Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
The Black Keys
简体
The Black Keys
黑键乐队

How to Use "Used To"

Date: Jan 30 2012

Themes: Alternative, Music

Grammar: Used to Do vs Be Used to

Intro

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

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

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

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Is rock ‘n’ roll dead? Not if the Black Keys have anything to say about it. This American duo wants to return rock to its roots with loud, gritty songs that might just make you want to break something.

The Black Keys’ last album, Brother, was named the number two album of the year by Rolling Stone magazine in 2010. Their new album, El Camino, is bringing even more fans to the band. Find out what Jason and Marni think about the Black Keys, and the future of rock ‘n’ roll.

摇滚音乐死了吗?只要黑键乐队发话就没死。用响亮、坚毅,令你想要摔东西的歌声演唱,这个美国双人乐队组合要将摇滚带回到原始状态。
《Rolling Stone》杂志将黑键乐团最新专辑《Brother》评为2010年度最佳专辑第二名。他们的新专辑《El Camino》为乐队带来更多的乐迷。找出詹森和玛尼怎样看待黑键乐队以及摇滚音乐的未来。

Dialog

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

Log in to Listen

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

Jason

Jason

Marni

Marni

Jason:  I wanted to go see the Black Keys, but it’s already sold out.

Marni:  It sold out in like 15 minutes, right, in Madison Square Garden?

Jason:  Yeah, they’re playing huge places and they keep selling it out.

Marni:  You know, it’s fascinating to me because they’re just a duo. I’m always fascinated by two people making noise together, and people just loving them.

Jason:  And truthfully, they’re not super original. They’re kind of a throwback. You know, they’re doing a rock ‘n’ roll thing, which I think is awesome, and I really love their attitude about it. I mean, they’ll openly complain about bands like Nickelback and just say, “Rock ‘n’ roll has gone soft, and we’re trying to make it what it used to be.”

Marni:  Kind of bring it back to its roots.

Jason:  I’m on board. I think the mainstream needs rock ‘n’ roll, and I think the Black Keys are just mean and ugly enough to do it.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Used to Do vs Be Used to" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Jason tells Marni that he wanted to see the Black Keys perform live. But before he could buy tickets, they had already sold out. Even at huge venues like Madison Square Garden in New York, their shows are selling out in minutes.

Marni says she is surprised that the Black Keys are so popular, because there are just two people in the band. Also, their sound is not extremely original. They play classic-sounding rock ‘n’ roll. They want to prove that rock ‘n’ roll is still alive. Jason appreciates their tough, gritty attitudes and sound.

Do you like rock ‘n’ roll? Why do you think this style of music continues to be so popular?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

Olivine

Olivine

Indonesia

I like rock n roll sometimes but not all the time. I don’t  like throwback song. The original one is much better, like rolling stone. But i love aerosmith more.


Nickelback is too soft? what about their song “burn it to the ground?”. It’s not soft. or… am i wrong?

08:24 AM Mar 17 2013 |

Mexican Curious

Mexico

Would you like to know what is a good band? Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1R0Qe-DMYs =P

07:41 PM Feb 03 2012 |

Dingdong

China

I don’t like rock’n’roll.But I hope more good music will be made.

05:52 AM Feb 01 2012 |

Hossam_bounab

Algeria

hEY, THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST THE IDEA I ALREADY POINTED AT, just try to take a little look at this and don’t be stubborn after seeing it.


Just follow this thread to get more feedback:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAvoyUBzVdk

04:47 PM Jan 31 2012 |

CatcheR

CatcheR

Iceland

I have never heard this band and I don’t search it, I don’t think I am going to like them, It’s quite strange that there is DUO rock and Roll,

02:44 PM Jan 31 2012 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

Serenini, I think that you are correct.  

12:31 PM Jan 31 2012 |

1 person likes this

SantD.

SantD.

Brazil

Anja, your last comment cracked me up! hahaha Very creative! My favorite Aerosmith songs are The other side and Rag Doll :) 

12:21 PM Jan 31 2012 |

1 person likes this

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

ANJA, I was upset to hear from you that Tom Hanks “is not your type” :) But now I’m happy, because there is a man we both like! This man is  Chad Kroeger.  We both consider he is not only a good singer with a recognizable voice, but he us quite attractive too ;)


By the way, AEROSMITH is the band, that goes through my life. I have been listening it in 90s and I like to listen in nowadays :)

06:09 AM Jan 31 2012 |

Serenini

Serenini

Brazil

Hey guys!
I’m afraid there is a mistake in the Grammar Quiz in this lesson.
In question number 3, the answer was supposed to be “USE to” instead of “USED to”, as is it a question… please correct me if I’m wrong.
Xoxo,
Patricia.

12:45 AM Jan 31 2012 |

SantD.

SantD.

Brazil

It’s funny that people say “rockers” are a bad example. Rihanna, who’s a famous pop singer, has problems with alcohol and she doesn’t hide it from anyone, actually she shows it on her videoclips as her issue was totally normal, “selling” the image that drinking excessively is sexy and feels good. Miley Cirus, another pop singer known as Hannah Montana was seen messing with drugs. Lindsay Lohan, an actress (and pop-singer in her spare time) has alcoholic problems as well and was arrested several times for it. So sorry, but try to blame rockers for drugs addiction is bull! 


I get a little pissed-off when people say our taste in music will “corrupt” us. If you have a strong soul and know what is right and what is not, you won’t be corrupted that easy. After all, the drummer from your favorite band won’t show up in your frontdoor and offer you some pot, right? 

09:33 PM Jan 30 2012 |

Hossam_bounab

Algeria

I still insist my talk, just be careful guys…just look at most of those famous rockers died…of course suicide or murdered or by an over doze of drugzzzzzz and they all died young…like elvisssssssss

07:53 PM Jan 30 2012 |

Hossam_bounab

Algeria

Rock n Roll= Drugzzzzzzzz & addiction

07:32 PM Jan 30 2012 |

Defang

Defang

France

I don’t know The Black Keys but I love old rock music like Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, Clapton, Guns n Roses, Kiss and so many others I like some new rock bands like Queens of The Stone Age and most of the Stoner rock bands.


And btw, Nickelback is good, I don’t like people who talk like “purist” as if they were the only band able to make good rock.

05:17 PM Jan 30 2012 |

snoopyboy

snoopyboy

Antarctica

I think any band Jason likes likely to be the theme of yet another lesson here on English, baby. Anyways…


I didn’t know of such band called the “black keys”. In musical matters, I’m an old soul. I like old school anything: rock, pop, urban etc. So it’s not surprising that I was oblivious of this   contemporary two-man mayhem, so they claim. Going by Jason words of them lacking originality, is a major turn off for me. I think this band is not very different than any average cover band. I don’t think I would be a fan of theirs, regardless to how good they might sound, for the simple fact that they’re mud sliding another band (Nickleback). Nickleback is one of the most recognizable rock bands in the world, even audience who lean toward genres different to rock, know about them. Because they are very distinct, they have their own style, which the “black keys” don’t. I think they’ve shown lack of professionalism by demeaning other people preference for so called “soft” rock n’ roll. Well Black keys guys, this band that you’re trying to bash, has a fan base that is way more than yours, and they have sold more records than you. Kids nowadays tend to side with anything, any artist that comes up with some extreme ideas and claims. I think Black keys ideology to revamp the old school rock N’ Roll genre is just another misleading motto. They’re not living up to it yet, otherwise I would have heard about them. I just saw today’s lesson picture, and the first thing that came to mind was, wannabes! Their looks reminded me of a fail attempt of a Beatles imitation. They looked like a band I would hire to a shotgun wedding! Or while I’m having a barbecue with a bunch of retired couples.


So black keys, stop tooting your own horns and embrace originality, and also discard the polemical views, maybe then I could grace your name by buying your record.


This American duo wants to return rock to its roots with loud, gritty songs that might just make you want to break something.”  Yeah, my PC screen   : )

05:07 PM Jan 30 2012 |

SantD.

SantD.

Brazil

Man, I love rock n’ roll. I grew up listening to rock bands, mainly the classics such as U2, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and my dad is the one to blame for it. I love the attitude, the “ferocity” in its sound and in some lyrics. But who thinks rock n’ roll is all about sex & drugs, probably never heard about the great Woodstock and how musicians who played there held an anti-Vietnam-war manifestation :)


12:18 PM Jan 30 2012 |

BBoy Roty

BBoy Roty

Brazil

I love Rock ‘n’ roll,and rock ‘n’ roll is so popular because it’s extreme kind music.

11:47 AM Jan 30 2012 |

kukuka

kukuka

Ukraine

I don’t actually understand why Marni thinks that the less people are in a band the less popular the band’s music should be. It makes absolutely no sense as following her logic single musicians have no chances to draw an audience at all. And judging by lady gaga’a shows one may say this does not square with reality. And as for my attitude to rock’n’roll I would say it’s neutral… I don’t mind its existence.

11:04 AM Jan 30 2012 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

I am from the times of Elvis Presley – Chubby Checker  -ouch , how old am I?   I have googled  this band and  actually  creeps me out      . well, maybe if I were younger  I might even  go to their   concerts  ,but this is not the case.

10:48 AM Jan 30 2012 |

i love life

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

I think It is depending on the special occasion .


if we have the wedding I prefer  to be style of music popular we need the kind of music stimulate us to dancing I love the kind of music make me relax .


I dont like to listen music all the time sometimes the music effect on your self more than anything else .


the lovers like living with emotional moments .


these days the music has became an concept on the civilization , we can use the music puppet in oder to bridge distances between others countries .


I respect any opinion express on the love between us .


When I will marry I will use the most music popular in my country .


I guess the woman are going prefer romantic music more than men.



08:40 AM Jan 30 2012 |

2 people like this

kotlesya

kotlesya

Belarus

Black Keys, STOP!!! I will not allow you to complain about Nickelback,because this band is superb.


I”m not a fan of rock ‘n’ roll, but sometimes I can listen it if my mood requires rock ‘n’ roll time:)

07:47 AM Jan 30 2012 |

Likes (11):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast