fandomhigh | Music is Love: [10/10]

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Music is Love: [10/10]

The music room's stage has returned to normal and Lorne sits on the edge of the stage sipping his coffee as he waits for the students to take their seats.

"Okay kitties, last week we talked about the different styles of American music and today we're going to focus on one singer in particular," Lorne said leaning back on the stage. "She's my own personal savior in particular. A woman by the name of Aretha Franklin.

"Aretha Franklin is one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged. Her astonishing run of late-'60s hits with Atlantic Records--"Respect," "I Never Loved a Man," "Chain of Fools," "Baby I Love You," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "The House That Jack Built," and several others--earned her the title "Queen of Soul," which she has worn uncontested ever since.

Franklin's musical roots started with gospel music. She first sang at the Detroit church of her father while growing up in the 1950s. In fact, she made her first recordings as a gospel artist at the age of 14. It has also been reported that Motown was interested in signing Aretha back in the days when it was a tiny start-up. Ultimately, however, Franklin ended up with Columbia, to which she was signed by the renowned talent scout John Hammond. While she made a name for herself in the first half of the sixties, it wasn't until she left the columbia record label for Atlantic that she truly began to break out.

In the late '60s, Franklin became one of the biggest international recording stars in all of pop. Many also saw Franklin as a symbol of Black America itself, reflecting the increased confidence and pride of African-Americans in the decade of the civil rights movements and other triumphs for he Black community. The chart statistics are impressive in and of themselves: ten Top Ten hits in a roughly 18-month span between early 1967 and late 1968 and a steady stream of solid mid-to-large-size hits for the next five years after that. Her Atlantic albums were also huge sellers, and far more consistent artistically than those of most soul stars of the era. Franklin was able to maintain creative momentum, in part, because of her eclectic choice of material, which encompassed first-class originals and gospel, blues, pop, and rock covers, from the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to Sam Cooke and the Drifters.

Franklin's commercial and artistic success was unabated in the early '70s, during which she landed more huge hits with "Spanish Harlem," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and "Day Dreaming." She also produced two of her most respected, and earthiest, album releases with Live at Fillmore West and Amazing Grace. The latter, a 1972 double LP, was a reinvestigation of her gospel roots, recorded with James Cleveland & the Southern California Community Choir. Remarkably, it made the Top Ten, counting as one of the greatest gospel-pop crossover smashes of all time.

In her career she's won over 18 grammys, was the first woman to be inducted into the Roc and roll hall of fame, was awarded the national medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and had her voice recognized by the United States government as a National Treasure."

"Your assignment today is to pick a song by this wonderful woman and perform it to the best of your ability. C'mon kids! Show me what you got."

[ooc: ~~Wait for the~~ OCD is up.]

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You know how it's done.

Marie D'Ancanto

Nadia Santos

M. Parker

Zuko

Yasutora Sado

Pip Bernadette

Peter Griffin

Sam Carter

Jaye Tyler

Zero Hopeless-Savage

Chat, take notes, take a nap...

Marie doodled on her tablet during the lecture.

Chad already had a nap today, so he took good notes.

Sing it Baby

Marie got up and sang.

Chain, chain, chain, chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain of fools
Five long years I thought you were my man
But I found out I'm just a link in your chain
You got me where you want me
I ain't nothing but your fool
You treated me mean oh you treated me cruel
Chain, chain, chain, chain of fools

Every chain has got a weak link
I might be weak child, but I'll give you strength
You told me to leave you alone
My father said come on home
My doctor said take it easy
Whole bunch of lovin is much too strong
I'm added to your chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain,
Chain, chain of fools

One of these mornings the chain is gonna break
But up until then, yeah, I'm gonna take all I can take
Chain, chain, chain, chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chain, chain of fools

Nadia took some time to think about what to sing, then got up.

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on back when
I didn't even know you, you came to me and too much you wouldn't take
I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degree
It don't take too much high IQ's to see what you're doing to me

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, to keep doing things I don't

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

People walking around everyday, playing games that they can score
And I ain't gonna be the loser my way, ah, be careful you don't lose yours

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without eachother there ain't nothing people can do

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you're doing things I don't

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without eachother there ain't nothing people can do

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

You had better stop and think before you think, think!!

Parker's just glad no one else grabbed this one before she could.

What you want
Baby, I got
What you need
Do you know I got it?
All I'm askin'
Is for a little respect
when you come home (just a little bit)
Hey baby (just a little bit)
when you get home(just a little bit)
mister (just a little bit)

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo)
'cause I don't wanna (oo)
All I'm askin' (oo)
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

I'm about to give you all of my money
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
Is to give me my profits
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

Ooo, your kisses (oo)
Sweeter than honey (oo)
And guess what? (oo)
So is my money (oo)
All I want you to do (oo) for me
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) 'spect
When you come home (re, re, re ,re)
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)

She's barely able to breathe at the end of it, but the song is fun enough to sing to make up for some breathlessness.

Ugh, damn all this singing. And he couldn't just sing "I Will Survive," because he liked that Cake version better and understood that such a thing could result in death.

But he had the next best thing. Sung quite stoicly, of course.

Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But your love was the key to peace my mind

Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like
A natural woman

When my soul was in the lost-and-found
You came along to claim it
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
Till your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for
Cause if I make you happy I don't need no more

Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like
A natural woman

Oh, baby, what you've done to me
You make me feel so good inside
And I just want to be close to you
You make me fell so alive
Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like
A natural woman

He dedicated it to Ranma in his head.

Nadia grinned and applauded wildly for her bandmate.

Jaye totally yells "Woo!" and decides Chad wins.

Pip was, in general, not a particularly good singer.

However, the contrast of him singing Aretha Franklin was particularly hilarious.

This is the house that Jack built, y'all
Remember this house!

This was the land that he worked by hand
It was the dream of an upright man
There was the room that was filled with love
It was a love that I was proud of
This is the life, the life that he planned
On the love, the same old loved
Of the house that Jack built.
Remember this house!

There was the fence that held our love,
There was the gate that he walked out of
This is the heart it has turned to stone
This was the house, it ain't no home
This is the love that I destroyed
On the day that I toyed with love,
This is the house that Jack built,
I'm gonn' remember this house!

Oh-ohh wha-a-at's the use of crying?
You know I brought it on myself
There's no denying
But it see-e-ee-ems awful funny
That I didn't understand
Until I lost my upright man

Up on the hill
Everything stands still
In the house that Jack built
I'm gonna remember this house

Listen!
I got the house
I got the car
I got the rug
And I got the rack
But I ain't got Jack
And I want my Jack back!

I turned my back on Jack
He said he wasn't coming back
I turned my back on Jack
He said he wasn't coming back
Ohhh, Jack
You oughta come on back
Ohh Jack
You oughta come on back
To the that you built
It's the same one that you built

I didn't understand
Until I lost a upright man
Come on back Jack

In his mind, he's singing the Metallica version.

Peter got up and sang his favorite Aretha song.

Rescue me
Oh take me in your arms
Rescue me
I want your tender charms
'Coz I'm lonely and I'm blue
I need you and your love too

Come on and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me
'Coz I need you, by my side
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Rescue me

Come on and take my heart
Take your love and conquer every part
'Coz I'm lonely and I'm blue
I need you and your love too

Come on and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me
'Coz I need you by my side
Can't you see that I'm lonely

Rescue me
Oh take me in your arms
Rescue me
I want your tender charms
'Coz I'm lonely and I'm blue
I need you and your love too
Come on and rescue me
Come on baby, take me baby, hold me baby, love me baby
Can't you see that I need you baby
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Rescue me

Come on and take my hand
Come on baby and be my man
Cuz I love you cuz I want you
Can't you see that I'm lonely?
take me baby
love me baby
need me baby
Can't you see that I'm lonely?

rescue me, rescue me.......

*facepalm*

Sam was all set to sing "House that Jack Built" until Pip sang, so she had to go with her second choice.

She knew that a slightly tone-deaf uptight white girl couldn't do the song justice, but she'd have fun trying. So she cut loose and there was very nearly, almost soul.

Billy Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around and started talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Out through the back yard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was

Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come'n tell me "Everything is all right"
He'd kiss and tell me "Everything is all right"
Can I get away again tonight?

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (yes he was)

How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Takin' time to make time
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Learnin' from each other's knowin'
Lookin' to see how much we've grown and

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh yes he was

(The only one who could ever reach me)
He was the sweet-talkin' son of a preacher man
(The only boy who could ever teach me)
Was the son of a preacher man

(The only one who could ever reach me)
Was the sweet-talkin' son of a preacher man

Jaye only picked this song so she can imitate that scene in the movie with the chick that looks like the hooker she set up with that guy.

The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair, now,
And wondering what dress to wear, now,
I say a little prayer for you

Forever, and ever, you'll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever,and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together, together, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only be heartbreak for me.

I run for the bus, dear,
While riding I think of us, dear,
I say a little prayer for you.
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break-time,
I say a little prayer for you.

Forever, and ever, you'll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, forever we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together, together, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only be heartbreak for me.

My darling believe me,
For me there is no one
But you.

Woe for there are no guys in lobster costumes.

Zero flailed. She was running out of songs. Finally, she picked one out and began to sing.

(La-la-la la la la la la la la)
(La-la-la la la la la la la la)

(There's a rose in black at Spanish Harlem)
(A rose in black at Spanish Harlem)

It is the special one
It never sees the sun
It only comes up
When the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street
Right up through the concrete
But soft sweet and dreamy

(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
(A rose in black at Spanish Harlem)

With eyes as black as coal
That look down in his soul
It start a fire there and then he looses control
I'm gonna beg his par-ar-ar-ardon yeah
He's going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows
In his garden

[Instrumental]

(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem uum uum)
(A rose in black at Spanish Harlem uum uum)

With eyes as black as coal
That look down in his soul
And start a fire there and then he loses control
And I wanna beg his par-ar-ar-don
He's going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows
In his garden

(La-la-la- la la la la la la la)
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)
(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)

[Fades]

(La la la-la-la la-la-la la)

He may not remember your name but he still loves ya!

Is it just me or does everyone else want to see Zuko sing "Natural Woman"?

*seconds the motion*

No that's a song by Smokey Robinson... Oh wait you said "motion" not "emotion".

Nebbermind.

Aretha's got a version of Nessun Dorma that puts Pavarotti to shame. Wish I could find my copy and upload it.

... Zuko hates you so much.

My personal favourite is 'Ain't no way'.

*should read OOC comments before tagging in IC*

I didn't mean to steal it, I swear. XD

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