The U.S.A. in Songs (secondary and adults)
The United States of America has undoubtedly been the force behind the English language becoming the world´s "lingua franca" during the twentieth century. It's also driven popular music culture since the emergence of rock and roll in the fifties (inspired by The Blues, Gospel and Country music). The huge number of fantastic rock and pop artists that have appeared since then make a voyage through songs to discover the "all- American" soul is a fascinating prospect.
This concert journeys from East to West and North to South across vast distances to delve into the idiosyncracies of the U.S. We start with the first ever rock and roll hit "Rock around the clock" as a new young generation started to find its feet (and dance to the new beat!) . Naturally we have to check out an Elvis Presley rock n roll hit and then we'll "Freak out" to Chic's 70's disco funk classic and remind ourselves of the contribution of so many black artists to U.S. music. John Mellencamp´s "Small town" takes us to another side of U.S. life and for some hard rock blues there's a song from R n B legend Stevie Ray Vaughn "Pride and joy".
Early U.S. music was mainly a man's business but we'll, of course, listen to plenty of female artists such as Beyoncé with her feisty song "Freedom", Lana del Rey reflects on the U.S. gun culture in her sad "Looking for America", Lady Gaga belts out "Americano" reflecting the important influence of Latin America and there's Miley Cyrus' girl power song "Flowers" and we'll listen to the world's biggest star, Taylor Swift, and her first number one hit "Our Song"..on the country music charts!
Girls and boys come together for " California dreaming" by the Mamas and Papas to take us from East coast to West coast..
For adult students John Denver reminisces about West Virginia with his country-folk classic "Country roads" and for secondary students Estelle's "American boy" captures Europe's fascination with U.S. culture and icons,
A minimum level of A2 English is required.