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"Happy" - Pharrell Williams
"Happy" - Pharrell Williams

Learn English with this happy English lesson

Date: May 12 2021

Themes: Celebrity, Music, Pop Culture

Grammar: Present Progressive Tense

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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What makes you happy?

American singer Pharrell Williams produced a catchy song in 2013 that took the world by storm. Williams’ song “Happy” has topped the charts in over 20 countries, proving that people all around the globe are looking for ways to genuinely celebrate and enjoy the good things in life.

“Happy” was featured in the movie Despicable Me 2, and the song also has a 24-hour music video that allows the song to loop while people all over the world dance to the tune. It’s undeniably a song that millions of people love. However, like most popular music, “Happy” has also been overplayed. While many people still love it, others are tired of hearing it.

Learn Brian and Marni’s opinions about “Happy” in this English lesson about popular music.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Brian

Brian

Marni:  I’m happy…

Brian:  Are you doing that “Happy” song?

Marni:  I am. It’s so catchy, I just love it.

Brian:  It is undeniably catchy, but I am tired of that song.

Marni:  Oh, how can you be tired of it? It puts such a spring in my step. It makes me happy.

Brian:  When I first heard it, I would genuinely smile, but now I just think it’s overplayed all the time.

Marni:  But it’s so cheerful, and it’s just so joyful, and I just love it.

Brian:  I can appreciate how happy it makes other people, but it’s the same five notes over and over again. Even the song doesn’t have much change. I don’t know why they would need a 24-hour website to loop that song.

Marni:  Oh, please. People all over the world have made their own videos for this song, and it brings joy to people’s lives. And people are dancing all over the world to this one song. And it’s from a movie. Got to love that.

Brian:  I guess.

Marni:  Oh, you need to get happy.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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When Brian hears Marni humming a popular song, he knows what it is right away. She’s singing “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Marni loves “Happy.” The music makes her cheerful. It’s a simple song that genuinely makes her happy.

Brian agrees that “Happy” is catchy, but he also thinks it’s overplayed. He says that the music just has five notes, and they’re played over and over and over. He’s not sure why the song needs to loop for 24 hours in a music video, either. In fact, Brian doesn’t want to hear the song even one more time.

Marni doesn’t agree with Brian’s opinion, and she doesn’t change her mind. She starts humming the song again as she walks away.

Do you like “Happy”? Would you describe the song as catchy or overplayed?

 

Comments

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sam14719

sam14719

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i heard the wilwams song for first time after thislessoon http://24hoursofhappy.com/            


his song was great

10:02 AM May 09 2014 |

Foundofenglish

Tunisia

omg! this song is sooo popular! few months ago , i’ve watched each country’s happy video :D it’s really great to see people cheering even they don’t know each other! super crazy and super awesome :D 

08:25 AM May 09 2014 |

hide1515

Japan

I love his voice. I can’t help moving my body while hearing this song.

06:14 AM May 09 2014 |

1 person likes this

Eric_

Eric_

China

“Because I’m happy….......:)))


I havn’t watched the”Despicable Me2”  yet….

05:56 AM May 09 2014 |

2 people like this

apatchi

apatchi

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I love Pharrell Williams.He’s as sharp as a tack in music.



03:43 AM May 08 2014 |

2 people like this

Daninha

Daninha

Mexico

I adore this song. It makes me feel so happy. :)

03:02 AM May 08 2014 |

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