Song suggestions

Gulliver

Couldn’t think of a better section to put this in, so here goes.

Starting in September, I’m teaching Music again, and one of the modules I’ve been tasked with facilitating involves students performing. I want to give students a list of songs to select from for their performances, but the songs also have to fit the theme “borders, boundaries and barriers” - interpret that however you like.

does anyone have any suggestions of things that aren’t too challenging that would fit? I’ve got a fair few but wisdom of crowds and all that…

Jonathangus

Anything by The Edge.

fastonebaz

Highway to hell. 

There's bound to be some kind of border control involved. 

munckee

Living in a box. 

stickyfiddle

Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd
The Borders - Sam Fender
Walls - Kings of Leon
Climbing Up the Walls - Radiohead 
War Pigs / Luke's Wall - Black Sabbath

BenSirAmos

Borderline - RDF

digitalkettle

Borderline - Madonna

thecolourbox

I reckon Heroes could work

digitalkettle

thecolourbox said:

I reckon Heroes could work

There must be a zillion based on the Berlin Wall!

mudslide73

ChatGPT says:  
"Designing a list of songs around the theme "borders, boundaries, and barriers" can be an exciting and thought-provoking task for your music class. Here's a curated list of songs from various genres and time periods that explore the theme in different ways. These songs offer a range of perspectives, allowing your students to interpret the theme creatively:

1. "Imagine" - John Lennon

2. "Where Is the Love?" - The Black Eyed Peas

3. "Born This Way" - Lady Gaga

4. "Get Up, Stand Up" - Bob Marley

5. "A Change Is Gonna Come" - Sam Cooke

6. "We Are the World" - USA for Africa

7. "No Man's Land" - Bob Seger

8. "Man in the Mirror" - Michael Jackson

9. "One Tribe" - The Black Eyed Peas

10. "Redemption Song" - Bob Marley

11. "Across the Borderline" - Ry Cooder

12. "Counting Stars" - OneRepublic

13. "Wind of Change" - Scorpions

14. "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye

15. "The Rising" - Bruce Springsteen

16. "Locked Away" - R. City ft. Adam Levine

17. "Grenade" - Bruno Mars

18. "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers

19. "One Love" - U2

20. "Mad World" - Tears for Fears

Encourage your students to explore the lyrics and messages behind these songs and how they relate to the theme of "borders, boundaries, and barriers." They can also consider how the music and the melody reinforce the theme's emotional aspects. This exercise will not only challenge their musical abilities but also promote critical thinking and empathy as they connect with the deeper meanings behind the music."

I'd just get them to jam out "Communication Breakdown" and pretend it's about crossing language barriers

Sporky

Beside Cliffs And Chasms by Kardashev?

Rocker

City of New Orleans, Willie Nelson

RocknRollDave

There’s Nothing Holding Me Back - Shawn Mendes

Borderline - Madonna

RocknRollDave

Through The Barricades - Spandau Ballet

RocknRollDave

Something Inside So Strong - Labi Siffre

digitalkettle

mudslide73 said:

ChatGPT says...

Holy crap! I've just had a vision of what it might be like if ChatGPT turned up to every thread

flying_pie

Escape by Metallica could be an interesting one

It's an underrated song and also major key which is unusual for Metallica/thrash metal in general

The lyrics are always up for interpretation but it seems its about breaking down internal barriers and societal boundaries 

digitalkettle

flying_pie said:

Escape by Metallica could be an interesting one

It's an underrated song and also major key which is unusual for Metallica/thrash metal in general

The lyrics are always up for interpretation but it seems its about breaking down internal barriers and societal boundaries 

And 'Trapped Under Ice'...because it's about being trapped...under ice

Sporky

flying_pie said:

Escape by Metallica could be an interesting one

It's an underrated song and also major key which is unusual for Metallica/thrash metal in general

I was in a band that did Anywhere I Roam in a major key. 

It was a bit Chas & Dave. 

flying_pie

digitalkettle said:

flying_pie said:

Escape by Metallica could be an interesting one

It's an underrated song and also major key which is unusual for Metallica/thrash metal in general

The lyrics are always up for interpretation but it seems its about breaking down internal barriers and societal boundaries 

And 'Trapped Under Ice'...because it's about being trapped...under ice

And both Master Of Puppets and Tornado Of Souls are about being trapped within the borders of an abusive relationship with either drugs and/or alcohol...

flying_pie

Sporky said:

I was in a band that did Anywhere I Roam in a major key. 

It was a bit Chas & Dave. 

Did you include the"have a banana" cockney lyric?