Level: Medium
Language: Relationships, Feelings, Music, Fashion
WARNING: The song Youngblood and its accompanying video both feature some mild adult content. In the second verse of the song, the singer briefly refers to getting drunk. However, this is not a very significant part of the song meaning or of the language tasks, so could easily be brushed over in class. In the video, there is a very fast shot of a man sticking up his middle finger at the camera (at minute 3.18). If this seems inappropriate for your class, click here for the audio-only YouTube link.
5 Seconds of Summer are a 4-piece Australian boyband. Kind of a weird name, right? Well, the members say that they chose the name themselves when they were just 15 years old. That was back in 2011, before they knew that they were destined for international stardom. Attention teenagers: your nonsensical choices can have long-lasting consequences! Still, the band’s name seems to have worked out well for them. And if it’s too much of a mouthful (or a keyful), there’s always the option to abbreviate it to a catchier 5SOS.
It seems like it’s been a while since pop-punk had its moment. In the UK, bands like McFly and Busted are already faded memories. Likewise for American supergroups like Blink-182 and Green Day. But never fear, 5 Seconds of Summer are here to clutch the genre from the ashes and introduce today’s teenagers to the age-old tradition of rocking out.
Youngblood is the perfect song for getting your students talking about feelings and relationship dramas … oh, and Japan’s surprisingly bustling rockabilly scene!
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