Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Let’s get started!
A verse gives us information about the meaning of the song. It is one of the most common types of section found in popular music. A song usually has more than one verse and the lyrics will vary in each one.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Examine the following verses from three different Blues songs.
- How are the verses similar and different?
- Consider the following questions.
- What do you notice about how the lyrics are organized in each verse?
- Do any of the lines rhyme? Do any of the lines repeat?
- What do you think the song might be about?
Record your responses digitally, orally, or in print. If possible, share your responses with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
“Rainy Day Blues” by Willie Nelson
Access the audio clip/recording of Willie Nelson’s “Rainy Day Blues”.
Willie Nelson’s “Rainy Day Blues”
The lyrics to “Rainy Day Blues” by Willie Nelson are as follows:
Well it’s cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon
Cloudy in the morning and it’s gonna be raining in the afternoon
If you don’t like this rainy weather, you better pack your bags and move
“Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith
Explore this recording of “Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith.
“Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith
The lyrics to “Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith are as follows:
I hate to hear that freight train blow, boo-hoo
I hate to hear that freight train blow, boo-hoo
Every time I hear it blowin, I feel like ridin’ too.
“Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter
Check out this recording of “Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter and compare it to the previous examples.
“Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter
The lyrics for “Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter are as follows:
Well, good morning blues, blues how do you do
Well, good morning blues, blues how do you do
I’m doing all right well, good morning how are you.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Task one: Patterns in the blues
The Blues is known for expressing powerful emotions such as loss, grief, resistance, and pride. Rather than telling a story, the lyrics will reflect the mood, feelings, and memories of the singer.
The lyrics in a Blues song are often organized in an AAB form.
The verses consist of 3 lines and often follow a problem and solution pattern. They can also follow a question-and-answer pattern.
Let’s return to one of the verses from the Minds On.
“Rainy Day Blues” by Willie Nelson
Well it’s cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon
Cloudy in the morning and it’s gonna be raining in the afternoon
If you don’t like this rainy weather, you better pack your bags and move
Two teacher characters having a conversation. Teacher A: Hey, Teacher B, what do you notice about how the lyrics are organized? Teacher B: It appears the first and second lines are pretty much the same but the third line is different. Teacher A: That’s right! That’s what we call an AAB lyric form. There are lyrics with box around the letter ‘A’s and a circle around the letter ‘B’. (A) “Well it's cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon (A) Cloudy in the morning and it's gonna be raining in the afternoon (B) If you don't like this rainy weather you better pack your bags and move”
In Willie Nelson’s, “Rainy Day Blues”, the problem (A) is that it’s a cloudy morning and it’s going to rain in the afternoon.
The solution (B) is to gather up one’s belongings and go somewhere else.
Task two: Analysing lyrics
Now that we have discussed lyric form, let’s further examine the verses.
Revisit the three Blues verses from earlier. This time analyse the verses for form, repetition, and rhyme scheme. Use specific examples from the lyrics to support your thinking.
Record your ideas digitally, orally, or in print.
Press the following tabs to access the definitions of the three concepts useful for your analysis.
The structure of a musical piece or passage. For example, the most common blues lyric pattern is AAB. An AAB verse consists of a line (A), a repeated line (A), and a new line (B). The third line often completes the thought of the first two lines.
When a passage or section of music is played or sung more than once. Repetitions do not have to be exact.
A rhyme scheme is a way to determine which lines of lyrics rhyme with one another. For example, in an AAB verse, the final word(s) of the A line will rhyme with the final word(s) of the B line.
Fun fact
Something to keep in mind is Blues songs and lyrics don’t have to follow a formal song or lyric structure or specific rules.
This is because improvisation, or composing music “on the spot”, is important in the blues. It’s not unusual for a musician to perform a song differently each time based on how they are feeling!
“Rainy Day Blues” by Willie Nelson
Access the audio clip/recording of Willie Nelson’s “Rainy Day Blues”.
Willie Nelson’s “Rainy Day Blues”
Well it’s cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon
Cloudy in the morning and it’s gonna be raining in the afternoon
If you don’t like this rainy weather, you better pack your bags and move
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Identify the pattern in the verse (problem/solution or question/answer).
- Do any of the lines repeat? If yes, which ones?
- Do you notice rhyming pattern?
Explain your thinking.
Press ‘Answers’ to access possible answers to this question.
Problem: “Well it’s cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon.”
Solution: “If you don’t like this rainy weather, you better pack your bags and move”
The first two lines repeat with small differences. For example, line 1 starts with “Well it’s cloudy”. Line 2 starts with “Cloudy”. There’s also an “and” between “morning” and “gonna”. There is no rhyming pattern between the A and B lines.
“Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith
Explore this recording of “Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith.
“Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith
The lyrics to “Freight Train Blues” by Trixie Smith are as follows:
I hate to hear that freight train blow, boo-hoo
I hate to hear that freight train blow, boo-hoo
Every time I hear it blowin, I feel like ridin’ too.
Press ‘Answers’ to access possible answers to this question.
Problem: I hate to hear that engine blow, boo-hoo
Solution: Every time I hear it blowin, I feel like ridin’ too.
Both A lines are exactly the same. There is also a rhyming pattern between lines A and B. “Boo-hoo” rhymes with “too”.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Identify the pattern in the verse (problem/solution or question/answer).
- Do any of the lines repeat? If yes, which ones?
- Do you notice rhyming pattern?
Explain your thinking.
Press ‘Answers’ to access possible answers to this question.
Problem: I hate to hear that engine blow, boo-hoo
Solution: Every time I hear it blowin, I feel like ridin’ too.
Both A lines are exactly the same. There is also a rhyming pattern between lines A and B. “Boo-hoo” rhymes with “too”.
“Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter
Check out this recording of “Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter and compare it to the previous examples.
“Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter
The lyrics for “Good Morning Blues” by Huddie Ledbetter are as follows:
Well, good morning blues, blues how do you do
Well, good morning blues, blues how do you do
I’m doing all right well, good morning how are you.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Identify the pattern in the verse (problem/solution or question/answer).
- Do any of the lines repeat? If yes, which ones?
- Do you notice rhyming pattern?
Explain your thinking.
Press ‘Answers’ to access possible answers to this question.
This verse follows a question-and-answer pattern (or “question-question-answer”).
Question: Well, good morning blues, blues how do you do?
Answer: I’m doing all right well, good morning how are you?
Both A lines are exactly the same. There is also a rhyming pattern between lines A and B. “You” rhymes with “do”.
Go!
Now it’s your turn to create a blues verse! Here are your steps.
Step 1: Select a topic from the following list or come up with your own:
Blues verses
Step 2. Take your topic and put it between the words ‘The’ and ‘Blues’ to create your song title.
Step 3. Identify the problems or questions you want to include. What are some possible solutions/answers or upsides?
Record your topic, problems/solutions, or questions/answers and song title. Record your thinking in the graphic organizer provided or using another method of your choice.
Complete the My Blues Verse in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
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My Blues Verse |
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Topic: |
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Possible problems: |
Possible solutions: |
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The __________________________ Blues |
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Verse Lyrics: Line 1: Line 2: Line 3: |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Blues Verse.
After you complete this task, press ‘Example’ to access an example of a Blues verse.
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My Blues Verse |
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Topic: Cold winter season |
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Possible problems: Freezing temperatures Shorter days Many layers of clothing Ice is slippery |
Possible solutions: Playing in the snow Making snow people Beautiful snowflakes Hot chocolate |
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Song title: The Cold Winter Blues |
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Verse lyrics: A: _____________________________________ A: _____________________________________ B: _____________________________________ |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Blues Verse Example.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Task 1: Record your lyrics in AAB form
Select one problem and one solution from your brainstorming list.
Line A: The title of your blues song and one of the problems from your brainstorm.
Line A: The title of your blues song and one of the problems from your brainstorm.
Line B: A possible solution.
Try to rhyme the last word in Line A with the last word in Line B.
You can access My Blues Verse Example in the following printable document.
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My Blues Verse |
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Topic: Cold winter season |
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Possible problems: Freezing temperatures Shorter days Many of layers of clothing Ice is slippery |
Possible solutions: Playing in the snow Making snow people Beautiful snowflakes Hot chocolate |
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Song title: The Cold Winter Blues |
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Verse lyrics: A: I’ve got the cold winter blues, I just want some sun A: I’ve got the cold winter blues, I just want some sun B: Oh, hey it’s snowing, I’m gonna go have some fun |
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Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Blues Verse Example.
Task two: Let’s reflect
Portfolio
Review your learning
Use the following questions to reflect on your learning:
- How did the AAB lyric form help you to communicate a message?
- How can musical form help communicate an idea to the audience?
- What factors might influence someone to compose this type of music?
- If you were to create verse again, is there anything you would add or change?
Record your responses digitally, orally, or in print.
Consider adding your work to your portfolio.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.