Today, the eve of Chinese New Year (actually, it had already started in China on the other side of the international dateline). 6 students came to talk about music.
I sometimes take students to concerts but lately there haven't been any good all-ages shows. One student suggested the class go to see Kodaline (info) on 9 May at the Neptune Theatre. That's a great idea! We watched a song by Kodaline, "One Day" (video, lyrics, song info) to see what kind of music they do. I think this would be a fun show for us all to go to -- I will get commitment from people in the class as the day of the show gets closer.
I started by asking the Chinese students about traditions in the home on Chinese New Year. The highlights are that the family gathers, eats a lot of food and watches the New Years Gala on TV. Here's this year's gala.
The students said they don't really like watching the gala -- the music is old fashioned and boring. Maybe they will like it more when they are older...
The next song chosen had nothing to do with Chinese New Year: "Intergalactic" (video, lyrics, song info) by the Beastie Boys (info). The student who chose this song said he doesn't really like hip-hop music, but last year he tried to listen to it to give it a change (commendable!). However, the only hip-hop band he could get into was Beastie Boys.
I played my favorite Beastie Boys song for the class: "Shake Your Rump" (video, lyrics, song info), but they all prefer "Intergalactic".
At this point one of the students mentioned he bought tickets to see the Stone Temple Pilots (info) concert on 8 April at the Paramount. The band is touring with a new singer so we watched a clip of some lives songs with the new guy (video). Here's a full concert, in better quality.
The next song was "Fantastic Baby" (video, lyrics) by Big Bang (info). Apparently this songs was a MASSIVE hit in Asia, played *everywhere*. The student who chose it said this song simply makes her happy when she hears it. That synthesizer riff sounds a lot like "Gangnam Style" (video) to me; the Koreans must have a patent on that synth riff, hahaha!
The next song was the title song from the film "Amores Perros" (video, lyrics) by Control Machete (info). The film (info) was directed by a Mexican director, Alejandro González Iñárritu (info), and nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film. The director is up for another Oscar this year for "Birdman" (info).
The last song we had time for (I guess I asked too many questions about Chinese New Year at the start of the class) was "Rather Be" (video, lyrics, song info) by Clean Bandit (info). The student who chose this song really likes the singer's voice. Others in the class agree. I like this song a lot, too, though I had always heard it before without the video -- this was my first time seeing it with a video.
Next class (25 Feb) will be in HUB 214. For a theme I suggest duets: songs with two singers. It might be man/woman but it could be man/man or woman/woman. Of course, any song will be welcomed, even if not in the "duets" theme.
With Valentine's Day coming up on Saturday today's theme was obvious: love songs! 8 students came to share their choices for the most romantic day of the year(?).
To start the class we talked a little about the Grammy Awards the previous Sunday evening (list of winners).
The first song for Valentine's Day was "Liebesleid" (video) as transcribed for piano by Sergei Rachmaninoff (info) performed by Daniel Berman. The student who chose this song likes the contrast of the feelings of romance and melancholy.
The next song was "Angel To Me" (video, lyrics) by McKay. If you read the lyrics the choice of this song is pretty obvious -- a very romantic song! :-)
The next song was "Love Song" (video, lyrics, song info) by The Cure (info). The student who chose this song also likes the contrast of sad/happy in it. And he likes the guitar sound. He said he likes songs which are not that direct in describing love or a breakup.
The next song chosen was "Love Song" (video, lyrics, song info) by Sara Bareilles (info). The theme of this song is pretty obvious: you can't "demand" love from a person, it has to come naturally. But the student who chose the song told an interesting story about this song: Ms. Bareilles's record company wanted her to write a love song so she'd have a hit for her (and them) so she wrote the song saying you can't demand love (songs). And ironically this song went to #1.
The next song was "Labios Rotos (Unplugged)" (video, lyrics, song info) by Zoe (info). This is the most popular pop/rock band in Mexico and South America. Apparently there is no studio version of this song, only this live unplugged version. I really like the music to this song, even if I can't understand the lyrics. I like the humming -- sometimes hums are as good as lyrics!
The next song was "Like You"(?) (video) by G.E.M. (info). The song is about memories of a relationship. The girl is asking the boy to come back. I noticed in the video that the singer has tattoos so we talked a little about tattoo culture in the US versus in Asia. And I asked the students if they would ever consider getting a tattoo.
The next song was "You Don't Miss Your Water" (video with lyrics, song info) by Craig David (info). The student who chose this song heard it on the radio and chose it because she likes R&B music and his voice. She finds the song relaxing and makes her want to dance. I explained that the song lyrics are about how when you have something (for example, water) you don't miss it until it's gone. That concept can be applied to love, too.
The student mentioned her other choice for the day would have been "Drenched" (video with lyrics) by Wanting (info).
Speaking of getting wet, a student suggested the song "Rain" (video with lyrics, song info) by Motohiro Hata (info).
Continuing the theme of rain I played a little bit of a song I find very powerful about love: "Love Reign O'er Me" (video with lyrics, song info) by The Who (info). I like the dual meaning of "reign" (definition) and it's homonym "rain". I particularly like the vocal performance.
With that our time was over for the day.
However, after class one of the students posted a choice on our Facebook page: "You're Beautiful" (video, lyrics, song info) by James Blunt (info).
And previously another student shared "69 Love Songs" (album, album info) by The Magnetic Fields (info) on the Facebook group page.
I don't have a good idea for a theme for the next class. Free choice of songs! I'd be curious if some Chinese students can share songs related to Chinese New Year.
Today 9 students came to talk music.
Of course the first thing we talked about was where everyone watched the Superbowl, where the Seahawks literally threw the championship away with 20 seconds left to play. The bad news is that the Seahawks lost, but the good news is that it sounds like all the students watched the game in a fun atmosphere.
Before listening to music I also mentioned that the Sasquatch 2015 Festival lineup was announced. It's an amazing festival, in an amazing place, but I like my comfort nowadays to much to go camping for 3 days with a bunch of partying young people, sorry.
The first song picked today was the closing credits song (video, lyrics) from the Bollywood (info) film Dhoom Again (info). The student who chose it said he went through a phase of watching lots of Bollywood movies; all of the movies have scenes of groups dancing like this, even if it makes no sense to the movie's story. He particularly likes this songs because the music and dancing is westernized.
Someone in the class asked which Indian movie he would recommend and he said "3 Idiots" (info).
The next song was "Illusion Is Mine" (video, lyrics, song info) by Ling Tosite Sigure (info). The student who chose this song said that listening to it in headphones is like transcending reality. As I write this and listen to the song I am listening in headphones -- she is right!
If you like this band, I recommend checking out the band Warpaint (info). I like their albums but don't have a favorite song so I just went with the one that has the most views on YouTube: "Elephants" (video, lyrics, song info). I saw Warpaint at Bumbershoot a couple of years ago. I didn't expect anything special but they were my favorite show of the whole weekend!
If you like this kind of atmospheric woman-sung music, also check out Poliça (info) "Warrior Lord" (video, lyrics, song info). It's more electronica then dream pop, but also a great headphones song.
And if you want *even more* of this kind of music, check out this band from the 90's: Portishead (info), "Sour Times" (video, lyrics, song info). Or Glory Box (video, lyrics, song info). I love these two songs!
Finding those videos made me think of my favorite Madonna (info) song, "Swim" (video, lyrics). The other songs from that album, "Ray Of Light" (info), which has more songs in this style: "Frozen" (video, lyrics, song info), "Substitute For Love" (video, lyrics, song info).
The next song chosen was "I Got You" (video, lyrics, song info) by Leona Lewis (info). The student who chose this song likes it because the lyrics and rhythm are easy to understand.
The student told us that Ms. Lewis won the UK X-Factor singing "Over The Rainbow" (video, lyrics, song info).
The next song chosen was related to the Superbowl: the student said she really likes the song used in the Budweiser commercial from 2014 (video): "Let Her Go" (video, lyrics, song info) by Passenger (info).
Actually, she learned about the 2014 Budweiser song by seeing the Budweiser Superbowl commercial for 2015 (video) and working her way back. I agree, the 2014 song was better. In fact, many people commented that the Superbowl commercials this year were all kind of downbeat.
With that our time for the day was over because we only had the room for 1 hour this week. :-(
In our musical chairs style of meeting rooms this quarter, next week we will be in HUB 214.
Since next Saturday is Valentine's Day the obvious theme for this week is "love songs". These could be songs you think are the best love songs in general or songs you have (or will this year?) played for someone on Valentine's Day.
After last week's debacle with the room I was glad to see that 12 students came again. And we were in a good room for music conversation!
I started the class by asking who is going to watch the Seattle Seahawks play in the Superbowl on Sunday, and where they were going to watch. This game is a very big, exciting cultural event for the city of Seattle and the whole city will stop in its tracks for 4 hours Sunday afternoon!
Last week we didn't have a chance to hear choices from all the new students so we started today by asking one of them to choose a song. It was "Bachiana No. 2" (video, song info) by Heitor Villa-Lobos (info). The student who chose it said the song is made to sound like a train and it reminds him of his father, who worked for a train company.
The next song was chosen by a student who often chooses piano songs, but this time he chose a Goth Metal (info) song: "Covered By Roses" (video with lyrics, song info) by Within Temptation (info). There are many connections between heavy metal bands and classical music: I guess heavy metal bands like the structure of classical music; they just like it a lot LOUDER!
Speaking of Goth Metal, a student mentioned Japanese Goth Metal band Malice Mizer (info) so we checked out their song "Bel Air" (video, lyrics, song info).
Apparently the singer for Bel Air Goth was Gackt (info), who is a very popular singer in Japan. The Japanese students in the class were surprised to hear that Gackt was in an earlier band like this.
Next I asked today's new student to pick a song. The student dances ballet and picked the Don Quixote Ballet (video-her favorite part is the spinning from 1:50:00, song info). Coincidentally the Don Quixote Ballet will be performed in Seattle 30 January - 8 February (info) .
I told the class that my favorite word, "quixotic" (definition) comes from the story of Don Quixote.
My other favorite word in the English language is "barn sour", which describes a horse that hurries up to get back to the barn when it realizes it is going back home. I think it's a concept that can be used for humans, too. But 99% of Americans don't know the term "barn sour" because only people who ride horses know it, so be careful in using it generally.
The next song was "I'm Not The Only One" (video, lyrics, song info) by Sam Smith (info). This was chosen on the theme of "Songs of 2014". The student heard it when she arrived in Seattle and it made her think of being off on an adventure but that she is not alone.
The next song was also on the "Songs of 2014" theme: "Fake Plastic Trees (live at Glastonbury)" (video: watched from 1:30, lyrics, song info) by Radiohead (info). The student who chose this song said it was his most-played song on iTunes in 2014. He loves the 2nd Radiohead album, "The Bends" (info). I was surprised that in 2014 he was listening so much to an album released 20 years ago. He said he had always heard more recent Radiohead albums but discovered "The Bends" just a year ago and now it's his favorite Radiohead album.
Next we had another "Song of 2014": Extraños (video, lyrics) by Siddhartha (info). I couldn't make notes of the reasons the student who chose this song song chose it and I can't remember the exact reasons, but I like the song and video!
The last song of the day was 在那之後的海岸 (video) by Morning Call (Facebook site). The student who chose this song said she is encouraged to see Taiwanese indie bands like this get the chance to play large, prestigious concerts like this.
With that our time for the week was over. For the next class, 4 Feb, we will meet again in Allan Research Library Commons Red Room C. I can't think of a good theme right now so just come to class with a favorite song you want to share with everyone.
Today I had a great turnout -- 12 students, six of whom were new!
Unfortunately we had bad luck with getting a room to meet + talk in. Our assigned room was double-booked and we were the ones who didn't get to keep it. We moved to a room in the basement of the HUB, but this was not a good place to meet as there was a constant stream of people who were used to the room being empty coming in and wondering why we were there.
I did want to show the new students how the class works, so we watched + talked about a few songs, but we kept class short this week. I hope the new students were intrigued to come back again next week to have a proper music conversation!
To learn about one of the new student's taste in music we watched "Bailando" (video, lyrics, song info) by Enrique Iglesias (info). The student who chose it like the dance and he likes the rhythm of this song. I like this song, too. And apparently so do nearly 700 million people!
Another new student chose the next song: "Joah" (video, lyrics, song info) by Jay Park (info). The video for this song was shot in Seattle! Apparently Jay grew up in Seattle but he moved back to Korea and is a big star over there.
Apparently "Joah" means "I like you" in Korean. One of my favorite songs is "I like you" in Spanish: "Me Gustas Tu" (video, lyrics, song info) by Manu Chao (info). This song always makes me happy when I hear it.
The next song was "Young And Beautiful" (video, lyrics, song info) by Lana Del Rey (info). This song is from the movie "The Great Gatsby" (info). The student who chose it likes the melody and loved it from the very first time.
The last song we heard this short day was "Cleptosaurios" (video) by The Plastics Revolution (Facebook page). This was introduced by our student from Mexico City. I am glad he is sharing about these Mexican bands because I have never heard of them, but I can't remember exactly why *he* said he likes this band and song. Sorry!
I want to thank all the students who came to class last week. I hope you will give it another chance this Wednesday (28 January) at 4:30pm in HUB 337.
Since we weren't really able to do the planned theme for this class, theme for the next class will again be "Your favorite song in 2014". This doesn't necessarily have to be a song released in 2014, rather the song you listened to the most or the one which describes best what 2014 was like for you.
The first meeting of Winter Quarter! I was curious to see how many students would return from last quarter and what the new students this quarter would be like. 9 students showed up, 5 from previous quarter and 4 new students.
As is the custom for the first class of the quarter I introduced the class quickly to the new students and had everyone tell where they are from and what kind of music they like.
To start talking about music I asked one of the returning students to tell me which song he listened to most while traveling around the US during the break. His answer was "Drive My Car" (video, lyrics, song info) by The Beatles (info). He likes the song because it is danceable.
He heard this song the first time while seeing the Cirque du Soleil (info) production of "Love" (info) in Las Vegas. I envy him for seeing "Love" as I have long wanted to see Cirque du Soleil in general and I would especially love to see the show with the Beatles songs. Here is the official commercial for Love (video).
Speaking of Cirque du Soleil, they will be in the Seattle area doing their "Kurios" show (info) in Redmond, just outside Seattle from 29 January to 22 March. Tickets are not cheap, but if you can afford one I'm sure it's a great show.
Now I asked the new students to choose songs so we can get a sense of what they like.
The first song was "'Cause You're My Zing" (video, lyrics) from the Hotel Transylvania movie (info). The student who chose it heard watching the movie. She likes horror movies but is afraid to watch them by herself.
Since she likes animated horror movies I suggested The Nightmare Before Christmas (info). In this class we have often watched the video for "This Is Halloween" (video, lyrics, song info) around Halloween.
The students started talking about scary video games, but it all went right over my head as I don't know anything about video games.
The next song was "Thinking Out Loud" (video, lyrics, song info) by Ed Sheeran (info). The student who chose it likes the dancing in the video. I asked how she discovered this song: she sometimes looks at the Billboard list of top songs and watches the videos.
Because she mentioned that she like the dancing in the video I told the class that there is a movie featuring dancing that every American knows, it is a classic piece of American culture: Dirty Dancing (info). The most famous song from that movie is "The Time Of My Life" (video, lyrics, song info). If you want to see a piece of true American culture, watch the movie (even though it's from the 80's).
Coincidentally, a musical production of Dirty Dancing will be in Seattle 20 January - 1 February (info).
A student asked why it's called "dirty" dancing. "Dirty" is sometimes slang for "sexual".
The next song was "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" (video, lyrics, song info) by Air Supply (info). The student who chose this song said his English teacher in Japan introduced the song in English class.
The next song was "Everybody's Changing" (video, lyrics, song info) by Keane (info). The student who chose it said this is his favorite song ever. Normally he doesn't like rock bands because he doesn't like guitars, but he loves this song because it doesn't have guitar. He discovered it by seeing the lyrics, then he listened to the song.
The first song by one of the returning students was "Cold Girl Lost Fiction" (video, lyrics) by Tesla Doesn't Know How To Cry (sorry, I can't find their website) [SZ note: that is a loooong band name!]. The student who chose it discovered it through YouTube suggestions and it is her "song for the start of 2015".
At this point some people showed up to use the room so we have to quickly pack things together without hearing more choices from the other returning students. :-(
Next week's theme will be "Your favorite song in 2014". This doesn't necessarily have to be a song released in 2014, rather the song you listened to the most or the one which describes best what 2014 was like for you.
This was the last class of Winter Quarter. 5 students came to share songs.
One of the students is learning piano and I saw him playing on the public piano in the HUB before class. I asked what he was playing. It was "Je te veux" (video) by Erik Satie (info).
This was the first class after Thanksgiving so I asked the class what they had done for the holiday. One student had gone and sang karaoke. He sang "Friday I'm In Love" (video, lyrics, song info) by The Cure (info).
I played a little bit of "Easy Money" (video, lyrics, song info) by Johnny Marr (info), because I was going to his concert the next Monday (but the concert got cancelled :-(( ).
One student said he will go see the big annual holiday indie concert "Deck The Hall Ball" (info). The band he is most excited to hear at the concert is Royal Blood (info) "Figure It Out" (video, lyrics, song info).
The next song was "Somerset" (video, song info) by Baths (info). The student who chose it had only heard it 1 week ago.
I mentioned that the band Mogwai (info) does similar kinds of music. Mogwai has many albums but the one I always relate to them -- even if it's not my favorite music by them -- is the soundtrack they did to a film which was one soccer game where the camera's just followed French great Zinadine Zidane the whole game. Very cool concept! As a sample of Mogwai's music, here is "Take Me Somewhere Nice" (video, lyrics, song info).
Next we had a big surprise: one of our students, Dorian from Mexico City, played a song he recorded! It is called "Ritual de Amor" (At the moment I am not sure if I found the right link and I don't want to risk posting the wrong song -- send me the link, Dorian!). We were all impressed by his talent and his motivation to not only write the song, but to record it and put it online!
The last song we listened to before Winter break was "Needing/Getting" (video, lyrics, song info) by OK Go (info).
With that we ended Fall Quarter. Class will continue in January!
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