English through Music

Pharrell Williams: Happy

Sharing a good mood

A2Approximately 30 minutesAdults

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

01 Watch 02 Useful English 03 Quick quiz 04 Speaking

Your goal: Understand the main mood of a song and explain what makes you feel good.

An upbeat song and dancing video. There is no need to feel cheerful or to dance to complete this lesson.

01 · 6 minutes

Watch

Watch the complete video once without pausing. Focus on the overall meaning and mood; you do not need to catch every word.

Listen for the feeling the singer repeats and the action he invites other people to join in.

If the player cannot load or reports an error, open the video on YouTube.

Open on YouTube

Choose one word for your first reaction. There is no correct answer.

02 · 5 minutes

Useful English

Four useful items connected with the song. Definitions and examples are original; not every item is claimed to appear in the recording.

British English vocabulary audio

Open the full MP3

Choose an item to hear its word, meaning and example.

cheerful

adjective

Happy and positive in mood.

Our cheerful guide welcomed everyone with a smile.

clap along

verb phrase

To clap your hands in time with music or with other people.

The audience clapped along during the final song.

bring someone down

phrasal verb

To make someone feel sadder or less confident.

One disappointing comment should not bring you down all day.

lift your spirits

verb phrase

To make you feel happier or more hopeful.

A call from an old friend lifted my spirits.

03 · 9 minutes

Quick quiz

Choose one answer for each question. Questions 1–2 focus on the song; questions 3–6 practise useful vocabulary.

Open the six-question quiz

1. What feeling is the song mainly expressing?

Regret about missing an important meeting.Fear about an unknown danger.Happiness and positive energy.

2. What does the singer invite listeners to do?

Remain completely silent throughout the song.Clap along.Write a detailed explanation before joining in.

3. A cheerful person looks…

worried and uncertain.angry and impatient.happy and positive.

4. You clap along with a song. What do you do?

Stop the song whenever the rhythm changes.Clap your hands in time with the music.Sing every word without moving your hands.

5. Bad news brings someone down. How does it affect them?

It makes them feel less happy.It makes them physically shorter.It makes them certain that they have won a prize.

6. Which thing might lift your spirits?

An encouraging message from a friend.A rude comment about your work.Another unnecessary worry.

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Because + a reason

Use because to explain a feeling.

I feel cheerful because my friend is visiting.

Original practice model, not a song lyric

After because, use a clause with a subject and a verb: my friend is visiting. Because of is followed by a noun phrase instead. In the practice below, keep the full clause.

Give the reason, not a contrast: I feel relaxed ___ I have finished my work.because ofbecausealthough

Grammar support

A2And, but, or and because

04 · 10 minutes

Speaking

Give your opinion and explain it. Different reactions are welcome. You may use invented examples instead of personal experiences.

Open the three speaking questions

1. Does this song improve your mood?

Say why, or explain why it does not.

It makes me feel… because…

2. What simple activity can lift your spirits?

Explain when you do it.

I feel better when…

3. What kind of music would you choose for a short break?

Describe the mood you want and give a reason.

I would choose… because…

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