The sounds of English…
a listening experience
Feelin’ alright? Traffic
Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Feeling alright? Dave Mason (Traffic)
I just love it when a song becomes a favorite among the best bands and musicians. You can find excellent covers, each one of them a refreshing version in their own particular style. All the different renditions presented here were produced by world-class artists, and each one is a great interpretation. The lyrics are simple and uncomplicated. There are no metaphors here, just simple plain everyday English. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t good lyrics. Many times, the best things in life come in a straightforward presentation, as is the case with this song. So relax and enjoy it. This is a lesson for upper beginners who will find it easy to follow.
The lyrics
Feeling alright?
Seems I’ve got to have a change of scene
‘Cause every night I have the strangest dreams
Imprisoned by the way it might have been
Left here on my own or so it seems
I’ve got to leave before I start to scream
But someone’s locked the door and took the key
You’re feeling alright
I’m not feeling too good myself
You’re feeling alright
I’m not feeling too good myself
Boy, you sure took me for one big ride
But even now I sit and wonder why
Lord, that when I think of you I stop myself from crying, girl
I just can’t waist my time, I must keep trying
Got to stop believing in all your lies
‘Cause there’s to much to do before I die
You’re feeling alright
I’m not feeling too good myself
Well, you’re feeling alright
Feeling too good myself, alright!
Don’t you get too lost in all I say
But you know the time I really felt that way
But that was then and now you know that it’s today, girl
I can’t get set so I guess I’m here to stay
Till someone comes along and takes my place
With a different name and yes, a different face
You’re feeling alright
I’m not feeling too good myself
You’re feeling alright
I’m not feeling too good myself
You’re feeling alright
I’m not feeling too good myself
Rock on
Feeling alright, yeah!
Vocabulary
A change of scene An expression used to indicate that it’s time to do something different or to go somewhere else.. I was tired of doing the same things over and over and again. So I decided to have a change of scene. I quit my job and moved to another city.
Took me for one big ride If you say that someone has been taken for a ride, you mean that they have been deceived or cheated. I hate to tell you this, but you got taken for a ride by your girlfriend.
Get set To prepare are get ready for something. Get set to listen to the best song ever recorded!
Get lost in something To be totally captivated or absorbed by something. It’s no use trying to talk to Helen when she’s lost in thought like that—it’s as if we don’t even exist!
But that was then The expression refers to something that happened in the past but is over now in the present. We had a lot of problems starting up the business, but that was then. Now, everything is fine!
The Listening Exercises
Traffic Feelin’ Alright Original version
Traffic was a British rock band that dates back to the sixties. They played different types of rock, for example, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, folk-rock, and jazz-rock. The band was formed by four members. Traffic had the typical rock band setup with drums, keyboard, guitar, and bass. Yet, they included a wide variety of additional instruments in many of their songs, like sax, reed, and sitar. This group was a pioneer in the utilization of jazz improvisation techniques. Feeling alright is one of their rhythmic hit songs.
Feelin’ alright Cover by Rare Earth
Rare Earth is an American rock/soul band that goes back to the sixties also but is still quite active today. Their songs and covers have reached the top 40 Charts on various occasions. Their last live presentation was alongside the heavy-metal group Metallica. Here they offer their own version of Traffics hit with easy to follow lyrics.
Feelin’ Alright – Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight & the Pips were an R&B/soul family musical act from Atlanta, Georgia that remained active on the music charts and performing circuit for three decades. Gladys Knight & the Pips are multiple Grammy and American Music Award winners. They are inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1996 and 2001, respectively. In the early eighties, the lead singer, Gladys Knight, separated from the band and launched her successful solo career. She is known as the Empress of Soul as a result of her long and tremendously successful career.
Feelin’ alright cover version by Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American heavy rock music band. They became popular in the seventies, playing in massive live concerts all around the world. Their songs include originals they released in their various albums and covers of selected rock songs from other bands. Here we can listen to their distinctive heavy rock sound in this cover version of Feelin’ Alright?
Feelin’ Alright – Isaac Hayes Live at the Sahara Tahoe
We listened to Issac Hayes as he interpreted Papa was a rollin’ stone. His rendition of that song is one of the best versions ever recorded. Now, he presents us with his own particular performance with Traffic’s Feeling alright. Like all his songs, this is an excellent production.
Feelin’ Alright cover by Joe Cocker
We have also listened to Joe Cocker’s cool interpretation of In my life, by the Beatles. His gritty or rough voice is unmistakable and quite easy to recognize. Also, his body movements are another essential part of his acting on stage. Joe Cocker’s rendition of this song helped it to reach the popularity it enjoys today. His vocals are clear and easy to follow, and his music style is captivating.
Feeling Alright – Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is a successful American rock band. They began in 1967. Initially, the group was a trio, but they added more musicians until finally, the band totaled seven members. Between 1967 and 1975, the band reached the top 40 of the Billboard Charts with 21 songs, three of these songs reaching the first place on the charts. They have played many songs written by outsiders and have helped to make these songs popular. This cover is one example of what they could do with Dave Mason’s song.
Dave Mason was one of the original members of Traffic. He wrote this song, and it was released in their second album. Mason has different recordings of this song, many of them live and with various invited artists. All his versions are really great. Enjoy this last cover of Feeling alright!
There are a variety of different voices singing the same beautiful lyrics. Each voice with its own pace, inflection, and personality. Listen to these different versions, and exercise your English listening skills, remember that learning is fun, so enjoy!
All photographs by ©edudelcorral
Talking easy, the English lessons The Listening Exercises