Da Stash a Jingle bells, sei mesi di English songs

Oggi vi parlo di uno dei modo che utilizziamo da un po' di tempo con Margherita per studiare piacevolmente l'inglese.

Niente di nuovo sotto il sole, per carità... però, accanto ai libri di testo, ala grammatica, alla ormai mitica app Duolingo, dallo scorso mese di giugno ho pensato di proporle di scegliere e tradurre una canzone in lingua inglese ogni mese.

Una piccola tappa che è diventata in brevissimo tempo un'attesa e gradita routine, un modo per responsabilizzarla e darle in mano ancora di più il proprio apprendimento. 

Una libertà nella scelta - salvo l'uso di termini o immagini volgari - che ha portato la bambina a spaziare tra generi diversissimi tra loro: dai tormentoni d'attualità, alle romantiche atmosfere disneyane, a brani pop o tradizionali.

Ogni mese, dopo l'ascolto ripetuto del brano, la visione del video con sottotitoli in inglese e la traduzione, ci siamo poi soffermate su alcuni aspetti: dai dati "tecnici" di titolo, autore, nome dell'album, ecc, abbiamo cercato di riflettere un po' sul brano.

Scoprendo aspetti prima ignoti, meravigliandoci, a volte innescando vere e proprie riflessioni morali e religiose, come nel caso di "Freedom". Abbiamo imparato qualcosa sui film disney, capito qualcosa in più del mondo di Elisa, ragionato sul ruolo della donna e la sua capacità combattiva con "Roar".... poi sorriso, al pensiero di Miss Fanny Bright in carrozza sulla neve...

Ogni mese, poi, la canzone è stata ritratta da Margherita e rappresentata con un acquerello.

Per "Freedom" ringraziamo Sybille e la sua rappresentazione dell'elemento-fuoco, che Margherita ha in parte riprodotto e ritenuto adatta allo scopo. 

Tutti i mesi, un'unica costante: le note e le parole di queste canzoni sono entrate nella testa, martellando allegramente ed arricchendo sempre di più il vocabolario di Margherita.

Vi mostro, per ora, il nostro lungo percorso da giugno a dicembre.

The song of June

EVERYTIME

Uooho oh oh, Uooho oh oh
Uooho oh oh, Uooho oh oh

Everytime you believe in everyone
in everyone you know
every time you believe in everything
in everything you do
All it does is just tear you down again
down again, you know
in every little thing you do!

Ooooh
Every time you decide to go ahead
to pass it anyway
Everytime your desires start your brain
just like a game to play
You can finally see it crystal-clear
but you still feel the same
That’s not what you want to be!

Uooho oh oh
You’re only trying to live the way you want
Uooho oh oh
I’ll try to find the reason for goin’ on
Uooho oh oh
I’ll be ready just to lose control

Uooho oh oh, Uooho oh oh
Uooho oh oh, Uooho oh oh

Everytime you just try to be a rainbow
in someone’s cloud
Everytime you believe a kiss would easily
turn your day around
The whole life may become a little time
to spend without a plan
Darlin it was meant to be!

Uooho oh oh
Everytime you just try to be yourself
without a face to wear
and you try to believe in every word
in every word they say
Looking back you’ve been wasting all that time
but now you just don’t care
That is what you want to be!

Uooho oh oh
You’re only trying to live the way you want
Uooho oh oh
I’ll try to find the reason for goin’ on
Uooho oh oh
I’ll be ready just to lose control

Uooho oh oh
Uooho oh Even if you fall on your face,
You’re still moving forward

Uooho oh oh
You’re sonly trying to live the way you want
Uooho oh oh
I’ll try to find the reason for goin’ on
Uooho oh oh
I’ll be ready just to lose control

Uooho oh oh
Uooho oh oh
(you should lose control)
Uooho oh oh
(anytime you want)
Uooho oh oh
(You should lose control if you want)
Uoh oh oh Uoh

Author: The Kolors

Album: Out, 2015

Who are The Kolors?

The Kolors are a rock band made up of three boys.

They are italian but their songs are mainly in English.

The singer and leader is Stash and the musicians are Alex and Daniele.

The Kolors participated in the talent show: “Amici 14” and they won.

The song of July

ROAR

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath 
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess 
So I sat quietly, agreed politely 
I guess that I forgot I had a choice 
I let you push me past the breaking point 
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything 

You held me down, but I got up 
Already brushing off the dust 
You hear my voice, you hear that sound 
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground 
You held me down, but I got up 
Get ready cause I’ve had enough 
I see it all, I see it now 

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire 
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Louder, louder than a lion 
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You’re gonna hear me roar 

Now I’m floating like a butterfly 
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes 
I went from zero, to my own hero 

You held me down, but I got up 
Already brushing off the dust 
You hear my voice, you hear that sound 
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground 
You held me down, but I got up 
Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough 
I see it all, I see it now 

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire 
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Louder, louder than a lion 
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You’re gonna hear me roar 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You'll hear me ROAR 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You're gonna hear me ROAR 

Roar-or, roar-or, roar-or, roar-or, roar-or 

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire 
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Louder, louder than a lion 
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You’re gonna hear me ROAR 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You'll hear me ROAR 
Oh oh oh oh oh oh 
You're gonna hear me ROAR

Singer: Katy Perry

Album: Prism, 2013

Who is Katy Perry?

Katheryn Elizabeth "Katy" Hudson, better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer and  songwriter.

Perry rose to fame in 2008; her fourth album, Prism, was released in 2013 and achieved a great success. 

“Roar” is its main single.

The song of August

BROKEN

Hard times flowing 
and my eyes couldn't see stars shining 
My heart couldn't feel 
the beauty of the rising sun 
And I'm lost like a bottle 
that floats in the sea for ever 
Will somebody pick up my hope? 
Will somebody try? 
Will I realize? 

'cause it's broken broken 
Something got broken like stolen 
Stolen, like if it was stolen 
And hurting, hurting 
I have been hurting and now 
Only time will tell 
Time will heal 

Just pieces of truth that I chose to keep 
No matter if now they are gone 
No matter if I am alone 
Still I can get back on my feet and walk on 
As I know there was something to learn 
I know there will always 
be more worth moving on for 

Though, it's broken broken 
Something got broken like stolen 
Stolen, like if it was stolen 
And hurting hurting 
I have been hurting and now 
Only time will tell 

'cause it's broken broken 
Something got broken like stolen 
Stolen, like if it was stolen 
And hurting hurting 
I have been hurting and now 
Only time will tell 

I'd love to be one of those colorful 
early summer days 
When everybody is happy that you came 
Everybody smiles back at 
you as soon as your eyes cross their eyes 
But something has to happen first 
I know winter has to come before it blossoms

So it's broken broken 
Something got broken like stolen 
Stolen, like if it was stolen 
And hurting hurting 
I have been hurting and now 
Only time will tell 

'cause it's broken broken 
Something got broken like stolen 
Stolen, like if it was stolen 
And hurting hurting 
I have been hurting and now 
Only time will tell 
Time will heal

Singer: Elisa

Album: Lotus, 2003

Who is Elisa?

Elisa Toffoli is an italian singer and songwriter.

She was born in Trieste in 1977 and she grew up in Monfalcone.

Elisa’s songs are mainly in English: she prefers this language for its sound, its musicality, and because singing in a foreign language she feels protected, as in an eggshell.

The song of September

I SEE THE LIGHT

All those days watching from the window
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be

And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

Eugene (Flynn):
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight 
Now she's here, suddenly I know

If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Eugene  (Flynn):
And it's like the fog is lifted

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Rapunzel:
And it's like the sky is new

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you, now that I see you

"I See the Light" is the love theme from Disney's animated film, Tangled.

Singers:

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi

     

"I See the Light" describes the developing romantic relationship between Rapunzel and Flynn.

"I See the Light" takes place during the film's second act soon after Rapunzel and Flynn Rider have finally completed their journey from Mother Gothel's tower to Corona, arriving in the kingdom just in time to experience its annual lantern-lighting ceremony, which Rapunzel has spent eighteen years – her entire life – observing at a distance from the confinement of Gothel's tower. There the couple embarks on a boat to watch the ceremony. 

During the scene, described by critics as the film's "emotional peak" because of the fact that "Rapunzel’s dream of watching the floating lanterns seems to be realized", Rapunzel and Flynn’s  gradually begin to fall in love.

"I See the Light" "is one of the most spectacular animated sequence.

The use of 45.000 floating lanterns during the scene was directly inspired by traditional Indonesian ceremonies during which people set up rice paper lanterns and send them into the sky.

Critics and awards

"I See the Light" has received a lot of positive reviews from critics; it won a lot of awards and was ranked as one of the "Greatest Disney Movie Moments".

 The song of October

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Aladdin I can show you the world shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide? I can open your eyes Take you wonder by wonder Over, sideways and under On a magic carpet ride A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no Or where to go Or say we're only dreaming Jasmine A whole new world A dazzling place I never knew But when I'm way up here it's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you Jasmine Unbelievable sights Indescribable feeling Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky Jasmine: A whole new world  Aladdin: Don't you dare close your eyes Jasmine: A hundred thousand things to see Aladdin: Hold your breath - it gets better Jasmine: I'm like a shooting star I've come so far I can't go back to where I used to be Aladdin: A whole new world Jasmine: Every turn a surprise Aladdin: With new horizons to pursue Jasmine: Every moment red-letter Both I'll chase them anywhere There's time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you Aladdin A whole new world  Jasmine A whole new world Aladdin That's where we'll be A thrilling chase Jasmine: A wondrous place Both: For you and me!

"A whole new world" is the love theme from Disney's 1992 animated film, Aladdin, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice.

Singers: Brad Kane and Lea Salonga

 The song is a ballad between the primary characters Aladdin and Jasmine about the new world they are going to discover together while riding on Aladdin's magic carpet and while their love for each others is blossoming.

The song won a lot of awards and was nominated as one of the best 15 Disney’s songs.

The song of November

FREEDOM

Hold on to me

Don’t let me go

Who cares what they see?

Who cares what they know?

Your first name is Free

Last name is Dom

Cause you still believe

In where we’re from

Man’s red flore

It’s in every living thing

Mind, use your power

Spirit, use your wings

Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom

Hold on to me

Don’t let me go

Cheetahs need to eat

Run, antelope

Your first name is King

Last name is Dom

Cause you still believe

In everyone

When a baby first breathes

When night sees sunrise

When the whale hops the sea

When man recognizes

Freedom!

Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom
Freedom
Breathe in

We are from heat

The electric one

Does it shock you to see

He left us the sun?

Atoms in the air

Organisms in the sea

The sun and yes, man

Are made of the same things

Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom
Freedom

Singer: Pharrell Williams

Who is Pharrel Williams?

Pharrel Williams is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer and fashion designer.

He was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia and was the oldest of three sons of Pharaoh Williams, a handyman, and his wife Carolyn, a teacher.

Williams owns a non-profit organization called "From One Hand To AnOTHER" (FOHTA). FOHTA is an educational foundation with the mission to "change the world one kid at a time by giving them the tools and resources to meet their unique potential". FOHTA's vision is to modernize the community center concept by empowering kids to learn through new technologies, arts, media and motivation.

In several occasions and programs he had the goal to raise money for the victims of racial violence and for organizations around the country working to promote racial equity.

Freedom is a single realased on June 2015.

The song  is a social, political and environmental enlightenment.

Both the lyrics and the video are based on contradictory elements and ideas put together – Orient vs Occident, civilization vs slavery, modern day decay vs spiritual growth.  The groove is linear but firm, the melody is strong and immersive; the lyrics are strong and the chorus diversifies, it grows in intensity, just like a prayer or a call to arms, but one for peace and liberation.

Pharrel offers a new paradigm of creation. Everything is made to be free, from the sun to the man himself. Freedom is the fire – man’s red flore – that burns everywhere. But can you have freedom without responsability? Freedom is an incredibile accomplishment, but without good and bad, without something more than a mysterous “electric one”, without God it’s also incredibly empty.

Do we really want everyone to be absolutely free to do whatever they want? No matter what that is? 

The song of December

JINGLE BELLS
Dashing through the snow 
On a one-horse open sleigh, 
Over the fields we go, 
Laughing all the way; 
Bells on bob-tail ring, 
Making spirits bright, 
What fun it is to ride and sing 
A sleighing song tonight 
Jingle bells, jingle bells, 
Jingle all the way! 
O what fun it is to ride 
In a one-horse open sleigh 

A day or two ago, 
I thought I'd take a ride, 
And soon Miss Fanny Bright 
Was seated by my side; 
The horse was lean and lank; 
Misfortune seemed his lot; 
We got into a drifted bank, 
And then we got upsot. 
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, 
Jingle all the way! 
What fun it is to ride 
In a one-horse open sleigh. 

A day or two ago, 
The story I must tell 
I went out on the snow 
And on my back I fell; 
A gent was riding by 
In a one-horse open sleigh, 
He laughed as there 
I sprawling lie, 
But quickly drove away. 
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, 
Jingle all the way! 
What fun it is to ride 
In a one-horse open sleigh. 

Now the ground is white 
Go it while you're young, 
Take the girls tonight 
And sing this sleighing song; 
Just get a bob-tailed bay 
Two-forty as his speed 
Hitch him to an open sleigh 
And crack! you'll take the lead. 
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, 
Jingle all the way! 
What fun it is to ride 
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Short story of “Jingle bells”

"Jingle Bells" was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) and published under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh" in the autumn of 1857. Even though it is now associated with the Christmas and holiday season, it was actually originally written for American Thanksgiving.

It has been claimed that it was originally written to be sung by a Sunday school choir; however, historians dispute this, stating that it was much too "racy" to be sung by a children's church choir in the days it was written.

"Jingle Bells" was not very popular when it was first published in 1857. Though it was reprinted in 1859, it took many years to became one of the most popular winter songs.

Over time, "Jingle Bells" has been performed and recorded by a wide variety of musical artists and became one of the best-known and commonly sung American Christmas songs ever written, not only in the United States, but around the world.

One hundred fifty years after it was published as "Jingle Bells," there are millions of listeners who know and love this song, even though it makes no mention of Christmas in its lyrics.

Yet it does evoke what many people think of as a nostalgic Christmas from the past: a winter scene riding through the snow and singing...

Interesting Fact: On December 16, 1965, two astronauts aboard Gemini 6  played "Jingle Bells" on a harmonica and sleigh bells. Both instruments are now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and considered the first musical instruments played in space.   

Ovviamente, noi stiamo procedendo e abbiamo già "operato" con la canzone di gennaio: fatemi sapere se può essere cosa utile pubblicare i nostri lavori mensilmente. Altrimenti, vi mostrerò tutto insieme alla fine del 2016/inizio del 2017.

P.s. chiedo scusa per l'impaginazione con spazi ed interinee un po' impazziti...