The popular singer 流行音乐歌手

蒋建平

杰克·约翰逊是美国一名创作型歌手，本想成为专业冲浪运动员的他在一次冲浪时意外受伤，但凭借对音乐的天分和努力，他成功走上了音乐道路，最后成为一名著名的音乐人。

难词探意

1. surfer /?s??f?（r）/ n. 冲浪者;冲浪运动员

2. revolve /r??v?lv/ v. 旋转;环绕

Jack Johnson is one of the most popular singers and song writers in the world.

Jack was born on May 18， 1975 in Hawaii. Being the son of a famous surfer， Jack usually has an

interest in surfing. Most of his life lessons were learned in the water. At the age of 17， Jack entered the finals of the Pineline Masters—the worlds most famous surfing competition. Everyone thought Jack would become a professional surfer like his father. Unluckily， one month later， he had a deadly accident while surfing and was seriously hurt.

Life is like a revolving door. When it closes， it also opens. Jack started to practice playing the guitar and writing songs when he was staying in hospital. At first， his father thought Jack only did it for fun， but soon he was surprised at the great progress his son had made.

When studying in the university， Jack didnt stop practicing his guitar skills. He played the guitar for school parties. He wrote songs and sang for his teachers and friends. They liked his songs. His first music album Brushfire Fairytales came out in 2001. It was a great success. His second album， On and On， was much like his first. They were filled with sweet， easy?going songs that everybody liked listening to. Later Jack had lots of concerts in and out of America. He became popular all over the world.

Jack had five albums by 2010 and more than 15 million copies of them were sold. His music doesnt fit into any of the popular music styles like pop， rock， R&B or hip?hop. It is more like folk music， played with a guitar and beautiful voice. When listening to his songs， you feel like lying on the beach enjoying the warm sunshine.

Jack is a talent， though he himself says he is only a surfer who loves music. In his songs we can find his secret of success. Whatever happens in our lives， we have to accept it and do the best we can.

ReadingCheck

1. What did Jack Johnson do at the age of 17？

A. He had his first concert.

B. He had his first music album.

C. He became popular all over the world.

D. He took part in a surfing competition.

2. When did Jack start to write songs？

A. After his second album came out.

B. While he was staying in hospital.

C. When he had concerts out of America.

D. After he played the guitar at the school party.

3. What is the secret of Jacks success？

A. He was born in Hawaii.

B. His father was very famous.

C. He wrote many songs for his teachers and friends.

D. He always faced difficulties bravely and tried his best.

Language Study

Useful expressions

come out 发行;出版

fit into （使）合适

feel like... 感觉像……

Cultural Background

杰克·约翰逊

杰克·约翰逊（Jack Johnson），1975年5月18日出生于美国夏威夷州檀香山，歌手、影片制作人、音乐创作者、冲浪好手。

他的音乐事业获得很大成功，在发行了第一张专辑Brushfire Fairytales之后，杰克·约翰逊就全身心投入音乐创作与演唱。至今已发行了多张迷你专辑与正规专辑，是轻柔摇滚乐的代表人物之一。