Category Archives: Symbolsongs

Apr 16 2013

The Final Countdown symbolsong

It’s surprising to think that the worldwide megahit, The Final Countdown, by the Swedish rockers, Europe, is almost 30 years old now. It has stood the test of time pretty well. The lyrics are very repetitive, which has some advantages in the English classroom, and the melody is like an earworm. It’s certain to get the students rocking round their desks (or at least tapping their feet).

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

The Final Countdown symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including complete lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this symbolsong below.

The Final Countdown symbolsong snapshot

Mar 8 2013

Mr Blue Sky symbolsong

Supposedly written after a number of days of very bad weather, when suddenly the sun reappeared and everyone’s spirits were raised, Mr Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is perhaps better known in Europe than America, but it is one of those classics that can be heard everywhere, including the opening ceremony to the London Olympics. Incidentally the final line ‘Please turn me over’ is thought to be a request for the vinyl record to be turned over in order to play the other side (on the original album this track is the final track of side 1).

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

Mr Blue Sky symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including complete lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this symbolsong below.

Mr Blue Sky symbolsong snapshot

Feb 10 2013

You’ll never walk alone symbolsong

This highly emotive song was originally written for the hugely successful American musical Carousel, but when recorded by the Liverpool group Gerry and the Pacemakers (who followed in the wake of the Beatles) it gained a whole new audience: the football (soccer) scene. You’ll never walk alone is now equally well-known as a football anthem, and is the signature tune of Liverpool FC, Celtic FC, Borussia Dortmund FC and even FC Tokyo, and many others. There are several versions, but the Gerry and the Pacemakers version is strongly recommended.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

You’ll never walk alone symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including complete lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this symbolsong below.

You'll never walk alone snapshot

Jan 12 2013

Beautiful Sunday symbolsong

This song was much more of a hit in Europe than in America. And even those who know all the lyrics would probably struggle to recall that the singer was known as Daniel Boone, and that he also co-wrote this megahit. There are several versions, but the original Daniel Boone version is strongly recommended.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

Beautiful Sunday symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including complete lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this symbolsong below.

Beautiful Sunday symbolsong snapshot

Dec 1 2012

White Christmas symbolsong

It’s December, Black Friday has been and gone, and the Christmas season has begun again. The best-selling record of all time is the Christmas classic by Irving Berlin, entitled simply as White Christmas. The legendary Bing Crosby version is recommended.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

White Christmas symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including full lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this activity below.

White Christmas symbolsong snapshot

White Christmas, 1995 re-release CD album cover

White Christmas, 1995 re-release CD album cover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Portrait of Irving Berlin

English: Portrait of Irving Berlin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nov 4 2012

Ben (Michael Jackson) symbolsong

After becoming a child prodigy as the lead singer of the Jackson Five, in association with his brothers, Michael Jackson’s career seemed to have peaked. How wrong we all were. He got the chance to sing the theme to a movie about a rat, Ben, and his career took off again. This melodic ballad really confirms that with all the star quality he undoubtedly possessed he also had the quality voice to underpin his talents.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

Ben symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets, including full lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this activity below.

Ben (song)

Ben (song)

Oct 7 2012

Don’t Stop symbolsong

After ten years and many changes of personnel only two of the original members still remained in 1977: Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, and it was the amalgamation of their family names that gave this group their name: Fleetwood Mac.  At this time the band gelled and the Anglo-American line-up combined to produce one of the best-selling albums of all time, ‘Rumours‘. This track, ‘Don’t Stop‘, is one of the best-known songs, a real singalong classic with a driving beat.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

Don’t Stop symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets, including full lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of the symbolsong below.

Sep 4 2012

Que Sera Sera symbolsong

A song from before most of my students were born, but a classic song that still can be heard on countless radio stations, commercials, and is hummed all over the world. The definitive version of Que Sera Sera was sung by Doris Day, who is said to have possessed perfect pitch, and it is certainly true in her rendition.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

Que sera sera symbolsong: click here for freely downloadable pdf sheets including full lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this activity below.

Jul 7 2012

California dreamin’ symbolsong

I’ve only been to California once, but I always dream of going again. This famous song, California Dreaming by the Mamas and the Papas, from the 60s gets played over and over and is a hit in the classroom.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

California dreamin symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of this symbolsong below.

From left to right, top to bottom: Denny Doher...

From left to right, top to bottom: Denny Doherty, John and Michelle Phillips, and Cass Elliot. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jun 2 2012

Rocking All Over The World symbolsong

Rocking All Over The World is a song famous for kicking off the epic Live Aid charity megaconcerts in London and Philadelphia in 1985. It was performed by the rock group Status Quo and remains one of the most foot-stomping songs in rock history.

The symbolsong technique is an alternative to the gap-fill activity that often accompanies a song. At first the students have no idea what the symbols mean, but slowly you will hear gasps of delight as some students start to guess the words.

The students are firstly given a handout of the symbol sheet which represents the song, and after trying to decipher as much as they can, they then listen to the song and compare with their ideas. The full lyrics can be shown to the students for further comparison before they listen a second time.

Rocking all over the world symbolsong click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including lyrics. For obvious reasons the song itself cannot be provided here, though it can easily be found through all the normal outlets.

Please find a snapshot of the symbolsong below.

Status Quo