Table of Contents
Listening Activity
This listening activity is based on the song “Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd“. The song lyrics are beautiful and ideal for English learners and include many interesting language topics, such as the present perfect simple and expressions of wish.
Let’s start with some information about the song!
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
“Wish You Were Here” is a song by the English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. This listening activity includes information about the song, a link to the lyrics, and the official video.
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Level
Beginner and intermediate students.
Facts about the Song
- Song: Wish you were here
- Album: Wish you were here
- Date of release: 12 September 1975
- Genre: Progressive rock, folk rock
- Length of the song: 5 minutes and 40 seconds.
- Writers: Roger Waters, David Gilmour
- Produced by: Pink Floyd
Interesting Information about the Song
The lyrics of “Wish You Were Here” encompass Roger Waters” feelings of alienation from other people. Like most of the album, it refers to former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett and his breakdown. Barrett was a founder member of the band Pink Floyd. He left the band in April 1968 and was briefly hospitalized amid speculation of mental illness exacerbated by drug use.
The Video
The Lyrics
Language Points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Expressions that may be useful to students:
- How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
Listening Comprehension
Sentence Completion Exercise
Complete these sentences while listening to the song:
- So, so you think you can tell ________ from ________, blue skies from ________?
- Can you tell a ________ from a ________? Do you think you can ________?
- Did they get you to trade your ________ for ________ and hot air for a ________?
Gap-Fill Exercise
These words are used in the lyrics of the song:
- Disciplinary: Related to discipline or correction; measures taken to enforce rules or standards.
- Nonsense: Spoken or written words that are foolish or meaningless.
- Veil: A piece of cloth worn to cover the face or head.
- Exchange: The act of giving one thing and receiving another in return.
- Comfort: A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or distress.
- Fishbowl: A transparent container for keeping fish, often used metaphorically for a situation where one feels observed or confined.
- Fears: Feelings of anxiety or apprehension about something that may happen.
Complete these sentences with the words provided above:
- The principal implemented ________ measures to address the students’ behavior issues.
- The comedian’s act was full of ________ that left the audience confused rather than amused.
- She wore a ________ to keep her face hidden during the ceremonial event.
- They decided to ________ their old car for a new, more efficient model.
- The new chair provided great ________ during the long hours of work.
- After being in the ________ for years, the fish finally got a new, larger habitat.
- Confronting your ________ can be challenging, but it’s often necessary for personal growth.
Source: Wikipedia