Friday, December 30, 2005

Bittersweet Symphony et al

Beatles' Yesterday did not become a classic for no reason. There are something in the lyrics and the melody that we can relate to no matter when we hear the song. And for those who are not in the middle of regretting whatever he said to his girlfriend (re.: ...Why she had to go, I don't know, she wouldn't say...I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday...), the song is just too beautiful.
Some songs just make you feel good for no reason. Some will transport you back to the past. Some will evoke memories from the deepest part of your mind, reminding you of places, people, tears or joy.
I have a collection of songs that I know I will love forever. Songs that will make me smile, or cry. They are not necessarily a hit, or sung by someone famous. Neither must they be in Now That's What I Call Music Vol. XX. But I love them anyway. Here are some of them:

  • Suci Dalam Debu (Iklim) - reminds me of the 10 days I spent camping in Sayap, Kinabalu (if you look it up in the map, it IS in the middle of nowhere) in 1992. It was a Scientific Expedition, and a UKM lecturer sang this every night, accompanied by his guitar.
  • Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) - Reminds me of a very good friend - he used to sing this to me, also accompanied by his guitar. He proposed to me, and I turned him down (badly, actually...). Now he's married with a kid, and I'm still single hahahahaha...
  • Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve) - I don't know why I love this one; I just love it. One of the most beautiful songs ever written, I guess.
  • Cancion Del Mariachi (Los Lobos and Antonio Banderas) - a song that can make me smile everytime
  • Suatu Masa (M. Nasir) - the song I wish I have written myself, and dedicated to the person I'm in love with. This one summarises my feelings completely. But, yeah, I'm not M. Nasir
  • She (Elvis Costello) - why oh why was not the song written as "He"?
  • Berita Kepada Kawan (Ebiet G. Ade & M. Nasir) - poetry
  • Merindu Kepastian (Art Fazil) - Melts me everytime. Andai esok aku menjadi tanah, sudikah engkau menjadi bunga menghiasi dadaku - wouldn't that be the most romantic proposal?
  • Semangat Yang Hilang (XPDC) - this one reminds me of my matriculation days. And also makes me feel patriotic. Wish it can be sung on Merdeka Day.
  • Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley/UB40) - the Elvis Presley version reminds me of my old, old piano in Kota Kinabalu. Had a UB40 cassette stuck in the radio of my first car, so I had to bear with it for about a year. The UB40 version will transport me instantly into that old green Volvo 240.
  • Sentuhan Listrikmu (M. Nasir) - I imagine the feeling I get from listening to this song is similar to the feeling I get from smoking weed. Not that I ever smoked weed...
There are more, but let's save them for next time.