Firework

Katy Perry

Topic: Bonfire Night Level: Intermediate / Upper Intermediate

Global Village Szkoa Jezyka Angielskiego, Starachowice

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag ________ through the wind, wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin Like a ________ of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep? Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a _______ in you?

Chorus

You just gotta _______ the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July 'Cause baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh As you shoot across the sky Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors ________ Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe

You don't have to feel like a ______of space You're original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a ________

Maybe your reason why all the doors are ________ So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning ________, your heart will glow And when it's time, you'll know

Chorus

Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It's always been inside of you, you, you And now it's time to let it through

Chorus

Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Firework was written by Katy Perry and others in 2010 and recorded for her third album, Teenage Dream. It was a huge hit worldwide.

Task 1: Listen to the song and fill in the missing words.

Task 2: Complete the glossary

_____________ = collapsing

_____________ = an informal expression describing where we are buried when we die

_____________ = a verb expressing very quick movement

_____________ = an extremely strong wind

_____________ = when we really admire something we are in this

1. What message is the song expressing?

(a) If you fail, try something else. (b) You can achieve what you want if you

believe in yourself and push yourself. (c) You need other people to help you

achieve what you want.

2. Match each summary to one of the verses (1-4) (a) You are unique, things will get better. (b) Do you ever feel very weak emotionally? (c) Things happen for a reason. Good times will come. (d) Do you ever feel that no-one is listening?

Task 3: Discuss these questions with your partner:

Firework

Katy Perry

Topic: Bonfire Night Level: Intermediate / Upper Intermediate

Global Village Szkoa Jezyka Angielskiego, Starachowice

Teachers Notes

1. Ask the students to describe fireworks. Some possible answers exciting, colourful, loud, energetic, spectacular. Tell them that you are going to listen to a song called firework, but that it is actually about people.

2. Play the song through, twice if needed. Students should fill in the missing words while they are listening. Once they have finished, go through the answers with them and make sure they can explain the meanings as well.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep? Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July

Chorus

'Cause baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh You're gonna leave 'em falling down

You don't have to feel like a waste of space You're original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July

Chorus

Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It's always been inside of you, you, you And now it's time to let it through

Chorus

Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

3. Direct their attention to the glossary. Each of the definitions matches a word or phrase from the song. See if the students can find the words. They might need some help with this. Answers 1. caving in, 2. six feet under, 3. shoot, 4. hurricane, 5. awe

4. Remind the students that the song is actually about people and emotions. Direct their attention to the questions in task 3 and ask them to discuss them in English with their partner. Give them some time to do it and then discuss the answers as a group. Answers: 1. (b) The song is a self-empowerment song aiming to inspire young people to believe

in themselves and to follow their dreams. 2. (b) (d) (c) (a) The song starts out with expressions and metaphors describing depression and low self-esteem. The final verses are more upbeat and reflect that in the video which accompanies the song, the young people are becoming more confident and discovering themselves.

5. Ask the students why Katy Perry used a firework to get her message across. Answer Because the song is about showing your true self, your true colours and letting your energy burst into life much in the same way as a firework does.