Dear Taylor,
I don't want to say that we are never, ever getting back together. I really don't. I want to remain one of your most avid fans. I've always defended you from people I know who don't like you. When these people say that your songs are all about your exes, or that they're just catchy but not that great, I tell them that your songs, of course, tell your stories and speak of your own experiences. Because isn't it the magic of any creative output--to tell our stories through something beautiful, like a work of art?
I don't feel this way because of the Hiddleswift that so swiftly happened. I'm not even counting the whole Kim K-Kanye brouhaha into the equation. I feel this way because of what you have become. Gone are the days when the Taylor that we know is someone relatable and approachable. Gone are the days when the Taylor that we know is the Taylor who leaves an encouraging message on a fan's Instagram account because that said fan was bullied in school. Gone are the days when the Taylor that we know is the Taylor who bakes cookies for her beloved fans when she invited them to an exclusive listening preview of her 1989 album that (at that time) was yet to be released. Gone are the days when the Taylor that we know is the Taylor who makes a surprise appearance at a fan's wedding to make that said fan happy on her wedding day. Gone are the days when the Taylor (oh, the sweet Taylor) that we know makes jams and makes embroidered gifts to Ed Sheeran.
Because all of these--as recent articles, opinion pieces, and online comments have pointed out--are part of a grand PR stunt that you orchestrated very well. And as a fan, it saddens me, because when I first heard your songs (Love Story, White Horse, You Belong With Me), I felt that you could relate to us, your fans (and we, your fans, could relate to you). I've had my own time spent in Loserdom when I was an adolescent. I've had my fair share of experiences of not being well-liked, of not being cool in the Ms. Popular/Cheerleader kind of way (which was a big deal when you're a teenager, or when you're simply surrounded by mean girls in school). When I first heard your songs, I felt that we were in the same boat, and you were out there telling our stories and standing for us who were (or still are) in Loserdom.
And your songs about your exes? They were all about heartbreak, and haven't we all had our hearts broken at some point in our lives? For us, your fans (or at least for me), that was another reason to like you even more.
So I followed your career, supporting all your albums--from Fearless to Speak Now to Red to 1989. I saw how you transitioned from being this sweet, country singer to a bombshell pop star. And that, perhaps, was when it all started to go wrong. Or maybe that's just how I felt (or should I say, feel right now).
You've pretty much achieved almost everything--Grammy Awards, a roster of A-list stars whom you have dated, a swanky New York apartment, a #squadgoals circle of friends, among others. And why wouldn't you have them? You deserved all of those, I told myself, because you worked so hard in writing those songs that we pretty much gravitated towards you and made you famous.
So upon the realization that all of these have "PR Stunt" stamped on them, I feel like you've played us all along. You exploited our experiences of being in Loserdom, of having our hearts broken, of having been rejected at school, and a host of other unpleasant experiences. You taught us that "haters gonna hate", so we were like, yeah let's "shake it off!" You taught us that the one on the bleachers, the one who wears sneakers, the one who wears T-shirts will eventually win over the girl who's cheer captain, the girl who wears high heels, the girl who doesn't get a special someone's humor like we do. Now, where is the girl who taught us all of these? Oh, maybe chillin' out in her New York apartment in the company of her squad of white girls who are stars themselves or supermodels.
And then, you become defensive whenever shade is thrown at you. Well, we can't reach you anymore. Do you even know how tickets to your concerts cost? Girls are literally running to get their hands on your tickets, even getting angry at a dad who's buying a ticket for her daughter because it's taking him a bit long to choose a seat (as what my sister witnessed during the selling of tickets for your Red concert).
So, is there still a Taylor with a soul beneath all the fame, the wealth, the enviable list of "friends", and the swanky New York apartment? Is there still a Taylor who's authentic and sincere? And, to borrow our very own Ms. Pia Wurtzbach's words, is there still a Taylor who's confidently beautiful (and talented) with a heart?
I'm hoping you won't get out of style though, what with all your (alleged but seemingly true) pretentiousness. Otherwise, we might have to shake you off for good.
From,
A fan
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Monday, September 21, 2015
My guitar
One thing I miss after moving out of our family home is my guitar. Not that I'm so good at playing it, but I love making music with my guitar. On nights when I can't sleep, I go down to the bedroom at the first floor of our house and strum the night away. I play my favorite songs until my eyes hurt from drowsiness.
When I learned to play guitar, I also got encouraged to write my own songs. I have successfully completed one song (which I will share in a future blog post), after writing three unfinished songs. They remain unfinished because I do not know yet how to end the stories in those songs. Maybe someday, I'll get to finish them. Or maybe I won't.
Now that I already stay in a boarding house near my office, I'm no longer able to play my guitar at night. I can't bring my guitar to the boarding house because I share a room with three other girls. I share the house with 20 other housemates. I have no space where I can keep it. And playing guitar, especially at night, is not a good idea when 20 other housemates are sleeping and resting after a long day at work.
The callouses on my fingers are now gone, and I'm sure, my fingers will hurt again when I play the guitar. However, I don't see it happening soon. I'm busy, and I haven't stayed long enough at home to allot ample time for leisure.
I hope my guitar still remembers me when I finally get the chance to pick it up again. I hope it shows my fingers some mercy as I try to regain my callouses and get used to playing again. I hope it feels my familiar touch. And I hope it becomes one with me as I try to write more songs and make more music.
When I learned to play guitar, I also got encouraged to write my own songs. I have successfully completed one song (which I will share in a future blog post), after writing three unfinished songs. They remain unfinished because I do not know yet how to end the stories in those songs. Maybe someday, I'll get to finish them. Or maybe I won't.
Now that I already stay in a boarding house near my office, I'm no longer able to play my guitar at night. I can't bring my guitar to the boarding house because I share a room with three other girls. I share the house with 20 other housemates. I have no space where I can keep it. And playing guitar, especially at night, is not a good idea when 20 other housemates are sleeping and resting after a long day at work.
The callouses on my fingers are now gone, and I'm sure, my fingers will hurt again when I play the guitar. However, I don't see it happening soon. I'm busy, and I haven't stayed long enough at home to allot ample time for leisure.
I hope my guitar still remembers me when I finally get the chance to pick it up again. I hope it shows my fingers some mercy as I try to regain my callouses and get used to playing again. I hope it feels my familiar touch. And I hope it becomes one with me as I try to write more songs and make more music.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Tales of Auditions Past
Singing is one of my unspoken dreams. I've loved singing ever since I was a little girl, but it's not something I tell people about as much as I tell them that I want to be a writer. I know I can carry a tune, but I feel that my singing talent is raw, so raw that I'll drown in a sea of people who can sing better than I do.
When I was in fourth grade and I didn't make it to our school's drama club, I thought of joining the chorale. When my drama club teacher told me to look for another club to join, I knew what I wanted to audition in. And so I proceeded to the classroom where the chorale audition was going on. I peeked inside and knocked on the door, but not loud enough for anyone to hear me. However, instead of knocking again, I just stood there, watched, and walked away. I settled for the speech club, and joined the school paper in the two school years that followed.
I transferred to another school came freshman year, and I brought my interest in writing for the school paper with me. That, along with my love for singing. However, I kept on missing the audition dates; I would only know about it after it was over. When I was in my third year in high school, I finally got the date. I went to the music room on the said date and time, got myself enlisted, and sang Colors of the Wind, one of favorite songs. I probably went flat on the bridge part, or probably wasn't good enough, or both. I knew, after singing, that the music teacher wasn't satisfied. She played some notes on the piano--scales--for vocalization, but I couldn't follow. I was out of tune. Of course, when the list of the new members was posted, my name wasn't there. I was disappointed, but I somehow expected it. I didn't try again the next school year; I was a senior after all. I chose to focus on my studies and the school paper, of which I was a part of since freshman year. "Not so bad," I thought. "I can't have everything."
I went to college and joined U.P. ICTUS, a Catholic organization in U.P. It has a choir, which doesn't require an audition, so I volunteered myself. We would sing every Tuesday, at the 6 p.m. mass, at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice inside the campus. I was happy because I was able to do two things I love: writing, because I was taking up journalism, and singing in the choir.
Trying out for the choirs in U.P, like the U.P Concert Chorus and the U.P. Singing Ambassadors, came as shooting for the moon for me. There was no way I could get in, because I knew my capabilities. My singing skills were so raw; I wasn't good enough. So I pushed the thought of auditioning aside, even if I was captivated by the voices of the Singing Ambassadors singing Moon River in my Sociology class when they went from classroom to classroom to invite students to try out.
I was satisfied with singing at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice with the ICTUS Choir. We had no conductor or a maestro to teach us, and it would've been better if we had one, but it just wasn't the case. Some members who were also part of their respective parish choirs, or those who were part of their high school choirs, shared their music know-how. We would play the notes on the keyboard, schedule practices, learn the pieces, and sing during masses. Come Christmas season, we would go caroling to raise funds for the org.
One of my orgmates, Angel, who already graduated, invited me and another orgmate to audition for Bukas Palad of the Jesuit Music Ministry. Angel was a part of that group, and auditioning is by invitation only. I felt honored that she saw something in me to invite me to join. However, I had quite a lot of things going on--my parents were very strict at that time and I couldn't stay out late. But still, I decided to give the audition a try. When I got to the venue and was standing in front of the seasoned BP members, I got so nervous that I couldn't project my voice. It wasn't loud enough and it was airy.
I thought I could deal with not getting in because my parents wouldn't allow me to join either had I been accepted. But after the audition, when I went out of the room, that was the only time when I realized how much I really wanted it. So I cried. And of course, as expected, I didn't get in.
I graduated from college and worked, but my singing dream didn't die. I wanted to keep singing while working as a magazine writer. So, last December, when my friend Kuya Marco asked if I wanted to join their choir, Kammerchor Manila, I quickly said yes. That night, I went with him to their rehearsal to audition. If I didn't get in, at least I tried. If I didn't get in, that would be my third rejection, but it didn't matter. At least I tried. I sang I Seek You For I Thirst, one of my favorite mass songs. I went out of tune in some parts, but I just repeated the phrase and continued to sing while staring out the window to keep my nervousness from devouring me alive. After singing came the vocalization and singing with the members of the alto section, where I was auditioning for. The conductor then said they're taking me in as trainee, and was told that my evaluation would depend on how I could keep up with the songs they already knew. There were also pieces which we would still learn in preparation for the group's 20th Anniversary Concert.
Five months since I've auditioned, I can say my singing has changed, but I'm not yet there. True, as I've written in a previous post, I was part of the choir's concert. But I still have a long way to go to be able to contribute a lot to the choir. I still have a long way to go to achieve that rich, deep tone that is needed from the alto section. I have to practice more so I can project better when singing while blending with the other voices in the choir.
It's true that there are times when it's hard to juggle work, family, and the choir. But I don't want to give this up. Looking back at my past auditions, I know how much I want to be part of this. I'm thankful to God for giving me this opportunity, and I don't want to waste this.
When I was in fourth grade and I didn't make it to our school's drama club, I thought of joining the chorale. When my drama club teacher told me to look for another club to join, I knew what I wanted to audition in. And so I proceeded to the classroom where the chorale audition was going on. I peeked inside and knocked on the door, but not loud enough for anyone to hear me. However, instead of knocking again, I just stood there, watched, and walked away. I settled for the speech club, and joined the school paper in the two school years that followed.
I transferred to another school came freshman year, and I brought my interest in writing for the school paper with me. That, along with my love for singing. However, I kept on missing the audition dates; I would only know about it after it was over. When I was in my third year in high school, I finally got the date. I went to the music room on the said date and time, got myself enlisted, and sang Colors of the Wind, one of favorite songs. I probably went flat on the bridge part, or probably wasn't good enough, or both. I knew, after singing, that the music teacher wasn't satisfied. She played some notes on the piano--scales--for vocalization, but I couldn't follow. I was out of tune. Of course, when the list of the new members was posted, my name wasn't there. I was disappointed, but I somehow expected it. I didn't try again the next school year; I was a senior after all. I chose to focus on my studies and the school paper, of which I was a part of since freshman year. "Not so bad," I thought. "I can't have everything."
I went to college and joined U.P. ICTUS, a Catholic organization in U.P. It has a choir, which doesn't require an audition, so I volunteered myself. We would sing every Tuesday, at the 6 p.m. mass, at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice inside the campus. I was happy because I was able to do two things I love: writing, because I was taking up journalism, and singing in the choir.
Trying out for the choirs in U.P, like the U.P Concert Chorus and the U.P. Singing Ambassadors, came as shooting for the moon for me. There was no way I could get in, because I knew my capabilities. My singing skills were so raw; I wasn't good enough. So I pushed the thought of auditioning aside, even if I was captivated by the voices of the Singing Ambassadors singing Moon River in my Sociology class when they went from classroom to classroom to invite students to try out.
I was satisfied with singing at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice with the ICTUS Choir. We had no conductor or a maestro to teach us, and it would've been better if we had one, but it just wasn't the case. Some members who were also part of their respective parish choirs, or those who were part of their high school choirs, shared their music know-how. We would play the notes on the keyboard, schedule practices, learn the pieces, and sing during masses. Come Christmas season, we would go caroling to raise funds for the org.
One of my orgmates, Angel, who already graduated, invited me and another orgmate to audition for Bukas Palad of the Jesuit Music Ministry. Angel was a part of that group, and auditioning is by invitation only. I felt honored that she saw something in me to invite me to join. However, I had quite a lot of things going on--my parents were very strict at that time and I couldn't stay out late. But still, I decided to give the audition a try. When I got to the venue and was standing in front of the seasoned BP members, I got so nervous that I couldn't project my voice. It wasn't loud enough and it was airy.
I thought I could deal with not getting in because my parents wouldn't allow me to join either had I been accepted. But after the audition, when I went out of the room, that was the only time when I realized how much I really wanted it. So I cried. And of course, as expected, I didn't get in.
I graduated from college and worked, but my singing dream didn't die. I wanted to keep singing while working as a magazine writer. So, last December, when my friend Kuya Marco asked if I wanted to join their choir, Kammerchor Manila, I quickly said yes. That night, I went with him to their rehearsal to audition. If I didn't get in, at least I tried. If I didn't get in, that would be my third rejection, but it didn't matter. At least I tried. I sang I Seek You For I Thirst, one of my favorite mass songs. I went out of tune in some parts, but I just repeated the phrase and continued to sing while staring out the window to keep my nervousness from devouring me alive. After singing came the vocalization and singing with the members of the alto section, where I was auditioning for. The conductor then said they're taking me in as trainee, and was told that my evaluation would depend on how I could keep up with the songs they already knew. There were also pieces which we would still learn in preparation for the group's 20th Anniversary Concert.
Five months since I've auditioned, I can say my singing has changed, but I'm not yet there. True, as I've written in a previous post, I was part of the choir's concert. But I still have a long way to go to be able to contribute a lot to the choir. I still have a long way to go to achieve that rich, deep tone that is needed from the alto section. I have to practice more so I can project better when singing while blending with the other voices in the choir.
It's true that there are times when it's hard to juggle work, family, and the choir. But I don't want to give this up. Looking back at my past auditions, I know how much I want to be part of this. I'm thankful to God for giving me this opportunity, and I don't want to waste this.
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Choir I Joined
After a suuuuuper long hiatus from the blogging world (three months!), I'm back. Hello everyone! To say that I was busy these past three months is an understatement. What took most of my time, aside from my magazine job, is the choir that I joined last December: Kammerchor Manila. A friend invited me to audition, and I got in as trainee.
Since then, my schedule has changed, especially because I joined at a time when the choir was preparing for its 20th Annivesary Concert, held last April 14. We would rehearse twice to thrice a week, to almost every day as the concert date drew near. There were times when I thought of giving up because of exhaustion, thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" It was hard to divide my time between work and the choir, because both are equally demanding crafts. But when the concert was over, everything was, cliche as it sounds, sooo worth it.
Here are some photos taken by my dad:
Since then, my schedule has changed, especially because I joined at a time when the choir was preparing for its 20th Annivesary Concert, held last April 14. We would rehearse twice to thrice a week, to almost every day as the concert date drew near. There were times when I thought of giving up because of exhaustion, thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" It was hard to divide my time between work and the choir, because both are equally demanding crafts. But when the concert was over, everything was, cliche as it sounds, sooo worth it.
Here are some photos taken by my dad:
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| Conductor Anthony Go Villanueva and Kammerchor Manila |
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| The choir following the conductor |
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| Projecting while getting ready for the next song hehe |
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| Change positions |
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| Ikaw Lamang |
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| Me and my partner, Othan, while performing Ikaw Lamang |
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| Soloists Tynna and Rufo for the song, Ikaw Lamang |
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| Soloists Tynna and Rufo for the song, Ikaw Lamang |
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| More singing |
Here's a video of us singing one of songs in our repertoire. The song is titled Galawgaw, describing a woman who is not prim and proper, and who is liberated based on the existing norms in a conservative society. I love this song. It's such a joy to perform.
My dearest took this video, and was focusing the camera on me, positioned at the right side, that's why the camera wasn't at the center. Hehe.
After the concert and after I've uploaded the photos and videos on Facebook, I could feel that my parents, especially my dad, were proud. My dad was even the one thanking the people who liked this photo on Facebook.
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| Me with my proud parents |
Now, we're back to our regular rehearsals and singing at the church. I feel blessed to be given an opportunity to sing on stage with a choir such as Kammerchor Manila. I know that there will be times when I'll feel exhausted again (we all are) as I juggle rehearsals with my job. But I won't give this up. I just have to pray to God to give me strength to endure everything. He gave me this, so He'll be with me as I do my best in practicing and singing my heart out together with the choir.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Glimpse of My '90s: The Cranberries
While I was in poetry drought in the past two weeks, I've been reliving my childhood through some '90s music. It was Aqua at the start of the week, then it became The Cranberries that gave me a major LSS (Last Song Syndrome). It started when my dearest posted a music video of one of their songs, Linger, on my Facebook wall. Then, I looked for the music video of my favorite Cranberries song.
That's Ode To My Family. Well, to be honest, I didn't know that its title was Ode To My Family. All I knew was that it was a song that starts with "doo doo doo doo...". Haha! Thanks to Youtube, I was able to find the music video and learn about the title as well. Haha!
I remember we had a cassette tape of The Cranberries (woohooo a cassette tape!). My dad would play it on Sunday mornings (that is, if my memory is right). Back then, I couldn't understand the lyrics. I really suck at deciphering lyrics even up to now. But despite that, I like the song; the vocalist Dolores O'Riordan's voice is clear and beautiful, and the song's melody is great for chilling out. And now that I already know the lyrics, the song has another plus for me.
When I was I think in fourth or fifth grade, we attended a talk about backward masking. The Cranberries was one of the bands mentioned in the talk. The speaker said their songs had evil messages. I couldn't remember if the speaker pointed out a specific song. Maybe it was their song Zombie.
That's evil? I don't think so. I did some Googling about the song. It's a protest song meant to criticize the bombing in Warrington, Cheshire in 1993.
The Cranberries have other great songs. I like Linger and Just My Imagination, too. So I'm going to end this post here, look for their songs online (I couldn't find the cassette tape anymore. Haha!), and enjoy listening to them.
That's Ode To My Family. Well, to be honest, I didn't know that its title was Ode To My Family. All I knew was that it was a song that starts with "doo doo doo doo...". Haha! Thanks to Youtube, I was able to find the music video and learn about the title as well. Haha!
I remember we had a cassette tape of The Cranberries (woohooo a cassette tape!). My dad would play it on Sunday mornings (that is, if my memory is right). Back then, I couldn't understand the lyrics. I really suck at deciphering lyrics even up to now. But despite that, I like the song; the vocalist Dolores O'Riordan's voice is clear and beautiful, and the song's melody is great for chilling out. And now that I already know the lyrics, the song has another plus for me.
When I was I think in fourth or fifth grade, we attended a talk about backward masking. The Cranberries was one of the bands mentioned in the talk. The speaker said their songs had evil messages. I couldn't remember if the speaker pointed out a specific song. Maybe it was their song Zombie.
That's evil? I don't think so. I did some Googling about the song. It's a protest song meant to criticize the bombing in Warrington, Cheshire in 1993.
The Cranberries have other great songs. I like Linger and Just My Imagination, too. So I'm going to end this post here, look for their songs online (I couldn't find the cassette tape anymore. Haha!), and enjoy listening to them.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Barbie Girl
Hello, '90s kids! Who among you doesn't know (or who doesn't have even the tiniest bit of familiarity with) this song?
I loved this song when I was a kid. I used to dance to this song, especially during Christmas parties with relatives when kids were "required" to dance or sing or perform anything in exchange for aguinaldo (money given to kids by godparents or any adult during Christmas). This song was just so fun to listen and dance to. Adding to that is the oh-so-playful music video. Everything about this song was so lovable to my kiddie eyes and ears.
I loved this song when I was a kid. I used to dance to this song, especially during Christmas parties with relatives when kids were "required" to dance or sing or perform anything in exchange for aguinaldo (money given to kids by godparents or any adult during Christmas). This song was just so fun to listen and dance to. Adding to that is the oh-so-playful music video. Everything about this song was so lovable to my kiddie eyes and ears.
That was because I didn't know the meaning behind this song's lyrics. Haha! I mean, hello? It's Barbie and Ken going to a party together. What could possibly be wrong with that? That's what I used to think.
Not until I listened to this song again as an adult did I realize that this song is about sex. Like hello, hanky panky? I agree with one comment in Youtube about this: "I just realised how dirty this song is...O_O" (yeah the exact words published there). I'm not gonna go moralistic here by saying that songs like these should be banned yadda yadda yadda. What I'm concerned about is that kids who listen (or should I say listened, because this song isn't played in the radio or wherever anymore) to this song, or to these kinds of songs, might wake up to the wrong notions of sex - that it's just a "hanky panky", or a mere game, instead of it being done in the context of love and commitment and responsibility.
So what are we going to do now? I believe it is important that adults - parents, aunts, uncles, godparents, among others - must get to know the things that their little ones are exposed to. I'm not saying that we should be strict and let the kids watch only Dora the Explorer. But rather, we must be aware of the TV shows they watch, the music they listen to, and the games they play so that when we see that they are watching Rated-PG shows, or hear that they are singing along to songs that aren't appropriate for their age, we can explain very well what those shows or songs are trying to say. This way, they get to learn about sex or any sensitive topic from people they can truly trust and who truly care about them.
Meanwhile, I can't seem to stop hitting the replay button. I can't help but reminisce my childhood with this song, when I was still a young and innocent girl whose means of "earning money" was performing in front of relatives during Christmas parties. :) Haha!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
I Wanna Be With You
It's one of my favorite Mandy Moore songs, and was also used in one of my favorite movies, Center Stage. I miss her. She's not as prominent a singer as before. Nevertheless, I still love her. Her beautiful voice is truly captivating, especially in this video:
I like this version better than the recorded one, because the latter is, should I say, a bit too "airy". Maybe it's because of the effects? I don't know. But what I do know is this is a beautiful song, especially when it's sang from the heart, just like what she did in this video. :)
I like this version better than the recorded one, because the latter is, should I say, a bit too "airy". Maybe it's because of the effects? I don't know. But what I do know is this is a beautiful song, especially when it's sang from the heart, just like what she did in this video. :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
To travel with my dearest
Another song of Mindy Gledhill that I loooooove is California. It doesn't have a music video yet, so let's make do with the mp3 for now. :)
The song talks about traveling to different places in the world with one's special someone. And then comes the chorus with this line, "All I've ever wished to do is travel through this life with you." It's not just the trips to different vacation spots that the songwriter was talking about, but being with the one you love in life's journeys.
This song, just like Whole Wide World, never fails to put a smile on my face. Its upbeat tempo is perfect in jumpstarting my day, and its happy lyrics keep me from getting cranky. Hehe. Also, listening to California makes me think of the dreams my dearest and I have. We have a long road ahead of us and we have lots of work to do (both in the office hehehe and in our relationship), but I believe we can face all those. I believe in the strength of our relationship, as it is built on a stable foundation of love and trust. With this, there's nothing we can't overcome.
The song talks about traveling to different places in the world with one's special someone. And then comes the chorus with this line, "All I've ever wished to do is travel through this life with you." It's not just the trips to different vacation spots that the songwriter was talking about, but being with the one you love in life's journeys.
This song, just like Whole Wide World, never fails to put a smile on my face. Its upbeat tempo is perfect in jumpstarting my day, and its happy lyrics keep me from getting cranky. Hehe. Also, listening to California makes me think of the dreams my dearest and I have. We have a long road ahead of us and we have lots of work to do (both in the office hehehe and in our relationship), but I believe we can face all those. I believe in the strength of our relationship, as it is built on a stable foundation of love and trust. With this, there's nothing we can't overcome.
Whole Wide World
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! How I missed blogging! I'm sorry for my long hiatus. I got really busy the past month that's why I never had the chance to drop by my blog and post. I missed blogging, and I missed reading your blogs. Especially the poems by fellow poet-bloggers. I missed writing poems, too. I've missed I think two or three Poetry Potlucks already. :( Anyway, I have a small window of opportunity to blog, that's why I'm going to post something. Yey!
I want to share with you a beautiful song I learned about last week. I found this music video through Mae, the girlfriend of my dearest's (and Ate Roanne's) older brother. The song is Mindy Gledhill's Whole Wide World. After listening to it, boy, was I hit by a major case of LSS (Last Song Syndrome)! Couldn't get the song off my mind. I kept listening to it and to Mindy Gledhill's other songs almost all the time - in the shower, while dressing up, on the way to work, even as I work! Talk about... addiction!
Whole Wide World is such a beautiful song. Its lyrics are inspiring and motivating, and I want to embody the positivity expressed in it. I love the video, too. So light and refreshing.
I want to share with you a beautiful song I learned about last week. I found this music video through Mae, the girlfriend of my dearest's (and Ate Roanne's) older brother. The song is Mindy Gledhill's Whole Wide World. After listening to it, boy, was I hit by a major case of LSS (Last Song Syndrome)! Couldn't get the song off my mind. I kept listening to it and to Mindy Gledhill's other songs almost all the time - in the shower, while dressing up, on the way to work, even as I work! Talk about... addiction!
Whole Wide World is such a beautiful song. Its lyrics are inspiring and motivating, and I want to embody the positivity expressed in it. I love the video, too. So light and refreshing.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Palladio by Escala
I'm currently drawn to this instrumental music, Palladio by Escala. It's played by a string ensemble, and I must say the music evokes so much power as if it's pushing you to do something great.
I first heard it here, in Emily's performance in Got to Dance UK. She's my favorite finalist, but she didn't win as champion. Still, for me, she's a real winner.
And she's just 11! (or maybe she's now 12 because this was last year). Anyway, I love how fluid her movements are. I love how graceful she moves, and my favorite part is when she turns on stage. So beautiful.
If I were a dancer, I'd love to perform the kind of dance that Emily does. It's so expressive. Although I would probably tone down a bit on the gymnastic stunts incorporated in the dance and perform more jumps and turns on stage. Haha. Well, I'm not a dancer so I can't say much about technique. I simply love to see strong yet graceful moves.
Here's Emily's performance in the Got to Dance UK Semifinals. Despite the flaws in her technique that Kimberly Wyatt, one of the judges, pointed out, I like this dance better than her performance in the finals because I think this has more emotions in it. Maybe it's because of her choice of music. Not that I'm saying that her performance in the finals was bad. As Kimberly Wyatt had said, it was a "powerhouse performance."
Now, there's Live to Dance in the U.S., which is their version of Got to Dance UK. I wonder if I will see another Emily in that show. :)
I first heard it here, in Emily's performance in Got to Dance UK. She's my favorite finalist, but she didn't win as champion. Still, for me, she's a real winner.
And she's just 11! (or maybe she's now 12 because this was last year). Anyway, I love how fluid her movements are. I love how graceful she moves, and my favorite part is when she turns on stage. So beautiful.
If I were a dancer, I'd love to perform the kind of dance that Emily does. It's so expressive. Although I would probably tone down a bit on the gymnastic stunts incorporated in the dance and perform more jumps and turns on stage. Haha. Well, I'm not a dancer so I can't say much about technique. I simply love to see strong yet graceful moves.
Here's Emily's performance in the Got to Dance UK Semifinals. Despite the flaws in her technique that Kimberly Wyatt, one of the judges, pointed out, I like this dance better than her performance in the finals because I think this has more emotions in it. Maybe it's because of her choice of music. Not that I'm saying that her performance in the finals was bad. As Kimberly Wyatt had said, it was a "powerhouse performance."
Now, there's Live to Dance in the U.S., which is their version of Got to Dance UK. I wonder if I will see another Emily in that show. :)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
More work, more music
The holidays are over, and whether we like it or not, it's time to go back to work again. As others face this reality with dread, I'm facing work this year with music by my side. Thanks to the earphones my cousin gave me last Christmas, I can listen to music played in the computer while I work without bothering anyone.
As it is obvious by now, I love acoustic, so I love the music of Boyce Avenue . Here is one of their covers that kept my ears glued to my brand new earphones:
I love the piano, but for me the vocals were a bit dragging in some parts. The beginning was suave, paving the way to the buildup of the song at 1:40. With the addition of the guitar and with the playing of more individual notes instead of merely chords, the vocals could've been more dynamic. But overall, I enjoyed listening to it. My favorite part is the piano instrumental at 2:54 (yes I love piano, and I haven't listened to anything played on it that I didn't like).
So there it is - beautiful music to kick off the year's work. I hope that my work this year and in the years to come will be as beautiful as the music I listen to.
As it is obvious by now, I love acoustic, so I love the music of Boyce Avenue . Here is one of their covers that kept my ears glued to my brand new earphones:
I love the piano, but for me the vocals were a bit dragging in some parts. The beginning was suave, paving the way to the buildup of the song at 1:40. With the addition of the guitar and with the playing of more individual notes instead of merely chords, the vocals could've been more dynamic. But overall, I enjoyed listening to it. My favorite part is the piano instrumental at 2:54 (yes I love piano, and I haven't listened to anything played on it that I didn't like).
So there it is - beautiful music to kick off the year's work. I hope that my work this year and in the years to come will be as beautiful as the music I listen to.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Teenage Dream
As I was doing my aimless net surfing, I suddenly remembered Boyce Avenue and how I loved their covers. So I visited their Youtube channel and came across their version of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream.
The piano-accompanied version made me reflect and look back on my years as a teen. High school in particular. What was my teenage dream then? I can only think of one thing: to be a writer. What I would be in the future. I wasn't thinking of how my crush would notice me because in the first place, I didn't have one in our all-girls school (I had a crush on a drummer who belonged to a band who played in our school when I was a sophomore. But that's it. The "crush" feeling vanished soon enough). I wasn't thinking of who my prom date would be because we didn't have a prom. All those scenes in a typical American high school movie - pretty cheerleaders, cute basketball players, proms - we didn't have them in our school. So I was left with nothing to think about but my writing, academics, the school paper, piano lessons, and my friends who are different.
If I were to place my friends and I in a social pyramid, I could say we were at the second to the bottom tier. We weren't losers, but we weren't popular. We weren't weird, but we were different. We would spend mornings beside the Chemistry Lab to review (if we had a test that day) or simply to talk about school, puppy love, musings, and things that we love. We were the type who would voluntarily sit at the front row of the bus during field trips when everyone else would prefer to sit at the back.
With true friends like them, I didn't feel there was anything missing in my high school life. But to be honest, I would've wanted us to have a prom. I would've wanted to dress up and see my friends all dressed up as well for a special night like prom. And had I truly liked someone then, I would've wanted to go to the prom with him, and we would dance a slow, romantic dance. Sweet. And that's the teenage dream I would secretly think of.
Well of course it didn't happen, and looking back, I can only wish it did. I once told my boyfriend that we didn't have a prom in high school and that I had never danced with anyone. So during our office Christmas Party, when the band was playing rock, upbeat tunes, and everyone was dancing their heads off on the dance floor, he danced with me. "Eh kasi hindi mo pa yun nae-experience, di ba?" (Because you haven't experienced it, right?), he said. So there. My first dance with somebody. It wasn't the slow, romantic dance I wanted in high school, but that dance is more than the fulfillment of my secret teenage dream. It's a dance with the one I love.
The piano-accompanied version made me reflect and look back on my years as a teen. High school in particular. What was my teenage dream then? I can only think of one thing: to be a writer. What I would be in the future. I wasn't thinking of how my crush would notice me because in the first place, I didn't have one in our all-girls school (I had a crush on a drummer who belonged to a band who played in our school when I was a sophomore. But that's it. The "crush" feeling vanished soon enough). I wasn't thinking of who my prom date would be because we didn't have a prom. All those scenes in a typical American high school movie - pretty cheerleaders, cute basketball players, proms - we didn't have them in our school. So I was left with nothing to think about but my writing, academics, the school paper, piano lessons, and my friends who are different.
If I were to place my friends and I in a social pyramid, I could say we were at the second to the bottom tier. We weren't losers, but we weren't popular. We weren't weird, but we were different. We would spend mornings beside the Chemistry Lab to review (if we had a test that day) or simply to talk about school, puppy love, musings, and things that we love. We were the type who would voluntarily sit at the front row of the bus during field trips when everyone else would prefer to sit at the back.
With true friends like them, I didn't feel there was anything missing in my high school life. But to be honest, I would've wanted us to have a prom. I would've wanted to dress up and see my friends all dressed up as well for a special night like prom. And had I truly liked someone then, I would've wanted to go to the prom with him, and we would dance a slow, romantic dance. Sweet. And that's the teenage dream I would secretly think of.
Well of course it didn't happen, and looking back, I can only wish it did. I once told my boyfriend that we didn't have a prom in high school and that I had never danced with anyone. So during our office Christmas Party, when the band was playing rock, upbeat tunes, and everyone was dancing their heads off on the dance floor, he danced with me. "Eh kasi hindi mo pa yun nae-experience, di ba?" (Because you haven't experienced it, right?), he said. So there. My first dance with somebody. It wasn't the slow, romantic dance I wanted in high school, but that dance is more than the fulfillment of my secret teenage dream. It's a dance with the one I love.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
M2M and Memories of Tween Life
It's been a week since I've been on M2M mode, listening and downloading their songs. This Norwegian duo got popular in 2000, and how I loved their songs! I was 12 then, and I found their songs catchy and easy to sing. The lyrics tell stories that I think young girls (and boys? :) ) can relate to. And since I was 12 when M2M became famous, I was the perfect audience for M2M's genre of music: bubblegum pop.
I still love their songs even if I'm now 22. Here are my top five favorites, all from their album, Shades of Purple:
1. Mirror Mirror
This is my ultimate favorite M2M song. It speaks of how you can't deny the truth to yourself when you're faced with it. Hence, this line: Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall. You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. The gray, cloudy weather type of lighting in the music video reinforces the sad lyrics of the song.
Favorite Line: Aside from the one I've mentioned above, it's this: If only wishes could be dreams and all my dreams could come true, there will be two of us standing here in front of you.
2. Don't Say You Love Me
This upbeat song is M2M's first hit. It was included in the soundtrack of Pokemon The Movie, so the music video shows parts of the movie. What's the song about? Pretty simple: a girl telling her suitor/admirer/whatever to take it slow.
Favorite Lines: Don't say you love me. You don't even know me. If you really want me, then give me some time.
3. The Day You Went Away
For me, this is the saddest song in the album. The cold in Norway, as shown in the music video, goes with sad lyrics of the song. The title pretty says what the song is all about: the day the girl in the song and her boyfriend/significant other broke up and parted ways.
Favorite Lines: I remember date and time. September 22nd, Sunday, 25 after 9. In the doorway, with your case, no longer shouting at each other, there were tears on our faces.
4. Don't Mess With My Love
The song speaks of betrayal by a friend because that friend stole your boyfriend (what a very high school-ish scenario, although it happens to grownups, too). So the song intended for that friend. The title says it all: back off!
Favorite Lines: I thought you were a friend of mine, but I was wrong. You tried to fit into the arms where I belong.
5. Girl In Your Dreams
When I said earlier that M2M's songs tell stories, this is one with a very clear story. As I did my surfing about this song, I found out that this is Marion Raven's (the one with long, dark, wavy hair in M2M) first composition, and that this is for her first boyfriend who broke up with her.
Favorite Lines: Maybe I don't have the blond hair you like. Or maybe I don't have eyes like the sky. And I'm not sure if I'm the girl in your dreams, but I can show you what love means.
Pretty Boy used to be among my favorites, too, but I think I've outgrown that song already. :) I love the acoustic version. And speaking of acoustic version, I have cassette tapes of both the acoustic and non-acoustic versions of M2M songs. Haha! I bought the two even the songs are just the same.
I find it a little weird that their voices doesn't sound so little during live or acoustic performances. Maybe the editing for the album does something to their voices, which is sad because they have beautiful singing voices.
Too bad the duo separated. They now both have careers as solo artists. I wish there would be a reunion, and they would have a concert or tour here in the Philippines. I would definitely buy tickets and watch, and enjoy their songs as well as my trip down memory lane.
I still love their songs even if I'm now 22. Here are my top five favorites, all from their album, Shades of Purple:
1. Mirror Mirror
This is my ultimate favorite M2M song. It speaks of how you can't deny the truth to yourself when you're faced with it. Hence, this line: Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall. You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. The gray, cloudy weather type of lighting in the music video reinforces the sad lyrics of the song.
Favorite Line: Aside from the one I've mentioned above, it's this: If only wishes could be dreams and all my dreams could come true, there will be two of us standing here in front of you.
2. Don't Say You Love Me
This upbeat song is M2M's first hit. It was included in the soundtrack of Pokemon The Movie, so the music video shows parts of the movie. What's the song about? Pretty simple: a girl telling her suitor/admirer/whatever to take it slow.
Favorite Lines: Don't say you love me. You don't even know me. If you really want me, then give me some time.
3. The Day You Went Away
For me, this is the saddest song in the album. The cold in Norway, as shown in the music video, goes with sad lyrics of the song. The title pretty says what the song is all about: the day the girl in the song and her boyfriend/significant other broke up and parted ways.
Favorite Lines: I remember date and time. September 22nd, Sunday, 25 after 9. In the doorway, with your case, no longer shouting at each other, there were tears on our faces.
4. Don't Mess With My Love
The song speaks of betrayal by a friend because that friend stole your boyfriend (what a very high school-ish scenario, although it happens to grownups, too). So the song intended for that friend. The title says it all: back off!
Favorite Lines: I thought you were a friend of mine, but I was wrong. You tried to fit into the arms where I belong.
5. Girl In Your Dreams
When I said earlier that M2M's songs tell stories, this is one with a very clear story. As I did my surfing about this song, I found out that this is Marion Raven's (the one with long, dark, wavy hair in M2M) first composition, and that this is for her first boyfriend who broke up with her.
Favorite Lines: Maybe I don't have the blond hair you like. Or maybe I don't have eyes like the sky. And I'm not sure if I'm the girl in your dreams, but I can show you what love means.
Pretty Boy used to be among my favorites, too, but I think I've outgrown that song already. :) I love the acoustic version. And speaking of acoustic version, I have cassette tapes of both the acoustic and non-acoustic versions of M2M songs. Haha! I bought the two even the songs are just the same.
I find it a little weird that their voices doesn't sound so little during live or acoustic performances. Maybe the editing for the album does something to their voices, which is sad because they have beautiful singing voices.
Too bad the duo separated. They now both have careers as solo artists. I wish there would be a reunion, and they would have a concert or tour here in the Philippines. I would definitely buy tickets and watch, and enjoy their songs as well as my trip down memory lane.
Monday, November 15, 2010
When the wind gets cold
Cold air, especially in the morning, is a sure sign that Christmas is around the corner. With the cooler temperature, we struggle to get out of bed every morning because burying ourselves beneath the sheets seems the most wonderful thing to do in times like this.
When the wind gets cold. Paglamig ng Hangin. How I love this Christmas song, and when I was still in college, I would look forward to singing this with the ICTUS choir for caroling. Its poignant lyrics and melody can warm, move, and touch hearts in one way or another. Whenever we sing this song, I ponder on the lyrics, and I always think that Paglamig ng Hangin is a song of longing. Nothing can be colder than Christmas spent away from the ones you love.
Paglamig ng hangin, hatid ng Pasko
Nananariwa sa 'king gunita
Ang mga nagdaan nating Pasko
Ang Noche Buena't Simbang Gabi
Nostalgia. You look back at the past, recounting happy memories with the people you treasure: family, friends, your other half, significant others.
Narito na ang Pasko
At nangungulila'ng puso ko
Hanap-hanap, pinapangarap
Init ng pagsasalong tigib sa tuwa
Ng mag-anak na nagdiwang
Sa sabsaban ng unang Pasko
The song's refrain sums up the longing that is felt. By whom? The song's composer, the singer, people listening to the song. You. The sense of longing intensifies when you realize it's already Christmas day and you're not with the people you want to be with. So you continue to look back at times bygone - your cherished memories keeping you company as if to make up for the absence of the ones you love.
Sa pag-awit muli ng himig Pasko
Nagliliyab sa paghahangad
Makapiling kayo sa gabi ng Pasko
Sa alaala'y magkasama tayo
"At Christmas, all roads lead home," says American writer Marjorie Holmes. People go back to where they came from - to their families. Bus stations are packed with passengers going home to the provinces. At the airport, hugs and kisses await the family members going home from abroad. And for those who have no province to go home to, like me, going home is looking forward to going to church and attending mass as a family and to the Christmas meals shared with cousins and relatives (yummy pasta! This is a holiday staple in my family :) ).
Paglamig ng Hangin. The holidays are fast approaching. We get excited and sentimental at the same time. We look forward to spending it with our families and loved ones. But no matter where we are, and no matter where are loved ones are, I believe Christmas resides in our hearts (cheesy as it sounds), so we'll always be connected, whether we live in one house or we're miles and oceans apart.
When the wind gets cold. Paglamig ng Hangin. How I love this Christmas song, and when I was still in college, I would look forward to singing this with the ICTUS choir for caroling. Its poignant lyrics and melody can warm, move, and touch hearts in one way or another. Whenever we sing this song, I ponder on the lyrics, and I always think that Paglamig ng Hangin is a song of longing. Nothing can be colder than Christmas spent away from the ones you love.
Paglamig ng hangin, hatid ng Pasko
Nananariwa sa 'king gunita
Ang mga nagdaan nating Pasko
Ang Noche Buena't Simbang Gabi
Nostalgia. You look back at the past, recounting happy memories with the people you treasure: family, friends, your other half, significant others.
Narito na ang Pasko
At nangungulila'ng puso ko
Hanap-hanap, pinapangarap
Init ng pagsasalong tigib sa tuwa
Ng mag-anak na nagdiwang
Sa sabsaban ng unang Pasko
The song's refrain sums up the longing that is felt. By whom? The song's composer, the singer, people listening to the song. You. The sense of longing intensifies when you realize it's already Christmas day and you're not with the people you want to be with. So you continue to look back at times bygone - your cherished memories keeping you company as if to make up for the absence of the ones you love.
Sa pag-awit muli ng himig Pasko
Nagliliyab sa paghahangad
Makapiling kayo sa gabi ng Pasko
Sa alaala'y magkasama tayo
"At Christmas, all roads lead home," says American writer Marjorie Holmes. People go back to where they came from - to their families. Bus stations are packed with passengers going home to the provinces. At the airport, hugs and kisses await the family members going home from abroad. And for those who have no province to go home to, like me, going home is looking forward to going to church and attending mass as a family and to the Christmas meals shared with cousins and relatives (yummy pasta! This is a holiday staple in my family :) ).
Paglamig ng Hangin. The holidays are fast approaching. We get excited and sentimental at the same time. We look forward to spending it with our families and loved ones. But no matter where we are, and no matter where are loved ones are, I believe Christmas resides in our hearts (cheesy as it sounds), so we'll always be connected, whether we live in one house or we're miles and oceans apart.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Excited to sing again!
The participants for our office Christmas Party in December were emailed the lineup of songs this morning. I got thrilled seeing my name in the email. Not that I only knew this morning that I'm going to sing, but I got thrilled when I saw who's going to sing what, the solo assignments even if they're still temporary, and the songs we're going to sing.
It's going to be Glee-themed Christmas Party, so, of course, we're going to sing Glee songs. I remember my officemate, Steph, and I auditioning for the intermission number. We prepared a duet, which is not even a Glee song (and we kinda insisted that we're going to sing since it's what we have prepared). Haha! Then, we were asked to sing individually any song we like. Steph sang Defying Gravity, and I sang my all-time favorite, Someone To Watch Over Me. After we sang, one of the "judges" said, "Very nice." It was enough to make me smile all day. :)
Not that my voice is impeccable like Lea Michele's. But I really love to sing. Bursting into song is like second nature to me. Plus, the last time I sang was during my last year in college (minus singing-in-the-shower sessions of course) when I was part of my organization's (UP ICTUS) choir.
Speaking of the choir, here's a photo of the choir taken in December 2008 during one of our caroling nights:
It's going to be Glee-themed Christmas Party, so, of course, we're going to sing Glee songs. I remember my officemate, Steph, and I auditioning for the intermission number. We prepared a duet, which is not even a Glee song (and we kinda insisted that we're going to sing since it's what we have prepared). Haha! Then, we were asked to sing individually any song we like. Steph sang Defying Gravity, and I sang my all-time favorite, Someone To Watch Over Me. After we sang, one of the "judges" said, "Very nice." It was enough to make me smile all day. :)
Not that my voice is impeccable like Lea Michele's. But I really love to sing. Bursting into song is like second nature to me. Plus, the last time I sang was during my last year in college (minus singing-in-the-shower sessions of course) when I was part of my organization's (UP ICTUS) choir.
Speaking of the choir, here's a photo of the choir taken in December 2008 during one of our caroling nights:
At Nikka Munion's House
Ooooh memories... :) I wonder how the ICTUS Choir is doing now. It's that time of the year again, when in a few weeks, they'll go caroling again to raise funds for the kids and scholars. I want to hear them sing again (but they don't have to go all the way to my house because of the heavy traffic). I just want to visit our tambayan, and leisurely listen to their voices. Maybe during the homecoming? Why not? :)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga (I hope you're the one)
I dream of singing this song with an all-girl choir. It speaks of how one hopes that the person s/he has finally met and whom s/he is together with will be the person s/he will be spending the rest of her/his life with. It's an emotional song, and if sung in the context of true love, I guess one can't help but shed a tear or two (or buckets?).
It's a song composed by Cecille Azarcon and originally sung by Filipino balladeer Basil Valdez. The Filipino lyrics are beautiful, and if I translate them into English, I think I won't be doing justice to the song (I'm not an effective translator). So for my readers who don't speak my language, I hope you appreciate the song's beautiful melody.
Kindly click the link below to download and listen to the chorale version . I don't know who sang it, but I love it that I can listen to it over and over again. I hope this song moves you in the same way that it moved, and continues to move, me.
http://g.a.h.y.aimini.net/play/?fid=YhAG3TbZh0NE2NLUSECA&tp=7.wma
It's a song composed by Cecille Azarcon and originally sung by Filipino balladeer Basil Valdez. The Filipino lyrics are beautiful, and if I translate them into English, I think I won't be doing justice to the song (I'm not an effective translator). So for my readers who don't speak my language, I hope you appreciate the song's beautiful melody.
Kindly click the link below to download and listen to the chorale version . I don't know who sang it, but I love it that I can listen to it over and over again. I hope this song moves you in the same way that it moved, and continues to move, me.
http://g.a.h.y.aimini.net/play/?fid=YhAG3TbZh0NE2NLUSECA&tp=7.wma
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Lovin' These Old Songs
Since I've added new songs to my phone last weekend, I thought of sharing them with you here in my blog. I love old songs, and I love listening to different versions of them. Here's a list of what I'm playing this week while in transit, either on the way to work or on the way home:
1. Can't Help Falling In Love
Love songs never fail to put a smile on my face, being the romantic that I am. I love ATeens' version of this song because it is young and lively. Its upbeat tempo makes you feel that falling in love is indeed a happy experience. But the original slow version is beautiful, too. It's one of those songs you can slow dance to at a wedding.
2. Someone To Watch Over Me
This Gershwin classic tops my list of favorite songs. The lyrics and melody are simple yet sweet and full of meaning - they speak of one's longing for someone special, may he or she be a close friend, a significant other, or somebody you haven't found yet. I love Monique Wilson's version of the song because of the simplicity and innocence in the way she sang it - without all those vocal exhibitions which sometimes destroys the meaning of the song. But since I can't find an audio streaming thingy of Wilson's version to embed in my blog, I'm sharing you Allison Iraheta's instead. It's also a beautiful rendition you wouldn't want to miss.
3. Walking On Sunshine
Like "Can't Help Falling in Love", "Walking on Sunshine" exudes that happy, you're-on-cloud-nine feeling about being in love. Indeed, I can say that when you're in love, you feel like you're "walking on sunshine." Haha! Add to that is this song's energy that will surely paint a smile on your face even as you step inside a crowded train.
4. Somebody to Love
I love this Queen original, as well "Bohemian Rhapsody", because it speaks about living and life in general. It's just so easy to relate to. And the Glee cast made an awesome rendition of song. All I can say is... I love it!
5. When I Fall in Love
The list of old songs that I love is not complete without this beautiful love song. It's been sung by so many singers at so many occasions, but it still hasn't lost its appeal to me. My favorite version is the Philippine Madrigal Singers'. It's so majestic but doesn't fail to sing straight to the heart.
1. Can't Help Falling In Love
Love songs never fail to put a smile on my face, being the romantic that I am. I love ATeens' version of this song because it is young and lively. Its upbeat tempo makes you feel that falling in love is indeed a happy experience. But the original slow version is beautiful, too. It's one of those songs you can slow dance to at a wedding.
2. Someone To Watch Over Me
This Gershwin classic tops my list of favorite songs. The lyrics and melody are simple yet sweet and full of meaning - they speak of one's longing for someone special, may he or she be a close friend, a significant other, or somebody you haven't found yet. I love Monique Wilson's version of the song because of the simplicity and innocence in the way she sang it - without all those vocal exhibitions which sometimes destroys the meaning of the song. But since I can't find an audio streaming thingy of Wilson's version to embed in my blog, I'm sharing you Allison Iraheta's instead. It's also a beautiful rendition you wouldn't want to miss.
3. Walking On Sunshine
Like "Can't Help Falling in Love", "Walking on Sunshine" exudes that happy, you're-on-cloud-nine feeling about being in love. Indeed, I can say that when you're in love, you feel like you're "walking on sunshine." Haha! Add to that is this song's energy that will surely paint a smile on your face even as you step inside a crowded train.
4. Somebody to Love
I love this Queen original, as well "Bohemian Rhapsody", because it speaks about living and life in general. It's just so easy to relate to. And the Glee cast made an awesome rendition of song. All I can say is... I love it!
5. When I Fall in Love
The list of old songs that I love is not complete without this beautiful love song. It's been sung by so many singers at so many occasions, but it still hasn't lost its appeal to me. My favorite version is the Philippine Madrigal Singers'. It's so majestic but doesn't fail to sing straight to the heart.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
"You Belong With Me" and other covers by Rey and Kaye
I first heard Rey and Kaye's (of Six Part Invention) acoustic version of Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" in the bus. I fell in love with it. I like it better than Taylor's version (but don't get me wrong, I love Taylor Swift) because the acoustic version conveyed the right emotion that the lyrics were trying to express: that of telling the beloved the lover's feelings that s/he has been keeping for a long time. The simplicity of the acoustic version - with only a guitar accompanying Rey and Kaye's duet - plus its slower tempo sing straight to the heart. And if you're singing it to someone special, I doubt if it wouldn't touch his or her heart.
Rey and Kaye's other covers are compiled in an album titled Acoustic Duets. The album reminds me of MYMP, a Filipino acoustic band which originally had four members, then just had two, and now, they've disbanded to pursue their own careers. Although MYMP had original songs, most songs in their albums were covers, like "Especially for You" and "Waiting in Vain".
Acoustic Duets starts off with the duo's rendition of Shontelle's "T-Shirt", which was light and sweet and a good way to start the album because of the catchy guitar intro. However, the next song in the album, Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi", was a bit dragging. The tempo could've been made a bit snappier. Colbie Caillat's "Realize" sounded like the original one, except for the male voice singing and the sound of the flute in the intro.
"You Belong With Me" was for me the best rendition in the album. "Insomnia" was a surprise. The original version is something you groove to in a party, but the acoustic version was not a letdown. Its slightly upbeat tempo coupled with acoustic simplicity made the song laid back and great for chilling out. "Superhuman" and "Broken" were filled with emotions.
Overall, Acoustic Duets is a great album to listen to, especially when you want to chill out or when you want to look back on your past experiences. It can also be a great CD to play in your car as you drive home late in the evening. Rey and Kaye's different take on the songs is worth listening to.
Rey and Kaye's other covers are compiled in an album titled Acoustic Duets. The album reminds me of MYMP, a Filipino acoustic band which originally had four members, then just had two, and now, they've disbanded to pursue their own careers. Although MYMP had original songs, most songs in their albums were covers, like "Especially for You" and "Waiting in Vain".
Acoustic Duets starts off with the duo's rendition of Shontelle's "T-Shirt", which was light and sweet and a good way to start the album because of the catchy guitar intro. However, the next song in the album, Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi", was a bit dragging. The tempo could've been made a bit snappier. Colbie Caillat's "Realize" sounded like the original one, except for the male voice singing and the sound of the flute in the intro.
"You Belong With Me" was for me the best rendition in the album. "Insomnia" was a surprise. The original version is something you groove to in a party, but the acoustic version was not a letdown. Its slightly upbeat tempo coupled with acoustic simplicity made the song laid back and great for chilling out. "Superhuman" and "Broken" were filled with emotions.
Overall, Acoustic Duets is a great album to listen to, especially when you want to chill out or when you want to look back on your past experiences. It can also be a great CD to play in your car as you drive home late in the evening. Rey and Kaye's different take on the songs is worth listening to.
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