Intro to the History of Rock: Day Two

 Warm Up: Describe what kind of emotion is being expressed in these lyrics, and what you think the corresponding music should sound like. 

            Hey, girl, I got something I think you ought to know.

            Hey, babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so.

            I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah!

            I’m never gonna let you go, ’cause I like your charms.

1) Listen to the clip of Led Zeppelin performing the song (the second verse begins at 0:48). Discuss the performance in your groups. Each person writes answers in complete sentences. Do not write questions:          

●     Did the music meet your expectations? Why or why not?

●     How does this song compare to the students’ list of love song features? Is it loud or soft? Fast or slow?

●     How does “Communication Breakdown” compare to “Would I Be Crying” by the Flamingos?

●     Does using the instrumentation of a Rock and Roll band (electric guitars, drums), along with the fast tempo and high volume, make this seem more or less like a song about romance?

2) The kinds of lyrics used in love songs can change over time, too. For example, listen to these two songs, one of which was written in the 1950s, before the feminist movement of the 1960s began, and one that was written at the beginning of the movement.

 “With My Eyes Wide Open, I’m Dreaming,” performed by Patti Page

“You Don’t Own Me,” performed by Lesley Gore.

Discuss in your group which song you think is from which era, and why. List these on your paper together.

3) Compare and contrast the following three love songs, all from the mid-1960s:

“You’ve Really Got Me,” by the Kinks;

“She Loves You,” by the Beatles;

“Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” by Herman’s Hermits.

These three songs demonstrate different perspectives on relationships. In your groups, answer the following questions about each song:

●     Who is speaking?

●     To whom are they speaking, and what about? (Pay attention to nouns and pronouns.)

●     What perspective on the relationship in the story does the speaker have?

●     How does the music set the mood for the conversation taking place in the song? Is the song fast or slow? Soft or loud? What instruments are being used?

4) Writing Assignment:

Write your own love song lyrics, using the songs in this lesson as models.

First you must decide who will be speaking and to whom or what the song will be addressed (a boyfriend/girlfriend, family member, friend, pet, even a place).

After writing the lyrics, you should write a short description of the music you imagine might deliver the message of the song: Is it loud or soft? Fast or slow? What instruments might the musicians use?