Jen is Feeling Good

As I have previously mentioned, my blog "Jen Teaches English" is rarely actually about me teaching English, but today is an exception.  This being the first week of spring (regardless of whether or not the weather behaves as so), I decided to teach my students the song "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone.  First, I go over the concept of rhyming, writing the words on the board from each verse that rhyme, and then I give them the lyrics to the song with blanks for the rhyming words.  The object is for them to listen to the song and fill in the blanks with the correct words as they hear them. (Last semester we did this with the theme song from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and it was a hit).

I really love this song, but seeing as how it's a pretty old tune, the kids are harder to convince.  Luckily, one of my favorite bands Muse also does a cover of this song, and Muse was in Seoul for their world tour during February, so I can play the rock version of the song to (at least try to) appease my little rascals.  But I use Nina's version first because it is easier for them to hear the words as she sings.

Almost every class points out how her voice sounds like my voice (which they always tease me about).  Well, maybe my voice wouldn't sound this way if I wasn't always yelling over you kids, ever think about that?

Here are the two versions of the song "Feeling Good" for your (and my) listening pleasure.  Both are fantastic.

Nina Simone:


Muse:

Muse - Feeling Good
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My favorite television show of all time, Six Feet Under, also used this song for its Season 4 promo.  Brings back the good memories.