“What
is more beautiful, my love? Love lost, or love found? Don’t laugh at me, my
love. I know it. I’m awkward and naïve – when it comes to love. And I ask
questions straight out of a pop song. This doubt overwhelms me and undermines
me, my love. To find, or to lose? All around me, people don’t stop yearning.
Did they lose, or did they find? I can’t say… and I don’t have the answer. This is how I like
to imagine it – the answer: In the end my love, we have no
choice. We have to find.”
--There are times we can
somehow relate to situations and are able to agree with statements in the strangest of places.
Yet
another Japanese band whose songs I am just starting to like.
Names
of (rock) bands from the “land of the rising sun” may generally sound corny,
but these guys are extremely talented. And as with other J-Rock musicians, they
make their own unique sound.
According
to Wikipedia, the story behind their moniker, ONE
OK ROCK, comes from "one o'clock": the time that the band used to
practice on weekends. They chose to play at one o'clock in the morning because
it was cheaper to use the rehearsal studio during such hours. However, noticing
that theJapanese
languagemade no distinction
between R's and L's, they changed "O'CLOCK" to "O'CROCK"
(or "O'KROCK"), which was then separated to become "OK
ROCK".ONE OK ROCK's name is
pronounced as wan-o-ku-ro-ku.
This
particular song tells about The Great East Japan Earthquake of Tohoku which
triggered a massive tsunami in March 11, 2011 that reached waves of up to 40
meters in height and left a nasty mark of devastation on its people. “Dire”
things can happen to rich countries. And for just a developing country such as
ours, it could be worse. I don’t exactly like the first stanza, because I
believe it’s not right to question The Powers That Be, although I have made
that mistake myself (hopefully never again). I just think the tune is catchy. I
love the sound of the snare drum here, the beat and reverb. Its message is
good, too. The resilience of the human spirit: a thing we desperately need
sometimes.
There
are days when I don’t want to wake up; when I don’t want to spend the day –
that I say and truly feel, “I’m tired.” There’s still a hole in my heart, a
void I can’t seem to mend for a very long time now. It’s unfortunate I think that
way sometimes. It’s so frustrating that one can be so numb and oblivious to the
fact that there are so many things to be thankful for. We must always be
grateful. I think I’m just… sad. I need a vacation… somewhere in a Scandinavian
country! Or in The Netherlands. Visit kin. OR Stay permanently. Who knows? Maybe someday. (*wink, wink*) J
"NON CI SONO ANIME" by Antonello Venditti Hei, puoi chiamarmi Hei, puoi sentirmi E... ricordarmi E... desiderarmi Qui Non ci sono anime Come te e come me Che sognavano una vita che ancora non c'è Una vita per te e per me Puoi capirmi E... puoi aiutarmi E... maledirmi O... perdonarmi Qui, non ci sono anime Come te e come me Che sognavano una vita che ancora non c'è Anime che cercano per l'eternità Un attimo fuggente e libertà Non ci sono anime Come te e come me Che sognano una vita che ancora non c'è Anime che cercano per l'eternità Quell'attimo infinito e libertà (Non ci sono anime) Puoi chiamarmi (Non ci sono anime) Puoi sentirmi Qui Non ci sono anime Come te e come me Che sognavano una vita che ancora non c'è Anime che cercano per l'eternità Quell'attimo fuggente e libertà Non ci sono anime Come te e come me Che sognano una vita che ancora non c'è (Non ci sono anime) Anime che cercano per l'eternità Quell'attimo infinito e libertà...
Poignant. Even in
this unplugged version, the despair of this tune is still pretty strong. Truly sinister.
I admire the
artistry of songwriters relaying the “dialogue” of two separate characters in
the lyrics (maybe more) in one song, or
at least that’s how I interpret it. It’s as if every stanza (or maybe even every line) has a different
perspective of the “story”; because the vantage point shifts from time to time.
I woke up
liking its melody; over and over, resounding in my head. I can taste the
bitterness. L
This has got to
be one
of the most awesome entrances of a singer in any band…. soft landing of
a “floating” grand piano! This is also my favorite live version of this song from
Aerosmith. They say you’re not a true rocker if you don’t know this tune; and you
would be a more accomplished lead vocalist if you can replicate the shrieks Steven Tyler did in this song ( – both arguably, of course!). I’ve
been a big fan since my younger days; I first saw this video the year they
performed it: Awesome! I am still astonished each time I see this video and
impressed whenever I hear Steven scream his heart out and hit the high notes.
Goosebumps!
And nice
lyrics, too.
‘DREAM ON’ by
Aerosmith (live featuring Michael Kamen full
orchestra, from MTV’s 10th Anniversary – 1991)
Every time that I look in the mirror All these lines on my face gettin' clearer The past is gone It went by like dusk to dawn Isn't that the way-yeah Everybody's got their dues in life to pay
Oh, you know it’s true baby!
Oohh… I know what nobody knows Where it comes and where it goes I know it's everybody's sin You got to lose to know how to win
Half my life's in books' written pages “Live and learn” from fools and from sages You know it's true-oh All the things you do, (pretty momma!) will come
back to you
Sing with me, sing for the year Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear Ah sing with me, if it's just for today Maybe tomorrow, the Good Lord will take you away
Ooohhh, aahh, aahh, aaahhh…
Well… sing with me, sing for the year Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear Ah sing with me, if it's just for today Maybe tomorrow, the Good Lord will take you away…
Dream on, dream on, dream on! Dream until your dreams come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on! Dream until your dreams come true Aaaahhhh….
Dream on, dream on, dream on! Dream on!
Aaaahhh, ah right now, ah right now
Aaaaahhhhh…..
Ah sing with me, sing for the year Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear Sing with me, if it's just for today Maybe tomorrow, the Good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear Sing with me, if it's just for today Maybe tomorrow, the Good Lord will take you away…
My Dentist: Sir Jase, our long observation has
taken us to this point. The pain you experienced towards the end of January may
have been a result of severe stress and
lack of sleep. These factors gravely affect the sensitivity of your tooth. Our
permanent filling is near the nerve and, given your immune system, what you
went through isn’t really that unusual. Some patients have displayed similar
symptoms, with delayed bodily reactions also. The later part of December and/or the earlier part of January may have
been physically or psychologically stressful for you.
Me: (pauses, thinks about “lack of sleep…later part of December and/or
the earlier part of January may have been physically or psychologically
stressful …”) –Yes…it has been, Doc. It’s just now that I realize it.
My Dentist: I agree with what your dentist-friend
said that “every tooth is worth saving”. You have to think twice about any
extraction. Plus, it can affect your general appearance depending on how the
“blank space” can be seen when you smile. That space will also give the
remaining others more chance to move and adjust further apart and you don’t
want that. You will now be taking a stronger antibiotic, whatever infection
occurred under the tooth will be neutralized. As we’ve ensured, the pasta is
sealed and appropriate medications have been applied.
Me: I do feel a sense of loss knowing I
decided to let it go. It was beautifully done. I think I’ll hold on to it for
now, observe further.
My Dentist: Yes. Let’s make it two months. Sleep
longer. Try to find a better way to cope with your stress. We’re all vulnerable
but we can go around it!
_______
=> Now isn’t this a ‘hugot’ conversation? HAHAHA!!!