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Signature Songs

Learn about the Past Perfect Tense

Date: Mar 05 2012

Themes: Music

Grammar: Past Perfect Tense

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Intro

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

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Even though an artist may have many hits throughout their career, they are often remembered for one signature song. A signature song is the song that always comes to mind when you hear the artist’s name.

In fact, you can put the word “signature” in front of anything that truly defines the person who did it. For instance, Michael Jordan’s signature dunk is now the logo of his brand of shoes. And in soccer, people always think of Pele anytime someone does his signature bicycle kick.

Whitney Houston was one of the bestselling musicians in history. She won dozens of awards for many different songs before her recent and tragic death at the age of 48. Listen to Marni and Amy talk about signature songs and which of Whitney’s hits she will be remembered for.

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.

Marni

Amy

Marni: Pretty tragic about Whitney Houston dying, don’t you think?

Amy: It is. She’s sort of an iconic figure from my formative years.

Marni: Definitely had an amazing voice. That song, “I Will Always Love You,” she really…hitting those high notes, I mean, she was pretty amazing.

Amy: I have to say, a lot of radio stations and stuff were playing that song after she died, and I just…I heard it, and I hadn’t heard it in a long time, and it gave me goosebumps. Like, I think that song is going to stand the test of time.

Marni: Oh, interesting.

Amy: I think it’s a signature song.

Marni: I would agree with you on that. I think it’s definitely a signature song. Do you think that signature songs are really, like, key for artists to be successful? Like having that one song that people always associate them with?

Amy: I think so, yeah. Because then when you hear that song you always think of that artist. Or when you think of that artist you always think of that song. So it’s kind of like having a recognizable brand, or having a really great jingle if you’re a company. It’s like that one thing that you’re always remembered for.

Marni: Right. It kind of helps that artist and that song sort of stand the test of time.

Amy: The one thing is, though, what if your signature song, like the one song that you’re remembered for, was a bad song?

Marni: You know, that’s a good point. I always think of Nirvana, because I loved Nirvana. But the one song that really broke them and made them huge was “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which I think is one of their weakest songs. It’s not one of my favorites. So I think people associate them with that song, but their other work is much stronger.

Amy: Well, at least neither Nirvana nor Whitney Houston were one hit wonders, where their signature song was their only popular song.

Marni: So true.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Marni and Amy talk about Whitney Houston, who recently passed away. Amy says that Whitney was an iconic figure. She thinks that Whitney’s signature song, “I Will Always Love You,” will stand the test of time.

Marni wonders if it is important for artists to have a signature song. Amy thinks that having a signature song is like having a memorable jingle or brand. It helps people remember the artist.

One negative aspect of having a signature song, according to Marni, is that an artist’s signature song might not be their best song. So the artist might be remembered for something that isn’t actually their greatest work. But that’s still better than being a one hit wonder.

Can you think of other artists with a signature song? Which artists of today do you think will stand the test of time?

Comments

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kotlesya

Belarus

Sometimes soul asks for “Barbie Girl” isn’t it?

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Is it safe to blame autotune for that.?

: )

kotlesya

Belarus

I agree the good music is dying :( The pure voices are dying too

snoopyboy

Antarctica

I think I’m catching up with all that I missed during my childhood… I have a rack of childish songs I like to listen to.

you have no ideas. you might think is weird but I get so much joy out of them.

They make me happy : )

snoopyboy

Antarctica

today’s songs come with a price tag and expiration date on them.

you have to purchase them, after a couple of listen they start to deteriorate like a can of clam chowder,

: )

kotlesya

Belarus

Snoopy, hello. “Barbie Girl” and your “lie” are funny :)

The range of your tastes are the widest one.

“Over the Rainbow” is so tender song. Judy Garland innocent and very attractive. But I can’t hardly believe you really like this song hmm (scratching)

Finally, music is depends on our mood. :)

snoopyboy

Antarctica

There are questions I can’t seem to have concrete answers for. For instance If I’m asked, what is your favorite artist of all time and favorite song? I can’t really single out one to be honest…

…It all depends on what kind of mindset I’m in. If I’m feeling a little under the weather or blue I go for a groovy and joyful genre likes Cajun music or some good old early 90s techno, even some disco songs, any upbeat rhythm that can stoke up my mood is just what I need. But when I’m in a fairly good mood I can listen to pretty much anything , I’m more tolerant to a variety of genres, from a Brazilian calypso to a distorted Norwegian Death Metal , from a Beethoven’s fur Elise to Godzilla’s Clint Eastwood. I’m a jukebox; people get perplexed when they browse through my mp3’s playlists.

“No! Dude! Are you serious, Aqua’s Barbie Girl?”

-“Err…my sister uploaded that one” I lied. ;)

My preference for music is very inclusive and it reflects a lot about my personality. However, I like to view myself as an old soul, because in the prospect of music I’m definitely not a hipster. It’s hard for me to identify with those contemporary artists; I don’t find their work to be persuasive enough. They make one hit album, sell a couple of records, stack up wads of money and hibernate for years. Therefore my problem with these youngsters nowadays is that they lack the consistency their older counterparts had managed to have. To be totally honest I can’t think of any modern songs that can be a milestone in the music world. I’m yet to see a breakthrough artist with a unique charisma and not-before-seen approach to making music, with incomparable attributes; that’s what you need to be timeless, that what it takes to become an icon. All those carbon copies of Madonna and Michael Jackson we have today are just one-generation idols. I think I was born in the wrong century ;) back then songs’ lyrics were more profound and stood for something. It’s just my opinion, all you Katty Perry and Nicki Minaj fans should not take this personally.

Now I’m in the mood for the signature song “ Over the Rainbow” by my cuddly Judy Garland : )

kotlesya

Belarus

Anja, you hit a target with “Nothing Else matters”. Wonderful song

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Thanks to all for , the songs suggestion, now I will feed my mp3 player with all of them ;)

kotlesya

Belarus

What about Rammstein “Du hast”? I adore it :) Very signature song :)

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

kotlesya

Belarus

Julito, I like to hear when foreigners try to speak Russian (Belarussian) their accents are charming, indeed. I agree with you.

I have 16 parts of video lessons in English. They teach how to say properly.

Thank you for the advice with BBC :)

kotlesya

Belarus

Anja will you return today?

julito

Argentina

Lesya, what we know in writing we have to put it into practice speaking, as far as I know ,you don´t have a chance to do it at work ,taking private lessons is an option but not always possible.i would suggest that you record from the BBC” special english report ” and repeat the lines vocally. Maybe your accent will still be there but accents are charming also. Henry Kissinger and Arnold Schwarneggeer have strong accents and how succesful they were in America.

kotlesya

Belarus

Anja, I will try to define, but I think English, baby will be offended. May be I will say it later on?

kotlesya

Belarus

Are you sure, Julito??? I’m doubtful about that :/

julito

Argentina

We are two , but eventually we will succeed.

kotlesya

Belarus

You will lol so much when I say I can understand only writting ( English texts). My pronunciation is awful and it is really hard for me to understand what people say in English. Person should say with purest English to make it easier for me to understand. Nothing can be done with me