English, baby!

Gwen Stefani

Date: Sep 03 2007

Themes: Music

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

In a sense, Gwen Stefani has lived two public lives. In the mid ‘90s she was a hero to girls around the world as the singer for ska-punk sensations No Doubt. Now she’s an international pop star making hip hop-influenced dance music. It’s hard to achieve and maintain success in one musical genre, and since Stefani has made a name for herself in two, she must be something really special. Devan sure thinks so. Listen to her and Kevin talk about Gwen.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Kevin

Devan

Kevin: I’ve had that, um, dun dun dun dun dun!...that Gwen Stefani song in my head all day.

Devan: Oh, “The Sweet Escape”?

Kevin: Yeah, I love the video. I think it’s really fun.

Devan: What do you think of Gwen Stefani? Are you a fan?

Kevin: You know, I really like her. I think she’s…

Devan: Me too…

Kevin: ...entertaining and poppy...

Devan: Were you a fan of No Doubt?

Kevin: I was a fan of No Doubt. I remember seeing them in concert. A lot of fun, great energy.

Devan: I remember when “Just a Girl” came out, I was like 9 years old, and I was like, “This is the greatest thing…to music.” I was all revved up, like, “Girl power! Yeah!” I totally looked up to her. I obviously still do. That’s why I bleached my hair, because of Gwen Stefani.

Kevin: Totally. Have you bought the album?

Devan: I haven’t bought it yet. I don’t know…It’s a guilty pleasure. Her solo albums are guilty. When I was young, No Doubt meant a lot to me. I was real passionate because I thought they had a message, whereas now she’s just kind of making bubble gum pop junk, but it’s still catchy though.

Kevin: It’s catchy, and she’s fun.

Devan: She is fun.

Kevin: And cute.

Devan: And cute. I love Gwen Stefani.

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Discussion

Kevin tells Devan that he can’t stop thinking of a particular Gwen Stefani song. Devan is able to identify the song by Kevin humming a couple of seconds of it. She asks Kevin if he was a fan of Stefani’s band, No Doubt. He says he saw them and thought they were good performers.

Devan tells Kevin that she was 9 years old when No Doubt first rose to fame and that she thought they were the greatest thing that had ever happened to music. She liked that the band had a message of strength and femininity.

Devan still looks up to Stefani and even styles her hair after her, but she says that her music doesn’t have the same message it used to. Now it’s just fun pop.

Do you prefer music with a message or pop music that just makes you feel good? What was the first band or artist that changed your life?

Comments

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polly anne

Brazil

I love her too.

Ahshan

China

l like music ,especially the gospel songs! cus the gospel songs sound peasant than pop music!

mdaniel

Argentina

she's really something. but i prefer the times of No Doubt, the song Don't Speak and its video.she's hot and tender

jhulhana

Brazil

I like her, and i prefer pop music, that only amuses..

a message doesn't matter to much for me, but i like when the music have a beautiful lyric.

I don't understand english very well, forgive my mistakes rsrs

miffoo

Slovakia

I listening her music she is my favourite singer but I more like listening music NO DOUBT. I agree with Daven that music No Doubt had a message and music Gwen is more bubble gum music.

miffoo

Slovakia

I like her music and music NO DOUBT too!

gari

Dominican Republic

i like the music with message specially with a deep romantic message or with any alive experience which makes me reflect on the subject of the song.

robson isamu

Brazil

in my opinion gwen has a good stile .she' music talking about affects, body, mind and many things . and her influence is very interesting.

soso il7ilwa

United Arab Emirates

i loooove her

and her songs she is so coool

engelchen22

Germany

i like she she is crazy and her music is very good !!! i dance of her musik and thats make fun!!! sorry my english is very bad i hope the can me understanding!!!! smile

somebody09

Philippines

i love listening to different kinds of music,whether its jazz, old songs,alternative,rnb etc.for me its very relaxing especially when im stressed up.i also love to sing.listening to music and singing really made my days complete.

Nutriluciana

Brazil

I prefer music with a message and music which lyrics expresses my feelings.

victor25

Moldova, Republic Of

Devan is really into Steffani.

Indonesia

gwen has a beautiful lips

Indonesia

hey alwafe, can u proved that she is your first love?

just joke

alwafe

Saudi Arabia

She is more than marvelous singer and, the fact she is my first love even if that from one side my side ;D

So you guys keep away from her

josemarcos

Guatemala

I’m in love with Gwen

Indonesia

i think gwen has a law of attraction beside her ability of his carrier on singing, it's like her behaviour, talent,and especially good looking personality freestyle mix.

babykitty

China

I still remember the impressive band I know in my life: Beyond, I think a lot of chinese young man could remember them. Then came from HongKong. The first song I heared of the band is" dark space". That piece of MV really moved me. It is amazing! I loved them to death at that time. After the main singer and soul person Jiaju Huang died in Japan, this band still stuggled to survive. The rest three worked hard to be as good as Jiaju existed, but their albums really wan't as impressive as before. As Guitar player Paul sail: Possible I would never be as good as Jiaju even if I work very hard, but I know I do my best, that is enough for me.