Thursday, March 25, 2010

... with a little help from my friends.

[Intermediate]

Here's something that we all need, that we can all be, that we all want nearby, that we all run to share good news with, and more... a FRIEND.

Friends are so important, so cherished that there are (have) poems about friends, novels about friendships, movies, and, of course, countless songs. One particular song I like is called With a little help from my friends. A lot of different bands and singers have recorded this song. I've decided to include two here, one from the Beatles, which is easier to understand, and one from Joe Cocker. Not many people know him, but he's a great singer from his generation, with a very distinct, very powerful voice.

Read the lyrics(pl.) first, and then listen to the song. Listen to it again and try to fill in the gaps.



What would you think if I sang __________,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing __________.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away
(Does it worry you to be alone?)
How do I feel by the end of the day,
(Are you sad because you're on your own?)

No, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need __________
I need __________ to love
Could it be __________
I want __________ to love.

Would you believe in a love __________
Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
What do you see when you turn out the light
I can't tell you but I know it's mine,

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need __________
I just need __________ to love
Could it be __________
I want __________ to love.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends.

This is the LINK to the other version recorded by Joe Cocker. It's his voice you hear in the intro to the popular TV series The wonder years. I don't know if it ever aired here in Brazil, but it became a classic in the US.


Did you notice the use of gonna in the chorus? It's actually going to. Here's a couple of other songs with "bad English". Clicking on the singer and title will take you to the video on YouTube.com.

Elvis Presley - Hound Dog (ain't)
Sheryl Crow - All I wana do is have some fun (wanna)

Here's an opportunity for you to talk, rather, write about your best friend. We've actually already started in class so this shouldn't take you long. Remember to include some information about how you met and where, the things you like to do together and something about his/her looks and personality. And whatever else you want to say about this very special person, your best friend.


Quick tutorial on how to comment:

Click on "Comments" below and post your text. Remember to then click on "Comment as" and choose "Name/URL" so you can add your name to your comment. Finally, click on "Post your comment". You can show everything to your friend too.

Cheers,

 
Posted by The Teacher at 1:41 PM
Reactions: 

9 comments:

  1. Here are the answers to the listening activity, the gaps in the song:

    - out of tune*
    - out of key*
    - anybody
    - somebody/someone
    - anybody
    - somebody

    ReplyDelete

  2. Good! I only mistake the first two. Hugs, student Fabricio.

    ReplyDelete

  3. Teacher, i don't found the Writing activity, that I have to make for next class...help me, Fabricio.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stephanie RendMar 26, 2010 05:04 AM

    OOOOOh.
    My best friend is Jessica. She's an intermediate (1?) student at interamericano. Actually, I've met inter because of her. We have been friends since 2007, our second year in High School, and she made my High school days the best ever. It was awesome to be with her everyday and now I really miss her. Now she's studying civil engineering, I'm proud of her! Altough we don't see each other as much as before, we still have a lot of fun together and I believe our friendship will never end. ;D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cristina Ainati HumphreysMar 28, 2010 11:33 AM

    Patricia is my best friend, we've known each other for almost five years. A friend in common introduced I and Patricia, I met her at Shopping Curitiba.My first impression about her was good, she is a humble person, inteligent and independent.We did become such close friens because when I have a problem I enjoy telling her about it, she is more that has lived a long time than me.She has a boyfriend since 2006, she met him online. She has a special talent and abilities, one that is apply for study law and jornalist. In the past she worked to her father, but now she is having passed at examinations in order to become a public or civil servant.She is living in Curitiba now, but she works at law court in Paranaguá.When we are together we talk about everything.We've already travelled to the beach together and done other programs.We enjoy going for a walk in the park, go to the movies, theatre, sometimes I visit her.I can count on her when I need and she can count with me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nanda rodriguesMar 29, 2010 07:26 AM

    My best friend is Dayanne. I met she in the church. When I saw she I didn´t like her, I thought that she was snooty. We like the same bands, we are dancers, we likje go out. I have jnow her for 7 years. Sometimes we have a few arguments, but some minutes later is all OK. When we stay together, we talk about people, friens and feelings. I can count on her when I need a friend. She is the sister that I didn´t have! I think about we will be friends 4ever!

    ReplyDelete

  7. When I met my best friends in 9 years ago we were in the first day of the new school. We didn't have any friend yet and he came talk to me in the break and, every day, always in the break, we told a lot. And now we're best friends. Sometimes we fight and I don't like it. But he help me when I feel a litle blue. We have a lot in common, we like the same music style and the same foods, I know he'll always be there for me.

    Nickollas Neumann

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ingrid Bon LicheskiApr 1, 2010 12:52 PM

    Andrea is my best friend. We've known for twelve years. The first time I met her it was because she is Gilberto's wife and Gilberto is the best friend of my husband. During these years we've discovered that we have a lot in common like: we like the same kind of movies, we like theater, we like to travel together, we like math, her daughter and my son are big friends too, then we have become close and we got along very well. But this is now, becaue in the begining I thought that she was angry and very strict. Now I know that she is a very inteligent woman and a little strict, only. I've become godmother her daughter and she knows I am always there for her.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Arthur Zanatta VieiraApr 7, 2010 06:18 PM

    I met my best friend in her house, because I was doing my homework from the school with her brother. The first impression of Karina was the sincerity. In this time I was to young: twelve years old. After five month, I entered in a strict seminary, and my friendship with her began to fall. In this cold time, I dicovered that we had a lot of commom. We like the same sports, conversations and the same ideas about life. We got to know each other very well troght the emails and phone calls, because I was in other city and after in another country. Her family are very special. Her mother died in 2002, her father and brother are always out of the house. I guess the key of our friendship was my prayers in a seminary and the gift from her is a sincerity and love. Now she has a cancer, her boyfriend finished with her, but she knows I'll always be there for her

    ReplyDelete

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