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..."
"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:
"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!
: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!
Once you're in the Roses Zone, nothing else matters.
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...
I did it, in a subtle way but I did it
I can't find the list, Peaky... Are you sure you did?
Post a Comment