Table of Contents
Listening Activity
This listening activity is based on the famous song Excuse Me Mr By Harper and Plumier. It is ideal for beginner and intermediate students and includes interesting language points such as the imperative.
Let’s begin with some information about the song!
Excuse Me Mr By Harper/Plunier
“Excuse Me Mr.” is a song written by Ben Harper and Jean Pierre Plunier from the album Live From Mars. This page provides information about the song and links to the lyrics and the official video.
Song information
Level:
Beginner and intermediate students.
Facts about the song
- Song: Excuse Me Mr.
- Album: Fight for Your Mind
- Date of release: 1995
- Genre: Reggae
- Length of the song: 4 minutes and 09 seconds
- Writer: Ben Harper
- Produced by: Ben Harper, J.P. Plunier, Bob “Stiv” Coke
Interesting Information About the Song
Ben Harper is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He began playing the guitar as a child. In 1978, at the age of 9, Harper attended reggae superstar Bob Marley’s performance in Burbank, California, which was a significant influence on him. His song “Excuse Me Mr.” is a politically charged reggae piece.
The Video
The Lyrics
Language Points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Expressions that may be useful to students:
- Excuse me Mr.
- Do you have the time?
- Or are you so important that it stands still for you
- Can’t you see the children dying
- You say that you can’t help them
- Mr. you’re not even trying
- I’m taking the Mr. from out in front of your name
- ‘Cause it’s a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame
Excuse Me Mr By Harper: Gap-Fill Exercise
Fill in the gaps with the correct words from the box below:
- time
- ear
- oil
- name
- dying
- trying
- saved
- Excuse me Mr., do you have the __________?
- Excuse me Mr., won’t you lend me your __________?
- Excuse me Mr., but isn’t that your __________ in the sea?
- Now I’m taking the Mr. from out in front of your __________.
- Excuse me Mr., can’t you see the children __________?
- You say that you can’t help them Mr., you’re not even __________.
- ‘Cause Mr., when you get there they don’t ask what you __________.
Source: Wikipedia