Note to Teachers: The programs viewed in conjunction with these lesson plans may include references, consistent with the eras portrayed, to substance abuse, violent acts, and topics of a sexual and/or political nature. Because this may be considered inappropriate for classroom use in some communities, you are encouraged to review the programs before presenting them to your students, and if necessary, choose those sections that enhance your lesson and are acceptable for use in your classroom. Bon Jovi Unplugged on VH1 VH1 Music Studio Cable in the Classroom Lesson for Music Classes, Grades 7-12 Lesson 2: Musical Style in "You Give Love a Bad Name" Objectives: * Students will listen to and compare two versions of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name." * Students will analyze recordings for stylistic performance techniques and references to other songs. * Students will discuss how music may be adjusted to be performed in various styles. National Standards: 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture Materials: * VHS VCR Player * Television * Bon Jovi Unplugged on VH1 * Audio playback equipment * "You Give Love a Bad Name" from Slippery When Wet (available for download at http://www.itunes.com) * Copies of the Music Comparison Worksheet (provided below) * Paper/pencils and paper (for students) Prior Knowledge: * Students must have prior knowledge of musical styles, and compositional characteristics of rock and jazz styles (ex. "swinging" eighth notes in jazz). Procedures: 1. Begin the lesson by providing the following information to the students: Bon Jovi emerged in the 1980s as a pop-metal powerhouse, selling millions of recordings and playing to standing room only audiences. Their metal sound, combined with a Springsteen-like sensibility, was evident in the 1986 release of Slippery When Wet, a recording that has sold over nine million copies. "You Give Love a Bad Name" was included on the recording, and became a #1 single for the band. 2. Distribute the Music Comparison Worksheet (below) to students. Begin by playing the 1986 version of "You Give Love a Bad Name," followed by the 2007 VH1 Unplugged version. 3. Inform the students they will use their Venn diagrams to cite similarities (middle section) between the two versions, along with identifying stylistic characteristics in the 1986 and 2007 versions (outside circles). 4. Play each musical selection again, this time instructing students to write down at least three characteristics in each category (1986, 2007 and similarities). 5. After listening to the selections and allowing students time to list characteristics, discuss some of the items listed by the students. Some items worthy of discussion are: * "Straight" eighth note guitar figure in 1986 version vs. "swung" figure in 2007 version * Reference to "Hit the Road, Jack" in the 2007 version, which was a hit song for Ray Charles * Use of devices common to 1980's rock/metal music, such as guitar solos, edgy vocals, and liberal use of distortion in lead guitar line (1986 version) Extensions: It is not uncommon for an artist, when recording or performing another artist's song, to change elements of the music in the efforts to make a song their "own." Gwen Stefani's "It's My Life" stays fairly true to the original version recorded by the 1980's band Talk Talk. However, Jimi Hendrix's cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" was a completely original recasting of the words, and endures as one of Hendrix's most popular recordings. The quotation of one song in another is also not a new trend. Jazz artists often quote other jazz songs in their improvised solos, such as in Ella Fitzgerald's legendary recording of "How High The Moon" (see "Supplemental Resources" for information on where to find this recording). In more recent times, rap artists often sample sections of songs and use them in their recordings, sometimes without proper attribution. Vanilla Ice's use of a sample from David Bowie/Queen's "Under Pressure" in "Ice Ice Baby" with out proper acknowledgement caused much controversy. To avoid a lawsuit, the artist chose to settle with the songwriters out of court. The following questions may also be included with the Venn diagram assignment: 1. Does an artist have any responsibility toward another artist or songwriter when covering a song, or are they free to change it as they choose? 2. What are some reasons an artist would choose to record another artist's song? 3. Is "imitation the sincerest form of flattery," or should a cover song always reflect an individual artist's style? Supplemental Resources: Bon Jovi Bio: http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Bon_Jovi/Biography/ Mack the Knife - The Complete Ella in Berlin: http://www.amazon.com/Mack-Knife-Complete-Ella-Berlin/dp/B0000046QI National Standards for Music Education 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture. These standards-based materials are provided through a partnership with MENC: The National Association for Music Education. This lesson plan was created by MENC member Brad Foust, Highland Oaks Elementary School, Memphis, Tennessee. "You Give Love a Bad Name" Name__________________________ Class___________________ 1986 Similarities 2007