Learn English with Music: Elvis Presley, Christmas and Colors

Christmas time is nearly here! I know that you’re really looking forward to your vacation. No work, no studying. But that doesn’t mean that you have to take a break from English as well. After all, English is fun!

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Christmas is a time for family, togetherness, singing Christmas songs and lots of colorful and shiny lights. So, I’m going to put all of these things together and teach you some colorful new vocabulary with the help of “The King,” Elvis Presley.

In this article you are going to:

  • Improve your vocabulary with an ELVIS PRESLEY CHRISTMAS SONG
  • Look at the representation of different colors
  • Learn expressions related to colors

Elvis Presley and Christmas Carols

Elvis Presley has been such an influential and important artist in American pop culture, that until today he holds the title as being “the king” of rock and roll. From Rock music to Blues, and even Gospel, Elvis had his finger in many pies as a musician.

But did you know that Elvis loved to sing and record Christmas Carols (songs)?

It has been reported that Christmas was Elvis’ favorite time of the year and he would always try his best to spend the holiday season with his family.

Some of Elvis’ most popular songs were “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hound dog,” but today we’re going to focus on my favorite Elvis Christmas Carol “Blue Christmas.” But why does Elvis use the word BLUE in this song? Shouldn’t he say WHITE Christmas, because of the snow?

Let’s listen to this track and try to understand why Elvis is having a BLUE Christmas.

[media url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ODrPL9-kEs” width=”500″ height=”300″]

Colors and Emotion Adjectives

With the help of “the king” we have just learnt that the color blue can be associated with sadness, but do the other colors represent another kind of emotion?

Yes they do! If you ask a color psychologist, they will give you a long list of colors that are linked to many different emotions and feelings. To simplify things, here are the emotions and feelings that are associated with the most common colors BLUE, RED, YELLOW and GREEN.

BLUE
Even though the expression “to have the blues” means to be sad or depressed, in psychology the color blue doesn’t represent that at all.

The color blue represents relaxation, calmness, and it is very soothing. Blue can also improve productivity.

RED

The color red has a large range of conflicting emotions, from hate to passion, anger to lust. Red is the color of the devil and cupid. Red can also represent vitality.

YELLOW

Yellow can increase your metabolism but it also causes tiredness.
Yellow often makes many people feel cheerful, energetic, and happy but soon fatigued

GREEN

Similar to blue, green can also make a person feel more relaxed and calm.
Green represents- Tranquility, cleanliness, freshness and is often related to nature and preservation.

Expressions With Color

TO CATCH SOMEONE RED HANDED– To see someone committing a crime or doing something bad. It’s generally related to stealing.

“I caught him taking money from the cash register red handed.”

PAINT THE TOWN RED– To go out at and have a fun and crazy night with friends

“I’ve been so busy this week at work, I’m going to go out tonight and paint the town red.”

RED TAPE– When something takes a lot of difficulty because of bureaucratic problems. Common with governmental issues or anything with rules and regulations.

“I would love to work in the U.S.A. but there is too much red tape trying to get a visa.”

ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET– To welcome someone in a very big way as if they were a celebrity.

“I’m going to roll out the red carpet for my friend Josh who is arriving from Amsterdam today.”

OUT OF THE BLUE– When something happens completely unexpectedly

“My old friend from high school rang me today out of the blue.”

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON – When something happens vey infrequently

“I have a gym membership but I only go there once in a blue moon.”

THE BOYS IN BLUE– Expression referring to the police. In many countries police officers wear a blue uniform.

“I saw the boys in blue arresting some thugs today. It was really cool.”

YELLOW BELLIED– When someone is really shy or cowardly

“I paid for Trevor to go sky diving but he’s so yellow bellied that he didn’t accept.”

A WHITE LIE– A lie which doesn’t hurt anyone. This is often used to emphasize a story or to protect someone’s feelings.

“I had to tell her that her hair looked fine. A white lie now and then doesn’t hurt anyone.”

WHITE COLLAR WORKER– Any kind of professional that has to wear a suit

“Justin was tired of being a white collar worker so he moved to Brazil.”

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE– This is used to express that you always want what other people have, but usually it’s not as good as you think.

“I’m so envious of my boss. He has a lot of money and nice things.”
“Money’s not everything. The grass is always greener on the other side.”

GREEN WITH ENVY– This expression is used to emphasize that someone is very jealous

“I was green with envy when my workmate got the promotion instead of me.”

GIVE SOMEONE THE GREEN LIGHT– To give someone permission to do something, usually work related.

“My boss gave me the green light to take my vacation during Christmas time.”

CONCLUSION

What do you enjoy doing for Christmas? What are some of your family or country’s customs?
Is Christmas a very colorful time of the year for you? Do you get together with your family or friends at this time of the year?

Please let us know by leaving a comment at the bottom of this article or leave us a message at the Real Life English facebook community.

Long live the King, Elvis Presley has left the building!!

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