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Prince

Date: Oct 22 2007

Themes: Music

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.

Last February, the whole world watched as Prince strutted along a stage built in the shape of his logo as it rained on him during halftime of the Superbowl. The rain didn’t faze him. He gave one of the greatest performances of his career.

The guitar he played at the Superbowl (shown in the picture) was also in the shape of his logo. For a time in the ‘90s he used the unpronounceable symbol that incorporates both the female and male symbols as his name.

Though Prince had a lot of fans already, because of numerous hit songs in the 1980s, the Superbowl performance won him many new fans, among them, Mason.

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.

Mason

Marni

Mason: Ever since the Superbowl this year, I have just been like, “Okay, dude, you need to get into Prince.” Just telling myself.

Marni: You…You’re just now thinking you need to get into Prince? C’mon! The ‘80s? Hello? “Purple Rain”?

Mason: I was like 10 in the ‘80s. Like at the end of the ‘80s.

Marni: I remember being 11 and getting that album and dancing around, “Let’s go crazy!” I was rocking out. And when I found out we were moving to Minnesota, my first thought was, “We are moving to where Prince is from.” And…

Mason: Prince is from Minnesota? Like the one good thing that came out of Minnesota…

Marni: No. It’s not.

Mason: You understand, I seriously know nothing about Prince.

Marni: I can tell. You need to be schooled. He’s an amazing musician. He plays like 20 plus instruments. He’s had a career of 30 years.

Mason: He’s a mean guitar player. I know that much just from seeing the Superbowl. I’m like, “Dude, guy can shred!”

Marni: Oh absolutely. And he’s my height! He is! He’s so short. He’s a very small man.

Mason: He’s a midget. But man’s got soul...

Marni: But he’s got talent.

Mason: ...big as a train.

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Discussion

Marni is surprised that Mason doesn’t know much about Prince and only decided to start following him after his performance at the Superbowl. She’s shocked that he missed Prince’s most famous song, “Purple Rain,” when it came out in the 1980s.

Ever since she was a little girl Marni has listened to Prince. She remembers being excited when her family moved to Minnesota because that’s where Prince lives.

Marni and Mason joke that although Prince has big talent, he is actually a small man. Apparently he’s about as tall as Marni, who you’ll remember from this lesson on heels is only 5’2”.

Do you listen to Prince? When did you first discover him? Who do you remember dancing to when you were 11 years old?

Comments

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buttafly

Germany

Still can’t believe he’s gone! Gone too soon…

For me you are immortal. Your music and your kick-off screams blasts from my computer whenever I’m home.

Thanks Prince…for all the greatness you’ve given us!

prince

buttafly

Germany

Danced to this when I was in grade school…still listened to it when I was in my 20s…will never forget this legend. I’m in shock now !! R.I.P.

♫Anna♥

Russian Federation

hmmmmm… I have never heard about Prince… it's a reason to know more about the legend of 80s…

mickee85

Philippines

I know few of his songs, but I'm not a big fan of him. He is awesome and incredibly unique.

omar atif

Egypt

hi it tje first time that i know about the prince i need a girl frindship()

aidavahdati

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i dot know much about princ but i always thoght he must be very famous between americans..

aidavahdati

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i dont know much aout princ as well..but i always thoght he must be very famous between americans.

ericagood

North Korea

i cannt work..

victor25

Moldova, Republic Of

coopo: what'sthis lesson on heels means?

Hey! Just click on that expression and you will see another lesson talking about heels. Normally girls wear high heel shoes in order to look taller. Just check that lesson and you will understand.

the_attractive_boy

Egypt

i know 50 cent

kulasa_143

Philippines

I have known Prince for a long time way back when i was in grade school.he.he. He's quite famous coz of his music. I haven't heard of him lately and its quite amazing and good to know that he is still in the industry.

Hi to everyone there!