Tag Archives: music

Ja Ja Ding Dong and a Eurovision Movie Parody

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Since I have been watching and looking forward to it for the past 5 years, I pretty have much of an idea about a European subculture known as the Eurovision Song Contest.  I can say that I am one of the very few Far East Asians who is aware about Eurovision.  In fact, I have written a couple of blog posts about it. (Click here post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4 to prove it).

Because of this pretty adequate idea about this spectacular European annual event/contest, I indeed enjoyed and had a good laughter while watching the Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

I thought at first that it was some sort of a documentary of how a band and a song was developed that eventually garnered the highest point in the contest sometime in the 1970’s.  But after seeing that it stars Will Ferrell, it made me realize that it would be something funny and comical.

And I was right when I was already laughing at the side-splitting scenes of the film.  It was a riot!  I was so thankful that I have a pretty good idea about Eurovision that is why I appreciate and enjoyed the movie so much.  My enjoyment and amazement were amplified when I saw some of the previous contestants and winners rendering some precious song numbers in the movie.  Even the campy queer vloggers who would discuss about the contest every year in their vlog were in the movie.

And since the movie is about the fortunes of an inept Icelandic band, Fire Saga who got the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream when they were selected to enter the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, the songs sang in the movie were indeed Eurovision-worthy.  These songs were so like the Eurovision entries in the past: big, provocative, motivational, emotive yet very eccentric.

I particularly loved the song Husavik.  If this song is an entry in the actual contest, it would indeed garner decent number of votes from the judges and the public.  Lion of Love is so funny yet so Eurovision! Volcano Man is one fitting example of an eccentric Eurovision representation.  Since the movie is delightfully funny, I am particularly in love with the song Ja Ja Ding Dong!  In fact, the scene where the way it was requested to be sang in the movie was so hilarious!

The movie was a fantastic funny parody about Eurovision and I indeed was laughing! I love it!

One Thing Missing by Tom Goss

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When I commented “Wishing this song is dedicated to me”, the composer and artist of the song responded, “Who says it’s not?”

my youtube comment… wishing…

Here’s the semi-popular yet very cool (acoustic version) song by Tom Goss…

With such a comment by Tom, let me then assert that this song is indeed dedicated to me! 

My 2020 Song: Fall On Me

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Last year, my chosen song of the year that best described me was This Is Me by Paul & Pasek.  It was such a big hit it actually became the most preferred personal theme song last year of almost everybody.  It was about self-acceptance despite the private struggles and personal oddities that every one of us, in one way or another, possesses.

fall on me…

This year, I decided to have a personal theme song once again.  I actually tried pressuring myself by listening to a bunch of emotional and poignant songs that would best describe myself and my vision this 2020. 

It was actually quite easy to pick one from among the selection of poignant songs composed by Lauv or by Billie Eilish or by Troye Sivan.  But none of them popped my bubble. I actually ended up choosing one song with no intent of actually choosing it.  A song sang by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera, it was a mere recommended video on my Youtube.  And once I heard it, I knew it was the one.

I fell in love with the vagueness of the song.  The song’s lyrics and dynamics actually needs quite a measure of wit and intellect to really absorb and understand its message.  Thus, this song’s imprecision, its haziness and its abstractness is so me!

Last year I was so clear and on point about my humility and self-acceptance.  This year, let me be a little odd with my value, be a little puzzling on being caring and a little baffling with my unselfishness because I want you to Fall On Me.

Tocando Em Frente

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I can’t remember the number of times I wrote that the sound of the Portuguese language seem to be the most emotive and most passionate.  I don’t know anybody from Brazil nor Portugal but every time I hear someone speaks this language, I feel nothing but awe and amazement.  There must be something in the resonance and reverberation of the Portuguese language that stirs my nerves and neurotransmitters to get impassioned, kindled and go raving.

you? what language your don’t speak and understand yet move you? comment down below…

I felt this weird feeling again when I recently saw a YouTube vlog post of a well-admired social media content creator who used a touchy background music in his wedding video.  And upon researching about the song, I was not surprised to find out that the song was in Portuguese.

I don’t understand a single word of the jingle, yet it moved me.  Here’s the poignant and moving song entitled Tocando Em Frente as sang by Anavitoria.

Improved Happiness & Declined Sadness In The Middle of the Year

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It is June 1 and we have exactly a month before our lives reached the second half of the year.  I just wish and hope that in the middle of this year, everyone has reached a certain level of improved happiness and declined sadness.

Philippines, is one of the countries (though with unreliable statistics) has the lowest rate concerning deep human sadness and depression as a chronic illness.  Reason behind it is maybe because Filipinos are generally happy and being sad and depressed is not an ailment but rather just a life’s short phase. 

So for those who are actually suffering from the sadness woes, I have one song dedicated for you for the second half of the year.  What is so ironic about this pop-song is that it was shot in my happy country, the Philippines…

The song, video and its location seem so apt and fitting for it was shot in one of the happiest society in the planet while resonating past sadness and moving forward at a positive tone. The happy Pinoy crowd in the video seem to say and convey, “Everything’s gonna be okay”. 

everything is gonna be okay…

This therefore is our song for the second half of the present year!   Stay happy everyone!

Kalahating taon, hir ay kam!

Eurovision’s Woman On The Stick Stunned Me

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Despite not being European and is 100% Asian, this is my 3rd (not consecutive) year to be hooked by Eurovision.  First was being so engrossed and excited for the performance by Dani Im in 2016 and having to fall in love with the romantic winning song 2 years ago from Portugal. 

This year was of a totally different reason.  I was so entranced and captivated by the performance and staging of the song entry from Australia.  Here’s why and let the video speaks for itself!

The staging I guess has never been done in the past Eurovision contests.  And it takes lungs and a diaphragm of steel to sing precise high operatic notes while standing, swinging and swaying on a 6 meter pole.  That woman slayed it!

Zero Gravity performed by Kate Miller-Heicke genuinely feels what people would consider a total enjoyment which for me is another Eurovision appeal.  Too sad this entry did not win (maybe because Europe is not ready and has not accepted yet that a Eurovision show will be held outside Europe) but Australia’s 2019 entry has definitely blown me away!  She kicks ass up there on the pole!

stunning!

zero gravity!

 

Parang gusto ko i-perporm yan sa susunod na Krismas Parti!

Stupid Deep

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When this music video was just 2 hours old, it suddenly was one of those that was fed and recommended videos on my YouTube.  My guess is because this song’s theme, lyrics and impression truly reflects my online persona and algorithm.

Watch and listen!

Now I am in love with this song!

stupid deep…

Tangang malalim!

I Wanna Sing In A Pub Choir!

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I think I am a rare Filipino breed.  Reason behind this is because I cannot sing!

When I was in Jerusalem, I was able to meet a bunch of cool Jews in a coffee shop who were celebrating Purim. My sister Ester who toured with me decided to stay in the hotel to read about the Holy Bible’s Queen Ester, her namesake.

These young Jewish people were surprised to know that I was a Filipino travelling as a tourist in their country.  One guy then uttered to the group that Filipinos seem to have the genes for good singing voice. The whole bunch of these cool happy people then started teasing and entreating that I should sing a song for them.

a stock photo of my trip to jerusalem… it’s not rare meeting cool strangers in that city

I tried doing it but they obviously did not liked what they’re were hearing.  I stopped and did not finish.   I was like Cameron Diaz singing “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” in the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding.  After my singing, they were gracious enough to clap their hands while doubting if I am really is a Filipino and simply moved on and continued on with the Purim revelry with me.

I remembered all these when I happen to bumped into a fascinating YouTube video regarding a joint where hundreds of strangers inside the pub would learn and sing together a popular pop song.  Watch this…

Internet indicates that Pub Choir phenomenon started two years ago in Brisbane, Australia and the fun and fascinating concept/activity has been booming and expanding all throughout the Land Under. 

And if this phenomenon would finally arrive here in Manila, I would be one of the few Filipinos who could not sing would enlist and would definitely sing my heart out in this event. I and my rare kind of Filipino breed would definitely unleash the Cameron Diaz in all of us!

Handa AWIT!

 

 

 

Calum Scott Don’t Know

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Calum Scott don’t know that I belong to the multitudes of British Got Talent viewers who was so moved when he sang his audition piece and celebrated along when he got the Golden Buzzer as bestowed by Simon Cowell.

Calum Scott don’t know that I definitely identify with his audition song “Dancing On My Own”!  And if I am going to sing that song, I will be like him.  I will definitely not change the pronouns in the lyrics.

Calum Scott don’t know that the first time I heard his song “You Are The Reason” was through my Spotify while I was travelling in Turkey.  He of course doesn’t know that I am one of the responsible blokes why such a song has so many airplays in Spotify.

Calum Scott don’t know that we actually have a lot in common.  We both love our family so much.  Both of us are momma’s boy.  Both of us are assiduous HR practitioners.  And both of us are attracted to the XY chromosomes.  

i was with my sister… waiting for calum as the theater starts to get full

Calum Scott don’t know that I am such a fan and did some unthinkable efforts so that I’d be able to see his first concert here in Manila.  And I was super happy when he sang my personal favorite “What I Miss Most”.  He was super adorable that night! My favorite part was when we at the audience were singing along with him. 

Now Calum Scott knows…

Ngayon alam na nya!