" or "Working Class Hero"
Lowkey – "Obama Nation"
Louis Armstrong – “(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue”
Nouvelle Vague – “In a Manner of Speaking” or “The American” or "God Save the Queen"
Otis Redding – “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”
Pink Floyd – “Money”
Radiohead – “2+2=5”
The Rolling Stones - "Mother's Little Helper"
The Stooges – "Search and Destroy"
The Strokes – "Machu Pichu"or "Tap Out" or "Hard to Explain" or "Life Is Simple In the Moonlight"
Sonic Youth – “Swimsuit Issue” or “Tunic”
The Stooges – "Search and Destroy"
The Strokes – "Machu Pichu"or "Tap Out" or "Hard to Explain" or "Life Is Simple In the Moonlight"
Sonic Youth – “Swimsuit Issue” or “Tunic”
Sublime – “April 29, 1992”
Tupac Shakur – “Changes” or “Dear Mama” or “Keep ya Head Up”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – "Dudley" or "Warrior" or "Turn into"
For additional inspiration, you could check the following list of 50 protest songs:
http://www.radiox.co.uk/features/x-lists/music-changed-world-50-best-protest-songs/
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – "Dudley" or "Warrior" or "Turn into"
For additional inspiration, you could check the following list of 50 protest songs:
http://www.radiox.co.uk/features/x-lists/music-changed-world-50-best-protest-songs/
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