We're All in the Mood for a Melody

I have to admit I do like my current job. This is probably the reason why I have been less agressive in looking for something else. I know I could have it a lot worse and many do. This job is relatively stress-free, I like my coworkers and I feel good about helping students learn something I have an actual passion for: the English language. It's also fascinating to share our cultures with each other.

One way I have been facilitating this is by having "Music Thursdays" in my Listening and Pronunciation class. It gives us something to look forward to. I pick an artist and choose two songs I feel would be interesting, important and appropriate. Then I copy the lyrics. After this I read them over and decide which words to leave out, usually looking for elements of rhyme and repetition. Then in class we listen to each song twice- once without interruption and the second time stopping periodically to give the answers and discuss the meaning and context.

At first I began with Canadian artists but when I ran out of them, I turned south to "classic" artists from my own country. Here is a list of the artists I have highlighted thus far and their songs. Are there any additions you would suggest?

CANADIANS-
Joni Mitchell- Case of You, River
Alanis Morrisette- Ironic, Hand in My Pocket
Sarah McLachlan- Possession, Hold On

YANKEES-
Aretha Franklin- Respect
Carpenters- Top of the World, Close to You
Cher-I Got You Babe, Believe
Desree-You Gotta Be
Dionne Farris-Human
Janet Jackson- Control, Miss You Much
Mariah Carey- Vision of Love, Emotions
Vonda Shepard- (covers) I Only Wanna Be With You, It's In His Kiss
Whitney Houston (ballads)- The Greatest Love of All, I Believe in You and Me
Whitney Houston (pop)- I'm Every Woman, I Wanna Dance with Somebody

EUROPEANS-
Beatles 1- Help!, The Long and Winding Road, Let It Be
Beatles 2- Revolution, Obladi-Oblada
Sting-If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Every Breath You Take
ABBA- Dancing Queen, Thank You for the Music