Embedded Files
Keep checking back for updates - I'll add more songs as we go along.
Keep checking back for updates - I'll add more songs as we go along.
Rules of the Songs --
Rules of the Songs --
Respect. These songs were translated at the same point in the program that you are now. I'm going to show you examples for a reason, to show off something they did. It doesn't mean there weren't some nerves and it doesn't mean everything is perfect. These are choices they made at this point in the program. But mostly - they'll blow you away.
Respect. These songs were translated at the same point in the program that you are now. I'm going to show you examples for a reason, to show off something they did. It doesn't mean there weren't some nerves and it doesn't mean everything is perfect. These are choices they made at this point in the program. But mostly - they'll blow you away.
Don't share them outside of this site. These are alumni who know that I may be showing their songs to you for educational purposes -- but normally they're only shown in the classroom. Please respect their privacy and don't share the links.
Don't share them outside of this site. These are alumni who know that I may be showing their songs to you for educational purposes -- but normally they're only shown in the classroom. Please respect their privacy and don't share the links.
What to watch for:
What to watch for:
+ Becki always reminds us that your body should be the BEAT and your hands and face are the LYRICS. Watch for their body movements, foot taps, etc -- if you watch it without sound, would you know that it was music? Would you know what type of music?
+ Becki always reminds us that your body should be the BEAT and your hands and face are the LYRICS. Watch for their body movements, foot taps, etc -- if you watch it without sound, would you know that it was music? Would you know what type of music?
+ Idiomatic language - Our goal of the song project is not a literal translation or even a "Conceptually Accurate PSE" like you might see when you go to a concert. We're using the song as a translation exercise and our goal is to be as idiomatic in ASL as possible. This means that sometimes you'll even see parts of the song that just have music interpreted into signs.
+ Idiomatic language - Our goal of the song project is not a literal translation or even a "Conceptually Accurate PSE" like you might see when you go to a concert. We're using the song as a translation exercise and our goal is to be as idiomatic in ASL as possible. This means that sometimes you'll even see parts of the song that just have music interpreted into signs.
- If that part of the song is conveying a meaning such as a building of emotions, or setting a scene that we can all see in our heads - and we're getting that just from hearing the music, then we convey that meaning to the audience.
- Some of the students even convey personal meanings of the songs - so if you relate this song to the passing of a loved one, maybe we see that person represented in the song.
- Metaphorical language - we have to dig deep and ask ourselves what it really means. So many songs you hear, but until you really start looking at the lyrics, you never realized what they were actually saying.
+ I'll make a few notes under the songs to give you an idea why I'm showing it to you at this point -- but there is so much more to take in!
+ I'll make a few notes under the songs to give you an idea why I'm showing it to you at this point -- but there is so much more to take in!
+ Bring up ANY questions you have about signs to the weekly Check in meetings!
+ Bring up ANY questions you have about signs to the weekly Check in meetings!
I wanted to post a little variety to start off with since people asked what kinds of songs people do -- so I did a little sample of different genres:
I wanted to post a little variety to start off with since people asked what kinds of songs people do -- so I did a little sample of different genres:
Russell Harvard --
Russell Harvard --
Russell is a Deaf performer (check him out on IMDB), at the time of the stoppage on Broadway he was in To Kill A Mockingbird. He's been our guest at SOS and his song translation choices are always on point. He's a great model of Idiomatic language use in songs. He gives you the FEEL of the song - and if you play these without sound, you'll still want to dance. You can look up other songs by him, I could have posted 10 more but we'll start here.
Russell is a Deaf performer (check him out on IMDB), at the time of the stoppage on Broadway he was in To Kill A Mockingbird. He's been our guest at SOS and his song translation choices are always on point. He's a great model of Idiomatic language use in songs. He gives you the FEEL of the song - and if you play these without sound, you'll still want to dance. You can look up other songs by him, I could have posted 10 more but we'll start here.
Gives You Hell - All-American Rejects
Gives You Hell - All-American Rejects
Notice how he moves, there's no doubt this is music. The title of the song is "Gives you Hell" - but he never signs the word "HELL"... he says "makes you burn inside". Look for how he handles "I wake up every morning with a big smile on my face" -- how many signs does he use?
I Gotta Feeling
I Gotta Feeling
Again his moves - the camera operator can't even keep up. What does he sign for "Oh my god!"... and he's using a CL sign for the concept of partying, it's the two 5 hands wiggling out like crowds of people taking to the street.
Religious Songs -
Religious Songs -
Flame (Start Over) - Jenna Gulick
Flame (Start Over) - Jenna Gulick
Oh my! Two genres in one! Religious RAP!! Just be in awe... and notice how she makes different sign choices for repeats in the chorus. It's ok to sign the same thing for each chorus (as you see in Brittany's song), but if it builds, adds or changes meaning, you might want to change the signs as well.
Broadway
Broadway
Take Me or Leave Me (RENT) - Abby Teague
Take Me or Leave Me (RENT) - Abby Teague
She gives us context before the song starts -- as the characters. This is a DUET - how does she handle the conversation between two characters? Can you see the difference in how she portrays them? How does she handle the metaphor of a "tiger in a cage"? She brings in the sass and the humor and has a great moment with the beat of the music!
I Dreamed a Dream (Les Miz) - Kay Caldwell (2015)
I Dreamed a Dream (Les Miz) - Kay Caldwell (2015)
This entire song is METAPHOR - the tiger comes at night? Notice how her sign production and prosody match the music and convey the mood. Her signs flow together and she uses her eye gaze to emphasize that flow. She also has a great use of space to show a timeline of events for Dreams being made and used and wasted... I cry at the end every time. (chills)...
Pop Music
Pop Music
It Wasn't Me - Melisa Grimaldo
It Wasn't Me - Melisa Grimaldo
She has so much fun with this and makes it visual ... just enjoy...
Stereo Hearts - Brandy McCoy (2012)
Stereo Hearts - Brandy McCoy (2012)
I told her she was crazy to do this song... music for Deaf people is a big enough of a challenge, but when the song uses music as a metaphor for love?? Why? You get to pick your own song. Well - I show it every year. Look for her "used ta, used ta"... it's a WOW moment.. She makes a face like she messed up at one point - it was because she used the "wrong hand" for her hearts. But if she hadn't made that face we wouldn't know. So don't make the face... the hearts pay off in the end.
All About The Bass - Sami & Mikayla (2015)
All About The Bass - Sami & Mikayla (2015)
This was not the version Sami did for a grade, they did this version for fun (and unrehearsed). Sami makes great idiomatic choices - and makes it fun.
Ugly Heart - Axzaillya (2016)
Ugly Heart - Axzaillya (2016)
This is one of those songs where she signs during a musical bridge. The music is almost like a scream that's building and when we talked about what she felt like it meant or what images it created in her head when she listened, it was all the built up things that she wanted to say to this guy - so that's what she did. And the end? It's a really nice moment.
Country
Country
Stay - Becki Rhyne
Stay - Becki Rhyne
Becki did this in a music workshop and I asked her to retape this version for me so I could share it with the classes. Notice again, all the body language, the music, but also just how much is conveyed through her face and non--verbals. The song is from the perspective of the mistress - watch her space as she talks about her relationship and his relationship with his wife. The biggest thing that I want to point out is that the name of the song is STAY, and it's said frequently - but Becki never signs "STAY" -- what does she do instead?
Whiskey Lullaby - Rayna (2016)
Whiskey Lullaby - Rayna (2016)
Another song where there is signing just over music -- it's at the very beginning this time. The music really sets a scene of a sad tale coming, we know that without hearing a word. And the lyrics start off without much context - so she creates a picture before the story starts. Watch her space and CL throughout - especially around that willow tree. Which hand makes the tree each time? How does that picture happen?
That should give you a good place to start... and I'll keep adding more as we go!
That should give you a good place to start... and I'll keep adding more as we go!
If you're thinking about YOUR song -- these are some first steps that we'll take:
If you're thinking about YOUR song -- these are some first steps that we'll take:
You want to PRINT OUT the lyrics - and print them out with spaces between the lines. You'll want space to write notes about each line.
You want to PRINT OUT the lyrics - and print them out with spaces between the lines. You'll want space to write notes about each line.
You'll start to "unpack" the meaning. DO NOT jump straight to how to sign it. First determine the meaning and paraphrase that meaning in ENGLISH. You could even write a paragraph about the feelings you get from that line, what visual it produces in your head.
You'll start to "unpack" the meaning. DO NOT jump straight to how to sign it. First determine the meaning and paraphrase that meaning in ENGLISH. You could even write a paragraph about the feelings you get from that line, what visual it produces in your head.
For example with the line from I Dreamed A Dream - They aren't really "tigers"
For example with the line from I Dreamed A Dream - They aren't really "tigers"
"But the tigers come at night / With their voices soft as thunder / As they tear your hope apart / As they turn your dream to shame"
She's talking about drugs, living on the street, having to work as a prostitute, give up her daughter, gettings sick, all these things in life that have eaten away at her life to take away this dream that she had of this perfect life. And as we talked about it, she settled on signing "TEMPT POP-UP +++" for the Tigers come at night. Because it all started with her giving in to temptations that pulled her into this darker world and stole her dreams. She used unamed "things" off in space taking her deams and ripping them apart, and dream turning into shame is a lot of non-verbal work with her looking at her hands in shame.
For the "beat" part of the song -- start by not signing at all with the song -- just play it and dance to it. How does your body move and react to this song? Make note of it - and KEEP it. Then add the signs and try not to lose the "beat" as you add the lyrics.
For the "beat" part of the song -- start by not signing at all with the song -- just play it and dance to it. How does your body move and react to this song? Make note of it - and KEEP it. Then add the signs and try not to lose the "beat" as you add the lyrics.
MORE SONGS!!
MORE SONGS!!
More samples to look at to get an idea!!
Becki! Stronger!
Becki! Stronger!
Notice how she uses her face and body langauge to show the evolving emotions of the song. When she signs "DAY" she matches the music, and uses a non-traditional "ER" at the end of STRONGER to play with the music.
Notice how she uses her face and body langauge to show the evolving emotions of the song. When she signs "DAY" she matches the music, and uses a non-traditional "ER" at the end of STRONGER to play with the music.
Alicia - The School Song (Matilda)
Alicia - The School Song (Matilda)
Alicia put in THE WORK on this song! It's a song that hides the ABCs in the lyrics, so Alicia wanted to also hide the ABCs in the SIGNS! You don't want them to be too obvious the first time through, but you want to be able to emphasize them the second time. It really forced her to think about meaning and what CL and other signs she could use for concepts. For example "before my life has ended", she needed an "N"... so she choose to "BURY" herself for the concept. You'll want to look at this one line by line and see what she did.
Jilliane - Canned Heat
Jilliane - Canned Heat
Oh Jilliane! We were entertained! And love the reveal when she turns around (she kept that a secret)! If you've seen Napolean Dynamite you'll love it next level. Talk about speaker style!
Katie - From Mean Girls - Creative use of the middle finger
Katie - From Mean Girls - Creative use of the middle finger
Hannah - Brighter Than the Sun
Hannah - Brighter Than the Sun
A great example of capturing the feeling of the song -- it's happy and her performance makes us happy. And how can you not love her shooka shooka? She has moments of self doubt on her face - but I want you to see how that was all in her own head... nothing was wrong, but she told us it was...
Cori - Sunshine in my Pocket
Cori - Sunshine in my Pocket
Some people have their break through moments on song day -- this was one of those moments of OH I GET IT NOW - THIS IS FUN!
Some people have their break through moments on song day -- this was one of those moments of OH I GET IT NOW - THIS IS FUN!
Rie - Medley Nightmare Before Christmas
Rie - Medley Nightmare Before Christmas
Rie couldn't decide on a song... so she did literally every song in Nightmare Before Christmas. LOTS of characters in this one, you can see how she shows the difference in those with her face and body language.
Rie couldn't decide on a song... so she did literally every song in Nightmare Before Christmas. LOTS of characters in this one, you can see how she shows the difference in those with her face and body language.
Destiney - Juice
Destiney - Juice
Oh yeah Lizzo! Some of that metaphorical language! What do you do? Rock it!
Oh yeah Lizzo! Some of that metaphorical language! What do you do? Rock it!
Chelsey - Hand Me My Armor
Chelsey - Hand Me My Armor
She starts off with a little back story before it starts. Love her use of the "BLAME" sign to play with language. Many langauge challenges!
She starts off with a little back story before it starts. Love her use of the "BLAME" sign to play with language. Many langauge challenges!
Song Rachel.MOVRachel - Speechless
Rachel - Speechless
Great building of emotions and using more and more powerful signs related to being silent and "speaking". So much is conveyed just with eye gaze and shifting of levels of signs.
Great building of emotions and using more and more powerful signs related to being silent and "speaking". So much is conveyed just with eye gaze and shifting of levels of signs.
Myra - Happy Vibes!
Myra - Happy Vibes!
Carolee - F you... goodbye..
Carolee - F you... goodbye..
The heartbreakers! When they're dedicated to the real people in our lives, we can feel that extra punch
The heartbreakers! When they're dedicated to the real people in our lives, we can feel that extra punch
Kamille - Jealous of the Angels
Kamille - Jealous of the Angels
You can feel her destroying us... Dedicated to the loss of her father.
You can feel her destroying us... Dedicated to the loss of her father.
Paige - Walking Her Home
Paige - Walking Her Home
She kiled us. A great example how the same words can have different meaning as the song progresses. Love her use of role shift to tell the story. And the challenge at the end of how to go from present time to a time referred to earlier in the story.
This was dedicated to her grandparents and their love story.
Hannah - Where is the love? (2021)
Hannah - Where is the love? (2021)
Aaron has a creative use of space to set up his story (2021)
Aaron has a creative use of space to set up his story (2021)
Country - All the Liquors
Country - All the Liquors
When does she choose form and when does she choose function?
Use of Non-Verbal to convey the message
Use of Non-Verbal to convey the message
Figuring out what it really means...
Figuring out what it really means...
Max - Hullabaloo
Max - Hullabaloo
How to make a full drama out of a song that sounds like nonsense, but is about the "machine" of society, and "drinking the Kool-Aid".
Thrift Shop - Erica
Thrift Shop - Erica
Just a ton of fun with props and feet
Tracee -
Tracee -
Keeps the beat of the song throughout
Caleb - Welcome to Wonderland
Caleb - Welcome to Wonderland
Sets up context before the lyrics start - nice touch points
Some of Susen's Songs -- The key here is to have fun.... LOL
Some of Susen's Songs -- The key here is to have fun.... LOL
Book of Mormon - Turn it Off
Book of Mormon - Turn it Off
I think this is the most fun I had with a song -- and kudos to Tera for the light cue at the end. You may notice that I factually almost fall down...
Song_Susen Marroon 5 One more Night.MOVMaroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - One More Night
I like a lot about this song.. except for the framing, and I regret being so literal with "One more night".
A Million Dreams - Greatest Showman
A Million Dreams - Greatest Showman
There's usually a reason I pick a song, and the colors in my mind was the reason I picked this one.. I hope it's a clear concept.
There's usually a reason I pick a song, and the colors in my mind was the reason I picked this one.. I hope it's a clear concept.
For Forever - Dear Evan Hansen
For Forever - Dear Evan Hansen
Love the show, love the song - it chokes me up. And I can feel the sun on my face. A challenge of these slower songs is showing that there is music happening..
Love the show, love the song - it chokes me up. And I can feel the sun on my face. A challenge of these slower songs is showing that there is music happening..
Class of 2025 Songs
Class of 2025 Songs
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Full Playlist for the Class of 2023
Full Playlist for the Class of 2023
Full Playlist for the Class of 2022
Full Playlist for the Class of 2022
Full Playlist Class of 2021
Full Playlist Class of 2021
2020 Playlist
2020 Playlist
2019 Playlist
2019 Playlist
2018 Playlist
2018 Playlist
2017 Playlist
2017 Playlist
2016 Playlist
2016 Playlist
Greatest Showman.movThe Greatest Showman from Performance Class
The Greatest Showman from Performance Class
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