Sister Sledge - Lost in music

Level: Hard

After an easy lead-in this disco classic gets pretty demanding but with plenty of word groupings and special outlines it's worth the practice. Thanks to Francesca Gillett for suggesting this one.

Lyrics

Placebo - Every You Every Me

Level: Hard

This sing was recommended by Joe Sturdy who is working towards 110wpm. Not surprising then that this is a particularly tough one. Still, give it a go and those 100wpm dictations will seem a whole lot easier. It also throws up a lot of theory and useful to remember shortcuts and word groupings as highlighted in the transcript below.

Lyrics
Buy on

The Undertones - Teenage Kicks

Level: Hard

Two reasons for posting this: First it's a short but tough test of Teeline dexterity and secondly it was the favourite song of legendary DJ John Peel who died ten years ago this month. 

There are not many words in the song and the outlines are not that tricky but they go at quite a speed and repeated use of easily confused words like hold, her and have make it the shorthand equivalent of a tongue twister. The verses are repeated so you get two bites of the cherry.

Lyrics

Buy on

Green Day: Basket Case

Level: Hard

Green Day's classic song is great for word groupings and special outlines and also dealing with unusual words. The opening lines are full of easy words including 'time', 'listen' and 'all at once' then you're suddenly hit with words like 'melodramatic' and 'neurotic.' You may get one or two such awkward words in the exam. The trick is to roll with the punches; get something written down and carry on. The fact that it's an unusual word will help you recall it afterwards but if you stop to think you'll get left behind.  For example, I've written 'melodramatic' in full in the sample transcription below but I only managed to write 'md' when I first attempted it. That's about as much as you need to recall it if you've got the rest of the sentence down.

Good luck and don't become a basket case.

Lyrics
Buy on

Lucy Spraggan - Tea and Toast

Level: Hard

This was suggested by Emma Marie Webb who has now passed 100 wpm and you will too if you can keep up with Lucy Spraggan's bitter sweet tale.

Lyrics
Buy on

Kris Kristofferson - Sunday Morning Coming Down

Level: hard

Kris Krisofferson's often covered classic covers a range of vocabulary with some complex outlines making it a great challenge but slow and clear enough to be achievable.
'Breakfast' is a cumbersome word to write out in full. I've shortened it to 'b'fast' but there are other ways of shortening and simplifying it which may work better. Also don't bother writing the title out in full. Stick to the first letters.

The site now has a Facebook page. Please like it here or in the box in the sidebar.

Lyrics

Buy it on

Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Level: Hard

This classic by Rod Stewart takes a fair bit of stamina but there are a few instrumental breaks to get your breath back including a mandolin solo famously mimed by Radio 1 DJ John Peel on Top of The Pops. Thanks to Emma Marie Webb for the suggestion.

What songs have you transcribed? Please share them here or on Twitter.

Lyrics
Buy song on

Johnny Cash - Hurt

Level: Hard

Johnny Cash's Nine Inch Nails Cover shouldn't be too painful. It goes at a moderate pace with time to catch up but it took me a couple of attempts to get outlines which were legible. There are a number of common words and word groupings. The 'in the end' word grouping is a crucial time saver.

Thanks to Teeline Tweets for the suggestion.

Lyrics

Buy from