“See You Again” by Miley Cyrus – Song Review

Song: “See You Again” (mp3) by Miley Cyrus on the album, Breakout (CD).

Length: 3:16

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. The song is about being nervous and awkward the first time you meet someone and hoping to try to do a better job the next time you meet. There is hope this meeting could lead to a romantic relationship.

Theme: Infatuation and poise.

Recommended Age: Middle School or High School.

Genre: Pop leaning toward Rock.

Year: 2008.

Video: No official video. Youtube has a video with the audio track of the song with her performing in front of an audience. It’s has video effects such as stars shooting out of her hands and mirrored shots.

Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Scholarly Research in Communication

The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Scholarly Research in Communication from the Center for Social Media.

This guide identifies four situations that represent the current consensus within the community of communication scholars about acceptable practices for the fair use of copyrighted materials … it describes how those rights should apply in certain recurrent situations.

I have spent a long time reading up on copyright and fair use because they have serious implications for an information junkie, like me. As a teacher, I have often heard strange ideas from administrators, teachers, students, and parents about how copyright, fair use, and attribution work. This isn’t exactly surprising considering The Associated Press wants to charge you for quotations (even though you don’t pay to quote someone).

The common situations in this code are described so that it’s easy to understand what to do when the situation happens in a teacher’s professional life. I hope teachers read it, and it helps to facilitate better lessons and products.

“Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab for Cutie – Song Review

Song: “Soul Meets Body” (mp3) by Death Cab for Cutie on the album, Plans (CD).

Length: 3:50

Lyrics: Safe.

Topic: Safe. Abstractly telling of the desire for something better. Includes a metaphor that someone else is a “song” he has a singular connection to in this gritty life. Possible spiritual self-examination.

Theme: Longing and connection.

Recommended Age: Any. Abstractness of the lyrics lends itself to high school and maybe middle school, but the music is beautiful and would appeal to any age.

Genre: Indie Rock. Haunting and beautiful.

Year: 2005.

Video: (AOL Music | YouTube | Directions DVD). The singer walks to a cabin in the woods where he joins the band to play. On the walk we see some sort of plant or fungus grow and float into the air. Mixed with shots of the band, we see the plants turn into musical notes and float across the country to the sea.