English, baby!

Katy Perry

Date: Feb 23 2009

Themes: Music, Pop Culture

Grammar: Passive Voice

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

One sure way for girl musicians to get a lot of publicity is to kiss other girls. Remember when Madonna and Britney Spears locked lips at the MTV music video awards? Or what about that crazy girl band t.A.T.u., who made out in one of their music videos? And let’s not forget Jill Sobule, who wrote the first song called “I Kissed a Girl” back in 1995.

The pop singer Katy Perry has a song called “I Kissed a Girl” too. It’s made her a huge success on the pop charts, but a controversial figure for some. Listen to Beren and Dale talk about the song and the scandal.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Beren

Dale

Dale: I’m actually a DJ and I do a lot of parties. And one of the ones that’s a number one hit is “I Kissed a Girl.”

Beren: Oh, I think that’s a number one hit everywhere. I went to a teeny, tiny town and went out dancing…like nobody on the dance floor. All of a sudden, they started playing “I Kissed a Girl,” and girls started making out.

Dale: Do you think that’s kind of weird though?

Beren: It’s very weird.

Dale: This Katy Perry character or person is actually trying to make other girls kinda make out with other girls…I don’t know. Does that seem like a good thing or a bad thing?

Beren: Do you think the song was written and intended to be like that hit that would make girls slutty on the dance floor?

Dale: Well, after I started listening to the song, actually it was banned in high schools.

Beren: I heard that too, actually.

Dale: Because more girls started doing that. And saying they kissed a girl and they liked it. From rumors I heard also, Katie Perry said that she’s not gonna have sex for a year.

Beren: I heard that possibly is incorrect, but I don’t know.

Dale: So do you think she’s very controversial anyway?

Beren: Somewhat controversial. I mean, maybe. I don’t know. ‘Cause to me she seems more modern day bubble gum pop. Like, really well-written songs actually, ’cause it’s super catchy.

Dale: Oh, super catchy.

Beren: I don’t know, maybe it’s the last line kids can cross now, you know?

Dale: Mm-hm.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

“I Kissed a Girl” is one of the most popular songs right now. Dale is a DJ, and he gets asked to play it all the time. It even gets the crowd excited in tiny towns, like the one Beren visited recently.

Beren and Dale both think the popularity of the song is a little strange. There’s been a lot of controversy over it, and some high schools have even banned it. There have also been some rumors about Katy Perry’s love life. But Beren thinks that even though the singer is somewhat controversial, she has a light, bubble gum pop sound. She and Dale agree that her songs are super catchy.

Beren says that girls kissing other girls might be one of the last controversial subjects. There are a lot of songs out there with violent or sexual lyrics that aren’t as controversial.

Do you think song lyrics are too violent or sexual these days? Does this song deserve all the controversy?

Comments

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whipiry

South Korea

when I saw the footage of locking lips on MTV , I was horrified at first. but at present, those films and videos are common. it can make those women slutty. in the entertainment industry, they want to make a big hit on their stuff, so sometimes they cross the line. i don’t know what is right or wrong. all the things are depending on consumers. but for teenagers, what impact is on them?? i think that’s why schools ban them. but their effort is helpless cause they can see all the things on the internet. the point is to learn how to take that thing. music right now?? too catchy and modern bubble gum pop….i think so.too.

Jay.sk

India

Hi…

oumix

Morocco

i love her so much

foz12

Saudi Arabia

I never heard about her before

ivyxie

China

I cat't understand Katy Perry's music,it's strange to me

Holmes nash phil

Malawi

katy perry is my cute..she sing very well and i like her..the song called i kiss the girl really complet me.. I love this pop singer so much.

Ryo49t

Saudi Arabia

she has very great voice

emmajelly

China

I love her music!and she is one of my favourite stars!!!

Apple Meneses

Philippines

I love her Music Videos especially the one entitled "Thinking of you" It's really nice. I was able to get what was the story all about.

iam_mai_naja

Thailand

ahha.. katy perry is my fav star. she's so sweet with her 80's look. love her!! XD

ricky1522

United Kingdom

heya katy …………will u help me in speaking english fluently???

i shall wait for ur rply……………ok , take care. ur too beautiful..

Cranberries!!

Turkey

i love katy perry :)

she's beautiful and very sweet :D

bocetin

Turkey

i kissed a girl just for trying :P

masoudleton

United Arab Emirates

i was in my country 90 that time i was in vocall in one band this name of the band maste band , i like too much song , u dont no ,ok ilike lessen only what pepple r saying , dont like too talkeing or lablab ….. my life is song ,, masoud

Idarela

El Salvador

I liked this song in its moment i couldn´t stop singing it it was so catchy, she´s nice, i like a little her style, the song is funny but actually i don´t share what lyrics say cos Gross! i´d never kiss a girl :s boys lips are always gorgeus to me :D