Table of Contents
Listening Activity
This listening activity is based on the song “The Show Must Go On by Queen“. The song lyrics are beautiful and ideal for English learners and include many interesting language topics, such as modal verbs and the present continuous.
Let’s start with some information about the song!
The Show Must Go On by Queen
“The Show Must Go On“ is a song by the English rock band Queen. This listening activity provides information about the song, a link to the lyrics, and the official video.
The Show Must Go On by Queen
Level
Intermediate and advanced students.
Facts about the Song
- Song: The Show Must Go On
- Album: Innuendo
- Date of release: 14 October 1991
- Genre: Hard rock, symphonic rock, art rock
- Length of the song: 4 minutes and 31 seconds.
- Writers: Queen
- Produced by: Queen and David Richards
Interesting Information about the Song
“The Show Must Go On” captures Freddie Mercury’s determination to keep performing despite the toll AIDS was taking on his body. Although his illness had not yet been made public, there was widespread media speculation about his health.
When Queen recorded the song in 1990, Mercury was so gravely ill that he could barely walk, yet he delivered a powerful vocal performance, demonstrating his unwavering spirit and dedication to his art.
The Video
The Lyrics
Language Points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Expressions that may be useful to students:
- The show must go on.
- Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero, another mindless crime. - Hold the line,
Does anybody want to take it anymore? - I guess I’m learning, I must be warmer now
I’ll soon be turning, round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark, I’m aching to be free
Listening Comprehension
Sentence Completion Exercise
Complete these sentences while listening to the song:
- Inside my heart is breaking, my makeup may be ________.
- Another heartache, another failed ________, on and on.
- Behind the curtain, in the ________, hold the line.
- My soul is painted like the wings of ________.
- I’ll face it with a ________, I’m never giving in.
Gap-Fill Exercise
These words are used in the lyrics of the song:
- Abandoned: Left empty or deserted.
- Pantomime: A dramatic entertainment, often silent, involving exaggerated gestures.
- Flaking: Coming off in small thin pieces.
- Heartache: Emotional pain or distress.
- Romance: A close relationship between two people, often involving love.
- Dawn: The time in the morning when daylight first appears.
- Grin: A broad smile.
Complete these sentences with the words provided above:
Abandoned, Pantomime, Heartache, Romance, Dawn, Flaking, Grin
- The old house had been ________ for years, and now it was falling apart.
- The actor’s performance in the ________ was full of exaggerated expressions.
- The paint on the wall was ________, revealing the layer underneath.
- After their breakup, she was left with a deep sense of ________.
- Their ________ started unexpectedly but soon blossomed into something special.
- As the ________ approached, the sky turned a beautiful shade of pink.
- He tried to hide his fear with a ________, but everyone could see through it.
Source: Wikipedia