Songs for Learning Vocabulary: Topics A to Z
A to Z of Song Topics
As I’ve spent the last month or so listing songs for learning English grammar, it seems to make sense to finish with a list of songs for topics to introduce or revise vocabulary. This list will grow as I remember/discover more, or people get in touch with suggestions.
Advice / Problems
Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks
Forever Young by The Pretenders (Bob Dylan)
Age
These are the Days of our Lives by Queen
When You’re Old and Grey by Tom Lehrer
Animals
The Animal Song by Savage Garden
What Does the Fox Say? by Ylvis
Gotta Build a Zoo by Planet Zoo
Going to the Zoo by Peter, Paul and Mary
Banking
The Accountancy Shanty by Monty Python
Body (The)
Dem Bones by Delta Rhythm Boys
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Books / Literature
Paperback Writer by The Beatles
Wrapped Up in Books by Belle and Sebastian
Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits
Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
The Catcher in the Rye by Guns n’ Roses
Charles Dickens Miserable Song by Horrible Histories
Camping
The Outdoor Type by The Lemonheads
Cars
I’m in Love with my Car by Queen
Childhood
We Are Going To Be Friends by The White Stripes
Circus
For the Benefit of Mr Kite by The Beatles
Send in the Clowns by Judy Collins
Tightrope (from The Greatest Showman) by Michelle Williams
Cities
Summer in the City by The Lovin’ Spoonful
Clocks
Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley
Clothes
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina by Madonna
My Favourite Shirt by Alan Smith Robertson
Countryside (The)
Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie
Crime
Love in the First Degree by Bananarama
If it Hadn’t Been for Love by Adele
Highway Patrolman by Bruce Springsteen
Long Black Veil by Don Williams
Gone to America by Steeleye Span
Dick Turpin by Horrible Histories
Daily Routines
I Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin
Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Days of the Week
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon by Queen
Friday I’m in Love by The Cure
Happy Days by Pratt and McClain
Discrimination (see also Racism, Sexism)
This is Me (from The Greatest Showman) by Keala Settle and Cast
Domestic Violence
Goodbye Earl by The Dixie Chicks
Emotions
I’m So Worried by Monty Python
Environment (The)
Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell
Don’t Let it Die by Hurricane Smith
Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil
Gotta Build a Zoo by Planet Zoo
Fairy Tales
When I Live My Dream by David Bowie
The Ugly Duckling by Danny Kaye
The King’s New Clothes by Danny Kaye
Family
Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Highway Patrolman by Bruce Sprinsteen
Festivals
I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder
Next Year, Baby by Jamie Cullum (New Year’s Resolutions)
Food
Junk Food Junkie by Larry Groce
Food, Glorious Food (from Oliver!) by Cast
Friendship
You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor
Friends Will be Friends by Queen
With a Little Help from my Friends by The Beatles
That’s What Friends Are For by Trijintje Oosterhuis
Gambling
Geography
This Land is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie
Gossip
I Heard it Through the Grape Vine by Marvin Gaye
(Super)Heroes
Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler
(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman by The Kinks
Let Me Be Your Superhero by Smash Into Pieces (‘Wishing you would see that I am more than a stalker’ – Discuss!)
Magneto and Titanium Man by Paul McCartney
History
We’re History by Horrible Histories
We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel
Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
The Boudicca Song by Horrible Histories
The Rosa Parks Song by Horrible Histories
The Ages of Stone by Horrible Histories
Homelessness
Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins
The Streets of London by Ralph McTell
Idioms
Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina by Madonna
I’m Going Slightly Mad by Queen
Miniature Disasters by K T Tunstall
Under the Blade by Twisted Sister
That’s What Friends are For by Trijntje Oosterhuis
Immigration
The Scatterlings of Africa by Johnny Clegg and Savuka
Inventions
The Moving Picture Song by Horrible Histories
Language
English is Cuh-ray-zee by Pete Seeger
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off by Harry Connick Jr.
‘N’ apostrophe ‘T’ by Tom Lehrer
The Rain in Spain (from My Fair Lady) by Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn
Why Can’t The English Learn to Speak (from My Fair Lady) by Rex Harrison
William Shakespeare and The Quills Song by Horrible Histories
Life
The Circle of Life (from The Lion King) by Elton John
Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads
Medicine/Healthcare
In an Emergency Room by Alan Smith Robertson
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Edward Jenner, Good Vaccinations by Horrible Histories
The Plague Song by Horrible Histories
The Florence Nightingale Song by Horrible Histories
The Mary Seacole Song by Horrible Histories
Money / Consumerism
If I Had a Million Dollars by The Barenaked Ladies
Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
What You Own (from Rent) by Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp
Music
Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes
News (The)
7 o’clock News/Silent Night by Simon and Garfunkel
Odds Are by The Barenaked Ladies
Numbers
The Galaxy Song by Monty Python
Opposites
Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morrisette
Opposites Attract by Paula Abdul
Poverty (also see Homelessness)
Coat of Many Colours by Dolly Parton
Racism
I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free by Nina Simone
Ebony and Ivory by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney
The Rosa Parks Song by Horrible Histories
School / Education
That’s Mathematics by Tom Lehrer
The Logical Song by Supertramp
Science
The Big Bang Theory by The Barenaked Ladies
Charles Darwin Natural Selection by Horrible Histories
Senses (The)
Senses Working Overtime by XTC
Sexism
It’s a Man’s World by James Brown
Housewife’s Alphabet by Peggy Seeger
You Can’t Stop The Girl by Bebe Rexha
The World War Two Girls Song by Horrible Histories
Sports
Three Lions by The Lightning Seeds
Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
Cricket Champions by Lord Kitchener
Society
Where is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas
Stereotypes
An Englishman in New York by Sting
Mad Dogs and Englishmen by Noel Coward
Stories
Highway Patrolman by Bruce Springsteen
Goodbye Earl by The Dixie Chicks
Matty Groves by Fairport Convention
Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts by Bob Dylan
Dick Turpin by Horrible Histories
Suburbia
Pleasant Valley Sunday by The Monkees
Summer
Don’t Go by The Hothouse Flowers
Summer In The City by The Lovin’ Spoonful
Superstitions
Technology
Info Superhighway by 2 Unlimited
Now Generation by The Black Eyed Peas
Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles
The Luddites Song by Horrible Histories
Telephones
Single by Everything But The Girl
Telephone Line by The Electric Light Orchestra
Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie
Transport (see also Cars)
The Pioneers of Transportation Song by Horrible Histories
Travel
Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver
Universe (The) / Space
The Galaxy Song by Monty Python
War
War (What is it Good For?) by Edwin Starr
Weather (see also Summer)
Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly
Mr Blue Sky by The Electric Light Orchestra
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Stormy Weather by Billie Holiday
Lightning Strikes by Aerosmith
Wild is the Wind by David Bowie
Four Seasons in One Day by Crowded House
Work / Jobs
Livin’ On a Prayer by Bon Jovi
She’s Not Just a Pretty Face by Shania Twain
The Victorian Work Song, Work Terrible Work by Horrible Histories
Zodiac
Miscellaneous
Just good songs for classroom use
Missing by Everything But The Girl
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor
