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VH1
Storytellers: Pearl Jam
VH1 Music Studio
Cable in the Classroom
Lesson for Music Classes, Grades 7-12
Lesson 2
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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.
 Objectives
- Students will analyze the meaning of songs, how its music complements the lyrics, and how the meaning can evolve over time.
- Students will make a compelling presentation of a favorite song lyric.
- Students will find inspiring sources for new songs in the newspaper.
- Students will learn about using other songs as inspiration for new ones.
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
- VH1's Storytellers: Pearl Jam (Cable in the Classroom edited version)
- Web-based lesson materials
- Student copies of Student Response Sheets for Segment Two (provided below)
- Chalkboard
- Pens/Pencils (students)
- Several recent newspapers
- Scissors/straight edge for clipping newspaper articles
Prior Knowledge:
- Students should have a basic knowledge of the elements of music – melody, harmony, form, rhythm, and color/texture.
Procedures
- Cue the video to Segment 2 of VH1’s Storytellers: Pearl Jam. Prepare the students by telling them that Eddie Vedder will discuss more about finding truth, specifically, finding our true self. Distribute the Student Response Sheets for Segment 2 (see printable page below). Tell the students to jot down responses as they watch. Watch all of Segment 2. Afterward lead a short discussion about their answers (see lyrics below). What are the layers of meaning in the lyrics and how they evolve over time? Is Eddie Vedder aware of and affected by his audience? Why is this interesting? Tell them they will need to keep their Response sheets for the next activity.
- Divide the class into groups of three. Each student will have a few minutes to present the lyrics they chose and tell why they are important to them. Instruct the class to answer the questions at the bottom of the Student Response Sheet. Alert them when it’s time for the next student to take a turn presenting. Tell the class to remain in their groups for the next activity.
- Distribute two or more newspaper sections to each group. Mention that Eddie Vedder implies in the song “World Wide Suicide” that it was inspired by something he saw in his morning newspaper (see opening verse below). Instruct the groups to hunt for articles/pictures that tell a story or truth, and might inspire a good song. Circle and cut out chosen articles. They will need these for the next lesson (see below for an extension activity).
- Cue Segment 3 of VH1’s Storytellers: Pearl Jam. Tell the class that this segment shows Eddie Vedder singing solo and playing acoustic guitar in a revised cover of the Phil Ochs song called “Here’s to the State of Mississippi.” Watch Segment 3.
Alert them of things to watch for:
- Singing style
- Genre
- Message
- Summarize by stating that Pearl Jam is obviously much more than a grunge band, and that they have played many cover songs. (Their number one hit to date is the 1962 hit “Last Kiss”). Have the students discuss how older songs can be a valuable source of inspiration for songwriters. Engage them about the unplugged folk style and how it easily carries a message, old and new.
Extensions: - Extended newspaper project: Pick a uniting theme, for example “time,” or a variation of it; running out of time, timeless, time stood still, not on time, stood the test of time etc. Then, find and combine more than one article that evokes something about that theme. For example, you could combine a story about a historic building that is slated for demolition with an article about the deforestation of the Pacific Northwest. Create a song lyric based on the articles chosen.
- Analyze how elements of folk styles might be at work in Pearl Jams songs – “Alive”, “Better Man,” “Gone,” etc. Characteristics to look for: simple form, simple choruses, easily sung melodies that use stepwise motion, memorable chords, repeated sections, etc.
- Compare the original Phil Ochs song “Here’s to the State of Mississippi” with the Tim Robbins/Eddie Vedder updated “Here’s to the State of George W” (see lyrics below).
Supplemental Resources:
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, Jennifer Wilson, Composer, Author, Music Educator, Los Angeles, CA
Teacher’s Guide for Lesson Two
(for procedure 3)
“World Wide Suicide”
I felt the earth on Monday. It moved beneath my feet
in the form of a morning paper. Laid out for me to see.
Saw his face in a corner picture. I recognized the name.
Could not stop staring at the. Face I'd never see again.
Student Response, Segment Two – Teacher Version
- Eddie Vedder’s songs tell a personal truth, but they also convey a deeper message about life. What is “Gone” about?
It is about someone leaving something behind and venturing into the unknown in order to discover them self.
- What does “If nothing is everything, I’ll have it all,” mean to you?
The empty void is full of truth and meaning.
- Describe the music and how it complements the lyrics.
This song seems musically loose. The vocal part often reaches outside the main chord tones creating an open spacey feel, like someone letting go and venturing forward. The drumming is free, especially during the verses, and has more determination during the choruses.
- How is the music unified in the song “Gone”?
It is unified by the tone of Eddie’s voice and a repetitious tune.
- The chorus for “Alive” is repetitive and easy to sing. Ironically, how did those qualities ultimately help to “lift the curse”?
The chorus is easy enough for the audience to sing. Eddie heard the audience sing along, en mass, with a positive interpretation. It changed the meaning of the words to celebration.
Song Lyric presentation
- Briefly tell your group what the song is about and why you like it.
- Why does the world need this song?
Think in terms of the following:
- Is the song teaching something?
- Is there a truth stated either directly or indirectly?
- In what way is it musically appealing?
- How do the words and music match each other?
Name _____________________
Student Response, Segment Two.
- Eddie Vedder’s songs tell a personal truth, but they also convey a deeper message about life. What is “Gone” about?
- What does “If nothing is everything, I’ll have it all,” mean to you?
- Describe the music and how it complements the lyrics.
- How is the music unified in the song “Gone”?
- The chorus for “Alive” is repetitive and easy to sing. Ironically, how did those qualities ultimately help to “lift the curse”?
Song Lyric presentation
- Briefly tell your group what the song is about and why you like it.
- Why does the world need this song??
Think in terms of the following:
- Is the song teaching something?
- Is there a meaningful truth stated, either directly or indirectly?
- In what way is it musically appealing?
- How do the words and music match each other
“Gone” 2005 Pearl Jam
No more upset mornings
No more tired evenings
This American dream
I am disbelieving
When the gas in my tank
Feels like money in the bank
Gonna blow it all this time
Take me one last ride
For the lights of this city
They only look good when I'm speeding
Gonna leave em all behind me
Cause this time
I'm gone
Long gone
This time I'm letting go of it all
So long
Cause this time I'm gone
In the far off distance
As my tail-lights fade
No one thinks to witness
But they will someday
Feel like a question is forming
and the answers far
I will be what i could be
Once I get out of this town
For the lights of this city
They have lost all feeling
Gonna leave em all behind me
Cause this time
I'm gone
Long gone
This time I'm letting go of it all
So long
Long gone, I'm letting go of it all
Cause this time I'm gone
If nothing is everything
If nothing is everything, I'll have it all
If nothing is everything
If nothing is everything, I'll have it all
I am gone
“Alive” 1990 Pearl Jam
Son, she said, have I got a little story for you
What you thought was your daddy was nothin' but a...
While you were sittin' home alone at age thirteen
Your real daddy was dyin', sorry you didn't see him,
but I'm glad we talked...
Oh I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey, I, I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey...oh...
Oh, she walks slowly, across a young man's room
She said I'm ready...for you
I can't remember anything to this very day
'Cept the look, the look...
Oh, you know where, now I can't see, I just stare...
I, I'm still alive
Hey I, but, I'm still alive
Hey I, boy, I'm still alive
Hey I, I, I, I'm still alive, yeah
Ooh yeah...yeah yeah yeah...oh...oh...
Is something wrong, she said
Well of course there is
You're still alive, she said
Oh, and do I deserve to be
Is that the question
And if so...if so...who answers...who answers...
I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, but, I'm still alive
Yeah I, ooh, I'm still alive
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
“Here's to the State of George W.” Revised by Tim Robbins and Eddie Vedder
Here's to the judges of William Rehnquist,
Who wear the robe of honour in their phoney legal fort.
Oh, justice is a stranger when the partisans report,
When the court elected the president it was the beginning of this war.
Whoa here's to the land you've torn out the heart of,
William Rehnquist, find yourself another country to be part of!
And here's to the government of Dick Cheney,
With criminals are posing as advisors to the crown
And they hope that no one sees the sights and no one hears the sounds
'Cause the speeches of the president are the ravings of a clown
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Dick Cheney, find yourself another country to be part of
And here's to the churches of Jerry Falwell,
Where the cross, once made of silver, now is caked with rust
And the Sunday morning sermons pander to the fear of men in lust
Heaven only knows in which God they can trust
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Jerry Falwell, find yourself another country to be part of
And here's to the laws of John Ashcroft,
Congress will pass an act in the panic of the day
While the Constitution is drowning in an ocean of decay
And freedom of speech is dangerous, I've even heard them say
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
John Ashcroft, find yourself another country to be part of
And here's to the businessman of George W.,
Who want to change the focus from Halliburton and Enron
And their profits, like blood money are spilling out on the White House Lawn
TO keep their hold on power they're using terror as a gun
While the bombs that fall on children don't care which side that they're on
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
George W., find yourself another country to be part of
***
“Here's to the State of Mississippi”
Here's to the state of Mississippi,
For Underheath her borders, the devil draws no lines,
If you drag her muddy river, nameless bodies you will find.
Whoa the fat trees of the forest have hid a thousand crimes,
The calender is lyin' when it reads the present time.
Whoa here's to the land you've torn out the heart of,
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of!
Here's to the people of Mississippi
Who say the folks up north, they just don't understand
And they tremble in their shadows at the thunder of the Klan
The sweating of their souls can't wash the blood from off their hands
They smile and shrug their shoulders at the murder of a man
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
Here's to the schools of Mississippi
Where they're teaching all the children that they don't have to care
All of rudiments of hatred are present everywhere
And every single classroom is a factory of despair
There's nobody learning such a foreign word as fair
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
Here's to the cops of Mississippi
They're chewing their tobacco as they lock the prison door
Their bellies bounce inside them as they knock you to the floor
No they don't like taking prisoners in their private little war
Behind their broken badges there are murderers and more
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
And, here's to the judges of Mississippi
Who wear the robe of honor as they crawl into the court
They're guarding all the bastions with their phony legal fort
Oh, justice is a stranger when the prisoners report
When the black man stands accused the trial is always short
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
And here's to the government of Mississippi
In the swamp of their bureaucracy they're always bogging down
And criminals are posing as the mayors of the towns
They're hoping that no one sees the sights and hears the sounds
And the speeches of the governor are the ravings of a clown
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
And here's to the laws of Mississippi
Congressmen will gather in a circus of delay
While the Constitution is drowning in an ocean of decay
Unwed mothers should be sterilized, I've even heard them say
Yes, corruption can be classic in the Mississippi way
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of
And here's to the churches of Mississippi
Where the cross, once made of silver, now is caked with rust
And the Sunday morning sermons pander to their lust
The fallen face of Jesus is choking in the dust
Heaven only knows in which God they can trust
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Mississippi find yourself another country to be part |
