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MGMT

MGMT

Date: Jul 06 2009

Themes: Alternative, Fashion, Music, News

Grammar: Zero Conditional

Intro

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

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You’ve probably heard at least one song off the pop duo MGMT’s debut album, Oracular Spectacular. The band has gotten lots of positive attention from music critics and its song “Time to Pretend” is so popular that even the President of France, Nikolas Sarkozy, is a fan. But do you know how to pronounce the band’s name?

If not, don’t worry. It’s pretty confusing. “Mgmt” is often short for “management.” But the band members say that’s not how you should pronounce their name. They want you to pronounce the individual letters, like this: “Em-Gee-Em-Tee.”

Now that you know what the band is called, find out what Mason and Marni think about MGMT’s sound.

Dialog

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

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

Mason

Mason

Marni

Marni

Mason:  You know what the song of 2008 was? It was that “doo doo da doo doo…”

Marni:  Oh, MGMT?

Mason:  That’s right. That’s what they are. So here’s…case in point about the song of like 2008, and it’s kind of spilling over into 2009, but Nikolas Sarkozy used their song at a rally.

Marni:  Illegally, apparently. They were not happy with that.

Mason:  Right! Which I mean…but a lot of politicians use music. I guess they just license it.

Marni:  Apparently. But they’re so catchy. I mean I can see why anyone would want to use it. Because it is…I don’t know, they’ve just kind of blown up with this funky, noisy…It’s really great dance music. I mean whenever I see a dance mix lately it’s got MGMT on it.

Mason:  Well what’s the rest of their stuff like? ‘Cause that one song, it’s just got that great hook.

Marni:  It’s got a great hook. They’ve got some really, really catchy songs. I think that they’re a great band to listen to recorded and great to listen to…like if you wanna dance. But I can’t imagine what they would look like live. They’re just a duo doing synthesized music.

Mason:  I tell you what. I’d be curious enough to check it out.

Marni:  As would I.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Discussion

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Mason thinks that the MGMT song “Time to Pretend” was the song of 2008 because it was such a big hit. He and Marni agree that it’s a really catchy song that’s fun to dance to. They’re also curious to see the band live.

Mason also says that the French president, Nikolas Sarkozy, used “Time to Pretend” at a political rally. It’s not uncommon for politicians to use popular songs to gain support and improve their image. Sometimes musicians even publicly support their favorite political candidates. But Sarkozy used MGMT’s song without permission.

If you were running for political office, what song would you play at your rallies?

 

Comments

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303Kevin

303Kevin

China

thanks for the vocabularySmile

12:12 PM Oct 12 2009 |

tiagon85

Brazil

I never have think of it, but i like MGMT´s songs, i could use one of them…

03:53 AM Jul 12 2009 |

ciberd7

ciberd7

Brazil

I´d pick up some U2 songs. I love that band and they have a lot of power when it´s about social problems and government actions they´re talking about.

Maybe it´s a little hard to choose a band to make part of a running for political office, because it seems like they´re using the fans of those singers to win and to draw people to their objectives and it´s not fair!

 

 

03:50 PM Jul 08 2009 |

Tiffanys

Aruba

It's ok Tiffany and Tiffany Jewellery!!!

12:12 PM Jul 07 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

If I were running for a political office I would invite Linkin Park band to play on my rally…I like your strong and criticism lyrics :)

12:00 AM Jul 07 2009 |

s id

Saudi Arabia

hello i want some real friends

11:25 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Ca_Brazil

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

First of all, I would get the license before i use the song. So i would choose `Que pais e este` by Legiao urbana, its a nacional brazilian band, its a song that really shows the rebellion against the corrupt politicians and kind of the hipocrisy of our society. 

10:25 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Hahaha I have never heard about this band…I don’t know,but it seems a bit silly :P I will check it out…

07:58 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Euphoria127

Moldova, Republic Of

http://megalyrics.ru/clip/bob-sinclar/w-w-w-what-a-wonderful-world.htm

05:28 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Euphoria127

Moldova, Republic Of

Here is this song and video  

05:28 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Euphoria127

Moldova, Republic Of

If I am a pollitician I would use at a rally the following song –  Axwell & Bob Sinclar Feat. Ron Carroll – What A Wonderful World. There  are such fantastic positive words there and cool music. Does somebody support my choise?Smile 

05:22 PM Jul 06 2009 |

freewilly87

Germany

I have never recognize this band although I know their famous song. The song is ok but does not belong to my favourites.

 If I would be a president candidate I would use beautiful world from U2

04:27 PM Jul 06 2009 |

rosendo

rosendo

Mexico

Frown i havent heard these dou , but according from the commnets they are cool.

i shall listen some songs , and later will come back to let my opinion.

03:35 PM Jul 06 2009 |

rebel lee

rebel lee

China

I  am listening "time to pretend",it's a little bit noisy!

02:39 PM Jul 06 2009 |

larrychen

larrychen

China

well, i am going to have a try of their songs~time to pretend

01:51 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Futuristic

Futuristic

Philippines

nothing

12:55 PM Jul 06 2009 |

Fonsi

Germany

I heard it for the first time and sounds good.

I don´t like politics, but if i were to choose I prefer the "Satisfaction, I can´t get no" from the rolling stones, its crazy

12:30 PM Jul 06 2009 |

meteorareanimation

Egypt

I know the band, I like the song, but I don't know any other songs for them.

If I ever have a political rally (which I think will never ever happen cause I hate politics) I think I'd use the remix version of 'by myself' of the Reanimation Album of Linkin Park.

 

You know I think I'll use  the whole Reanimation Album, it's has a lot of awesome beats xD

11:47 AM Jul 06 2009 |

TROY.R

Qatar

I like MGMT so much,,

They are so amazing to me,,

I like all of MGMT songs,,

 

( if i were running for apolitical office,, I would play (start the party ) song,, it`s related to jhon brothers album from the  amazing movie <camp rock>

by the way,, I am sure that any one would love MGMT and their fantastic songs ….

 

TROY.R

 

11:29 AM Jul 06 2009 |

COVANNI

COVANNI

Azerbaijan

I like it, it is very good

10:56 AM Jul 06 2009 |

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