Cornershop

Intro

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

• rock stars
• musical barriers
• white man's world
• racial stereotype

• funky beats
• native tongue
• keeps the dream alive
• free your mind

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

Cornershop is a hard band to describe. Their music is unlike any other music I’ve ever heard. The band leader, Tindjer Singh, is nothing like other rock stars. In fact, nothing about Cornershop is ordinary.
Cornershop is from the UK, but Tindjer Singh is Indian. He creates music that crosses not only musical barriers, but also social and political. Tindjer is an Asian man living in a white man’s world, and he uses music to express his feelings about the situation. In fact, the band name Cornershop is a reference to a racial stereotype.
Cornershop has released several albums. Their most famous album is called When I was Born for the 7th Time. It was released in 1997 and won several awards. Their latest album is titled Handcream for a Generation. Both albums feature funky beats combined with traditional Indian music and Tindjer’s unique voice.

Dialog

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

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

After loving Cornershop’s music for several years, I finally went to see them live in concert. The show was amazing. I was singing along with Tindjer, even when he was singing in his native tongue, Punjabi. I can’t speak Punjabi, but I’ve listened to the songs so many times that I’ve memorized the words.
Cornershop’s most famous song is called “Brimful of Asha.” Check out some of the lyrics:
There’s dancing
Behind movie scenes
Behind the movie scenes – Sadi Rani
She’s the one that keeps the dream alive
from the morning
past the evening
to the end of the light
Brimful of Asha on the 45
Well it’s a brimful of Asha on the 45
And dancing
Behind movie scenes
Behind those movie scenes
Asha Bhosle
She’s the one that keeps the dream alive
from the morning
past the evening
to the end of the light
Do these lyrics make any sense to you? They don’t make any sense to me! Here’s what I do know: The name in the song, Asha Bhosle, is the name of a famous Indian singer who often recorded music for movies. That’s why he says, “Behind movie scenes.” “Sadi Rani” means “Our Queen.” Tindjer must be referring to Asha as a queen because he likes her so much. I have no idea what a “brimful of Asha on the 45” is though.

 

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Lesson MP3

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