Soundtrack for My Life

It’s My Life This ain't a song for the broken-hearted No silent prayer for the faith-departed I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd You're gonna hear my voice When I shout it out loud It's my life It's now or never I ain't gonna live forever I just want to live while I'm alive It's my life My heart is like an open highway Like Frankie said I did it my way I just wanna live while I'm alive It's my life This is for the ones who stood their ground For Tommy and Gina who never backed down Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake Luck ain't even lucky Got to make your own breaks It's my life And it's now or never I ain't gonna live forever I just want to live while I'm alive It's my life My heart is like an open highway Like Frankie said I did it my way I just want to live while I'm alive 'Cause it's my life Better stand tall when they're calling you out Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down It's my life And it's now or never 'Cause I ain't gonna live forever I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life) My heart is like an open highway Like Frankie said I did it my way I just want to live while I'm alive It's my life And it's now or never 'Cause I ain't gonna live forever I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life) My heart is like an open highway Like Frankie said I did it my way I just want to live while I'm alive 'Cause it's my life!

Music Music has become an integral part of human existence. It motivates us, calms us, inspires us, and at times can irritate us (ex: the Barney theme song). Music becomes the backdrop against which we live our lives. Songs can bring vivid memories of persons, places, and events from our past and serve to document our thoughts, feelings, and emotions at a given place or time.

What are the important events that have happened in your life? Brainstorm a list of the 10 most important events that have happened in your life. Here are some ideas to get you started: First day of school A special family trip or vacation A family event or milestone Moving to a new place A personal achievement (winning a game, competition, or award.) A personal loss – someone you loved, a pet

Think about each event After each event, write a short description or a list of key words that describe that event. Select the top 8 events that mean the most to you. Think about these events. Try to imagine what song would match this event. Think about the song’s lyrics and/or melody. If the event were a movie, what song would be the soundtrack for that event. Avoid selecting songs that involve any inappropriate language or meaning.

What are the important events that hope will happen in your life? Brainstorm a list of the 5 most important events you hope will happen in your life. Here are some ideas to get you started: Graduating high school; college; med school Getting your driver’s license. Your first job! What will you be? Getting your own place to live. Getting married. Having a family. Becoming a professional athlete or rock star. Writing your first novel. Volunteering in another country. What music can you imagine playing being the soundtrack for these events?

Create your own album! Collect the titles and lyrics of at least 8 meaningful songs based on the past and future events of your life. The songs need to be school appropriate. Each song should correspond to an event that you have selected. Just as music producers do, try to create a progression in the sequence of your chosen songs. For example, your songs might be listed in chronological order of the events or you might mix up the songs so that all of the slow songs are not together. Put some time and thought into the order of the songs for your soundtrack Make a list in order of the song title and author that will make up your album!

Reflective Letter Paragraph 1- Explanation of yourself Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you now? Paragraph 2- Explanation of each song on the soundtrack (one mini paragraph for each song) What is the name of song and artist? Why is each song important for you? How does each song connect to your life? What does each song reveal about the kind of person you are and what you think is important in your life? Paragraph 3 – Final remarks and reflection on the soundtrack as a whole. What did you think about this project? What do you see yourself doing with the songs you have collected? Any final reflections as you look back on the project? Who would like to thank formally in help in creating this album? (the events that contributed to the album) Who would you like to dedicate this album to?

Presentation You need to make a visual presentation of your album. Your presentation can be in any format: CD, iPod, or old-school vinyl. Create a cover and title for your album. Paste the song list on the album. Include your Reflective Letter inside the album. Bring any pictures or artwork you would like to add to your album. Remember to sign and date the outside cover!