Talkin' 'Bout Pop Music

"Songs go far beyond words in their ability tofilms appealed to people at a deeply personal
insert emotion intolevel.Pop Songs in Learning
communication." Robert Sylwester, A CelebrationIn Training With A Beat, I discussed at length the
of NeuronsFilmmakers, if they knew who brainapplication of pop songs in the
researcher Robert Sylwester was, would agreelearning environment. In part, I said:"Concert halls,
with him. They often integrate familiar songs intoballrooms, parties, and yes, the class room, can
their movies. Pop songs are sobe uncomfortable
successful that movie producers will payenvironments. When people hear a song they've
exorbitant sums, in some cases as much aslistened to in the privacy of their
$100,000, to acquire the rights for thehome, they relax. Comfortable music emotionally
song.Sylwester, in his book A Celebration ofwarms the training room, placing
Neurons, went on to explain:"The songs of ourlearners in a receptive frame of mind for learning.
adolescent years often become the beacons ofSongs with lyrics, especially
our adult lifepopular hits of the last 50 years, are extremely
because they can help us to recall the importantuseful for this reason. They are old,
developments of our adolescence.well worn, welcome friends."Songs with lyrics also
We often listen to this music to relive theengage learner brains in multiple ways. The words
memories in the extended reverie of song.and rhythm
The song slows the simple message so that weof a song are largely processed in the brain's left
can savor all the emotions of thehemisphere, where the melody is
experience."In a film composer's hands, poplargely processed by the right hemisphere. By
songs are chosen and linked to those memories inusing songs with lyrics, you help your
learners engage both hemispheres. In the
a way that adds emotional texture to the film.process, they gain a deeper meaning than
Films with pop music scores functionis possible with one hemisphere alone.Song lyrics
on two distinct levels. The first level is thecan, as was the case in The Big Chill, speak
application of the song in the film. Everydirectly to the learning topic.
song lyric tells a story and a well placed song'sThe many applications are too numerous to
story will dovetail with the film'sstate in this one article, but a few
visual.The second, and deeper, level is theexamples should prove the point:Career planning -
emotional meaning the use of specific songs"All Star" by Smash Mouth
brings forth within the listener. The songsChange management - "Bad Day" by Daniel
become metaphors, placing the subjectPowter
to be taught in the context of the learners priorCommunication - "Hello, Goodbye" by the Beatles
experiences. When people hearConflict management - "Shut Up" by the Black
songs they know, and have personal memoriesEye Peas
of, they immediately are drawn backCustomer service - "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers
into those memories, and the experience isDiversity - "Short People" by Randy Newman
enhanced. In essence, pop music helpsFinance - "Takin' Care of Business" by
us relate to the story being told in a deeplyBachman-Turner Overdrive
personal, highly emotional way.Three famous filmsProject Management - "One Little Slip" by the
used this technique to achieve success.AmericanBare Naked Ladies
Graffiti (1973), telling the story of a group ofSexual harassment - "Respect" by Aretha
early 1960s highFranklin
schoolers enjoying a last summer beforeTime management - "Right Place, Wrong Time"
adulthood, was intentionally designed as aby Dr. JohnOnce you've decided on an appropriate
series of pop music vignettes. George Lucas, thesong, placement is simple Considering the
film's director, developed theRandy Newman song "Short People" for
storyline, and selected the songs to almostexample:Introduction - Play the song as the
simultaneously.Each scene matched the length oflearners enter. Once the song is over call
the song accompanying it. For example, Billattention to the songs lyrics and ask for
Haley's "Rock Around The Clock," played duringcomments about the meaning conveyed by
the opening credits, set up thethose lyrics. Use those comments as a transition
film's innocence of summer theme. The Crests'to your presentation.Filler - Play the song during
"Sixteen Candles" accompanied abreaks to add a subliminal message to your
young girls sixteenth birthday. "Teen Angel" bycontent.Activity - Divide your learners into groups
Mark Dinning was played when aand instruct them to read and discuss the
character dies in a drag race. The film ends withlyrics. Then lead a general discussion to share
the Spaniels' "Goodnight, Well It'seach group's observations.Conclusion - Conclude
Time To Go."The Big Chill tells the story of ayour session by stating, "We are all short people
group of former 1960s radicals turnedin
1980s yuppies who gather to mourn the passingsomeone's eyes." Then ask the rhetorical
of an old friend. Like Americanquestion, "If none of us were welcome
Graffiti, The Big Chill uses pop songs, although inaround here, who would be left to complete our
this case, to add commentary towork?" Start the song and thank
the on-screen occurrences.Marvin Gaye's "I Heardeveryone for attending. Your learners will walk
It Through The Grapevine" accompanied theout of the classroom with the song
actors as theyand its lyrics firmly implanted in their brains, and
hear about their friend's passing. "You Can'tyou will have closed with a visually
Always Get What You Want" by thepowerful learning point.Given the large number of
Rolling Stones is played as an ironic commentarypop songs available, the options are limited only by
on the friend's death. As theyour
friends discuss relationships, The Young Rascalsimagination and the musical preferences of your
"Good Lovin'" is performed. Finally,learners. You too can have your
"Bad Moon Rising'" by Credence Clearwaterlearners, in the words of the old song by "M",
Revival is played immediately after a"talkin' 'bout pop music."Please respect song owner
former lover proposes that she and her oldrights. Consult your organization before you use
flame reunite for an evening.The bestanother
subconscious music placement occurs in aperson's musical composition.Visit Lenn on line at
supermarket between the twoBlog with Lenn at Millbower, BM, MA, the
former lovers who contemplate rekindling theirLearnertainment(R) Trainer is an expert in applying
relationship. Although their desire
for each other is palpable, both hold back, onlyshow biz techniques to learning. He is the author
conversing about the shopping taskof the ASTD Info-Line, Music as a
at hand as the store's Muzak system plays FrankTraining Tool, focused on the practical application
Sinatra's "Strangers In The Night."Forest Gumpof music to learning; Show Biz
tells the story of a dimwitted man whoTraining, the definitive book on the application of
experiences a series ofentertainment industry
life adventures over several decades. Becausetechniques to training; Cartoons for Trainers, a
the film's extended time frame, thepopular collection of 75 cartoons for
music serves to establish the time andlearning; Game Show Themes for Trainers, a
place.Credence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunatebest-selling CD of original learning
Son" sets up Gump's Vietnam tour. Togame music; and Training with a Beat: The
state that Forest's girlfriend has moved toTeaching Power of Music, the foremost
California, California Dreaming" by thebook on the application of music to learning. Lenn
Mamas and Papas is used. "San Francisco" byis an in-demand speaker, with
Scott Mackenzie frames Forest's 1960ssuccessful presentations at ASTD 1999-2005 and
visit to San Francisco. When Forest returns homeSHRM 2006; a creative and
to Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd'sdynamic instructional designer and facilitator
"Sweet Home Alabama" is played. These musicformally with the Disney University
placements help the films listenersand Disney Institute; an accomplished
comprehend the different locations and erasarranger-composer skilled in the
represented in the film.American Graffiti, The Bigpsychological application of music to learning; a
Chill, and Forest Gump were all highly successfulpopular comedian, magician and
films,musician; and the president of Offbeat
and their pop song application played a huge partTraining(R), infusing entertainment-based
in creating that success. All threetechniques into learning to keep 'em awake!