7 May 2014 (Wednesday)

Today only 4 students came to share their songs on the theme of "flowers", but we had a good conversation. I had encouraged the students to be creative in their interpretation of the "flowers" theme and they were!

As I set up the computer equipment we bantered about heavy metal in general. I think we talked about Led Zeppelin (info) and that made me think of Seattle band Heart (info) doing a great cover of Zeppelin's classic song "Stairway To Heaven" (video, lyrics, song info). They did it in front of the members of Led Zeppelin themselves -- and President Obama. I mentioned that the lead singer for heart, Ann Wilson (info) is, in my opinion, the best female rock singer in the world. 

The next song was the first one in our theme: "Marigold" (video with lyrics, song info) by Nirvana (info). It's actually not exactly Nirvana playing on this song, rather it's Dave Grohl and Christ Novoselic because Kurt Cobain was not in the studio. And the song was written just by Dave Grohl. It is also the only Nirvana songs that Dave's next band, Foo Fighters (info) ever played.

The student who chose this song chose it because when he thinks of songs on the theme "flowers" he usually thinks of roses but wanted to choose something not so obvious.

The next song wasn't a "flower" song: "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" (video, lyrics, song info) by The Beatles (info). The student who chose this song feels like The Beatles are just the perfect rock band. And I agree with him! Even though their songs are 40-50 years old, they sound modern to this day.

The next song was on the theme: "Flower Dance" (video) by DJ Okawari. The student who chose it likes it from the 2 minute mark on the best.

The next song was "Bara no hana" ("Rose Flower" in English) (video, lyrics) by Quruli (info). The student who chose this song said the music is the spirit of Japan. This band had the "theme song" for a whole musical movement in Japan in the 90's(?).

The next song was "Glory Box" (video, lyrics, song info) by Portishead (info). I can't remember why the student chose this song, but I personally love this song -- so atmospheric!

We started talking about movies that are about rock music. Here some suggestions for good "rock" movies off the top of my head (there are many, many more!):

• "Singles" (info). It's set in Seattle so you will recognize lots of streets!
• "High Fidelity" (info).
• "Spinal Tap" (info). A satire about rock bands. A brilliant classic!
• "Some Kind Of Monster" (info). The true documentary about Metallica, which shows that "Spinal Tap" is not just fantasy.
• "The Language Of Music" (info). The documentary that gave this class its name.
• "It Might Get Loud" (info). Documentary about rock guitarists.
• "Cry Baby: The Pedal That Rocks The World" (link to film online). Only recommended for really geeky music fans!

The last song of the day was one sent to me by email by a student who couldn't attend the class. She requested "Aiwo Komete Hanatabawo" (video, lyrics, song info) by Superfly (info).  She said the singer was influenced by Carol King.  It was a smash hit in 2011.  The lyrics tells us that one girl met her former boyfriend and she could find out he was the right man for her and she would send him a bunch of flowers.

One of the other students in class said he thinks the singer is the best female Japanese rock singer (he was responding to my comment about Ann Wilson being the best female rock singer).