Today 9 students came to class.
The previous week I had mentioned to the class what my phone ringtone is and that led me to wanting to hear what the students have as their ringtones. So I started class by asking each person what his/her ringtone is.
To my great surprise, almost everyone has the default ringtone! They said it's too much hassle to change it or create a new one.
The one person who has a custom ring tone has "22" (video, lyrics, song info) by Taylor Swift (info). She put it on when she turned 22 years old herself and just hasn't changed it since.
Someone said they previously had "Don't Look Back In Anger" (video, lyrics, song info) by Oasis (info).
Another student had had "From Nowhere (demo version)" (video, song info) by Vaquero (info).
I know we next watched "Summer (live version)" (video) by Joe Hisaishi (info). But now I can't remember if the person who chose it said it was formerly a ringtone.
Someone else said they had a ringtone from "Saints Row" (info) video game, but I don't know which song or part of the game he used.
So much for ringtones... now we got into regular song choices.
One student said he is going to a concert this coming Sunday by 2:54 (info). We watched their song "Scarlet" (video, lyrics). Cool song!
One of the other students reminded us that she went to see a concert by Leighton Meester (info) the previous week. She said that it was a good concert. Her favorite song was "Heartstrings" (video, lyrics).
In an class a few weeks ago a student had said she was really into the artist Rodriguez (info), especially his lyrics, who the film "Searching For Sugar Man" (info) was made about. A student mentioned he watched the film. I still need to see that movie!
The next song chosen was "Youth Knows No Pain" (video with lyrics, song info) by Lykki Li (info). The student who chose this song likes the 60's sound of the song. He discovered it by a friend emailing a different song by Li, which the student didn't like, but then tried this song and likes it.
The 60's sound of that song inspired me to ask if one of the guys in the class who *loves* Arctic Monkeys has ever heard of the band The Last Shadow Puppets (info), which features the singer/guitarist for Arctic Monkeys. To me it's a brilliant update on the 60's sound. As a sample I played "The Age Of The Understatement" (video, lyrics, song info).
For some reason we started talking about "shoegaze" music (definition) and the next song chosen was "Uzu Ni Naru" (video) by Kinoko Teikoku (info) as an example of "the most shoe gaze of all shoe gaze bands". The student who chose this band like *all* their music!
The next song chosen was "おしゃかしゃま" (video, lyrics) by Radwimps (info). The student who chose this song said the band was very popular during his high school. He listened to them again this past weekend or the first time in a long time.
The next song was chosen by a new student: "Lalala" (video, song info) by Standing Egg (Facebook page). She started liking this band before they got popular.
Unfortunately I don't remember the explanations for why the last two songs of the day were chosen, but the songs were:
"15 Step (live at the Grammy's)" (video, lyrics, song info) by Radiohead (info).
and
"Give You What You Like" (video, lyrics, song info) by Avril Lavigne (info).
With that our time for the day was over.
Today 13 students -- 4 of whom were new! -- came to class. Our topic was "duets".
The first duet was "Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo" (video, lyrics, song info) by Masafumi Akikawa (info). The student who chose this song likes it because of the contrast of the woman's voice and the man's voice.
That song was originally sung by Kyu Sakamoto (info). Mr. Sakomoto was the only Japanese singer to ever have a #1 song on the US Billboard charts (in 1963)! He did it with "Sukiyaki" (video with lyrics, song info).
The next song was "Lonely" (video, lyrics, song info) by Akon (info). This was a great, creative choice of a duet, it made me laugh! I can't tell if Akon is being serious in this song or just being goofy. I mean, the lyrics are serious, but with the weird voice it takes away from the seriousness.
The weird voice in that song is actually the vocal from the song "Mr. Lonely" (video, lyrics, song info) by Bobby Vinton (info).
The student who chose "Lonely" mentioned that she had that song as her phone ringtone for a while. With that comment I told the class that my ringtone is the first song I ever fell in love with: "Baby Elephant Walk" (video, song info) by Henry Mancini (info).
While writing this blog I came across this super-cute version of the song by some Japanese schoolgirls (video). OMG, here's another one. Hey, it's better than me posting cat videos, isn't it?
That interlude inspired me for next week's theme, see below :-)
The next song was "5 O'Clock" (video, lyrics, song info) by T-Pain (info). The student who chose it saw T-Pain in concert and he was impressed by how crazy the crowd went.
The next duet was "I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet/Hand In Pocket"
(video, lyrics and song info) from Glee (info). Of course this is not only a duet of two singers, but it's a mashup of two songs -- another creative choice!
Here the originals of those two songs:
The student who chose this song is remarkable for her knowledge of American culture and television. Speaking of American "culture" I asked if she or the class knows about the tv show "The Bachelor" (info). It's so trashy, but like a car crash sometimes you just can't look away!
The next song was "Khilaf" (video, lyrics) by Ressa Herlambang (Facebook page). Unfortunately I can't find any more in English on Ressa and for some reason I didn't take any notes on why the student chose this song. Sorry! I remember in class thinking it was a woman's voice, but now that I hear the song again it is clearly a guy. I like the vocal melody!
Next was "Wizard CLUB" (video with lyrics, song info) by UVERworld (info), who seem to have challenges with capitalization of letters in words, hahaha. This song was chosen because the previous week one of the other students said a song wasn't loud enough for her so this week one of the other students chose a "loud" song for her; it was a nice gesture, but I think it was too loud for her, however ;-) Actually, it's quite melodic and the saxophone is an interesting texture.
Next up was "Necesito Cambiar" (video, lyrics) by Dapuntobeat (Facebook page). This is a Mexican band that doesn't have a set singer: they collaborate with many different singers.
The next song was "Popular" (video with lyrics, song info) from the musical "Wicked" (info).
This song was actually covered in a different variation by Mika (info) with Ariana Grande (info): "Popular" (video, song info) . It was interesting to compare the two songs!
Next was "Don't Look Back In The Sun (Live at Reading 2010)" (video, lyrics, song info) by The Libertines (info). The reason the student chose the live version of this song is because not only are there two singers in the band, but the audience is singing, too -- so it's like a trio-et (no, that word doesn't exist in English, I made it up). Another very creative interpretation of the "duet" theme for today!
Next was "I'm Not Yours" (video with lyrics) by Jolin Tsai (info) and Namie Amuro (info). This song is a combination of two top female singers from China and Japan -- another cool variation on the "duet" theme.
The next song chosen was "Glorious Years" (video) by Beyond (info). Apparently almost all Chinese people like this band because the lyrics are down to earth and people can relate to them. Tragically the singer died from a fall off the stage.
With that our time for the day was over. But we had listened to so many songs, it was great!
Next week's theme: well, no theme for songs to pick -- think of a song or two you have been enjoying a lot lately -- but I *am* going to ask everyone in class to play their ringtone on their phone and explain why they chose that ringtone or, if they haven't customized it, why they haven't personalized it.
Bonus duet: a student posted to the Facebook group that he would have also chosen "Begin The Begin (live with Eddie Vedder)" (video, lyrics, song info) by REM (info). A little known fact: the only time I have played music in front of an audience I played bass on this song!
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.
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