Difficulty: Intermediate
Jamaica, United Kingdom
The title "Rockabye" is taken from the famous nursery-rhyme lullaby "Rock-a-bye baby on the tree top." The song is an electronic pop lullaby, and touches on the hardships of single mothers trying to bring up their babies right. It is sung by Anne-Marie in the role of the mother comforting her baby, and by Sean Paul who gives his support, singing in Jamaican English, so be on the lookout for unconventional grammar in the lines he sings.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
The Hooters, a Philadelphia rock band, has received a lot of attention in Europe, and particularly in Germany. The song and video raise awareness about the homeless who “sleep all night on a pillow of stone.”
Difficulty: Intermediate
United Kingdom
Sometimes all you need is a flashlight to find your way in the dark. That's how Jessie J feels about her boyfriend.
Difficulty: Beginner
Australia
Australians Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave of the band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds sing a beautiful but macabre duet about a man who brought his sweetheart to a river and killed her. A 19th century Irish song entitled “Down in the Willow Garden” inspired Cave to write the song.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Ireland
Listen to U2's “You're the Best Thing about Me.” Rolling Stone magazine defines the song as “a joyous ear-worm about romantic dissatisfaction.” The video is set in New York City. The opening and closing lines of the video come from “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, a sonnet written to raise funds for the Statue of Liberty's pedestal.
Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom, USA
"I Miss You" is a breakup song by British electronic music group Clean Bandit, featuring vocals from American singer and songwriter Julia Michaels. It was written by Jack Patterson, Grace Chatto, and Julia Michaels.
Difficulty: Intermediate
United Kingdom
"Lonely Together" is a song by Swedish DJ Avicii, featuring British singer Rita Ora. The song is about heartbreak, facing the facts, but also an attempt to feel better through companionship, feeling a bit less lonely.
Difficulty: Intermediate
United Kingdom
Katie Melua accompanies herself on the guitar in a performance of "Fields of Gold", a simple, nostalgic song made famous by Sting, who wrote it and originally recorded it.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Australia, United Kingdom, USA
Black Widow is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, from her debut studio album The New Classic. The song's hook is sung by British recording artist Rita Ora. The lyrics chronicle revenge and disappointment in a failed romantic relationship.
Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom
The British band Madness had a major UK hit with this song, and with good reason: heartfelt and nutty in equal measure, it would bring the house down at every Madness show. The video — filmed above and below water — is one of their classics, with cameo appearances by Big Bird, a killer whale, and Labi Siffre, who wrote the song.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Steve Skaith reflects on life and relationships in the song "Other Mothers" from the album "Empires & Us."
Difficulty: Intermediate
United Kingdom
English ghetto pop artist and songwriter Jessie J performs her 2010 hit Do It Like A Dude .
Difficulty: Intermediate
Canada
Crash Test Dummies, a Canadian folk-rock band, perform their song “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.” The song was featured on their second album, God Shuffled His Feet
Difficulty: Beginner
Sweden, United Kingdom
The first line of "Waiting for Love" is a well known saying: "Where there's a will, there's a way," and sets the optimistic tone of the song. Late, Swedish-born artist Avicii used the days of the week as his refrain, so it's a great opportunity to review them.
Difficulty: Beginner
Ireland
Imelda May is an Irish singer-songwriter. Her music is a mix of Neo-Rockabilly, Blues and Jazz. In this video she performs Tainted Love, written by Ed Cobb and made famous by the band Soft Cell.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment? You will not be able to recover it.