song S1 W2 / sɒŋ $ sɒŋ / 名词

1 music with words

a) [可数名词] a short piece of music with words that you sing :

We used to listen to pop songs on the radio.

They sat round with guitars, singing songs.

b) [不可数名词] songs in general :

The bravery of past warriors was celebrated in song.

2 birds [可数和不可数名词] the musical sounds made by birds and some other animals such as whale s :

the song of the lark

3 for a song very cheaply :

He bought the house for a song five years ago.

4 a song and dance (about something) informal

a) British English if you make a song and dance about something, you behave as if it was worse, more important, more difficult etc than it really is :

Suzy was there, making a song and dance about her aching feet.

b) American English an explanation or excuse that is too long and complicated :

She gave us a long song and dance about why she was late. → swansong

COLLOCATIONS

动词

sing a song He started singing a little song.

play a song (= with singing and musical instruments ) The band played a lot of their old songs.

perform a song (= in public ) He doesn’t like performing his songs live.

write/compose a song Do they write their own songs?

record a song (= onto a CD so that it can be sold ) The song was first recorded in 1982.

ADJECTIVES/NOUN + song

good/great That’s a great song!

new Are any of the songs on the album new?

old People always want to hear their old songs.

a pop/folk song I love all those ’60s pop songs.

a popular song (= used mainly of songs written before the 1960s ) a popular song from the 1930s

a love song He is releasing an album of love songs for Valentine’s Day.

a protest song They were singing old protest songs from the 1960s.

a Beatles/REM etc song Can you play any Beatles songs?

短语

burst/break into song (= start singing ) The crowd spontaneously burst into song.

THESAURUS

song a short piece of music with words that you sing : We sang songs around the campfire. | The song was written by John Lennon.

track one of the songs on a CD or record : Track three is my favourite one.

number a song that forms part of a performance of several songs : The show was brilliant, from the opening number to the end.

tune the notes in a song, without the words : I recognize the tune, but I can’t remember what it’s called.

melody the main series of notes in a piece of music that has several parts which are played together : The song has a simple melody and beautiful lyrics.

verse a set of sentences that make up one part of a song : She sang the first verse of ‘Amazing Grace’.

chorus a set of sentences in a song that is repeated after each verse : Most of the kids were able to join in the chorus.

types of song

national anthem the official song of a country, which is sung or played on public occasions : Before the match, everyone stood up to sing the national anthem.

hymn / hɪm / a religious song that is sung in a church : What hymns did you choose for your wedding? | At funerals people often sing the hymn ‘Abide with Me’.

carol a traditional Christmas song : We went around the houses, singing carols.

folk song a traditional song from a particular area : an old Mexican folk song

ballad a long folk song which tells a story : a traditional ballad about a man who is dreaming of his home in Ireland

lullaby a slow quiet song sung to children to make them go to sleep : She sat by the child’s bed, softly singing a lullaby.