Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow

Date: Apr 28 2008

Themes: Music, Pop Culture

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.

When Sheryl Crow reached international fame in 1994 with the youthful song “All I Wanna Do,” she was already 31 years old. Generally speaking, 31 is still pretty young, but in the world of pop stars, it’s a rather late time to be getting famous.

But perhaps having a little more pre-fame experience than the average star is what has enabled Sheryl Crow to stay relevant and successful into her mid 40s. Or maybe it was just her knack for writing simple but powerful rock songs. Either way, her voice and face are now very recognizable. Mason recently heard a new song from Crow’s latest album, Detours, on the radio and immediately knew it was her.

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.

Mason

Mason

Amanda

Amanda

Mason:  You know, I was driving the other day and this new song came on and it was Sheryl Crow. You can always tell it’s Sheryl Crow when she’s singing.

Amanda:  I love her. Kind of like a blues/rock chick. She’s 45 years old…

Mason:  Slash country!

Amanda:  ...slash country. That’s right.

Mason:  She’s pretty much touched on all the musical bases in her, like, 14-year solo career.

Amanda:  I know. And she’s such a huge role model. She’s a single mom. She’s a breast cancer survivor.

Mason:  Really? I didn’t know that. When did that come out?

Amanda:  Last year. February ‘07. So she’s in recovery right now and she’s doing great.

Mason:  Making albums, obviously.

Amanda:  Obviously. And you know, it’s funny because there’s a single in there about Lance. About how she was by his side supporting him through his cancer and when she was diagnosed he bailed.

Mason:  Really?

Amanda:  Yup. There’s a whole song about it. It’s very explicit, so…I thought that was pretty bold.

Mason:  What’s it called? Do you know?

Amanda:  I don’t know. We could look it up right now…

Mason:  Is it, like, “Get on Your Bike and Ride”?

Amanda:  I don’t think so. You know, something people don’t know about Sheryl Crow is she used to sing backup for Michael Jackson.

Mason:  That’s what everybody knows! On the Bad tour! That’s what everybody knows about Sheryl Crow.

Amanda:  I just think that’s so cool.

Mason:  Didn’t she quit because she had to dye her hair so much it started to fall out? Like, that’s the Sheryl Crow legend.

Amanda:  That’s definitely an urban legend. I don’t know about that one.

Mason:  Whatever dude.

Amanda:  You’re high. Go hang out with Devan.

 

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

Mason heard a song when he was driving and immediately knew it was Sheryl Crow. Her style is really distinct even though she plays blues, rock and country. Amanda adds that she’s a role model too. She’s a single mother and recently beat breast cancer.

Her new album even has a song on it about how her ex-husband, professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, left her when she was diagnosed with cancer even though she helped him with his battle with cancer a few years ago. Amanda doesn’t remember what the song is called, but suggests that “Get on Your Bike and Ride” would be a funny title.

Amanda tells Mason that Sheryl Crow used to sing backup vocals for Michael Jackson, but he already knew that and he says that most people know that about Sheryl Crow. He says he thinks that she had to quit because the hair dye was making her hair fall out, but Amanda isn’t so sure about that.

Do you think it’s better to become famous when you’re a little older, like Sheryl Crow, or is there something magical about a youthful star?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

SÉRGIO

SÉRGIO

Brazil

She's pretty beatiful in spite of your age and she sings very well too, i like this kind of song, and i didn't know that about your illness, but i'm happy of knowing that she is doing better now. I hope to hear your new songs soon!

05:04 PM Apr 28 2008 |

wanglong123

China

It seems that Mason doesn't like Sheryl Crow,but Amanda considers her to be a huge role model,anyway Sheryl Crow isn't young anymore and she's lost a lot in her life,so i think Mason ought to be more tolerant.

01:27 PM Apr 28 2008 |

654787697

654787697

China

maybe you dont know this but its true

a chinese writer said in the past that its better to become famous when he or she is young

maybe this is right , i  am just not so sure about this …...

12:57 PM Apr 28 2008 |

hanwei3058

hanwei3058

China

I think Shery Crow is very bold .I like her.I is not neccesary to become famous, though fame can take money to one.The crouse of living is very beautiful.Sheryl beat ill ,so she become strong and she wil know how to live .After that herliving will be dynamic.I hope she better quikly.

11:01 AM Apr 28 2008 |

kaushalyats

Sri Lanka

 

It's doesn't matter whether you are a young or old quality of the music only matters. Definition of “quality” differs from certain age group to age group, genre to genre or even country to country. Sheryl Crow's songs are appealing to young generation specially fun loving girls.

09:20 AM Apr 28 2008 |

kaushalyats

Sri Lanka

It’s doesn’t matter whether you are a young or old quality of the music only matters. Definition of “quality” differs from certain age group to age group, genre to genre or even country to country. Sheryl Crow’s songs are appealing to young generation specially fun loving girls.

09:20 AM Apr 28 2008 |

VOLTS

VOLTSSuper Member!

Brazil

I think that if fame come on very early, there's the possibility the person become irresponsible. Fame brings money, and a lot of money, very early,It can bring troubles, it takes careful.
In the today's lesson, I would like to know which kind of man is this who left her woman when she was ill ?!?
WITHOUT WORDS TO HIM.

05:13 AM Apr 28 2008 |

brook-guo

brook-guo

China

Sheryl Crow is reallly a strong women.Even thoungh she suffered from breast cancer and his husband`s leaveing she still continue her music and bring fans happiness.We sincerely hope Sheryl Crow will soon recover from his illness.

In my opinoin,the fame is irrelevant to age.Sometimes,it`s not a good thing that the fame comes early.Many people devote their times to meaningness things after getting famous

01:42 AM Apr 28 2008 |

Tony z

Tony z

China

This is a good lesson, it teach young people to work(study) hard and strive.

Never abandon, never give up!

01:28 AM Apr 28 2008 |

Likes (82):

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