New
New
Year 6

Exploring the purpose and audience of 'London is the Place for Me'

I can infer the potential purpose and audience of a song by studying its historical context.

New
New
Year 6

Exploring the purpose and audience of 'London is the Place for Me'

I can infer the potential purpose and audience of a song by studying its historical context.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The migration of people from the Caribbean to the UK during the Windrush period was driven by a combination of factors.
  2. The song is written from the perspective of someone who had been to London even though Roberts had not yet visited.
  3. To determine the purpose and audience of a song, we can consider the music and lyrics of the song.
  4. The purpose & audience of songs can change over time; when the context of a song changes, so can its purpose & audience.

Keywords

  • Pull factor - the attractive aspects or opportunities that draw individuals to a new destination

  • Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

  • Purpose - the reason a text was written and the desired impact

  • Audience - the people who listen to and engage with the song

Common misconception

Based on the lyrics and music, pupils may have a solely optimistic view of the UK.

Reiterate that many people from the Caribbean experienced challenges and barriers, including discrimination.

It may be beneficial to display/print some of the pull factors that drew people from the Caribbean to live in Britain between 1948 and 1971.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the lyrics & recording of ‘London is the Place for Me’ by Lord Kitchener which is featured on the 2013 Honest Jon’s Records album ‘London Is The Place For Me’ for this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Who wrote and performed the song 'London is the Place for Me'?
Correct Answer: Aldwyn Roberts, aldwyn roberts, Aldwyn roberts, Lord Kitchener, lord kitchener
Q2.
Which is the most suitable definition of a refrain?
the attitude or emotion expressed by the artist towards the subject matter
the similarity of sounds between the ending syllables of words
Correct answer: a word, line or phrase that is repeated within the lines or verses of the song
Q3.
In which year was the British Nationality Act passed by the British government?
1914
1922
Correct answer: 1948
Q4.
What genre of music is 'London is the Place for Me'?
classical
Correct answer: calypso
jazz
Q5.
Lord Kitchener refers to England as his __________ country.
Correct answer: mother
father
brother
sister
Q6.
Which boat brought Aldwyn Roberts to England?
Correct answer: Empire Windrush
SS Orbita
SS Queen of Bermuda

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:pull factor,the attractive aspects that draw individuals to a new destination

the attractive aspects that draw individuals to a new destination

Correct Answer:theme,a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

Correct Answer:purpose,the reason a text was written and the desired impact

the reason a text was written and the desired impact

Correct Answer:audience,the people who listen to and engage with the song

the people who listen to and engage with the song

Q2.
Which of the following can be considered pull factors for people from the Caribbean to come to England?
fear of the unknown
Correct answer: shared cultural heritage
family and community ties in the Caribbean
Correct answer: the opportunity to advance their education
Q3.
Match the dates from the timeline to the correct events.
Correct Answer:1939-1945,the Second World War

the Second World War

Correct Answer:1948,National Health Service (NHS) established

National Health Service (NHS) established

Correct Answer:1966,Notting Hill Carnival established

Notting Hill Carnival established

Q4.
Which of the following are themes contained in the song/lyrics?
Correct answer: migration
Correct answer: optimism
the environment
Correct answer: belonging
homesickness
Q5.
Match each theme to how it is conveyed in the song.
Correct Answer:appreciation,Lord Kitchener shows gratitude for the welcoming nature of London.

Lord Kitchener shows gratitude for the welcoming nature of London.

Correct Answer:comfort,Lord Kitchener says that people will feel like a “millionaire”.

Lord Kitchener says that people will feel like a “millionaire”.

Correct Answer:belonging,Lord Kitchener considers it his true home.

Lord Kitchener considers it his true home.

Q6.
How can you identity the purpose and audience of ‘London is the Place for Me’?
Correct answer: Identify themes and messages in the lyrics.
Correct answer: Consider the tone of the song.
Focus just on the song’s title.