Secrecy behind David Bowie's new album (14th January, 2013)
Rock legend David Bowie has surprised the music world by releasing a new single on the Internet and accepting pre-order sales for his first new album in a decade. The single is called "Where Are We Now," from the album "The Next Day". The surprise was that no one had an inkling that Bowie was back in the studio recording new material, and had been for two years. Even the star's longtime producer Tony Visconti had been sworn to secrecy. He said: "We respected David's wishes….We didn't Tweet or put it on Facebook or even tell our best friends.…I couldn't tell them. I knew if I told one of them, somebody would leak it and it would be all over the world in a day. I didn't even tell my children what I was doing."
Bowie, born Robert David Jones, released the new album on his 66th birthday. It is his 30th studio album in a career that spans almost five decades, in which he has sold 130 million albums. He is perhaps best known for pioneering what became known as glam rock - a pop music genre that emerged in Britain in the early 1970s. It was characterized by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Over the years, Bowie recorded many iconic tunes, including "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes" and "Let's Dance". He has also appeared in 27 movies and was a modern art critic for a leading British newspaper. He had a heart attack in 2004, but his comeback allays concerns about his health.
1. SECRETS: Walk around the class and talk to other students about secrets. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.
rock legends / music world / studio / recording / secrecy / Facebook / best friends / leak / birthday / decades / pioneering / music genre / outrageous clothes / modern art
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NOT A WORD: What things do you keep secret from these people? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s).
Person
Secret
Why?
Best friends
English teacher
Mother
Father
Boss
Sibling
4. ROCK ROCKS: Students A strongly believe rock music is the best form of music ever; Students B strongly disagree. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
5. MUSIC: What do you like best? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
rock
pop
opera
folk
hip-hop
jazz
classical
flamenco
6. ALBUM: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'album'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a.
David Bowie's new album is his first in ten years.
T / F
b.
Bowie recorded the whole album in two months to keep it a secret.
T / F
c.
The producer of the album told his best friendss about it last year.
T / F
d.
The producer of the album didn't tell his kids about the new album.
T / F
e.
Bowie had made 30 studio albums before recording his new one.
T / F
f.
Bowie arrived late to the glam music scene in Britain in the 1970s.
T / F
g.
Bowie acted in over 25 movies and was a modern art critic.
T / F
h.
People worried about Bowie's health before he made his comeback.
T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1.
releasing
a.
admired
2
inkling
b.
stretches
3.
sworn
c.
flamboyant
4.
respected
d.
bringing out
5.
leak
e.
cutting-edge
6.
spans
f.
promised
7.
pioneering
g.
reduces
8.
emerged
h.
idea
9.
outrageous
i.
sprang up
10.
allays
j.
revelation
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1.
accepting pre-
a.
recording new material
2
no one had
b.
art critic
3.
back in the studio
c.
almost five decades
4.
We respected
d.
an inkling
5.
somebody would leak it
e.
clothes
6.
a career that spans
f.
known as glam rock
7.
pioneering what became
g.
order sales
8.
outrageous
h.
concerns about his health
9.
a modern
i.
and it would be all over
10.
allays
j.
David's wishes
GAP FILL
Rock legend David Bowie has surprised the music (1) ____________ by releasing a new single on the Internet and (2)____________ pre-order sales for his first new album in a decade. The single is called "Where Are We Now?" from the album "The Next Day". The surprise was that no one had an (3)____________ that Bowie was back in the studio recording new (4)____________, and had been for two years. Even the star's longtime producer Tony Visconti had been (5)____________ to secrecy. He said: "We respected David's (6)____________ ….We didn't Tweet or put it on Facebook or even tell our best friends.…I couldn't tell them. I knew if I told one of them, somebody would (7)____________ it and it would be all over the world in a day. I didn't (8)____________ tell my children what I was doing."
material leak accepting even world wishes inkling sworn
Bowie, (9)____________ Robert David Jones, released the new album on his 66th birthday. It is his 30th studio album in a career that (10)____________ almost five decades, in which he has sold 130 million albums. He is perhaps best known for (11)____________ what became known as glam rock - a pop music genre that (12)____________ in Britain in the early 1970s. It was characterized by singers and musicians who wore (13)____________ clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Over the years, Bowie recorded many (14)____________ tunes, including "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes" and "Let's Dance". He has also appeared in 27 movies and was a modern art (15)____________ for a leading British newspaper. He had a heart attack in 2004, but his comeback (16)____________ concerns about his health.
outrageous emerged spans pioneering critic allays born iconic
LISTENING – Guess the answers. Listen to check
1)
David Bowie has surprised the music world ______
a. by release inner new single
b. by releasing anew a single
c. by releasing a new single
d. buy real leasing a new single
2)
The single is called "Where Are We Now," ______ "The Next Day".
a. from the album
b. for the album
c. of the album
d. by the album
3)
The surprise was that ______ that Bowie was back in the studio
a. no one had a pinkie
b. no one had an inkling
c. no one had a dunking
d. no one had an ankle
4)
Even the star's longtime producer Tony Visconti had ______.
a. been swearing to secrecy
b. been sworn to secrecy
c. been torn to secrecy
d. been storm to secrecy
5)
I knew if I told one of them, somebody ______ it would be all over
a. would leak it and
b. would lee kit and
c. would lea kitten
d. would leak it an
6)
It is his 30th studio album in a career that ______
a. spans all of most five decades
b. spans at most five decades
c. spans all mostly five decades
d. spans almost five decades
7)
He is perhaps best ______ what became known as glam rock
a. knowing for pioneering
b. known for "Pioneer Ring"
c. known for pioneering
d. none for pioneering
8)
It was characterized by singers and musicians who ______
a. wore outrageous clothes
b. wear outrageous clothes
c. wore outage clothes
d. wore outrage us clothes
9)
He has also appeared in 27 movies ______ art critic for a leading British newspaper.
a. and was a modern
b. and is a modern
c. and was a modernist
d. then was a modern
10)
He had a heart attack in 2004, but his ______ about his health.
a. coming back allays concerns
b. comeback alleys concerns
c. comeback allays concern
d. comebacks allay concerns
LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
Rock legend David Bowie has surprised the music (1) __________________ new single on the Internet and (2) ______________________ for his first new album in a decade. The single is called "Where Are We Now?" from the album "The Next Day". The surprise was that (3) _____________________ that Bowie was back in the studio recording new material, and had been for two years. Even (4) ______________________ Tony Visconti had been sworn to secrecy. He said: "We respected David's wishes….We didn't Tweet or put it on Facebook (5) ______________________ friends.…I couldn't tell them. I knew if I told one of them, somebody (6) _____________________ be all over the world in a day. I didn't even tell my children what I was doing."
Bowie, born Robert David Jones, released the new album on his 66th birthday. It is his (7) ______________________ in a career that spans almost five decades, in which he has sold 130 million albums. He is perhaps best (8) ______________________ what became known as glam rock - a pop music (9) ______________________ in Britain in the early 1970s. It was characterized by singers and musicians (10) ______________________ clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Over the years, Bowie (11) ______________________ tunes, including "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes" and "Let's Dance". He has also appeared in 27 movies and was a modern art critic for a leading British newspaper. He had a heart attack in 2004, but his (12) ______________________ his health.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1.
How did David Bowie surprise the world?
2.
How long had it been since Bowie released his last album?
3.
How long did the album take to make?
4.
What did the producer have to do?
5.
What did the producer know would happen if he told someone?
6.
How many studio albums has David Bowie now made?
7.
How many albums has Bowie sold?
8.
What kind of clothes did glam rockers wear?
9.
What did Bowie do besides sing and act?
10.
What happened to him in 2004?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1.
Who did David Bowie surprise?
6.
How old was Bowie when he released the album?
a) no one
b) the whole world
c) himself
d) the music world
a) 64
b) 65
c) 66
d) 67
2.
When was the last time Bowie had recorded an album?
7.
How many albums has Bowie sold?
a) 2004
b) 10 years ago
c) last year
d) 2 decades ago
a) 130,000,000
b) 130,000,000,000
c) 113,000,000
d) 113,000,000,000
3.
What is an inkling?
8.
What genre of music did Bowie pioneer?
a) a part of an octopus
b) a kind of pen
c) a kind of song
d) an idea
a) heavy metal
b) grunge
c) glam rock
d) house
4.
What was David Bowie's producer sworn to?
9.
What does the number 27 in the article refer to?
a) David Bowie's album
b) his children
c) secrecy
d) bad language
a) heroes
b) movies
c) songs
d) art critics
5.
What might the producer's best friends have done?
10.
What happened to Bowie in 2004?
a) befriended Bowie on Facebook
b) bought the album
c) sung on the album
d) leaked news of the album
a) he had a heart attack
b) he won an award
c) he retired
d) he was nominated for an Oscar
MUSIC GENRES
With your partner(s), write a description of each of these genres. Change partners and share your ideas. Combine them into a new description.
Genre
Description
Hip-hop
Jazz
Soul
Classical
Folk
Rock and Roll
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'rock' and 'legend'.
rock
legend
Share your findings with your partners.
Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:
surprised
inkling
two
sworn
leak
children
66
30
130
1970s
27
2004
SECRETS SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about secrets in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1
_____________
STUDENT 2
_____________
STUDENT 3
_____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.
Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
MUSIC DISCUSSION
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
a)
What did you think when you read the headline?
b)
What springs to mind when you hear the word 'rock music'?
c)
What does music mean to you?
d)
What do you know about David Bowie?
e)
What do you think of 66-year-old rockers?
f)
How difficult do you think it was to have kept the album a secret?
g)
Would you like to be a rock star?
h)
How do you feel when your favourite artists release a new album?
i)
How do you think Tony Visconti's children feel about not being told?
j)
Is it important to have varied musical tastes? Are your tastes varied?
Rock legend David Bowie has surprised the music world by (1) _____ a new single on the Internet and accepting pre-(2) _____ sales for his first new album in a decade. The single is called "Where Are We Now?" from the album "The Next Day". The surprise was that no one had an (3) _____ that Bowie was back in the studio recording new material, and had been for two years. Even the star's (4) _____ producer Tony Visconti had been sworn to (5) _____. He said: "We respected David's wishes….We didn't Tweet or put it on Facebook or even tell our best friends.…I couldn't tell them. I knew if I told one of them, somebody would (6) _____ it and it would be all over the world in a day. I didn't even tell my children what I was doing."
Bowie, born Robert David Jones, released the new album on his 66th birthday. It is his 30th studio album in a career that (7) _____ almost five decades, in which he has sold 130 million albums. He is perhaps best known for (8) _____ what became known as glam rock - a pop music genre that (9) _____ in Britain in the early 1970s. It was characterized by singers and musicians who wore (10) _____ clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Over the years, Bowie recorded many iconic (11) _____, including "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes" and "Let's Dance". He has also appeared in 27 movies and was a modern art critic for a leading British newspaper. He had a heart attack in 2004, but his comeback (12) _____ concerns about his health.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1.
(a)
release
(b)
releases
(c)
released
(d)
releasing
2.
(a)
ordering
(b)
orders
(c)
ordered
(d)
order
3.
(a)
inking
(b)
inkling
(c)
ink
(d)
inked
4.
(a)
lengthen
(b)
longing
(c)
longtime
(d)
longevity
5.
(a)
secrets
(b)
secreted
(c)
secrecy
(d)
secret
6.
(a)
leak
(b)
tweak
(c)
freak
(d)
beak
7.
(a)
opens
(b)
spans
(c)
spins
(d)
spoons
8.
(a)
pioneering
(b)
pioneered
(c)
pioneers
(d)
pioneer
9.
(a)
upped
(b)
emerged
(c)
worsened
(d)
obscured
10.
(a)
courageous
(b)
indigenous
(c)
outrageous
(d)
prestigious
11.
(a)
tones
(b)
tunics
(c)
tunes
(d)
tonics
12.
(a)
relays
(b)
flays
(c)
slays
(d)
allays
SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1.
Rock lgeden David Bowie
2.
accepting err-opedr sales
3.
no one had an klinign
4.
the star's longtime epudrorc
5.
sworn to eyrscce
6.
We edecrepts David's wishes
Paragraph 2
7.
repiinngeo what became known as glam rock
8.
a pop music genre that edreegm
9.
uortusogea clothes
10.
ciocni tunes
11.
epaaedpr in 27 movies
12.
lsyala concerns about his health
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
secrecy. He said: "We respected David's wishes….We didn't Tweet or put it on Facebook or even tell
( )
leak it and it would be all over the world in a day. I didn't even tell my children what I was doing."
( )
pioneering what became known as glam rock - a pop music genre that emerged in
( )
order sales for his first new album in a decade. The single is called "Where Are We Now?" from the
( )
our best friends.…I couldn't tell them. I knew if I told one of them, somebody would
( )
clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Over the years, Bowie recorded many iconic
( )
Bowie, born Robert David Jones, released the new album on his 66th birthday. It is his 30th studio
( )
album in a career that spans almost five decades, in which he has sold 130 million albums. He is perhaps best known for
( )
Britain in the early 1970s. It was characterized by singers and musicians who wore outrageous
( )
art critic for a leading British newspaper. He had a heart attack in 2004, but his comeback allays concerns about his health.
( )
material, and had been for two years. Even the star's longtime producer Tony Visconti had been sworn to
( )
album "The Next Day". The surprise was that no one had an inkling that Bowie was back in the studio recording new
( 1 )
Rock legend David Bowie has surprised the music world by releasing a new single on the Internet and accepting pre-
( )
tunes, including "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes" and "Let's Dance". He has also appeared in 27 movies and was a modern
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1.
for his first new album Accepting pre - order sales.
2.
had was one inkling surprise no an The that.
3.
back studio material was the new Bowie in recording.
4.
secrecy Visconti been to had sworn.
5.
leak it and it would be all over Somebody would.
6.
five almost spans that career A decades.
7.
as known became what Pioneering rock glam.
8.
music A . emerged Britain pop genre in that
9.
critic leading art a newspaper modern for British A.
10.
about concerns allays comeback His health his.
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
Rock legend / legendary David Bowie has surprised the music world by releasing a new single on the Internet and acceptance / accepting pre-order sales for his first new album in / on a decade. The single is called "Where Are We Now?" from the album "The Next Day". The surprise / surprising was that no one had an inkling / inking that Bowie was back in the studio recording new materialism / material, and had been for two years. Even the star's longtime producer Tony Visconti had been sworn / swearing to secrecy. He said: "We respected / respective David's wishes….We didn't Tweet or put it on Facebook or even tell our best friends.…I couldn't tell them. I knew if I told one of them, somebody would leak / leakage it and it would be all over the world on / in a day. I didn't even tell my children what I was doing."
Bowie, birth / born Robert David Jones, released the new album on his 66th birthday. It is his 30th studio album in a career that spins / spans almost five decodes / decades, in which he has sold 130 million albums. He is perhaps best known for pioneering what became knowing / known as glam rock - a pop music genre that emergence / emerged in Britain in the early 1970s. It was characterized / characteristic by singers and musicians who wore outrageous / outrageously clothes, makeup and hairstyles. Over the years, Bowie recorded many iconic / icon tunes, including "Ziggy Stardust," "Heroes" and "Let's Dance". He has also appearance / appeared in 27 movies and was a modern art critic for a leading British newspaper. He had a heart attack in 2004, but his comeback allies / allays concerns about his health.
Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.
rock legend david bowie has surprised the music world by releasing a new single on the internet and accepting pre-order sales for his first new album in a decade the single is called "where are we now" from the album "the next day" the surprise was that no one had an inkling that bowie was back in the studio recording new material and had been for two years even the star's longtime producer tony visconti had been sworn to secrecy he said "we respected david's wishes…we didn't tweet or put it on facebook or even tell our best friends…i couldn't tell them i knew if i told one of them somebody would leak it and it would be all over the world in a day i didn't even tell my children what i was doing"
bowie born robert david jones released the new album on his 66th birthday it is his 30th studio album in a career that spans almost five decades in which he has sold 130 million albums he is perhaps best known for pioneering what became known as glam rock - a pop music genre that emerged in britain in the early 1970s it was characterized by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes makeup and hairstyles over the years bowie recorded many iconic tunes including "ziggy stardust" "heroes" and "let's dance" he has also appeared in 27 movies and was a modern art critic for a leading british newspaper he had a heart attack in 2004 but his comeback allays concerns about his health
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about David Bowie. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. COMEBACK: Make a poster about famous people who make comebacks. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. DAVID BOWIE: Write a magazine article about David Bowie. Include imaginary interviews with people who played with him on his new album.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to David Bowie. Ask him three questions about his comeback. Give him three ideas on what to do next. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE (p.4)
a
T
b
F
c
F
d
T
e
F
f
F
g
T
h
T
SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)
1.
releasing
a.
bringing out
2
inkling
b.
idea
3.
sworn
c.
promised
4.
respected
d.
admired
5.
leak
e.
revelation
6.
spans
f.
stretches
7.
pioneering
g.
cutting-edge
8.
emerged
h.
sprang up
9.
outrageous
i.
flamboyant
10.
allays
j.
reduces
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)
1.
He released a new single on the Internet
2.
Ten years (a decade)
3.
2 years
4.
Swear not to tell anyone about the album
5.
They would leak it
6.
30
7.
130 million
8.
Outrageous ones
9.
He was a modern art critic
10.
He had a heart attack
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)
1.
d
2.
b
3.
d
4.
c
5.
d
6.
c
7.
a
8.
c
9.
b
10.
a
ALL OTHER EXERCISES
Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)
