Thought of the Day

I don't believe in morality, but I believe in ethical conduct as set out by His Holiness the Dalai Lama: "Ethical conduct = a way of behaving that respects others’ right to be happy".

Monday 6 February 2006

Seven Songs

These days a music chain is going around the blogsphere. Superqueen kindly passed me on the ball, which I promptly caught. The rules read as follow: list seven songs which you particularly like at the moment, regardless the genre. The important thing is that they are songs you really enjoy. Then post them together with these instructions on your blog and nominate seven other people, to find out what they are currently listening to. So, in inverted chronological order, here is my selection, which includes an international (well, actually it's mainly British) and diverse musical scene. The songs are all very popular, nothing sophisticated or too refined, reflecting my inexperience in this field. I have simply based my choice on the successful mix of poignant contents and melodic tunes. 1. What if (2005) @ X&Y, by Coldplay Soft and meaningful tune from the most recent album by Chris Martin and his band, dealing with the uncertainties in life (and love) and encouraging to take the risk, no matter what. 2. Run @ Final Straw (2004, re-released UK version), by Snow Patrol I heard this song at Live8 in July last year and loved it. It is in my head since then. A tuneful music, a warm voice and an uplifting refrain made this song a successful business card for Snow Patrol into the realm of British pop rock. 3. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (2003) by Nancy Sinatra Part of the soundtrack of Kill Bill, Volume 1 (by Quentin Tarantino), this song evokes the vehement relationship with a man and the violent and devastating upshots in a nostalgical and resentful way. Her voice sounds subtly enraged and resigned at once, sensual and elegant at all time. 4. Bomb the World (2003) @ Everyone Deserves Music, by Michael Franti I do not generally like hip hop/rap music whatsoever, but when it is melted with jazz/raggae/ska sounds and executed by a good guy like Franti, it's all another music. Politically committed artist, MF spreads a humanitarian message of peace and love with his lyrics. Last time I saw him live here, two years ago, he was just back from a tour around Iraq. And this song was the product of his experience and awareness regarding that war. [MF shares also a passion with me: he practices Asthanga Vinyasa Yoga. A reason more to love him.] 5. Lucky (1997) @ OK Computer, by Radiohead Radiohead is the best example of rock music brought to high artistic levels. Forget the words (there is not much content when you read the lyrics), and join the emotions this pleasant lament can trigger. 6. It's Oh so Quiet (1995) @ Post, by Bjork This is a lovely song from one of my beloved artists, which reminds me the great swing jazz songs or the more sophisticated cabaret songs from the age of Art Deco. 7. I am the Resurrection (1987) by The Stone Roses Legendary 80s/90s band from Manchester, The Stone Roses slowly emerged into the scene of Brit pop to gain a place amongst the other popular bands, such as The Smiths and New Order, dominating the British musical scene of the time. The song I chose is a declaration of rejection and it is blameworthy of pride and vanity. However, just for for its narcisism and god-like pretence is a great and rousing song. Paradoxically, this is also the tune which was played (at the Monarch) when I met my man. Is it a case that Stone Roses are my partner's favourite band? These are not necessarily my all time most favourite songs (in which case, I would have at least mentioned Redemption Song by Bob Marley), but they are surely great songs feeding my soul these days. Faithful to the chain, I am now going to nominate seven people to continue this thread: LovelySalome for her deep interpretation of lyrics; the brothers Lofties (Senior and Junior); Peaky; FatRobot; Achmatova; and Gatto Nero. And below the lyrics:
1. What if
"What if there was no light Nothing wrong, nothing right What if there was no time And no reason or rhyme What if you should decide That you don’t want me there by your side That you don’t want me there in your life What if I got it wrong And no poem or song Could put right what I got wrong Or make you feel I belong What if you should decide That you don’t want me there by your side That you don’t want me there in your life Oooh, that’s right Let’s take a breath, jump over the side Oooh, that’s right How can you know it if you don’t even try Oooh, that’s right Every step that you take Could be your biggest mistake It could bend or it could break But that’s the risk that you take What if you should decide That you don’t want me there in your life That you don’t want me there by your side Ooh, that’s right Let’s take a breath, jump over the side Ooh, that’s right How can you know it when you don’t even try Ooh, that’s right Ooh, that’s right Let’s take a breath, jump over the side Ooh, that’s right You know the darkness always turns into light Ooh, that’s right" 2. Run
"I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go You've been the only thing that's right In all I've done And I can barely look at you But every single time I do I know we'll make it any where Away from here Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you can not hear my voice I'll be right beside you dear Louder, Louder And we'll run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say To think i might not see those eyes Makes it so hard not to cry And as we say our long goodbyes I nearly do Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you can not hear my voice I'll be right beside you dear Louder, Louder And we'll run for our lives I can hardly speak I understand Why you can't raise your voice to say Slower, slower We don't have time for that All I want's to find an easier way To get out of our little heads Have heart, my dear We're bound to be afraid Even if its just for a few days Making up for all this mess Light up, light up As if you have a choice Even if you can not hear my voice I'll be right beside you dear"
3. Bang Bang
I was five and he was six We rode on horses made of sticks He wore black and I wore white He would always win the fight Bang bang, he shot me down Bang bang, I hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, my baby shot me down. Seasons came and changed the time When I grew up, I called him mine He would always laugh and say "Remember when we used to play?" Bang bang, I shot you down Bang bang, you hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, I used to shoot you down. Music played, and people sang Just for me, the church bells rang. Now he's gone, I don't know why And till this day, sometimes I cry He didn't even say goodbye He didn't take the time to lie. Bang bang, he shot me down Bang bang, I hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, my baby shot me down..."
4. Bomb the World
"Please tell me the reason

Behind the colors that you fly Love just one nation And the whole world we divide You say you're "sorry" Say, "there is no other choice" But god bless the people them Who cannot raise their voice

(chorus)

We can chase down all our enemies Bring them to their knees We can bomb the world to pieces But we can't bomb it into peace Whoa we may even find a solution To hunger and disease We can bomb the world to pieces But we can't bomb it into peace

Violence brings one thing More more of the same Military madness The smell of flesh and burning pain So i sing out to the masses Stand up if you're still sane! To all of us gone crazy I sing this one refrain (chorus)

And I sing power to the peaceful Love to the people y'all Power to the peaceful Love to the people y'all"

5. Lucky

"I'm on a roll I'm on a roll This time I feel my luck could change Kill my Sarah Kill me again With love It's gonna be a glorious day

Pull me out of the aircrash Pull me out of the lake I'm your superhero We are standing on the edge

The head of state Has called for me by name But I don't have time for him It's gonna be a glorious day I feel my luck could change

Pull me out of the aircrash Pull me out of the lake I'm your superhero We are standing on the edge We are standing on the edge"

6. It's Oh so Quiet

"it's, oh, so quiet it's, oh, so still you're all alone and so peaceful until...

you fall in love zing boom the sky up above zing boom is caving in wow bam you've never been so nuts about a guy you wanna laugh you wanna cry you cross your heart and hope to die

'til it's over and then it's nice and quiet but soon again starts another big riot

you blow a fuse zing boom the devil cuts loose zing boom so what's the use wow bam of falling in love

it's, oh, so quiet it's oh, so still you're all alone and so peaceful until...

you ring the bell bim bam you shout and you yell hi ho ho you broke the spell gee, this is swell you almost have a fit this guy is "gorge" and I got hit there's no mistake, this is it

'til it's over and then it's nice and quiet but soon again starts another big riot

you blow a fuse zing boom the devil cuts loose zing boom what's the use wow bam of falling in love

the sky caves in the devil cuts loose you blow blow blow blow blow your fuse when you've fallen in love

ssshhhhhh..."

7. I am the Resurrection

"Down down, you bring me down I hear you knocking at my door and I can’t sleep at night Your face, it has no place No room for you inside my house I need to be alone Don’t waste your words I don’t need anything from you I don’t care where you’ve been or what you plan to do Turn turn, I wish you’d learn There’s a time and place for everything I’ve got to get it through Cut loose, you’re no use I couldn’t stand another second in your company Don’t waste your words I don’t need anything from you I don’t care where you’ve been or what you plan to do Stone me, why can’t you see You’re a no-one nowhere washed up baby who’d look better dead Your tongue is far too long I don’t like the way it sucks and slurps upon my every word Don’t waste your words I don’t need anything from you I don’t care where you’ve been or what you plan to do I am the resurrection and I am the light I couldn’t ever bring myself to hate you as I’d like I am the resurrection and I am the light I couldn’t ever bring myself to hate you as I’d like"

6 comments:

Carrie Lofty said...

"narcisism and god-like pretence" - with that in mind, I generally go for the Roses' "I Wanna Be Adored," but it (generally) also applies to the colloge-aged boys who loved them! I had a great night with Keven once, early in our dating, when he danced to "Fools Gold" - I watched, talking to his best friend. He couldn't have cared less. He was too busy being the indie dance king!

Amicacarmilla said...

:o )

Well, Stone Roses are for cool (British) guys, aren't they?

What I coincidence: I am listening to "I want to be Adored" right now!

lofty said...

Once you're in the Roses Zone, nothing else matters.

Carrie Lofty said...

That was what it seemed like - he was gone to someplace that would not end until the song had finished, nevermind that Richard was chatting me up...

peaky said...

I did it, in a subtle way but I did it

Amicacarmilla said...

I can't find the list, Peaky... Are you sure you did?