Show Notes
Ece is planning a block party in her neighborhood, and she needs the perfect song for her summer playlist. Heather suggests the 1964 Motown hit, “Dancing in the Street,” by Martha and the Vandellas. It’s the perfect song for a summer party that is, or that’s, full of singin’ and dancin’!
This episode focuses on contractions and reductions. You may have noticed when talking with proficient English speakers, (people who have a very high level of English), that they do not, or don’t, pronounce every sound of every word carefully. This song provides great practice with how and where to use contractions and reductions, and it’s perfect for dancin’ in the street!
YouTube Videos
Martha and the Vandellas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Uv959QuCg
David Bowie + Mick Jagger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HasaQvHCv4w
For more content, visit the Singing Languages website.
https://singinglanguages.wixsite.com/home/post/season-2-episode-2
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More from English as a Singing Language
It’s been a long time, but we think it will be worth the wait! One of the things we love most about working on the podcast is meeting interesting, enthusiastic, talented people! We have a special Valentine’s-themed, connections episode for our first episode back. We created an episode with singing-coach, actor, and podcaster Estelle Idoko! In this episode, using the 1964 hit song, “L-O-V-E,” by Nat King Cole, Estelle helps us to sing our vowels clearly and accurately. We’d L-O-V-E for you to take a listen! 🎶Have fun, and…just keep singing!🎶
Have you ever thought about what you would do if you had a million dollars? In order to think about this, or write or talk about it in English, you need to use an unreal conditional. For example, if we had a million dollars, we would spend all our time working on the podcast! In Season 3, Episode 12, we focus on the unreal conditionals in the song, “If I had a Million Dollars,” by the Canadian group, Barenaked Ladies. They would do lots of funny things. Take a listen to the episode to find out exactly what they would do and how you can use the unreal conditional in English! 🎶Have fun, and…just keep singing!🎶
International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world on March 8th. Ece and Heather host an annual party with their friends, and this year, they are adding another song to their playlist for the party - Kelly Clarkson’s 2011 hit song, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).” This song has a great message, and it also contains a lot of comparative adjectives. Maybe you were strong last year, but this year you are even stronger! Check out Season 3, Episode 11 wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎶Have fun, and…just keep singing!🎶
It’s the middle of winter, and Heather is m-m-m-miserable in the cold. We get together for a cup of hot chocolate to fight the gloomy winter weather, and we end up talking about the 1966 Simon & Garfunkel song, “A Hazy Shade of Winter.”
It’s a new year, and a new beginning. For the first episode of 2025, we have chosen Taylor Swift’s 2017 song, “New Year’s Day” from her album, Reputation.