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The Top 40 Artist Who Saved my Butt in the Classroom
English class changed forever
The first thing I learned when I started work as a teacher in Maevatanana, Madagascar was that music ruled.
My first week there, the hit “F*@k You” by Cee Lo Green blared from every possible set of stereo speakers. Malagasy people like their music loud, so no one escaped Cee Lo’s invitation for the listener to eff themselves in his upbeat revenge song.
Most of the locals didn’t speak English, but they adored English music. It didn’t stop at Cee Lo. They had several pop stars in rotation and blaring full blast from the town’s only gas station, from rickety little cafes and tiny shops.
The town faves were Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, and Celine Dion. Repeat.
I found the loud, modern music a shock in such a tiny, traditional place. This was the sort of town that shut down on Sundays so everyone could attend church. Women there hesitated to wear the tank tops that filled the weekly clothing market, (too sexy) or even pants. Most favored long, flowered dresses and even wore a traditional yellow paste on their face meant to keep their skin from tanning while they worked in the sun.
Yet, everyone wanted to sing out what lyrics they knew from “My Heart will Go On,” or…
