by Jordin Sparks

an American singer and actress.  In 2007, she rose to fame after winning the sixth season of American Idol at age 17.  She was the youngest winner ever on that TV show.

There was a time I packed my dreams away
Living in a shell, hiding from myself

There was a time when I was so afraid
I thought I’d reached the end
Baby that was then
But I am made of more than my yesterdays

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment
As I look around, I can’t believe the love I see
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt
That was then, this is my now.

And I have the courage like never before, yeah
I’ve settled for less, now I’m ready for more
Ready for more

This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment
As I look around, I can’t believe the love I see
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt
That was then, this is my now

I can’t believe the love I see
My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt
That was then, this is my now.

This is my now

Vocabulary:

in a shell:  without showing any emotions
behind me:  not effecting me anymore, in my past
shadows:  bad things that could happen
doubt:  not believing in herself
courage:  willingness to do something scary
settled for:  gotten comfortable with

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only

sung by Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder.

This song was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.  It was recorded in 1985 as a benefit song for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, which raised over $3 million dollars for that cause.

by Colbie Caillat

an American pop singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist from Malibu, California. This song is from her 5th album, Gypsy Heart, released in September, 2014.

Put your make-up on
Get your nails done
Curl your hair
Run the extra mile
Keep it slim so they like you,
Do they like you?

Get your sexy on,
Don’t be shy, girl
Take it off
This is what you want,
To belong so they like you
Do you like you?

You don’t have to try so hard
You don’t have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don’t have to change a single thing

You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try
You don’t have to try

Get your shopping on
At the mall
Max your credit cards
You don’t have to choose
Buy it all so they like you
Do they like you?

Wait a second
why should you care
what they think of you?
When you’re all alone by yourself
Do you like you?
Do you like you?

You don’t have to try so hard
You don’t have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don’t have to change a single thing

You don’t have to try so hard
You don’t have to bend until you break
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don’t have to change a single thing

You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try

You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try
You don’t have to try

You don’t have to try so hard
You don’t have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don’t have to change a single thing

You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try, try, try, try
You don’t have to try
You don’t have to try

Take your make-up off
Let your hair down
Take a breath
Look into the mirror at yourself
Don’t you like you?
Cause I like you

Vocabulary

nails:  fingernails
curl:  make curly
the extra mile:  more than you think is necessary
slim:  with no fat, slender, thin
get your sexy on:  dress so that men look at you
give it all away:  lose your identity
max:  charge up to your maximum
credit cards:  Mastercard, Visa, etc.

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only

by Michael Buble

a Canadian singer, songwriter and actor who has won several awards, including four Grammy Awards and many Juno Awards.  The song was written in 1964 by English songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse.  Buble recorded this song for his album “It’s Time,” released in April, 2005.

Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze drifting on by, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn; it’s a new day; it’s a new life for me
And I’m feeling good.  I’m feeling good

Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River running free, you know how I feel
Blossom on a tree, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn; it’s a new day; it’s a new life for me
And I’m feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all having fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done, that’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me
For me

Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine, and I know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life
It’s a new life for me and I’m feeling good
I’m feeling good.  I feel so good
I feel so good

Vocabulary:

breeze:  soft wind
drifting:  moving slowly
dawn:  new beginning (of a day)
blossom:  flower on a tree
dragonfly:  insect with four wings
butterflies:  flying insects with beautiful colors on their wings
peace:  without problems
bold:  anything is possible
scent:  nice smell
pine:  an evergreen tree

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only

by John Denver

an American singer-songwriter and actor who was among the most beloved entertainers of his time.  He wrote over 200 songs in his career.  This song is from his 1971 album  entitled Poems, Prayers and Promises.

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a day that I could give you
I’d give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a tale that I could tell you
I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine almost always

Vocabulary:

lovely:  pretty, beautiful
high:  happy
tale:  story
while:  time

by The Calling

an American rock band from Los Angeles, California.  This song, written and composed by Alex Band and Aaron Kamin, is from the group’s second album in 2004 titled Two.

Is there love, tonight
When everyone’s dreaming of a better life
In this world divided by fear
We’ve got to believe that there’s a reason we’re here
Yeah, there’s a reason we’re here, oh, yeah

‘Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we’re given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let’s make the best out of our lives

See the truth all around
Our faith can be broken
And our hands can be bound
Oh, but open our hearts and fill up the emptiness
With nothing to stop us, is it not worth the risk?
Yeah, is it not worth the risk? No, yeah

‘Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we’re given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let’s make the best out of our lives

And even if hope was shattered
I know it wouldn’t matter
‘Cause these are the moments
These are the times
Let’s make the best out of our lives

We can’t go on
Thinking it’s wrong
To speak our minds
I’ve got to let out what’s inside

Is there love, tonight
When everyone’s dreaming
Well, can we get it right?
Yeah, can we get it right?

‘Cause these are the days worth living
These are the years we’re given
And these are the moments
These are the times
Let’s make the best out of our lives

And even if hope was shattered
I know it wouldn’t matter
‘Cause these are the moments
These are the times
Let’s make the best out of our lives

Oh, yeah, let’s make the best out of our lives
Oh, yeah, let’s make the best out of our lives

Vocabulary:

’cause:  because
worth:  have value for
moments:  short times
make the best out of :  do as well as possible with
faith:  belief
bound:  tied up
risk:  danger of failing
shattered:  broken into small pieces
matter:  be important
speak our minds:  say what we think
get it right:  do the right thing

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

sung by Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston

two American superstars in the music world.  This song was written by Stephen Schwart for the 1998 DreamWorks musical animated feature The Prince of Egypt.

Many nights we pray with no proof anyone could hear
In our heart’s a hopeful song we barely understood
Now we are not afraid although we know there’s much to fear
We were moving mountains long before we knew we could

Oh yes, there can be miracles when you believe
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracle you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear when prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds, too swiftly flown away
And now I’m standing here, my heart’s so full I can’t explain
Seeking faith and speaking words I never thought I’d say

There can be miracles when you believe (when you believe)
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve (you can achieve)
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don’t always happen when you ask and
And it’s easy to give in to your fear
But when you’re blinded by your pain
Can’t see your way safe through the rain
Thought of a still resilient voice says love is very near

There can be miracles (miracles)
When you believe (when you believe)
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill (hard to kill)
Who knows what miracles you can achieve (you can achieve)
When you believe, somehow you will (somehow, somehow, somehow)
Somehow you will, you will when you believe

You will when you believe
You will when you believe
Just believe
You will, you will
Just believe
You will, when you believe

Vocabulary:

pray:  talk to God
proof:  something that says that something else is true
barely:  hardly, only a little
miracles:  good results that come as if by magic
frail:  weak
achieve:  do, make real
somehow:  in some unknown way
prayer:  words to God
in vain:  useless
swiftly:  quickly
seeking faith:  looking for the ability to believe
give in:  stop fighting
blinded:  unable to see or know anything
way:  journey
rain:  problems in your life
resilient:   lasting, still there

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by John Denver

an American singer and songwriter who became one of the most popular artist of the 1970s.  He was a humanitarian and environmentalist who loved nature and the outdoors.  This is the title song from his 7th album entitled “Farewell Andromeda” released in 1973.

Welcome to my morning, welcome to my day.
I’m the one responsible, I made it just this way.
To make myself some pictures, see what they might bring.
I think I made it perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

La la la, la la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la la.

Welcome to my happiness, you know it makes me smile.
It pleases me to have you here for just a little while.
While we open up the spaces and try to break some chains.
And if the truth is told they will never come again.

La la la, la la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la la.

Welcome to my evening, the closing of the day,
I could try a million times and never find a better way
to tell you that I love you and all the songs I play
are to thank you for allowing me inside this lovely day.

Welcome to my morning, welcome to my day.
I’m the one responsible, I made it just this way.
To make myself some pictures, see what they might bring.
I think I made it perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

La la la, la la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la la.
La la la, la la la la la la. La la la, la la la la la la.

Vocabulary:

responsible:  the cause of something happening
perfectly:  with no mistakes
pleases me:  makes me happy
while:  time
chains:  things that keep you from freedom
allowing:  letting
lovely:  beautiful

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only

by Anna Nalick

an American singer/songwriter born and raised in California.   This is the title song from her second album, which was released March 25, 2008.

Oh, the night makes you a star
And it holds you cold in its arms
You’re the one to whom nobody verses “I love you”
Unless you say it first
So you lie there, holding your breath
And it’s strange how soon you forget
That you’re like stars, they only show up when it’s dark
‘Cause they don’t know their worth

And I think you need to stop following misery‘s lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away

Isn’t it time you got over
How fragile you are
We’re all waiting, waiting on your supernova
‘Cause that’s who you are
And you’ve only begun to shine

There are times
When the poets and porn stars align
And you won’t know who to believe in
Well, that’s a good time to be leaving
And the past, he knocks on your door
And throws stones at your window at four in the morning
Well, maybe he thinks it’s romantic
He’s crazy, but you knew that before

And I think you need to stop following misery‘s lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away

Isn’t it time you got over
How fragile you are
We’re all waiting, waiting on your supernova
‘Cause that’s who you are
And you’ve only begun to shine
Yeah, you’ve only begun to shine

Won’t you shine, shine, shine
Shine over shadow, oh, oh
Shine, shine, shine
Shine over shadow, oh, oh
Shine, shine, shine, shine over

I think you need to stop following misery‘s lead
Shine away, shine away, shine away

Isn’t it time you got over
How fragile you are
We’re all waiting, waiting on your supernova
‘Cause that’s who you are
And you’ve only begun to shine
Yeah, you’ve only begun to shine
Yeah, you’ve only begun to shine

Vocabulary:

verses:  writes in a poem
strange:  odd, unusual
’cause:  because
worth:  importance, value
misery:  condition of pain or suffering
got over:  recovered from
fragile:  easily broken
supernova:  exploding star
poets:  the best people
porn stars:  the worst people
align:  come together
romantic:  a loving thing to do

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only 

by Carrie Underwood

an American country music singer, songwriter and actor.  Her career started when she won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005.  She has since won six Grammy Awards.  This song is from her second album, Carnival Ride, released in 2007.

What you got if you ain’t got love?
The kind that you just wanna give away
It’s okay to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through

I know it’s hard on a rainy day
You wanna shut the world out
And just be left alone
But don’t run out on your faith

‘Cause sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you’ve been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands

And when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small

It’s so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It’s like a river that’s so wide
It swallows you whole

While you’re sitting around thinking about what you can’t change
And worrying about all the wrong things
Time’s flying by, moving so fast
You better make it count ’cause you can’t get it back

Sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you’ve been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands

Oh, and when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small

Sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you’ve been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands

And then you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Oh, it sure makes everything else
Seem so small

Vocabulary:

ain’t got:  don’t have
wanna:  want to
open up:  let your feelings out
run out:  stop believing
faith:  beliefs
grain:  one small piece
figure out:  discover
matters:  is important
lost inside:  not know what to do
make it count:  do something with it

© 2015 Ambien Malecot for vocabulary lesson only