Lesson Plan: New York, New York by Frank Sinatra

Pre-Listening Activity:

What do these phrases mean?

*king of the hill:
*little town blues:
*city, that doesn't sleep:
*the very heart of it:
*vagabond shoes:
*longing to stray:
*top of the heap:
*If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere:
*Cream of the crop:

Fill in the blanks:

Start spreading the __________, I'm leaving ____________
I want ____ ______ a part of it - New York, New York
These vagabond __________, are longing to stray
Right through the very _____________ of it - New York, New York
I want to __________ _______in a city, that doesn't sleep
And find I'm ________ of the hill - top of the _______________
These little town ______________, are melting ______________
I'm gonna make a brand new ___________ of it - in old New York
If I _______ make it there, I'll _____________ it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York
New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city, that never _____________
To find I'm a number ___________, head of the ______________,
Cream of the ___________ at the top of the ________________.
These little __________ blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand _______ start of it - in _______ New York
If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York

Post-Listening Activity:

Comprehension Questions:

1. Where is he going?
2. Why does he want to go there?
3. What does he want to do there?
4. What does he think he can accomplish by going there?

Discussion Question:

Would you prefer living in a big city or a small town?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in both a big city and a small town.
Consider: living expenses, transportation, education, employment, safety...

Full Lyrics

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it - New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap
These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York
New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city, that never sleeps
To find I'm a number one, head of the list,
Cream of the crop at the top of the heap.
These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York

Worksheet sent in by Teresa Gal, Mexico.

http://www.esl-lounge.com/songs/songnewyorknewyork.shtml