If you wish to wake up students a bit and get them to participate in class, try teaching compare and contrast with songs. Songs are a great way to teach many Common Core skills. Right away, you probably think you can teach figurative language and other poetic elements; however, you can do much more. Teaching the skill of comparing and contrasting with songs can be a fun and memorable experience for your students.
This handout contains all the song titles listed in this series of posts. It also has a printable organizer for students to use with the songs.
Get the handout for this post including the compare and contrast song list and graphic organizers for students to analyze the songs.
Compare and Contrast Songs #1
Let it Go by Idina Menzel (Frozen – 2013) vs. Towards the Sun by Rihanna (Home – 2015)
Both songs are about finding courage.
“Let It Go” appears on the soundtrack for Disney’s animated film *Frozen*. Elsa sings the song when she leaves the kingdom of Arendelle and creates her ice palace. At this time, she is hiding her powers from the world. Elsa is afraid she will be rejected if people see her as different. The song encourages listeners to let go of fears and insecurities.
“Towards the Sun” is a song about finding the strength to move forward. Rihanna sings the song for the movie *Home*. The movie is about a group of aliens forced to flee to Earth to seek refuge. The song’s message is about not giving up during difficult times.
Compare and Contrast Songs #2
Hakuna Matata by Elton John and Tim Rice (The Lion King – 1994)
vs. Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin (1988)
Both songs promote a carefree and positive attitude toward life.
Hakuna Matata, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, was featured in the 1994 Walt Disney animated movie The Lion King. The phrase is Swahili and means “no worries.” In the movie, Timon and Pumbaa want to teach Simba to forget his troubled past and live in the present.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” became a hit song in 1988 by Bobby McFerrin. The phrase comes from the Indian guru Meher Baba. The song appeared in the movies *Cocktail* (1988) and *Casper – A Spirited Beginning* (1997). George H.W. Bush used the song in his 1988 U.S. Presidential Election. Mattress Firm even made a commercial featuring this song. The song tells people to focus on the present and not worry about the past.
Compare and Contrast Songs #3
Roar by Katy Perry (2013) vs. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor (theme song to Rocky III – 1982)
Both songs emphasize using people to be strong and courageous.
Katy Perry’s song “Roar” encourages people to be strong and stand up. The word roar is used 16 times during the song to emphasize the power. The message is about finding inner strength and speaking up for yourself.
“Eye of the Tiger” is the theme song for Rocky III. In the movie, the song contrasts scenes between the two fighters. Mr. T trains hard to become the world’s boxing champion. In contrast, Rocky Balboa shoots commercials and slacks off in his training program. The song shows that Rocky needs to regain his hunger for glory. The song encourages listeners never to give up and keep pushing through difficult times.
Compare and Contrast Songs #4
Rise Up by Beyoncé (Epic – 2013) vs. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift (2014)
Both songs encourage listeners to stay positive.
“Rise Up” was sung by Beyoncé in the animated movie Epic. The song speaks of standing up for yourself. Beyoncé voices the character Queen Tara in the film, who is trying to save her magical forest from the evil Boggan leader. The song encourages listeners to stay strong and never give up, even when faced with challenges.
Taylor Swift says the song “Shake it Off” was her way of dealing with some of her critics and overcoming her fear of bad press. In the video, Swift dances with professional dancers. She awkwardly tries to keep up. Swift says she wanted the video to spread the message that it is okay to be different. The video’s message is not to let things bring you down and to focus on staying happy.
Compare and Contrast Songs #5
When You Wish Upon a Star by Cliff Edwards (Disney’s Pinocchio – 1940) vs. Somewhere Out There (An American Tail – 1986)
Both songs focus on the power of hope and positive thinking.
“When You Wish Upon a Star” comes from Walt Disney’s 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio. Jiminy Cricket sings the song at the movie’s beginning and end. The song talks about how dreams come true. Pinocchio, a wooden doll, wishes to be a real boy. The song’s lyrics suggest that no matter how far away our dreams may seem, they can come true if we believe.
“Somewhere Out There” was featured in the 1986 film An American Tail. In this movie, a brother and sister, Fievel and Tanya Mousekewitz sing about their love. The song’s lyrics suggest that even when we are separated from the ones we love, we can still feel their presence and know they are thinking of us.
More Compare and Contrast with Song Ideas
- “We Are the World” by USA for Africa and “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson: Both songs promote the idea of global unity, cooperation, and compassion.
- “A Million Dreams” by Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams (from *The Greatest Showman*) and “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus: Both songs promote the idea of following your dreams and working hard to achieve your goals.
- “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars and “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers: Both songs have a positive and supportive message about friendship and being there for others in need.
If you missed the link to the handout earlier in the post, here it is again.
Get the handout for this compare-and-contrast blog post including the song list and graphic organizers.
Check out the other posts in this series.
1 comment
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