Skyfall a Big Hit at the Oscars!

 Skyfall wins Best Original Song at the Oscars!

Adele took the 85^th Academy Awards (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) by storm this year with a sizzling, powerful vocal performance of Skyfall!  After enthralling and memorizing a celebrity filled audience, Adele went on to claim an Oscar, with the famous British music producer Paul Epworth, for the Best Original Song of 2012! 

“THIS IS THE END”

Skyfall opens with a wonderful, bluesy style and a catch line that screams for attention! 

However, the song doesn’t stray too far from the original music themes of the James Bond movie series.  A common formula for success!

Background 

 Paul Epworth and Adele did a fantastic job of composing Skyfall.  Paul created the tune and Adele put the lyrics to Skyfall.  Paul created the tune after listening to the first 13 James Bond movies.  Adele loved the dark, haunting ballad sound and put words to Skyfall in a draft form in 10 minutes.  And of course, after a lot of hard studio work, Skyfall was created! Take a listen and enjoy!

 

Language Learning Section

Instructions

First, listen to the Song Skyfall by Adele.

Next, fill in the blanks with the missing verb forms. If this is difficult listen again a few more times.  Listening Hint - most of the missing words are repeated in the song over and over.  Finally, check your answers below and look up any new words.

Enjoy while you Listen and Practice!

Skyfall Practice Listening: High Frequency Verb forms

THIS IS THE END

______ your breath and ______ to ten                 

______the earth ______ and then                      

______ my heart ______ again                          

For this is the end

I've ______ and ______this moment               

So overdue, I ______ them                             

______, I'm stolen                            

Let the sky fall, when it ______                

And ______ it all together                         

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles              

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

At sky fall

Skyfall is where we start

A thousand miles and poles apart

Where worlds ______ and days are dark              

You may have my number, You can take my name        

But you'll never ______ my heart                      

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

(Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall x2)

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I ______ I'd never be me without the security         

Are your loving arms ______ me from harm           

______ your hand in my hand and we'll stand            

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Let the sky fall

We will stand tall

At sky falls

Ooooo...

Answers

Take a look at the Skyfall lyrics and fill in the verb forms you missed.  Then listen to Skyfall again; especially to the parts or words you found difficult. And, of course, try singing Skyfall with your friends at your next karaoke party!The words will come easy now!

THIS IS THE END

Hold your breath and count to ten                

Feel the earth move and then                      

Hear my heart burst again                         

For this is the end

I've drowned and dreamt this moment                

So overdue, I owe them                             

Swept away, I'm stolen                            

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles                

We will stand tall                                

And face it all together                           

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles              

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

At sky fall

Skyfall is where we start

A thousand miles and poles apart

Where worlds collide and days are dark              

You may have my number, You can take my name         

But you'll never have my heart                      

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

(Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall x2)

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I know I'd never be me without the security        

Are your loving arms keeping me from harm           

Put your hand in my hand and we'll stand            

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Let the sky fall

We will stand tall

At sky falls

Ooooo...

Until next week enjoy some more of the fabulous Adele!

 

 
MORE James Bond!

Do you have what it takes to be James Bond?
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Taylor Swift’s Childhood Memories

Taylor Swift is an American singer songwriter who has won 116 music and writing awards. Let’s take a look at how this talented, 'down to earth' lady creates a story in conversation. 

TAYLOR SWIFT:  “When you say, ‘I spent my summers at the Jersey Shore,’ people always say, ‘Oh, really?’ They think of the TV show. So I just say, ‘A cute little harbor town in New Jersey.’ “We lived on this basin where all this magical stuff would happen. One time a dolphin swam into our basin. We had this family of otters that would live on our dock at night. We’d turn the light on and you’d see them, you know, hanging out, just being otters. And then one summer, there was a shark that washed up on our dock. I ended up writing a novel that summer because I wouldn’t go in the water. I locked myself in the den and wrote a book. When I was fourteen. She laughs. “Because of a shark!”

Taylor Swift's Speaking Style

Taylor’s story is warm, loveable, and memorable.  Taylor Swift shares a magical moment from her childhood by the ocean.  Immediately, Taylor Swift sets the tone by creating a PG13 version of New Jersey that is in contrast to the TV show.   Taylor takes control! Taylor segways into ‘her’ Jersey shore by re-framing the language to engage a magical childhood memory:

“A cute little harbor town in New Jersey” 

Moreover, Taylor shares with the listener a glimpse of a 14 year old burgeoning songwriter practicing her craft passionately: 

 “I ended up writing a novel that summer because I wouldn’t go in the water. I locked myself in the den and wrote a book.” 

Next, she finishes her childhood memories by making a wonderful joke about her younger self:   

...She laughs. “Because of a shark!” 

This ocean setting is a place of enjoyment that anyone would love to experience. It is such an easy story to be involved in as a listener! 

 

The language of the story is exceptional!  Swift has just shared an intimate and fun time with the listener.  This is great 'language & style' to create a past and casual 'story telling feel' to your conversation.  Follow Taylor’s Swift's style but make it your own!

Try it out and remember to have fun!

Key Phrases

We lived on this basin where all this magical stuff would happen.

We’d ______________.

One time ____________________.

And then one summer, __________________________.

Create a definition in the words below within the context of  Taylor's conversation.  

ended up =

hanging out = 

Next week- I will post an example idea/answer. 

Idea/Answer for Key Phrases

We lived near the mountains where lots of stuffwould happen.

We’d spend our weekends with friends playing and exploring the area.

One time we saw a dear and her babies hanging out.  They were so beautiful.

And then one summer, we ended up face to face with a black bear.  That was scary!

Create a definition in the words below within the context of Taylor's conversation. 

ended up = became, just happened, not planned

hanging out = socializing

Video Time!

 Have a good one!

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