Canst Thou Name That Tune? Pop Sonnets and Passive Programming

A few weeks ago, my friend William sent me photos of a rotating passive programming display he’s been running in his high school library. Each week, he posts a new Shakespearean-style sonnet on a bulletin board and challenges students and teachers to guess which popular song inspired it. Unsurprisingly, the display has become something of a sensation, with prizes ranging from bragging rights to handcrafted artworks made from discarded books. Here are a few examples:

Has Thou the Wit to Devine This Melody?

The idea came from a book called Pop Sonnets by Eric Didriksen. I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard of it before, but I immediately ordered a couple of copies and now I’m a huge fan! This description from the publisher kind of says it all:

The Bard meets the Backstreet Boys in this collection of 100 classic pop songs reimagined as Shakespearean sonnets. This hilarious book of poetry transforms disco staples, classic rock anthems, and recent chart-toppers into hilarious iambic pentameter! All your favorite songs are here, including hits by Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, Talking Heads, and many others.

An entertaining journey into the world of Elizabethan poetry, and based on the immensely popular Tumblr of the same name, Pop Sonnets is the perfect gift for Shakespeare fans and music lovers alike."

Truly, I think it’s brilliant, both as parody and as poetry. Naturally, I had to see if I could stump William by crafting a few Sonnets of my own! For the first one, I tried to pick a song I thought today's learners would recognize. After that, I just went with songs that I love.

Jennifer's Sonnet #5:

When Phoebus hides, I don my spangled guise,


And flee yon hamlet, cloaked in modest shame.


’Midst mirror’d lamps that mock the midnight skies,


I seek the self long banish’d from my name.

Each drum proclaims what silence once forbade,


My stays do press, yet set my spirit free.


’Neath painted lights mine ancient fears do fade,


And I am whole in wanton revelry.

Though mother pray I mend my errant ways,


And saints bewail my soul’s unholy art,

Still through this rose-lit storm my body sways,

Where truth and sin are mated from the start

So shall I dance, here in this Blush-courser’s court,

And learn at last the temper of my heart.

Jennifer's Sonnet #6

It woundeth not, though others think it so.


Wouldst thou but long to mirror mine own heart?


Wouldst thou not yearn to see me spared from woe?


Attend this bond, and mark it from the start.

With Fortune’s nod, I’d take thy grief for mine,


To trade our hearts, mine soul be thine to know


For though our fates in sundry stars align,


I’d share the wounds that only thou can show.

No pact with fiends I crave, nor witch’s plot,


But mercy’s hand to balance joy and pain.


To stand as thee, my boots within thy spot,


With earnest will, I’d climb this arduous lane.

So grant me strength, ye powers from above,

To ascend this mount, untroubled yet by love.

Jennifer's Sonnet #7

I ne’er found jest in love’s divinity,

For it speaks softly from another sphere.

I’d be thy tree in winter’s sanctity,

Thy Easter hare when spring again draws near.

I’d cleanse thy world of greed’s unholy stain,

And draw each thorn that wounds thy tender feet.

I’d smooth the tar that binds thee into pain,

Till every hurt in thee be rendered sweet.

If thou shouldst make thy heart my hallow’d place,

I’d wash thee pure with tresses loosed and wild.

I’d drink from fountains veiled in mystic grace,

And seek the truths by dreamers undefiled.

Wouldst thou embrace the visions meant for thee,

Thou and me, aye, thou and me?

I won’t lie, this has been the most fun, y’all. There’s something addictive about trying to match the rhythm of Shakespeare to the melodies that live in my playlists. But as much as I love the creative challenge, what excites me even more is the potential for students to join in. But before I get to that, have you been playing along, trying to guess which songs go with each of the sonnets I've shared so far? Fear not! The answers are at the end of this post.

Anon, Let Us Speak of Programs Most Passive

Before we think about ways to scaffold this activity in the hopes of offering another way for students to participate, let’s pause for a moment to talk about what passive programming actually is, and why it's awesome.

Passive programming creates chances for readers to engage with the library on their own terms. These activities don’t rely on a formal lesson plan, a sign-up sheet, or a scheduled time with a teacher-librarian. Instead, they invite curiosity in ways that feel easy and welcoming. Even though the experience is self-directed, the best examples still reflect careful thought and planning behind the scenes. Librarians design these opportunities with intention, anticipating how readers will discover and respond to them. They might be as simple as a table with coloring sheets in the children’s or teen space, or as involved as a scavenger hunt or a months-long Battle of the Books tournament decided by vote. Checkout some excellent examples here.

I think what I love most about passive programming is its accessibility. When designed with care, passive programming can transform even the smallest bit of library real estate, like a book display or bulletin board, into an interactive opportunity for connection. Whether we’re tapping into pop culture, inviting kids to share their opinions on an issue, or offering a space for them to express their creativity, passive programming gives us another way to share a fundamental truth: the best libraries build communities where everyone matters.

Where Learners Take Up the Quill

If I haven't already mentioned it, I love William's display just as it is. I love the idea of kids (and teachers!) making a special trip to the library each week to see if they can guess the song behind each sonnet. I give the current iteration five out of five stars. No notes! And because I've had so much fun writing sonnets of my own, I’ve also been thinking of ways to create opportunities for student writers to take up the quill. So, here are my ideas.

Let's start with mentor texts. Once learners have had some practice matching songs and sonnets, the poems they’ve explored will already serve as mentor texts of sorts. Still, as you move toward having kids write their own sonnets (to be guessed by their classmates and teachers), it might be helpful to post a few additional examples to reinforce the style and structure. This is also a great time to collaborate with English teachers who may have poems to suggest that align with both your goals and theirs.

Next, give learners a clear, simple guide to what makes a sonnet a sonnet. While you may already have posters or other visuals in your library that can serve this purpose, I created this printable bookmark to help. You can download it for free here. I hope you find it useful!

Then, surround the space with inspiration. Pull poetry collections from the shelves to make them more discoverable. In other words, keep them at a reader's fingertips so they can find something wonderful without having to search. Include classic sonnets by Shakespeare alongside contemporary works that show how structure and emotion can coexist. Add poetry anthologies, novels in verse, and even lyric writing guides.

Finally, make space for your budding poets to play along. A simple submission box, a QR code that links to a digital form, or even a shared notebook can all serve as entry points. Invite students to submit their sonnets anonymously or with their names attached. You might post new submissions each week, creating an ongoing celebration of creativity. When we display student writing beside published works, and those crafted by teachers and peers, we remind kids that the only thing they have to do to be a writer is to start writing!

Come, Join the Merriment!

Not only do I adore passive programming, but combining it with poetry has brought me unexpected joy at a time when joy feels in short supply, y'all! Plus, it's been a good reminder for me that when we invite students (and colleagues) to experiment with form in this way, we reinforce the fact that creativity belongs to everyone.

So, let me end this post with an invitation! If you'd like to play along, please share your own Pop Sonnets, or those by your student poets and tag me on social media so I can oooh and aaaaah accordingly! And for those who have been trying to guess the examples shared earlier in the post, here are the answers:

1. Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

2. What's My Age Again by Blink 182

3. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

4. Creep by Radiohead

5. Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan

6. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

7. Be Mine by REM