English, baby!

Jem

Date: Apr 12 2004

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.

Once in a while, a new singer comes along and it’s obvious that she is special. You can tell from the sound of her voice and the style of her music that she’s unique and will become very popular. Dido and Avril Lavigne are two perfect examples of this.
Jem is the latest example. She’s from Wales, the small peninsula in the United Kingdom. It’s already clear that she’s going to be a big star. Read on to learn more about her!

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.

Jem began writing songs at the age of 13 and decided that she would like to be a singer. However, she kept her dreams a secret when she graduated from high school and went to Sussex University.
While in college, Jem’s love for music grew stronger and she began working as a DJ and a club promoter. Then, in 1999 she left school to return home and start making her own music. She recorded 4 good songs and decided to go to London to work with others in the music business.
Jem then traveled to New York and in 2002 her music was first played on U.S. radio. It quickly became popular with listeners in Los Angeles and Jem was invited to record a full album on Dave Matthews’ ATO record label, which also helped UK artist David Gray become successful in the U.S..
Jem’s first album is called Finally Woken. It features an extraordinarily beautiful song called, “They.” Check out some of the lyrics:
Who made up all the rules
We follow them like fools
Believe them to be true
Don’t care to think them through
And I’m sorry so sorry
I’m sorry it’s like this
I’m sorry so sorry
I’m sorry we do this

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3

Go Super to Ask Ebaby! teachers your questions!

The iTEP^® test

Sponsored by

Schedule an iTEP^® test and take the official English Practice Test.
Take Now >

Discussion

I’m in love with Jem. She makes the kind of music I absolutely love. She combines elements of electronic music and hip-hop to create unique beats and then sings over them with her beautiful voice. It’s smooth and soothing and it just makes me feel good when I listen to it.
If you like music by Dido, Morcheeba or Zero 7, you should give Jem a try.
Rock on,
Migs