by Simon & Garfunkel

an American duo who started recording songs in 1957.  They became popular with the younger generation in the 60s. Paul Simon wrote all the songs and Art Garfunkel sang the harmony.  This song was on their 1966 album “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.”

Slow down, you’re moving too fast
You gotta make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feeling groovy
Ba da da da da da da, feeling groovy

Hello lamppost; what you knowing?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growing
Ain’t you got no rhymes for me?
Doo-it-in-doo doo, feeling groovy
Ba da da da da da da, feeling groovy

I got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life I love you, all is groovy

Ba da da da da da da …

Vocabulary:

gotta:  got to (have to)
kicking down:  walking slowly with no destination
cobblestones:  an old road made of stones
groovy:  wonderful, happy
lamppost:  street light
you:  pronounced “cha” after a word ending in “t”
ain’t you got no:  (slang) don’t you have any
rhymes:  inspiration for lyrics for a song
deeds:  tasks, little jobs
dappled:  lying under a tree with spots of sunlight on me
drowsy:  feeling sleepy
petals:  blossoms from the tree

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Savage Garden

an Australian pop duo consisting of singer Darren Hayes and instrumentalist Daniel Jones.  Formed in 1994, the duo achieved international success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  This is the title song from their second album, Affirmation, which was recorded in 1999.  The duo disbanded in 2001, and Hayes continued as a solo artist.

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people’s hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it’s bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I’m loved when I’m completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe you’re most attractive features are your heart and soul.
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your own happiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love till you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

Until you say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no, no,

Vocabulary:

argument:  words of disagreement
promote: cause
self-esteem:  how you feel about yourself
Karma:  the belief that what happens to you is the result of what you do to others
appreciate:  see the value in (something/someone)
burned:  hurt by a lover who leaves you
grass is no more greener on the other side:  things don’t get better just because you change location
sexuality:  male or female, gender
monogamy:  having only one special lover
features:  parts of your body
worth more:  more valuable
struggle:  hard work
financial freedom:  not having to worry about money
millionaires:  people with over a million dollars
forgiveness:  not continuing to be angry with someone
key:  the one thing that can cause something to happen
wedded bliss:  the joy of marriage
negates:  cancels
endorse:  support with words
TV evangelists:  religious teachers on TV
surviving:  continuing after
eternity:  time forever

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Pharrell Williams

an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and fashion designer.  Pharrell is the lead singer and drummer of the funk-rock band, N*E*R*D.  He wrote this song for the animated movie Despicable Me 2, released in July, 2013.

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you, don’t waste your time
Here’s why

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said I’ll tell you about it
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said I’ll tell you about it
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… your love is too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

Vocabulary:

wanna:  want to
this and that:  about different things
hold back:  keep your thoughts and feelings inside
no offense:  I’m not saying anything bad
waste your time:  spend your time for no result
Bring me down… can’t nothing:  Nothing can make me unhappy

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by American Authors

an American band consisting of Zachary Barnett, James Adam Shelley, Dave Rubin, and Matt Sanchez.  This song is from their debut album “American Authors.”

I had a dream so big and loud
I jumped so high I touched the clouds
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh
I stretched my hands out to the sky
We danced with monsters through the night
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh

I’m never gonna look back, wo
I’m never gonna give it up, no
Please don’t wake me now

Oo-o-o-o-oo
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife
Oo-o-o-o-oo
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife

I howled at the moon with friends
And then the sun came crashing in
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh
But all the possibilities
No limits just epiphanies
Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh

I’m never gonna look back, wo
I’m never gonna give it up, no
Just don’t wake me now

Oo-o-o-o-oo
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife
Oo-o-o-o-oo
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife

I hear it calling outside my window
I feel it in my soul (soul)
The stars were burning so bright
The sun was out till midnight
I say we lose control (control)

Oo-o-o-o-o
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife
Oo-o-o-o-o
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife
This is gonna be, this is gonna be, this is gonna be
The best day of my life
Everything is looking up, everybody up now
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My li-i-i-i-i-ife

Vocabulary:

stretched:  reached
monsters:  part human animals that scare people
gonna:  going to
give it up:  stop doing it
howled:  screamed in a high voice like a wolf
crashing in:  coming where it’s not wanted
epiphanies:  moments of realizing something important
soul:  spirit
was out:  was shining
lose control:  become wild
looking up:  getting better

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Miley Cyrus

an American actress and recording artist.  She was the star of the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana, where she was the character Miley Stewart.  The song was written by Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe and was performed for the 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie. 

I can almost see it.
That dream I’m dreaming, but
There’s a voice inside my head saying
You’ll never reach it
Every step I’m taking
Every move I make
Feels lost with no direction,
My faith is shaken
But I, I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down, but
No I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on, ’cause

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Yeah

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody’s gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Yeah, yeah yeah

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about, it’s all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa, whoa, oh.

Vocabulary:

reach it:  make your dream real
faith is shaken:  beliefs could be wrong
gotta:  have got to
head held high:  dignity, self respect
gonna:  going to
mountain:  problem in life, difficult journey
wanna:  want to
uphill battle:  difficult struggle
ain’t:  it isn’t
struggles:  times when the work is hard
knock me down:  defeat me, make me lose
keep the faith:  don’t stop believing

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Jessie J

an English singer and songwriter who wrote and recorded this song for her  2011 album, “Who Are You.”  This song was released as a single before the album, and it topped the charts in 19 countries.

Okay, Coconut Man, Moon Heads and P.  You ready?
Seems like everybody’s got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night
When the sale comes first
And the truth comes second
Just stop a minute and smile

Why is everybody so serious?
Acting so damn mysterious?
Got your shades on your eyes
And your heels so high
That you can’t even have a good time

Everybody look to their left
Everybody look to their right
Can you feel that, yeah
We’re paying with love tonight?

It’s not about the money, money, money
We don’t need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag
Ain’t about the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching
Ain’t about the (yeah) ba-bling ba-bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag

We need to take it back in time,
When music made us all unite
And it wasn’t low blows and video hos,
Am I the only one getting tired?

Why is everybody so all obsessed?
Money can’t buy us happiness
Can we all slow down and enjoy right now?
Guarantee we’ll be feeling alright

Everybody look to their left
Everybody look to their right
Can you feel that, yeah
We’re paying with love tonight?

It’s not about the money, money, money
We don’t need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag
Ain’t about the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching
Ain’t about the (yeah) ba-bling ba-bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag, ha

[B.o.B]
Yeah yeah
Well, keep the price tag and take the cash back
Just give me six strings and a half stack
And you can, can keep the cars; leave me the garage
And all I, yes all I need are keys and guitars
And guess what, in 30 seconds I’m leaving to Mars
Yeah, we leaving across these undefeatable odds
It’s like this, man, you can’t put a price on a life
We do this for the love, so we fight and sacrifice every night
So we ain’t gonna stumble and fall, never
Waiting to see a sign of defeat, uh uh
So we gonna keep everyone moving their feet
So bring back the beat and then everyone sing
And then everyone sing

It’s not about the money, money, money
We don’t need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag
Ain’t about the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching
Ain’t about the (yeah) ba-bling ba-bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag

It’s not about the money, money, money
We don’t need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag
Ain’t about the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching
Ain’t about the (yeah) ba-bling ba-bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag

Vocabulary:

everybody’s got a price:  people will do things for the right price
damn:  (a bad word), darn
mysterious:  secretive, not telling anyone what they’re doing
shades:  sunglasses
heels:  high heeled shoes
wanna:  want to
price tag:  the cost of something
ain’t:  it isn’t
cha-ching:  the sound of money
bling:  jewelry
unite:  come together
low blows:  words that attack somebody unfairly
video hos:  Sexy women dancing in videos
obsessed:  thinking only about one thing
guarantee:  it will surely happen
cash:  money
six strings:  a guitar
half stack:  an amplifier that makes the guitar louder
undefeatable odds:  impossible action
sacrifice:  give up something
stumble:  hit our feet on something
we gonna:  we are going to

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only

by Christina Aguilera

an America singer-songwriter, record producer and actress.  She is one of the 4 judges on the popular American TV show “The Voice.”  She has sold over 50 million albums worldwide.   This song is on her 4th album, Stripped, recorded in 2002.

Young girl, don’t cry
I’ll be right here when your world starts to fall, oooh
Young girl, it’s all right
Your tears will dry, you’ll soon be free to fly, oooh

When you’re safe inside your room you tend to dream
Of a place where nothing’s harder than it seems
No one ever wants or bothers to explain
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means

When there’s no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you’ll find the strength that will guide your way
You’ll learn to begin to trust the voice within

Young girl, don’t hide
You’ll never change if you just run away, oooh
Young girl, just hold tight
Soon you’re gonna see your brighter day, oooh

Now in a world where innocence is quickly claimed
It’s so hard to stand your ground when you’re so afraid
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
When you’re lost outside, look inside to your soul

When there’s no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you’ll find the strength that will guide your way
You will learn to begin to trust the voice within
Yeah…

Life is a journey
It can take you anywhere you choose to go
As long as you’re learning
You’ll find all you’ll ever need to know
You’ll make it, you’ll make it
Just don’t go forsaking yourself
No one can stop you
You know that I’m talking to you

When there’s no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you’ll find the strength that will guide your way
You will learn to begin to trust the voice within

Young girl don’t cry
I’ll be right here when your world starts to fall

Vocabulary:

by Connie Talbot (with Jordan Jansen)

Connie is a 13-year-old English singer and songwriter who became famous in 2007 when she came in second in the TV competition Britain’s Got Talent.  Jordan is a 15-year-old Australian singer and songwriter who has half a million followers on Twitter.

You spend all day lying on the couch
Walk in your boxers round the house
Look at your pale ugly face
Enough to make a mirror break

More half-asleep than half-awake
Complaining that your body aches
Feeling sorry for yourself
Won’t get you anywhere

So I’m singing you a happy song
Just to cheer you up
When you got it rough
So I’m singing you a happy song
Just to cheer you up
I know how it sucks
Yeah, I’m singing you a happy song
But it can’t be that bad
Why you look so sad?
‘Cause better times ahead, oooh

The room smells like bad Mexican
Pull up those blinds let air come in
Your promises and blah-blah-blah
Won’t fix the strings on my guitar

We’ve been friends for much too long
For me to watch you carry on
Like this I miss the you I knew
You’d do the same for me

So I’m singing you a happy song
Just to cheer you up
I know how it sucks
Yeah I’m singing you a happy song
But it can’t be that bad
There’s better times ahead
So I’m singing you a happy song
But it can’t be that bad
Why you look so sad?

Watching shapes in the clouds all day
It’s okay sometimes we make mistakes
Let it go oh, oh
If it’s out of your control
Shrug it off like it’s a silly joke

So I’m singing you a happy song
Just to cheer you up
I know how it sucks
Yeah I’m singing you a happy song
But it can’t be that bad
There’s better times ahead
Yeah I’m singing you a happy song
But it can’t be that bad
Why you look so sad?
There’s better times ahead, oh
Better times ahead, oh
Better times ahead, oooh
Better times ahead

Vocabulary:

couch:  sofa
boxers:  underwear
pale:  colorless, white
aches:  hurts
feeling sorry for yourself:  feeling like something bad was done to you but not doing anything about it
won’t get you anywhere:  solve your problems
cheer you up:  make you feel happier
you got it rough:  life is hard for you
it sucks:  your situation is bad
ahead:  in the future
Mexican:  Mexican food
blinds:  window coverings
blah-blah-blah:  all of that stuff
carry on:  do things you shouldn’t
let it go:  don’t keep it inside of you
control:  power to fix
shrug it off:  don’t give it any importance
silly:  not serious
joke:  a quick story that makes you laugh

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only

by Ace of Base

a Swedish band whose members are Ulf “Buddha” Ekberg, Jonas “Joker” Berggren, Malin “Linn” Berggren, and Jenny Berggren.  This song comes from their 1996 album “The Bridge.”

You can do what you want;  just seize the day
What you’re doing tomorrow’s gonna come your way
Don’t you ever consider giving up,
You will find, oooh

It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
I just wanna be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn

Take a walk in the park when you feel down
There’s so many things there
That’s gonna lift you up
See the nature in bloom, a laughing child
Such a dream, oooh

It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
I just wanna be here beside you
Oh yeah, all right
I just wanna be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn

You’re looking for somewhere to belong
You’re standing all alone
For someone to guide you on your way
Now and forever

It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
I just wanna be anybody
Living a different way

It’s a beautiful life
I’m gonna take you to a place I’ve never been before, oh yeah
It’s a beautiful life
I’m gonna take you in my arms and fly away with you tonight
Yeah, alright;  it’s a beautiful life
Yeah, alright;  it’s a beautiful life
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life
It’s a beautiful life alright, oooh
It’s a beautiful life, oooh
It’s a beautiful life alright, oooh
It’s a beautiful life

Vocabulary:

seize the day:  live the day 100%
gonna:  going to
your way:  to you
consider:  think about
giving up:  quitting
wanna:  want to
break of dawn:  first light in the morning
down:  sad
lift you up:  make you feel happier
in bloom:  with flowers
belong:  feel like it’s home
guide you:  show you the right direction to go

More info about Ace of Base: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_of_Base

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Michael Jackson

an American singer-songwriter and philanthropist who was the most successful entertainer in history.  He started singing in 1965 at the age of six.  He died 44 years later in 2009.  This song was released in 1991 on his album “Dangerous.”

There’s a place in your heart and I know that it is love
And this place could be much brighter than tomorrow
And if you really try, you’ll find there’s no need to cry
In this place you’ll feel there’s no hurt or sorrow
There are ways to get there if you care enough for the living
Make a little space, make a better place

Heal the world, make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying; if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me

If you want to know why there’s a love that cannot lie
Love is strong;  it only cares for joyful giving
If we try we shall see in this bliss we cannot feel
Fear or dread; we stop existing and start living
Then it feels that always love’s enough for us growing
Make a better world, make a better world

Heal the world, make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying; if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me

And the dream we were conceived in will reveal a joyful face
And the world we once believed in will shine again in grace
Then why do we keep strangling life on this earth; crucify its soul?
Though it’s plain to see this world is heavenly;  be God’s glow

We could fly so high; let our spirits never die
In my heart I feel you are all my brothers
Create a world with no fear; together we’ll cry happy tears
See the nations turn their swords into plowshares
We could really get there if you cared enough for the living
Make a little space to make a better place

Heal the world, make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying; if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me

Vocabulary:

sorrow:  deep sadness
heal:  make (something) better or healthier
joyful:  very happy
shall: will
bliss:  feeling of great joy
dread:  great fear
existing:  living with no emotion
entire:  whole
conceived in:  born into
reveal:  show
grace:  goodness
strangling:  killing
crucify:  kill in a very bad way
soul:  spirit
plain:  easy
heavenly:  a wonderful place
glow:  light
spirits:  willingness to do it
create:  make
nations:  countries
swords:  weapons, things that kill
plowshares:  tools for farming

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only