Korean Job Discussion Forums

inverse_narcissus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Masan / the pub

Hello....

I want to teach the present continuous tense in my next 3rd grade (middle school) class, and I'd like to use the lyrics of "Mr. Brightside" by the Killers to get the students interested. But I'm afraid some elements of the song might be considered too racy for their innocent minds. Opinions, please?

Thanks in advance,
i_n

Mr Brightside
(The Killers)
I'm coming out of my cage
And I�ve been doing just fine
Gotta gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I�m falling asleep
And she�s calling a cab
While he�s having a smoke
And she�s taking a drag
Now they�re going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it�s all in my head
But she�s touching his�chest
Now, he takes off her dress
Now, let me go

I just can�t look, it�s killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it�s just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
�Cause I�m Mr Brightside

I never...
I never...
I never...

bosintang · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:17 pm Post subject:

Personally, I wouldn't use the song. The lyrics that contain present continuous are also the most racy lyrics. It's one thing to play a song with racy lyrics, it's another to focus on them.

Tam Sadek · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Suwon, South Korea

I agree. It's all about common sense really. The song's far too racy if you want to analyze the lyrics in class to pull out the Pres Cont. You'd be better off choosing something less controversial such as Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega which will not cause any raised eyebrows...

poet13 · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject:

I would vote no.

inverse_narcissus · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Location: Masan / the pub

OK, cheers for that.

"Tom's Diner" - that's a good suggestion. Any other suggestions for popular songs which use a lot of the present continuous?

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

I agree you would be opening a can of worms for little to no reason. One thing that might surprise you, I think you will take heat for the lyrics �While he�s having a smoke And she�s taking a drag� a youth anti-smoking push is in full swing in Asia right now.

CasperTheFriendlyGhost · Joined: 28 Feb 2007

The song is doggerel to me, but either I'm a pervert or you guys are prudes. I see nothing much racy about this song at all. It looks more tame than most of the stuff on the pop charts.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

bosintang · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

CasperTheFriendlyGhost · Joined: 28 Feb 2007

When I was in middle school I remember songs like "Boom, Boom, Boom, Let's go back to my Room" and Samantha Fox moaning and begging, "Touch Me." In elementary school, a popular song had the lyrics, "Let's get physical I want to feel your body." These were songs that every kid knew and sang.

One reference about taking off a dress and something about touching a chest is as weak as water.

I'm not saying it's a good song for a lesson, just that it's very, very tame.

These kids walk past places of prostitution every day of their lives.

richardlang · Joined: 21 Jan 2007 Location: Gangnam