We watched this video and analyzed the lyrics of the song in Eleventh Grade English today. It's a great song! Catchy and interesting lyrics, good vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, and clear pronunciation make it ideal for inclusion in a high school classroom. As I asked students questions during the discussion, one sang back his answers to me... :-)
After I post the lyrics, I'll discuss the idiomatic expressions we covered.
"Bad Day"
Where is the moment we needed the most?
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost.
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey...
They tell me your passion's gone away...
And I don't need no carryin' on!
You stand in the line just to hit a new low.
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go...
You tell me your life's been way off line;
You're falling to pieces every time...
And I don't need no carryin' on!
'Cause you had a bad day!
You're taking one down!
You sing a sad song just to turn it around...
You say you don't know!
You tell me don't lie!
You work at a smile and you go for a ride...
You had a bad day...
The camera don't lie...
You're coming back down and you really don't mind!
You had a bad day...
You had a bad day...
Well, you need a blue sky holiday...
The point is they laugh at what you say...
And I don't need no carryin' on!
You had a bad day!
You're taking one down!
You sing a sad song just to turn it around...
You say you don't know!
You tell me don't lie!
You work at a smile and you go for a ride...
You had a bad day...
The camera don't lie...
You're coming back down and you really don't mind...
You had a bad day...
(Oh.. Holiday..)
Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong!
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be, well, oh that strong!
And I'm not wrong...
So, where is the passion when you need it the most?
Oh, you and I...
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost...
'Cause you had a bad day!
You're taking one down!
You sing a sad song just to turn it around...
You say you don't know...
You tell me don't lie...
You work at a smile and you go for a ride...
You had a bad day!
You've seen what you like!
And how does it feel for one more time?
You had a bad day...
You had a bad day!
Had a bad day...
Had a bad day...
Had a bad day...
Had a bad day...
Had a bad day...
Here are some highlights from our discussion of the idiomatic expressions, with the students' comments included.
the magic is lost: no longer special, idealized, in a sad or disappointing way
When can the "magic be lost"? In a relationship, marriage, friendship... Your new home or job could also "lose its magic" once you realize its not as perfect as you had initially hoped.
to fade to grey: to become old, blurry, not easily visible, difficult to remember
What kinds of things can "fade to grey"? Photographs, obviously, but also our memories and impressions.
to carry on: to have a temper tantrum OR to continue on with one's life in a positive manner when it's hard
In what situations might a teenager "carry on," as in "to have a temper tantrum"? When not allowed to go to a party... When forced to study all weekend... When treated like a small child...
In what situations might a teenager "carry on" in the second sense of the expression? (This expressions really appealed to the class). After a death in the family... After a divorce... After a bad break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend... After a bad fight with a friend... After failing some exams... After not getting in to the university of one's choice... After developing problems with alcohol or drugs...
to hit a (new) low: to reach a low point, to fail, to have a very hard time
What could cause someone to "hit a low"? Losing one's job... Financial troubles... Death or sickness... Problems in relationships or friendships...
to fake a smile: to smile when you don't want to, to pretend to be happy, perhaps in a deceitful/insincere way
When might you have to "fake a smile"? At work or school with a teacher or student you really don't like but have to work with... When you know someone doesn't really like you, but they pretend they do -- so you have to pretend, also...
to work at a smile: to try to smile when you're actually feeling sad
When might you have to "work at a smile"? When you're having a very hard time in your personal life, but you want to keep it private... When you're upset but it's just not appropriate to talk about it...
coffee-to-go: a coffee you purchase to take with you, not to drink at the cafe
What other items might you be able to get "to go"? Pizza... Any meal from a restaurant... (We talked about how the whole concept of "to go" is becoming more popular in Russia).
to fall to pieces: to have an emotional breakdown
What might cause a four-year-old to "fall to pieces"? Wanting something she is allowed to have... Being overtired... Being hungry... Being jealous of a sibling... Wanting attention...
to turn around: to salvage, to improve
What kinds of situations can a person "turn around," and how? If someone is alcoholic, he can get treatment and stop drinking. If someone loses his job, he can find a new one. If a close friend dies, you can grieve her death and focus on your other friendships. If you have been getting very bad marks in school, you can study hard and do better.
to go on the blink: to malfunction (something electronic)
What kinds of things "go on the blink" in our everyday lives? Our cellphones... Our computers... Our alarm clocks... Our televisions... Our digital cameras... Our washing machines and microwave ovens...
No comments:
Post a Comment