LEARNING ENGLISH THROUGH SONG

Pretty much everyone likes to learn English with songs, right? I mean, you probably already
hear the top English songs on the radio every day. And listening to English music is a lot more
fun than drilling grammar concepts (although you should do that too… just saying!). But
there’s a difference between simply hearing English songs and actually learning from them. In
this chapter, we’ll show you how to learn English with songs successfully. You’ll discover the
best resources for finding English music (including several options for English songs with
lyrics) and how to make the most of them.

The definition of a song

The song is a poem that is pronounced according to a certain tone, rhythm, time, and
melody to form harmony. The song is often also referred to as a song which means the
composition of tone or sound art in the sequence, combination, and temporal relationships
(usually accompanied by musical instruments) to produce musical compositions that have
composition and perfection (using rhythm). And the range of rhythmic notes or sounds is also
called songs.

The purpose of a song

Songs are used to express feeling and idea in an entertaining world. Songs can be used to
deliver social criticism. The moral values are hidden in the lyrics.

The social function of song are:

 To entertain the listeners.
 To teach moral value through the lyrics of the songs.
 To provide a way of managing the relationship between our public and private emotional
life.
 To express personal feeling and cultural values.
 To give someone to not only shares their emotions with others, but also to have an
emotional connection that just can’t be experienced in any other way.

The following are the language features of songs.

 Lyrics are written in first, second, or third person given on the specific perspective you
choose. Often time point of views change in lyrics, but only when needed.
 They use rhyming words.
 They use alliteration.
 Some songs use poetic devices, such as figure of speech and imagery.
 Some songs use amusing word play and slang language.

The general structure of a song consists of verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus. It is

better for us to learn more about the complete structure of songs:
 Intro => The introduction establishes melodic, harmonic, and/or rhythmic related to the
main body of song.
 Verse => It is the section of the song structure that tells the story. This is the exposition,
describing the scene or the person, or an emotion. There are usually two or three verses in
a row that have the same musical structure, the same rhyme and poetic meter, but different
words. The second verse builds on the picture painted in the first verse, etc.
 Chorus of Refrain => a chorus is the most repeated section, so it’s the easiest
remembered. A chorus is the summary of the song’s story. All the verses have been
leading up to the chorus, and is usually the part of the song people sing along with. A
chorus can come at the beginning of the song structure; it can also start in the middle, or
come at the end. In fact, some songs don’t have choruses at all. Some people are usually
confused to differentiate between choruses and refrain. A refrain is any line that repeats in
the song lyric, while a chorus is any group of lines that repeat.
 Break => a break is actually a brief “rest” or “pause” for the core melody within a song
used to add further dimension and excitement. It may include a quick instrumental solo or
 drum interlude or it may be a brief moment of silence, or a combination of each of these
elements.
 Bridge => it is the part of the song that shifts. It can suddenly change tempo, or volume, or
instrumentation. The bridge is the section that gives the audience time to reflect on the
story, or gives them the “climax” or conclusion of the story through verses and chorus.
Bridges can be used to give the singer a break.
 Outro or Coda => is the end of the road for the song. It can repeat the intro, chorus or a
refrain as an outro, or a bridge with an instrumental solo.

Why Learn English with Songs and Music?

So what is it about English songs that makes them such effective language learning tools?
 Music is good for your mind. There is considerable scientific evidence that demonstrates
how music can help second language learners acquire grammar and vocabulary and
improve spelling. Then there is the so-called “Mozart Effect,” the concept that listening to
classical musical boosts the performance of mental tasks like learning.
 You’ll hear everyday language and colloquial speech. English music almost always
contains a lot of useful vocabulary, phrases and expressions. And since the intended
audience is native speakers, songs and music include up-to-date language and
colloquialisms.
The language used in songs is casual and actually usable, if you pick the right music.
 You’ll get familiar with the sound of English. Listening to songs will also allow you to
focus on your pronunciation and understanding of the English language’s rhythm, tone and
beat.
 You’ll get English stuck inside your head. Many of the words and sound patterns within
a song are repetitive and this makes it easier for them to stick in your mind. You probably
already know this. Music has an uncanny ability of getting stuck in our heads. Tunes and
lyrics will often infiltrate our thoughts and play over and over in our minds. All of which will
help you to learn English with songs as you easily memorize vocabulary and phrases. In
fact, after a short period of time you will find it almost impossible to forget them.
 Songs are emotional. Our relationship with music is deep, powerful and hugely rewarding.
It is a key that unlocks our emotions, influences our moods and enhances our mental and
physical well-being. When something is emotional, then of course it is also easier to
remember.
 Listening to music is an easy habit. One reason people find language learning difficult is
they don’t have an extra minute in the day to devote to their studies. But when you’re
learning English through songs, you don’t need to set aside too much time because you
can take the music with you wherever you go.
You can have English songs playing in the car, the kitchen and the shower. And by picking
music you like, you can listen to the same material over and over again, without becoming
bored.
 Music teaches you English culture. When you learn English with songs, you pick up
more than just language skills. Music gives you insight into English-speaking cultures and
how English-speaking people think and feel. Familiarity with popular songs and artists
gives you something to talk about with your English-speaking friends.

IDENTIFYING SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURE OF ENGLISH SONG

(1)
Heal The World – Michael Jackson
Verse 1
There's a place in your heart
And I know that it is love
And this place could be much
Brighter than tomorrow
And if you really try
You'll find there's no need to cry
In this place you'll feel
There's no hurt or sorrow
Chorus
There are ways to get there
If you care enough for the living
Make a little space,make a better place
Reff
Heal the world make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me
Verse 2
If you want to know why there's a love that cannot lie
Love is strong it only cares of joyful giving
If we try we shall see in this bliss we cannot feel
Fear or dread we stop existing and start living
Then it feels that always love's enough for us growing
So make a better world, make a better world...
Refrain Post-Chorus
And the dream we were conceived in will reveal a joyful face
And the world we once believed in will shine again in grace
Then why do we keep strangling life wound this earth crucify its soul
Though it's plain to see this world is heavenly be God's glow
Verse 3
We could fly so high let our spritis never die
In my heart I feel you are all my brothers
Create a world with no fear togehter we cry happy tears
See the nations turn their swords into plowshares
We could really get there if you cared enough for the living
Make a little space, make a better place
Refrain Refrain 2
Heal the world make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me
Outro
There are people dying if you care enough for the
living Make a better place for you and for me (x2) You
and for me....

(2)
Young Dumb Broke – Khalid
Intro Verse 1
So you're still thinking of me
Just like I know you should
I can not give you everything, you know I wish I could
I'm so high at the moment
I'm so caught up in this
Yeah, we're just young, dumb and broke
But we still got love to give
Chorus
While we're young dumb, young-young dumb and broke
Young dumb,Young-young dumb and broke
Young dumb,Young-young dumb and broke
Young dumb broke high school kids
Yadadadadadadada
Yadadadadadada
Yadadadadadadada
Young dumb broke high school kids
Verse 2
We have so much in common
We argue all the time
You always say I'm wrong
I'm pretty sure I'm right
What's fun about commitment?
When we have our life to live
Yeah, we're just young dumb and broke
But we still got love to give
Back to Chorus Bridge
Jump and we think,
Leave it all in the game of love, love
Run into sin,
Do it all in the name of fun, fun
Verse 3
I'm so high at the moment
I'm so caught up in this
Yeah, we're just young, dumb and broke
But we still got love to give
Back to Chorus

(3)
Welcome To My Life - Simple Plan
Intro Verse 1
Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place,
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you?
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you're screaming?
Chorus
No, you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me
Reff
To be hurt, to feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
Break Verse 2
Do you wanna be somebody else?
Are you sick of feeling so left out? Are
you desperate to find something more
Before your life is over?
Are you stuck inside a world you hate?
Are you sick of everyone around?
 Present Perfect Tense
With their big fake smiles and stupid lies
While deep inside you're bleeding
Bridge
No one ever lied straight to your face
And no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay
Everybody always gave you what you wanted
You never had to work it was always there
You don't know what it's like, what it's like

A. Pengertian Present Perfect Tense

Present perfect tense adalah suatu tense yang menggambarkan suatu kejadian yang terjadi
sebelum satu spesifik waktu di masa lalu tetapi masih berlanjut sampai sekarang. Tense ini
terdiri dari gabungan aspek perfect (sebelum satu spesifik waktu di masa lampau) dan bingkai
waktu present (masa sekarang).
Selain itu, tense ini juga bisa menggambarkan suatu kejadian yang dimulai dan berakhir di masa
lampau tetapi efeknya masih dirasakan sampai saat sekarang. Lebih singkatnya, tense ini
digunakan sebagai penghubung antara masa lalu dan masa sekarang.

B. Rumus Present Perfect Tense

For Since
• Digunakan untuk menunjukkan berapa • Digunakan untuk menunjukkan kapan suatu
lama periode waktu berlangsung. periode waktu dimulai.
• Contoh kalimat: • Contoh kalimat:
I have lived in New York for five years. I have lived in New York since five years
(Artinya, lima tahun adalah berapa lama ago.
subjek I sudah tinggal di New York.) (Artinya, subjek I mulai tinggal di New
York sejak lima tahun yang lalu.)

Present perfect tense dibentuk dengan auxiliary verb have atau has dan past participle (verb 3).
Have berpasangan dengan subjek I, You, We, dan They sedangkan Has digunakan untuk
subjek He, She, dan It.

Bentuk Rumus Present Perfect Tense Contoh Kalimat

Positif (+)  I/You/We/They + have + verb 3  They have lived in Jakarta for a
  He/She/It + has + verb 3  long time.
He has learned English for one
year.
 I/You/We/They + have + not +  They have not lived in Jakarta for a
Negatif verb 3 long time.
(-) He/She/It + has + not + verb 3 He has not learned English for one
  year.

 Have + I/You/We/They + verb  Have they lived in Jakarta for a long

3? time?
Interogatif (?)
Has + He/She/It + verb 3? Has he learned English for one
  year?

C. For dan Since

Pada kalimat present perfect tense, keterangan waktu yang sering digunakan adalah for dan
since. Penjelasannya adalah sebagai berikut:
 • For dapat dihilangkan dalam suatu • Since tidak dapat dihilangkan dalam kalimat
kalimat present perfect tense karena present perfect tense karena bisa
keterangan waktu ini masih bisa menghilangkan fungsi keterangan waktu itu
dimengerti meskipun tidak disertai dalam sendiri dan makna kalimat.
kalimat. • Contoh:
• Contoh: (+) He has worked here since June.
(+) He has worked here (for) several BUKAN: He has worked here June.
years.
(-) He has not worked here (for) several (-) He has not worked since June. BUKAN:
years. He has not worked June.
(?) (For) how long has he worked here? (?) Since when has he worked here?
BUKAN: when has he worked here?
• Ada beberapa kata kerja yang tidak bisa
digunakan bersamaan dengan kata for,
seperti: began, arrive, meet, end,
leave, stop.
Contoh:
She has arrived in New York for two years.
Kalimat ini tidak benar karena kata
arrive menggambarkan kejadian yang
terjadi sekali dan tidak berlanjut untuk
suatu periode waktu tertentu. Kalimat
yang benar seharusnya berbentuk simple
past sebagai berikut:
She arrived in New York three years ago.

D. Penggunaan
Kita telah mengetahui pengertian dan rumus present perfect tense. Untuk bisa menggunakan
dan mengenalinya dengan tepat, kita juga harus memahami penggunaannya, yaitu sebagai
berikut:
Penggunaan Contoh Kalimat
a) Untuk menjelaskan suatu kejadian  We have lived in New York for three years.
yang dimulai pada masa lampau  She has studied in Melbourne since two years ago.
(past) dan masih berlanjut sampai Kedua kejadian tersebut dimulai pada masa
sekarang. lampau dan masih berlanjut sampai sekarang.
Artinya, We masih tinggal di New York dan She
masih belajar di Melbourne sampai saat ini.

b) Untuk menjelaskan kejadian yang  I have tasted the cake.

dimulai dan berakhir di masa  Alan has lied to all of us.
lampau dan efeknya masih Kedua kejadian tersebut dimulai dan berakhir di
berlanjut sampai sekarang. masa lampau dan efeknya masih bisa dirasakan
sampai sekarang. Artinya, I masih bisa merasakan
rasa kue tersebut meskipun sudah mencicipinya
pada masa lalu. Dan, kebohongan Alan masih bisa
dirasakan meskipun Alan berbohong pada masa lalu
juga. Jadi, gunakan present perfect tense.
 c) Untuk menunjukkan bahwa suatu  Alex has called you five times.
kejadian terjadi berulang kali di  I have read the book several times
masa lampau. Semua kejadian tersebut merupakan kejadian yang
terjadi berulang kali di masa lampau. Biasanya
menggunakan adverb of number.

d) Untuk mengungkapkan kejadian  My father has just gone to the office.

yang baru saja terjadi atau  They have just announced the winner.
dilakukan. Semua kejadian tersebut baru saja terjadi.
Biasanya kata adverb just digunakan untuk tujuan
ini.
Perlu diingat bahwa present perfect tense digunakan pada kejadian yang menghubungkan
antara masa lalu (past) dan masa sekarang (present). Apabila kita bisa mengingat hal ini,
present perfect tense adalah hal yang mudah untuk dimengerti.