Writing Challenge #14: Adapt the Lyrics

Whether you are studying English in a foreign country, or on your own at home, listening to music is a great way to practice your skills! You can find English music stations online, or listen to English music on sites such as YouTube.

Many people (regardless of religion) sing holiday songs during the month of December. These songs are also known as carols. One fun way to practise writing is to adapt (change) the lyrics of a carol (or other popular song). When you adapt lyrics, you keep some of the original lyrics. The words that you change should still fit into the song with the original tune.This month we are going to practise adapting song lyrics. You don't have to choose a Christmas song if you don't want to. Choose a popular song that most people will know. You can do this challenge on your own or with a partner.Your Task1. Find a MyEC partner (or decide to do the challenge on your own).2. Choose a holiday song (or other popular song). Here is a large list of lyrics to holiday songs!3. Change some of the lyrics to the song to make it your own song! (Do one verse or the whole song.)4. Post the new lyrics on your own blog. Use the blog title: Writing Challenge #14: Your Song's Name5. If you can find a link to the original song (or lyrics) online add the link from your blog to help readers catch the tune (see my example).6. Come back and post a link to your adapted song in the comments here.My Example:I just posted my example on ESL Magazine. Check out my adaptation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" here. (This is an easy one to adapt. You can use it too.)BONUS CHALLENGE: Do you have a microphone? Record your song and upload it to your audio player for all of us to hear! (Or record a video) Will anyone accept this audio challenge?TIP: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is a fun holiday song for practising English. Here is my daughter's favourite version.

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Comments

Tara Benwell December 14, 2009 14:12

Ah... thanks Nadiyah! That's so sweet.
Nadiyah December 14, 2009 12:44

hello dear Tara,
could I create another lyrics ? I tried to translate the Indonesian's song to english
it is my childhood song ...

original lyrics

satu satu, aku sayang ibu
dua dua, aku sayang ayah
tiga tiga, sayang adik kakak
satu dua tiga, sayang semuanya

one one one,I love my mother
two two two, I love my father
three three three, love brother sister
one two three, I love all

lyrics adaptation

one one one,I love you
two two two,I love you
three three three,I love youuu ...
one two three, I love youuuuuuuuuu ...

thanks tara

-Nadiyah-
belajar December 14, 2009 1:37

Here is my song adaptation for this challenge. http://my.englishclub.com/profiles/blogs/writing-challenge14-when-the
I Haven't got time to figure out about the microphone to record the song, Christmas keeps me busy.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year..!

Belajar, XX
Tara Benwell December 13, 2009 15:02

Nadiyah's link was broken too. Try this one.
Nafis December 12, 2009 16:18

Dear Tara, this is my adaptation.
Have a nice day!
Nafis
Nadiyah December 12, 2009 9:44

hello Tara,
I am glad when I can participate in your challenge
I tried to create this Writing Challenge #14: Jose Mari Chan_Beautiful Girl here
thank you so much for your great challenge, Tara

-Nadiyah-
Tara Benwell December 10, 2009 15:22

Yummy's link didn't work. This is called a "broken link". :) Try this one if you want to check out her song.
Tara Benwell December 9, 2009 13:48

Here is a link to Riya's song. Please check it out and try to sing it! If you have a microphone, you could sing the song and upload it to your audio player. We all want to hear it!
Be careful: Salim's song will make you laugh so hard you'll fall off your chair. Haf's song may make you cry.

Great work so far everyone!
Forget-me-Not December 7, 2009 11:21

Hello Tara
Here is the link to my Writing Challenge #14. I hope i understood it right now.

Thanks a lot for your kind help.
Manuela
writing-challenge-14-holiday
Forget-me-Not December 5, 2009 17:16

Hello Tara,

Great idea, though i don't find it easy to do. To create other lyrics is not the worst part, but to make them fit to the music is really hard ! Another challenge for me will be to manage to give the link of it at the right place as it seems i still have troubles to understand how this website works !!! Never give up should be my motto :))

Wishing you a very nice weekend.
Manuela

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