Alanis Morissette Looks at the Word "Ironic"
Who is Alanis Morissette?
She is a Canadian singer that is known mostly for her first CD "Jagged Little Pill". Here we are going to look at one her popular songs, "Ironic".
But what does Ironic mean?
Ironic: Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended.
Here are some very good examples from
http://www.customerssuck.com/board/archive/index.php/t-1797.html
Luna08-13-2006, 02:55 AM
- Driving to work over the past couple of weeks I've seen lots of bumper stickers. (Bumper stickers are things that you stick to the back end of your car.)
- One said HANG UP AND DRIVE...the woman driving was on her cell/mobile phone.
- A school bus ran a red light (yes, with kids) causing me to slam on my brakes and honk the horn. The sticker on the back said "how's my driving?"
- To run a red light means that you do not stop at the red light.
- To slam on the breaks means to brake but very strongly.
- Big red posted signs in front of buildings that say "No smoking within 50 feet of any entrance or this posted sign" with smokers huddled around the sign. Huddled means grouped closely together
Click on the video below to listen to the song "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette. Scroll down for the full lyrics.
IRONIC by Alanis Morissette
An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic... don't you think
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would've thought... it figures
Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
"Well isn't this nice..."
And isn't it ironic... don't you think
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would've thought... it figures
Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face
A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic...don't you think
A little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think...
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures
Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out
Helping you out
Phrasal Verbs
Look back at the lyrics and see if you understand what they mean? Don't worry I will wait while you look. :)
Now, try to match the following explanations with the phrasal verbs.
The answers are at the bottom of this page!
Expressions
Here are some expressions or ways of saying things that Alanis Morissette uses in her song. If you already understand them GREAT if not...now you know. :)
To turn ____ (an age...98 for example) When you get older you turn that age. For example my birthday is on the 22nd of November and in 2012 I turned 30.
Death row is when you are sentenced to die. If you receive the death penalty you are then waiting to die...on dealth row. So in the song, a dealth row pardon is when you are excused and no longer need to die.
Who is Mr. Play it Safe? When someone calls you Mr. or Mrs. Play it safe, it means that you are very causious and don't like to take risks.
A funny way. Here funny refers to something that is strange or weird. So if you have a funny way of cooking something...it means that your way is different or strange.
A Traffic Jam. This is when traffic is moving very slowly...if it is moving at all. You usually get stuck in traffic jams.
Phrasal Verb Answers
crashed down: to fall with a very loud noise
sneaking up: to move towards someone or somthing very quietly so that they do not see or hear you until you reach them
helping out: to aid someone, especially in a difficult situation
blows up in your face: if a plan, a deal or a situation goes very wrong and causes you harm or embarrassment
I hope that you have learnt a lot from Alanis Morissette's song. It is fun to listen too and has many great expressions and phrasal verbs that you can try to incorporate into your daily vocabulary.
Happy learning!
Diana
Alanis Morissette uses phrasal verbs...click here to listen to another song with phrasal verbs
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