Choose a song that has been a favorite of yours for a long time. Find the lyrics and print them out so you can analyze them, like you would a short story or a poem. As you listen to the song a couple of times, make notes about
- The tone of the music: is it happy, sad, nostalgic, etc?
- How the lyrics relate to the tone of the music: do they support each other? I.e., does the music’s mood support the mood of the lyrics?
- What are the dominant images in the song?
- What are the central concerns?
- What is the point of view?
- Is the song linked to any important moments in your life? Why is it your favorite, or one of your favorites?
- Are your feelings about the song supported by its music and lyrics?
Once you have taken some notes, compose a reader response between 350-500 words and post it to your blog.
Next, get a copy of the song as an MP3. Then, record yourself reading your reader response into your computer using GarageBand or Audacity? Your recorded “podcast” should be about the length of your song. Mix them together in GarageBand on one of the Macs in the library; be sure your music doesn’t drown out the important part: your reading. Submit the final recording to me, and I will help you post it to your blog.
