Firework

Katy Perry

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag Firework was written

________ through the wind, wanting to start again? by Katy Perry and
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin others in 2010 and
Like a ________ of cards, one blow from caving in? recorded for her third
Do you ever feel already buried deep? album, Teenage
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing Dream. It was a huge
Do you know that there's still a chance for you hit worldwide.
'Cause there's a _______ in you?
Chorus Task 1: Listen to the song and fill in
the missing words.
You just gotta _______ the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause baby, you're a firework Task 2: Complete the glossary
Come on, show 'em what you're worth _____________ = collapsing
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky _____________ = an informal
Baby, you're a firework expression describing where we are
Come on, let your colors ________ buried when we die
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
_____________ = a verb expressing
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe
very quick movement
You don't have to feel like a ______of space
_____________ = an extremely strong
You're original, cannot be replaced
wind
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a ________ _____________ = when we really
Maybe your reason why all the doors are ________ admire something we are in this
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning ________, your heart will glow
And when it's time, you'll know
Chorus
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through
Chorus
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Task 3: Discuss these questions with your partner:

1. What message is the song expressing?
(a) If you fail, try something else.
(b) You can achieve what you want if you
believe in yourself and push yourself.
(c) You need other people to help you
achieve what you want.
2. Match each summary to one of the
verses (1-4)
(a) You are unique, things will get better.
(b) Do you ever feel very weak emotionally?
(c) Things happen for a reason. Good times
will come.
(d) Do you ever feel that no-one is listening?

Topic: Bonfire Night Level: Intermediate / Upper Intermediate

Global Village Szkoła Jezyka Angielskiego, Starachowice
 Firework
Katy Perry

Teacher’s Notes
1. Ask the students to describe fireworks. Some possible answers – exciting, colourful, loud,
energetic, spectacular. Tell them that you are going to listen to a song called ‘firework’, but that it is
actually about people.
2. Play the song through, twice if needed. Students should fill in the missing words while they are
listening. Once they have finished, go through the answers with them and make sure they can
explain the meanings as well.
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag You don't have to feel like a waste of space
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start You're original, cannot be replaced
again? If you only knew what the future holds
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed
Do you ever feel already buried deep? So you could open one that leads you to the
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear perfect road
a thing Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
Do you know that there's still a chance for you And when it's time, you'll know
'Cause there's a spark in you?
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July
Just own the night like the 4th of July
Chorus
Chorus
Boom, boom, boom
'Cause baby, you're a firework Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Come on, show 'em what you're worth It's always been inside of you, you, you
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh And now it's time to let it through
As you shoot across the sky
Chorus
Baby, you're a firework
Boom, boom, boom
Come on, let your colors burst
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Make 'em go, oh, oh, oh
Boom, boom, boom
You're gonna leave 'em falling down
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
3. Direct their attention to the glossary. Each of the definitions matches a word or phrase from the
song. See if the students can find the words. They might need some help with this.
Answers – 1. caving in, 2. six feet under, 3. shoot, 4. hurricane, 5. awe
4. Remind the students that the song is actually about people and emotions. Direct their attention
to the questions in task 3 and ask them to discuss them in English with their partner. Give them
some time to do it and then discuss the answers as a group.
Answers: 1. (b) The song is a self-empowerment song aiming to inspire young people to believe
in themselves and to follow their dreams.
2. (b) – (d) – (c) – (a) –The song starts out with expressions and metaphors describing
depression and low self-esteem. The final verses are more upbeat and reflect that in
the video which accompanies the song, the young people are becoming more
confident and discovering themselves.
5. Ask the students why Katy Perry used a firework to get her message across. Answer – Because
the song is about showing your true self, your true colours and letting your energy burst into life –
much in the same way as a firework does.

Topic: Bonfire Night Level: Intermediate / Upper Intermediate

Global Village Szkoła Jezyka Angielskiego, Starachowice