MY GIFT IS MY SONG and MY GIFT

“MY GIFT IS MY SONG” and MY GIFT IS MY POETRY Prepared by PEK For SPOKEN WORD SINGAPORE Nov 2009

SUPER TROUPER

Super Trouper ABBA “It’s about a brand of spotlight” • • • What’s the song about? What is it really about? Is it sad or happy? Do you like it? Which were your favourite covers? Can you make a spoken word interpretation of Super Trouper?

Super Trouper • • What do you feel when you are performing? Do you look forward to performing? Who do you perform for? What is your advise for someone having “stage fright”?

Super Trouper Lyrics Super trouper beams are gonna blind me But I won't feel blue Like I always do 'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you I was sick and tired of everything When I called you last night from glasgow All I do is eat and sleep and sing Wishing every show was the last show (Wishing every show was the last show) So imagine I was glad to hear you're coming (Glad to hear you're coming) Suddenly I feel all right (And suddenly it's gonna be) And it's gonna be so different When I'm on the stage tonight Tonight the Super trouper lights are gonna find me Shining like the sun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Smiling, having fun (Sup-per troup-per)feeling like a number one Tonight the Super trouper beams are gonna blind me But I won't feel blue (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Like I always do (Su-p-per trou-p-per) 'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you Facing twenty thousand of your friends How can anyone be so lonely Part of a success that never ends Still I'm thinking about you only (Still I'm thinking about you only) There are moments when I think I'm going crazy (Think I'm going crazy) But it's gonna be alright (You'll soon be changing everything) Everything will be so different When I'm on the stage tonight

Super Trouper Lyrics Tonight the Super trouper lights are gonna find me Shining like the sun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Smiling, having fun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Feeling like a number one Tonight the Super trouper beams are gonna blind me But I won't feel blue (Su-p-per trou-p-per)like I always do (Su-p-per trou-p-per) 'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you So I'll be there when you arrive The sight of you will prove to me I'm still alive And when you take me in your arms And hold me tight I know it's gonna mean so much tonight Tonight the Super trouper lights are gonna find me Shining like the sun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Smiling, having fun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Feeling like a number one Tonight the Super trouper beams are gonna blind me But I won't feel blue (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Like I always do (Su-p-per trou-p-per) 'Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you Sup-per troup-per lights are gonna find me Shining like the sun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Smiling, having fun (Su-p-per trou-p-per) Feeling like a number one [from http: //lyrics. doheth. co. uk]

Covers • Teddy Thompson Interview Super Trouper http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ro_q-8 D 1 As 8 • A*Teens http: //www. dailymotion. com/video/x 2 qf 7 t_ateens-super-trouper_music • Camera Obscura http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=BD 3 fvoe 74 p. E&feature=related Mamma Mia!

Super Trouper (song) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Super_Troupe r_(song) "Super Trouper", at first called "Blinka lilla stjärna" (the Swedish title of nursery rhyme "Twinkle Little Star"), was a hit single for Swedish pop group ABBA, and was the title track from their 1980 studio album Super Trouper, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. The song, with lead vocals by Anni-Frid Lyngstad, was the last to be written & recorded for this album. "Super Trouper" is included on the ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits compilation, as well as in the Mamma Mia! musical. The name "Super Trouper" referred to the gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts and such. It is widely known that ABBA were not always fond of performing onstage, preferring the confines of the studio to being on tour. This is reflected in the lyrics, which, in typical ABBA style, are presented as happy and upbeat, yet tinged with an underlying hint of sadness.

YOUR SONG

Your Song Elton John “My gift is my song and this one’s for you” What is your song? Have you ever written a song for someone? Has someone ever dedicated a song to you? What is your gift? And who would you gift this to? • Can you write a spoken word piece about finding your gift? • •

Your Song Lyrics It's a little bit funny this feeling inside I'm not one of those who can easily hide I don't have much money but boy if I did I'd buy a big house where we both could live If I was a sculptor, but then again, no Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show I know it's not much but it's the best I can do My gift is my song and this one's for you And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song It's for people like you that keep it turned on So excuse me forgetting but these things I do You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Anyway the thing is what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind that I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Covers • Ewan Mc. Gregor in Moulin Rouge • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=REGzrw. Mj_N 4 http: //video. google. com/videosearch? sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM, GGLM: 200944, GGLM: en&q=your+song&um=1&ie=UTF 8&ei=Amc. ES 8 j. NLISI 6 w. Ou 9 dm. HAQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0 CBo. Qqw. Qw AA#sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM%2 CGGLM%3 A 2009 -44%2 CGGLM%3 Aen&um=1&ie=UTF 8&ei=Amc. ES 8 j. NLISI 6 w. Ou 9 dm. HAQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0 CBo. Qqw. Qw AA&q=moulin+rouge+your+song&src=2

Your Song From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Your_Song "Your Song" is a ballad composed and performed by musician Elton John. The song's lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin. It appeared on John's self-titled second album in 1970. "Your Song" is a soft blend of two different styles: folk and jazz: "I hope you don't mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you're in the world. " The instrumental focus is on John's Leon Russell-influenced piano work, along with acoustic guitar, Paul Buckmaster's string accompaniment, and a shuffling rhythm section. The lyrics express the romantic thoughts of an innocent. Taupin offers a straightforward love-song lyric at the beginning: "It's a little bit funny this feeling inside / I'm not one of those who can easily hide / I don't have much money but boy if I did / I'd buy a big house where we both could live. " At times the self-deprecating narrator stumbles to get out his feelings, which despite being a melodramatic device, Allmusic calls "effective and sweet": [2] "So excuse me forgetting but these things I do / You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue / Anyway the thing is what I really mean / Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen / And you can tell everybody this is your song / It may be quite simple but now that it's done. " The song was part of a stockpile of songs John and Taupin wrote in 1969 while living together. John pinpoints his composition of the music to October 27. Supposedly, it took him only ten minutes. Taupin had penned the lyrics earlier that day over breakfast. John cites the song as one of his favourites, and plays it at many of his concerts. In an interview, he commented that "[he doesn't] think [he has] written a love song as good since". "Your Song" was itself the inspiration for the song "We All Fall in Love Sometimes" on John's 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. [ "Your Song" was praised by critics upon release and in subsequent years. Allmusic has stated that it "is a near-perfect song". [2] John Lennon (formerly of The Beatles) stated the song is "the first new thing that's happened since we happened. " [citation needed] Rolling Stone called the song a "pretty Mc. Cartneyesque ballad". [4] In 2004 Rolling Stone included the song in their 2004 list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #136. 1970 video http: //video. google. com/videosearch? sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM, GGLM: 2009 - 44, GGLM: en&q=your+song&um=1&ie=UTF 8&ei=Amc. ES 8 j. NLISI 6 w. Ou 9 dm. HAQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0 CBo. Qqw. Qw AA# Elton John & Ronan Keating http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=buz. VBu 0 b. R-w

HERE COMES THE SUN

Here Comes the Sun The Beatles “And I say it’s all right” • What does the sun symbolise in this song? What about winter and ice? • Was there a moment in your life where you’ve had a “long, cold, lonely winter”? • What was the break? Can you share with us about that? • How would you interpret this song musically?

Here Comes the Sun Lyrics • Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, And I say it’s all right Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it’s all right Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it’s all right Sun, sun, here it comes. . . Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, And I say it’s all right It’s all right

Here Comes The Sun http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Here_C omes_the_Sun "Here Comes the Sun" is a song by George Harrison from The Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road Harrison stated in The Beatles Anthology: "Here Comes the Sun" was written at the time when Apple was getting like school, where we had to go and be businessmen: 'Sign this' and 'sign that'. Anyway, it seems as if winter in England goes on forever, by the time spring comes you really deserve it. So one day I decided I was going to sag off Apple and I went over to Eric Clapton's house. The relief of not having to go see all those dopey accountants was wonderful, and I walked around the garden with one of Eric's acoustic guitars and wrote "Here Comes The Sun". [1] The Beatles http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=U 6 t. V 11 ac. SRk George Harrison http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=y. GKPHFr. HVVY

Covers • Yo Yo Ma & James Taylor • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=KAko. Ycf. Dmrk • Nina Simone http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=-9 r 8 LWYm. Sc 0 • Bon Jovi http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Qa. Fg. U 0 C 2 Rtw • Cold Play http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=GTKzd. CX-Nyc • Sheryl Crow for Bee Movie • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=W 3 h 6 Fg. Fth. C 8

A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics, as well as the musical composition or melody to songs. One who writes only lyrics is a lyricist, while one who writes only music is a composer. Being a songwriter requires a lot of time, patience and discipline. In my experience in songwriting I found it easier to be in a quiet place sitting by a window gazing upon the sky, grass, and birds. These things help enable me to think deep inside myself to be able to write things from my heart that make sense. Sometimes I write from my personal experiences with life, such as relationships, friendships, death, love, and emotions. People are prone to listen and relate to things that attract their attention. People who sing their own songs are nowadays typically called singer-songwriters, although the tradition of doing this dates back hundreds of years. Less recently, the troubadours of the Middle Ages sang their own works, as did the German Minnesingers. In the contemporary era, the songwriting competition (ex. International Songwriting Competition) has become a valuable venue for aspiring songwriters. -from wiki NEW SINGER-SONGWRITERS TODAY

Jason Mraz I’m Yours • • http: //video. google. com/videosearch? sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM, GGLM: 200944, GGLM: en&q=jason%20 mraz&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv# Well you done me and you bet I felt it I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted I fell right through the cracks Now I'm trying to get back Before the cool done run out I'll be giving it my bestest And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait, I'm yours Well open up your mind and see like me Open up your plans and damn you're free Look into your heart and you'll find love Listen to the music of the moment babay sing with me I love peace for melody And It's our God-forsaken right to be loved loved So I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours

Jason Mraz I’m Yours • • http: //video. google. com/videosearch? sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM, GGLM: 2009 -44, GGLM: en&q=jason%20 mraz&um=1&ie=UTF 8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv# Scooch on over closer dear And i will nibble your ear I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer But my breath fogged up the glass And so I drew a new face and laughed I guess what I'm be saying is there ain't no better reason To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons It's what we aim to do Our name is our virtue But I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait I'm sure Well open up your mind and see like me Open up your plans and damn you're free Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours Please don't, please don't There's no need to complicate Cause our time is short This oh this is out fate, I'm yours!

Oh My Life Beth Rowley • http: //video. google. com/videosearch? sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM, GGLM: 200944, GGLM: en&q=oh+my+life&um=1&ie=UTF 8&ei=g. Xg. ES 9 H 3 AYm. E 6 QPGovn 6 Bg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0 CBA Qqw. Qw. AA# I got a book That tells my story As I look It's being Written before me Word by word And page by page Everything I'll ever do Is being displayed Oh, my life I look tomorrow Is out of sight Oh my life Although I'm trying It's hard To live right Every word Controls my feet And even tells me When I should speak Whoever's writing Is on a roll But now my world Is spinning right Out of control Oh, my life (4 x) And my thoughts Are there to see Too late to change Anything that's mean If I'd a pen I'd change some facts But I'm scared Of how my family And friends will react Oh, my life (Yeah) And don't I know it It's hard Tto live right Oh my life (Yeah) I look tomorrow Is out of sight Oh, my life (Yeah) And though I know it It's hard To live right Oh, my life (Yeah) Although I'm trying It's hard To live right Oh, my life (8 x)

Corrine Bailey Rae Put Your Records On http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=OVNK_VDQY 8 I http: //video. google. com/videosearch? sourceid=navclient&rls=GGLM, GGLM: 200944, GGLM: en&q=corinne%20 bailey%20 rue%20 put%20 your%20 records%20 on&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv# Three little birds, sat on my window. And they told me I don't need to worry. Summer came like cinnamon So sweet, Little girls double-dutch on the concrete. Maybe sometimes, we've got it wrong, but it's alright The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same Oh, don't you hesitate. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams, Just go ahead, let your hair down. You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow. Blue as the sky, sunburnt and lonely, Sipping tea in a bar by the roadside, (just relax, just relax) Don't you let those other boys fool you, Got to love that afro hair do. Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alright The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change. Don't you think it's strange? Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams, Just go ahead, let your hair down. You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow. 'Twas more than I could take, pity for pity's sake Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer? Do what you want to. Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams, Just go ahead, let your hair down. Oh, you're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow

• Rae was born in Leeds to a Kittitian father and an English mother as the eldest of three daughters Rhea Bailey who is an actress and her other sister Candice Bailey. She endured racist taunts on a regular basis as a child; "My sisters and I were different and people used to say, 'Ah, aren't they cute, the little chocolate children', and "look at their hair". "I know they were only being cute but it was over the top. Then people from other schools would shout, Iraqi and more often 'Paki' (a commonly used racist term in the UK) to me because it was the most common racist insult of the time. 'At least if you're going to do it, get it right, ' I used to shout back, 'But my dad isn't from Pakistan, he's from St Kitts—so there!'“ • Rae formed an all-female indie group called Helen, which was inspired by similar acts such as Veruca Salt and L 7. "It was the first time I'd seen women with guitars. They were kinda sexy—but feminist. I wanted to be like that, at the front of something. "[7] The group raised eyebrows on several fronts; in the white maledominated world of indie music, they were an all-female group fronted by a mixed-race singer from Leeds. The moniker "Helen" also drew attention, albeit for not all the right reasons: "What can I say? We were 15 years old, and thought that Helen was a cheeky, indie kind of thing to do. It seemed clever at the time. Admittedly, it seems less so now". Corrine Bailey Rae http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Corinne _Bailey_Rae Corinne Bailey Rae (born Corinne Jacqueline Bailey on 26 February 1979) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who released her debut album Corinne Bailey Rae in February 2006. She became only the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut at number one. [ Rae was nominated for Grammy Awards and BRIT Awards, and has won two MOBO Awards and an Album Of The Year Grammy for her work as an featured artist in Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters. Rae will release her second album, The Sea on February 2, 2010, after a hiatus of two years. • • Rae went on to attend the University of Leeds where she studied English Literature, graduating in 2000. While at University, she began work as a hat check girl on an evening in her local jazz club. Permitted to sing on stage with the jazz band when business was slow, it was there that she discovered a different type of music that sent her on a different musical path: "I kept hearing this jazz and soul stuff and I realized I loved music too"

Yeal Naim New Soul http: //vids. myspace. com/index. cfm? fuseaction=vids. individual&videoid=16987653 I’m a new soul, I came to this strange world Hoping I could learn a bit ‘bout how to give and take But since I came here, felt the joy and the fear Finding myself making every possible mistake La-la-la This is a happy end ‘cause you don’t understand Everything you have done, why is everything so wrong? This is a happy end, come and give me your hand I’ll take you far away See I’m a young soul in this very strange world Hoping I could learn a bit ‘bout what is true and false But why all this hate? Try to communicate Finding trust and love is not always easy to make I’m a new soul, I came to this strange world Hoping I could learn a bit ‘bout how to give and take But since I came here, felt the joy and the fear Finding myself making every possible mistake La-la-la

International Songwriters from Asia Vienna Teng Zee Avi White Light Taiwan Bitter Heart Malaysia • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=8 k. BFXTYOc. DM • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=T 8 ZH 6 QU 0 Xv. Q