Tag: #ielts

1068 The Soundtrack of Carbonated Delusion: Coca-Cola Jingles in the 1980s  – Transcript

The 1980s gave us many things: shoulder pads, mullets, cassette tapes, nuclear panic, and an unshakable belief that soft drinks could somehow save the world. Among the noisiest contributions to this surreal decade were the Coca-Cola jingles – bright, sugary musical anthems that promised joy, unity, and refreshment, all for the price of a bottle cap.

If the Cold War was the sound of tension, Coca-Cola was the soundtrack of forced optimism.

Coca-Cola’s jingles in the 1980s weren’t just catchy, they were an all-out assault on the senses. With lyrics that made sunshine sound compulsory and melodies designed to burrow into your skull like a corporate parasite, these jingles were everywhere: on radios, televisions, and the lips of disturbingly enthusiastic teenagers in advertising spots.

Take, for example, the endlessly repeated “Can’t Beat the Feeling!” campaign. This jingle, released in 1989, featured crowds of people smiling far too widely, often mid-laugh, as they sipped their Coke in slow motion. The music swelled, the camera panned over golden beaches or neon-lit cities, and somewhere, a child ran through a sprinkler. The message was clear: Coca-Cola was not a drink. It was a lifestyle.

A lifestyle where no one ever had a headache. Or rent. Or the slightest trace of cynicism.

This was not new, of course. Coca-Cola had been linking itself to happiness since the 1971 classic “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” a song so idealistic it made peace in the Middle East look like a reasonable weekend goal. But in the 1980s, the jingles got louder, more polished, and somehow more desperate.

Everything about them said: “Look! Everything’s fine! Don’t think too hard!”

The irony, of course, was that much of the world in the 1980s was not fine. There was recession, unemployment, nuclear threats, and the growing fear that Ronald Reagan might accidentally press the wrong button before his next nap. Meanwhile, Coke’s ad campaigns danced forward, blissfully unaware or perhaps entirely aware of how false their promises sounded.

This made the jingles all the more surreal. In the middle of your family’s second-hand car breaking down, the radio would blast, “Can’t beat the real thing!” as if it were gently mocking your life.

They sang about sharing Coke with friends while half the country wasn’t speaking to each other. They sang about energy and joy while millions felt tired and broke.

And yet, the jingles worked. That’s the dark genius of it all. People bought the drinks. People sang along. For a few seconds, humming the tune in a supermarket aisle, you did feel a little better. Coca-Cola wasn’t selling sugar and water. It was selling escape.

Even now, those old jingles haunt us. Not just as melodies, but as memories of a kind of mass hypnosis. A time when we all agreed, without saying it, that pretending everything was wonderful was better than facing how complicated it really was.

There’s a special kind of horror in watching an old 1980s Coke ad today. The hair is big. The smiles are bigger. Everyone is dancing in a way that suggests they’ve either found salvation or been recently electrocuted. You know it’s fake. They knew it was fake. But we all played along.

And let’s not forget the children. In many of these jingles, kids sang too—voices so clear and hopeful it made you feel guilty for ever doubting anything. Their eyes sparkled with the kind of trust you only see in people who haven’t read the news yet.

What were we teaching them? That joy came in a can? That unity could be achieved through matching T-shirts and high kicks?

Perhaps the darkest joke of all is that the Coca-Cola jingles were right, in their own strange way. They did bring people together. They united us in pretending that the world was simple, that problems could be solved with bubbles and branding.

It wasn’t true, of course. But it was catchy.

And maybe, in the end, that’s all a jingle needs to be.

Weekly Lesson: Christmas Songs

For study until 1st of December 2024

Subject: Christmas Songs

Audio: On usual social media platforms

Christmas Songs

After the kerfuffle around Band Aid’s “Do They Know Its Christmas” song,  I wanted to add my tuppence worth to the debate about Christmas music.

Firstly let me say that Christmas pop songs have been around longer than I have, some songs are cheerful, some songs are annoying and then there’s Mariah Carey. Probably the ones I dread most are by her and Michael Buble and the one I actually don’t mind is by Leona Lewis, that one is called “One More Sleep”. Leona seems blissfully unaware that sleep is not countable but that’s ok. I like the song. I really detest Michael Buble – I honestly don’t know why.   If I am asked about my favourite genre for Christmas music I would likely reply the 1960s. I just love to hear the Ronettes singing Frosty the Snowman as well as a whole host of others using the infamous wall of sound which was invented by Phil Spector.  I have heard about Whamageddon – this is a game people play to try and avoid Wham’s Christmas song “Last Christmas”. Many people take it quite seriously.

About “Do they know its Christmas” I mean really, who cares whether the song is politically correct these days, it was written for a different generation and I’m sure many people “couldn’t give a monkeys” (plural is correct) whether it is banned or not.  I’m not sure if you ‘ve heard the debate but this infamous Bob Geldof effort contains the words:

“And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time

The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life

Where nothing ever grows, no rain nor rivers flow

Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”

On the surface these lyrics look relatively innocent, who could have known back in the 1980s that they would create such a storm. Some sources are saying that the song was always controversial because of its negative views of Africa and others are saying that it’s simply got caught up in the whirlwind of political correctness.  I do agree that the lyrics are probably grossly exaggerated. I mean  things do grow in Africa and there are rivers and probably rain too.  But is it correct to call the song colonialist? Critics are saying that the song has a”white saviour” feel to it and as a product of its day is very condescending. Do we even care enough to think about it? The song raised millions for charity over the years.  So surely that kind of redeems it out of any misuse.

When I was a child, the UK was heavily industrialized. That meant that the local factory needed workers over Christmas so my father and grandfather were not always around on Christmas Day. Boxing Day, the 26th of December was not an official holiday anyway until 1974 so people were not accustomed to relaxing on that day. Money was good.. working over the holiday season so there was an opinion that working on these days was better.  Still there was a great holiday feeling, winding down early to get home to see the kids before bedtime.

I do like the variety that you can find around Christmas now, thanks to social media you can find exactly what floats your boat over Christmas, whether its  a group of kids singing badly, a torch song, a protest or even a tragedy. One feature of the old days was that TV channels used to air “Christmas Specials” to make us smile. Many singing groups in those days had their own TV shows and a Christmas special was something to look forward to each year.  Soap operas on TV also had their own Christmas special, to be shown on TV over the period. It was actually something to rush home for. I never considered that actors were giving up valuable time to make these shows, I just assumed they were there for my entertainment. Isn’t it sad when we grow up and realise the world isn’t just there for our entertainment but the harsh reality is that they need to make money. Even actors need work.

I am often puzzled by people at Christmas time, especially here.  I tried to call a  friend to meet for coffee to be told:

“As it’s Christmas, I will be far too busy to meet until January”. In her words she said “You know how it is, buying presents and all”.

I don’t believe for a second that with one month to go until Christmas, she doesn’t have a spare hour but I think this highlights the depth of loneliness people feel at this time of year. They either try to forget about this time of year by diving right into it head first to block out the pain or else they give that impression in order to mask a much deeper pain.  For others they simply will start with office parties and won’t stop drinking until it’s finished.  I think it is time we Brits were honest with ourselves. Despite the mass marketing, songs and Christmas trees we literally climb the walls with anxiety this time of year and do what we can to deal with it. It is a far cry from happiness. Many people don’t have any social structures in their lives, little cash and screaming children. Then there’s people like myself who are looking over their shoulder wondering “what happened”? We went from rooms full of people with guests dropping in daily to empty spaces where those people used to be. Now we are faced with silence and memories. It’s the sharp contrast that hurts, not the emptiness of the day itself. People have gone, the way we live has changed and as the poet said:

“O for the touch of a vanished hand, and the sound of a voice that is still”

 I would like to see more British people owning the pain and taking responsibility, we could build  a new society free from issues like this if we got our act together and acted responsibly at this time of year. Since I don’t drink I am able to see with great clarity what happens at this time of year, a lot of pain and sadness in the darkest months of the year.  And in the middle of it Mariah Carey. I think pride stops us from really owning how we feel.

I’ve already been looking for Doris Day and Dean Martin specials on Youtube, even though life was not perfect for my parents, they didn’t have that sense of an empty celebration that we have now, something is terribly wrong with the way things are presented to us these days and these old TV specials remind us of the sense of joy we can have if we look for it. These days though this type of entertainment is considered vintage, old fashioned and irrelevant.

I really admire those people who choose not to celebrate Christmas. At least they are owning how they feel about it. I think the rest of us have quite a bit to go until we can deal with this time of year in an honest way.

Whatever you are doing for Christmas this year, I hope you do it in a mentally healthy way.

New #podcast to #LearnEnglish

I have uploaded a new podcast here – In this one  I am talking about the phrase “the one and only” and we look at two musical tracks and some radio jingles from the 1980s radio station @countysound “the one and only one for you”

The jingle was written by Les Reed and which has the words:

“Here comes the morning, it’s a brand new day (different lyrics for afternoon and evening: We are your music, and your news each day). Turn on the sunshine. The County Sound way. Open up your heart, and you will let a little sunshine through, with County Sound, the one and only one for you. We’ll always be here, each and every day. Where ever you’re going, we’re going your way. Come with us and ride the airwaves discover something new, on County Sound – the one and only one for you. County Sound, the one and only one for you”.

SMASH IELTS: Things To Do Before You Write I — naijawriter

Writing is hard or easy, depending on how you approach it. If you approach it with dread and disdain you will find it hard and you won’t get the best out of yourself. If you approach it with interest and a genuine desire to improve, you will find it easy. You will enjoy writing […]

via SMASH IELTS: Things To Do Before You Write I — naijawriter

The #Goldengirls theme #idioms

The Youtube clip is here

Today’s Idiom: “to throw a party” which means to arrange or make a party

Lyrics:

Thank you for being a friend

Travelled down the road and back again

Your heart is true you ‘re  a pal and a confidant.

And if you threw a party

Invited everyone you ever knew

You would see the biggest gift would be from me

And the card attached would say thank you for being a friend.

Rocket Ingles – A course for Spanish people #ingles #learnenglish #ielts

​Rocket Ingles – This is one of the best packages I´ve seen for  Learning and its aimed at Spanish people.  It covers all of the basics and a lot more. Quickly you can expect to be speaking and the learning time is 50% quicker than anyone else. It also comes with a 60 day guarantee so if you don´t like it, you can get a refund. Its a little bit expensive at 40 US Dollars but definitely worth it.  There´s also a premium version.  Don´t worry if you are not Spanish, this  link will take you to Rockets website and you can find all of their other courses too. Just click on the logo at the top .

English Preposition Book #ielts #learnenglish

English Prepositions List E-Book –  – A wonderful book from Josef Essberger with plenty of examples. It also comes with a 90 day guarantee so if you don´t like it you simply get a refund, no questions asked.  Its fairly cheap costing around 7 British Pounds and covers all 150 prepositions.  Don´t forget my Ebooks too about English Grammar on Amazon Kindle

Rocket Ingles – A course for Spanish people #ingles #learnenglish #ielts

Rocket Ingles – This is one of the best packages I´ve seen for  Learning and its aimed at Spanish people.  It covers all of the basics and a lot more. Quickly you can expect to be speaking and the learning time is 50% quicker than anyone else. It also comes with a 60 day guarantee so if you don´t like it, you can get a refund. Its a little bit expensive at 40 US Dollars but definitely worth it.  There´s also a premium version.  Don´t worry if you are not Spanish, this  link will take you to Rockets website and you can find all of their other courses too. Just click on the logo at the top .

Three American Dishes You Need To Try — Marcel’s Teaching Blog #ielts #learnenglish

As an English teacher, I love to talk about food because, well… it’s food. It’s the stuff of life! What also makes it a great topic for English lessons, is that it’s polarizing which really gets students talking. And when they do, you can get them to discuss the flavor, smell, texture, sound and look […]

via Three American Dishes You Need To Try — Marcel’s Teaching Blog

Problems with the IELTS Speaking Test #ielts #learnenglish

IELTS stands for International English language testing system. It is different with TOEFL and TOEIC which is pretty well-known. I am not saying that IELTS is not popular, but in Indonesia, if you are applying for a job, usually some universities and enterprises uses TOEFL for the requirement. The big difference between IELTS and TOEFL […]

via My Problems on IELTS Speaking Test — PRISTA DWI AGIK

ESL Textbook: Good or Bad idea #ielts #learnenglish

(Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1NIzotU) This is quite controversial issue and there are so many reasons to not use textbooks, it’s crazy, but let’s set out the debate and I want you to tell me what you think. Pros and Cons of using textbooks in the Classroom For Pros Cons ESL Children 1. Lots of good material […]

via Using ESL textbooks – good or bad idea — AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE

When your ESL dream changes #ielts #learneglish

(Photo credit: http://bit.ly/2aRXYBq) For those who are learning English as adults, it is easy to identify the dream of what and why you want your English to be perfect, however at the same time, we are adults and we know that sometimes simply ‘life happens’, and this can have devastating repercussions on many things including […]

via When your ESL dream changes — AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE

The CHANGING FACE of the English Learner #ielts #learnenglish

Originally posted on AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE: (Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1Uh281B) If you are learning English right now, you are one of a new breed of English learners. You may not be living in an English speaking country and may not be working in any kind of English work, but you are interested in ‘being connected’,…

via The CHANGING FACE of the English learner — AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE

IELTS and TOEFL #ielts #toefl

Students having the desire to fly abroad for their studies has the necessity to know about these two tests. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are the English language tests that need to be cleared by international students from other countries where English is not native […]

via What is IELTS and TOEFL? — Edubilla

IELTS WRITING #ielts #learnenglish

Qualifying IELTS is very important for those people who wish to study or work abroad. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most important test to be cleared by those candidates, who want to take their career to the next level. IELTS is essential for those who are planning to migrate to foreign […]

via Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills — vipindasblog

Free IELTS Courses #ielts #learnenglish

If you are preparing to take the IELTS test and don’t want to spend a large amount of money as well as your time attending IELTS courses at Englisg centres, this course is for you. It is brought to everyone by the University of Queensland, Australia and designed for self-study. You will be supplied with […]

via IELTSx – Free IELTS online course — phunguyen

IELTS WRTING SCORE #learnenglish #ielts

In our latest article, I’ll tell you how to improve your IELTS writing score by using parallelism. What is Parallelism? Parallel means two things (lines, objects, etc) running next to each other, having the same space between them at all points. For example, look at the word “parallel” itself – the two ls in […]

via Improve Your IELTS Writing With Parallelism — tedielts

IELTS Preparation #ielts #learnenglish

What is IELTS? The English language testing system is English language proficiency test. It is a very popular test for higher education or worldwide migration. Every year million of people take the test. It is designed by experts to evaluate all of your English skills like reading listening writing and speaking and results that how […]

via Complete Guide to IELTS Preparation. — The Learnify

IELTS Questions #ielts #learnenglish

Confused? Lost? Frustrated? These are the emotional torture that IELTS candidates will face while preparing for their test. You have questions but can’t seem to find the answers on Google or from your circle of friends. You feel confused, lost, frustrated… Fortunately, Lecturers on Demand is here to help! Lecturers on Demand is an online education service […]

via Get all your IELTS questions answered! — 2newmelburnians

IELTS HELP #ielts #learnenglish #ielts

Louis Rogers is a freelance author and senior academic tutor at the University of Reading. He has worked in a number of countries and taught in various contexts ranging from young learners to Academic English. Louis is co-author of Oxford EAP B1+, Foundation IELTS Masterclass, Proficiency Masterclass and Intermediate and Upper Intermediate Skills for Business […]

via IELTS Speaking Practice: Part 3 – What’s the word? — Oxford University Press

A Second Language #ielts #learnenglish

To have another language is to possess a second soul. Charlemagne One of the things that I am most grateful for is that my parents taught my brother and I German. We’re first generation Canadian. My parents immigrated to Canada in 1960. Three years later I was born and sixteen months after that my brother […]

via Possess A Second Soul — talktodiana

Teaching in Summertime #ielts #learnenglish

Hi from Teacher Joseph!

Summer Update

Historically June July and August are quiet months. In Europe its summer and many people are away on holiday, universities are closed. Teachers are seeing a slight drop in their student bookings and have more time to come to the forums and perhaps advertise. Its also a good time to sort out websites and blogs.

If a teacher reduces a language to become a commodity (in other words if a teacher views his job only as a way to earn money) then everyone is reduced down to something which is being bought and sold, the teacher, the student  etc. and his teaching practice will not be successful. People are not commodities and language isn´t either so there needs to be a balance of “giving” as well as offering free help to those who need it. A good teacher will be raising up his students to empower them, not to try and use them to get money. its unethical. There´s good months and bad months, just like any other job.

Teachers do need to earn but they also need to realize the world is not always about buying and selling. I often help students who have a quick question or need something correcting free of charge. Having said that,   I´ve been approached by many people on Facebook  who simply don´t want to pay for lessons. Pleading with me to teach them free. I think a good teacher knows from the initial enquiry or from the first lesson who is serious about learning. There are a lot of time wasters, on both sides teachers and students. I am pleased to say though that I have met many wonderful people and I think the system of Skype Teaching works well, but people should monitor Teachers more to see exactly what their ratings are, to ensure quality at all times or even do some kind of random survey or checks.

I´m happy to help.

Joseph

What kind of learner are you? — Ace Your Class #ielts #learnenglish

Do you learn best by watching, listening, or doing something? These 3 different ways to learn are also called visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. If you know your best learning styles, you can study better; focus on materials in your styles. For example, if learning English is easier by listening, you can study with a lot […]

via What kind of learner are you? — Ace Your Class

CULTURE: Learning About Home — Matthew Cowan #ielts #learningenglish

Today is Australia Day. It’s our national day of BBQs, beers and sunburn. A celebration of the larrikin within us ending with a riot of fireworks displays in our major cities and sausage sizzles put on by local councils and community groups. Our shenanigans in public parks and pubs “Down Under” draw a global audience […]

via CULTURE: Learning About Home — Matthew Cowan

World ‘ENGLISHES’ – is this really the FUTURE of English? — AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE #ielts #learnenglish

Originally posted on AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE: (Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1VVO3bt) Ever heard of Singlish? Manglish? Chinglish? Spanglish? These are all now recognised as ‘forms of English-es’. But do they really represent the future of English? People now completely accept American English, British English, Australian English and New Zealand English – 99.9% of these English language…

via World ‘ENGLISHES’ – is this really the FUTURE of English? — AIYSHAH’S ENGLISH PAGE