Song and Exercise: "Downtown"

Bikers in downtown Fort Collins, the city I come from. Over 140,000 people live in Fort Collins, so it's probably big enough to have an area referred to as "downtown." The downtown area in Fort Collins is normally called "Old Town" since it's the historical center of the city. (Image Credit) (More information about Fort Collins)

Hello, and welcome to Word Wednesday! Today we're going to listen to a song.

But wait, that almost sounds... fun? Well, not really fun, but not boring. Right?

Hopefully! Since we were talking about how to use words like downtown on Monday, I thought I'd put up a song called "Downtown." Petula Clark sang the song in 1965, so it's not very new. It's also not very "cool," but the lyrics are clear and I still like it. So I hope you do, too!

Below is the video, and after the video I'll include an activity that you can complete with the lyrics (you don't actually need to watch the video; it's got very little action, trust me).

Lyrics Activity:

Instructions: Fill in the missing words in the blank spaces. After the lyrics, you'll find hints for each missing word.

DOWNTOWN – PETULA CLARK

When you're (1)_______ and life is making you (2)_______
You can always go - downtown
When you've got (3)_______, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know - downtown
Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the (4)_______ where the neon signs are pretty
How can you (5)_______?

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown - no finer place, for sure
Downtown - everything's waiting for you

Don't (6)_______ and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows - downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never (7)_______- downtown
Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be (8)_______ with him too before the night is over
Happy again

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your (9)_______, forget all your (10)_______
So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown - waiting for you tonight
Downtown - you're gonna be all right now

[Instrumental break]

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a (11)_______ hand to
Guide them along

So maybe I'll see you there
(repeat chorus)

HINTS FOR MISSING VOCABULARY WORDS:

1. This is a word that means to be isolated physically.

2. This is a word that means to feel isolated emotionally.

3. This word describes things that cause you stress.

4. In British English, this thing is usually called a pavement.

5. This word can be the opposite of "conquer."

6. This is a (2 word) phrasal verb that means "to stay in one place."

7. A synonym for this word is "shut."

8. This is an activity that you can do in a nightclub.

9. This word rhymes with bubbles.

10. This word rhymes with stairs.

11. This word means "soft and careful."

So, I hope you were able to complete the lyrics! I'll include the answers to this activity on Friday, so if you missed any, be sure to check back then. 

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!


[Update, May 4, 2012]
Here are the missing words for this activity:
1. alone
2. lonely
3. worries
4. sidewalk
5. lose
6. hang around
7. close
8. dancing
9. troubles
10. cares
11. gentle


If you have any questions or comments about this activity, please leave a comment below. Thanks!