SONG LYRICSGrade 8 Media Literacy

FOSTER THE PEOPLE – “Pumped Up Kicks”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ&ob=av2n

FUN SONG RIGHT?

Written from the perspective of a troubled and delusional youth with homicidal thoughts.

The lines in the chorus warn potential victims to "outrun my gun" and that they "better run, better run, faster than my bullet".

The song's title refers to shoes that the narrator's peers wear as a status symbol.

Foster was bullied in high school, while bassist Fink has a cousin who survived the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.

YOUR TASK IS...

Go to YouTube and find a music video for the song of your choice!

Find a clean edit version (any swearing or inappropriate videos will result in a zero!).

No duplicates, once you decide on a song you will let me know to approve it. (first come, first serve!)

Find the lyrics of the song and either copy them out or print them out. (again, no cursing)

Listen to your song along with the lyrics and answer the following questions.

YOUR TASK IS...

What is your initial interpretation of the “meaning” behind this song?

Research further to find the artist’s real inspiration or hidden meaning to the song.

Analyze three lyrics from the song that stood out to you and define/discuss it further.

Develop one question to ask yourself about the lyrics and answer them to further investigate your opinions about the topic presented in the song.

Describe one text-to-text connection, one text-to-self connection, and one text-to-world connection you made regarding your song.

Incorporate all of these elements as you develop a short 2-3 minute presentation on your song and lyrics.

TAYLOR SWIFT – “Mean”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE&ob=av2n

EXAMPLE

I thought it was about bullying. It is really about a critic who always gave her

bad review at the beginning of her career. “You, with your words like knives and swords

and weapons that you used against me” What message from the song writer’s text

can I use my own life or share with someone else that has experienced bullying?

Text-to-world connection: “Pink Shirt Day” to bring an anti-bullying message to schools.