Sure Thing Or A Possibility: Fast Car By Tracy Chapman

I remember reading a story with a moral lesson in it. Years later, I don't remember the story but I do remember it's moral lesson: Don't exchange A sure thing for a possibility. When I think about that lesson, I think a lot about the choices that I've made and how it has affected my life. Things that I did or didn't do and how I see myself today, weighs heavy in my thoughts. Although there are some decisions that I've regretted making, there's no turning back now because possibilities, let alone, good opportunities are now getting scarce and listening to Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" remimnds me of that.

The song speaks about wanting something better in life and hoping that this possibility will make something happen. I can relate with a lot of the lyrics especially when it comes to the part of wanting a ticket to anywhere, because sometimes I'd also like something better. When things get too desperate, we sometimes pin our hopes on one thing, but unfortunately it comes up short. It gets to that point where we rather believe fantasies rather try to make the most of reality.

Many times I think about choosing possibilities over sure things and I wind up becoming the chump. I guess that shows just how foolish I was I didn't open my eyes and know what's going on. Nowadays, I try to become very careful about the things I do in life. Sure, I shouldn't be afraid to make a mistake, but there's too much at stake now and I don't want to make the same mistakes twice. In the end, this song teaches me that it all right to want something better, just be careful on what you decide on.

The World's A Stage: Limelight By Rush

The first time I heard about the band Rush was on a feature show on the defunct television station BBC Channel 2 on the program the news that rocked '81. The show featured the developments that occured in the rock scene during that year. Rush was among the bands that were featured there and it made quite an impression on me because the three-piece band proved that synthesized music can still rock. One of my favorite songs of that group came from their Moving Pictures album called "Limeight".

For me this song speaks about what role we play in this world that we live in. There are times when I find myself asking who am I or what's my purpose. At this point where my life's at the crossroads, those can be very hard questions, especially when things are not what you wanted them to be. I guess the limelight that there talking about here is that state of bliss that we're all looking for and despite what role we are given in life, we can achieve it if we just break out of the limitations of the "roles" assigned to us.

Right now, I'm still trying to get things together after a very bad period of my life. I've made the mistake of limiting myself to my "role", but be that as it may, I hope I can still turn things around and this song helps remind me that such a thing is possible. One more thing about like about this band is power of their song and the stories that their lyrics tell the listener. Everytime I listen to them, I feel like I'm blasting off at the speed of sound and it doesn't matter if I'm plastered or sober. Loved this band then, I still love it now.

Ideal Bar Scene Song: Caught Up In You By 38 Special

The first time I heard about the band 38 Special was through a bootleg betamax tape that was recorded by friends of ours who came from the states and MTV was just starting out.  When I saw this band, it blew me away. They played "Hold On Loosely" live at a bar where the stage was full of beer cans and bottles; the band was long-haired and bearded and so was the crowd.  After that we really got hooked on this band.  Their Greatest Hits album are among the few songs that I listen to from beginging to end and one of my favorites was the song "Caught Up In You".It was your typical type of love song whose theme was prevalent during the time: When love gets a hold on you and the effect that special someone has on you.  Apart from that, it's damn good drinking song.   The video covers both themes very well as it features what goes on a bar.  Guys trying to score while others sit back and listen to the band as they drink the night.  Either way, everyone in that video has one common goal:  To have good time. 

For me it's usually the latter because everytime I listen to this song, I'd be probably downed enoguh beer to open brewery.  It also reminds me of some of my favorite bars that I'd go like Mezzanine in Baguio where the drinks were cheap and there was always good MTV to watch and Club Dredd when it was still based in Katipunan where my brothers and friend would meet and we'd listen to the bands and enjoyed the night away with beer and other "good stuff". Everytime the group gathers and beers bottles open, this song was always being played and smiles were and laughter competed with the music and good atmosphere. I had a lot of good memories whenever I listen to this song. Drunk or sober, it's still one cool tune.

Dream Girl/Rude Awakening: This Is My Paradise By The Outfield

I remember a dream I had when I was in high school I met a beautiful girl who I found myself marrying and had a child with. My mother was proud of me and I was never so happy in my life because I had this feeling that everything was coming together. Then the alarm clock rang and I found myself hurrying to get dressed and go to school. In between breaks, I found myself trying to remember or recreate everything that happened in that dream. Years later when I saw the band The Outfield's video "This Is My Paradise" being shown on T.V.and the memory of of those moments of bliss came back like for a few minutes.

Both the video of the song and my dream had a lot in common. Like the video I was gazing at the girl who I can't take my eyes off. Both girls were simple looking yet stunning. Most important of all, both me and the singer didn't want to wake up from that dream. The way I felt back then, it was the first time in my life that nothing else mattered. Unfortunately, like the song, I suddenly woke up to a very rude awakening because in the mornings there was only one rule: get up and get ready for school.

Years have passed and I still try to remember that dream and more importantly that feeling of bliss where I felt a happiness that I've never felt before. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever feel that way again. At present, I'm just going about my daily routine in the daily grind of reality. Even if it doesn't come into my head again, atleast I still remember the feeling that dream gave me. To this day, it still comforts me in the late hours of the night.



The Outfield - My Paradise
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Fun Tin Metal: We're Not Going To Take It By Twisted Sister

One of the common critiques that people often talk about the 80's is that we were shallow. It was like an updated version of Pleasantville during that time. What they didn't understand was that after two tumultous decades, people just wanted to chill and despite issues like terrorism, the cold war and dictartorships, everybody just wanted to have a good time. Though rock bands were still belting out heavy tunes, there bands out there who claimed to metal bands but whose music was so shallow they were more like tin than metal; it was like comparing a chinese motorcycle to a Harley Davidson. One such band was Twisted Sister and first song that I heard from them was "We're Not Going To Take It".

I think their videos helped sell their songs and I have to admit they had a lot of funny videos. MTV sure help a lot of bands, both old and new, promote their music and Twisted Sister was among those who benefitted from the institution. What made the video of this song hilarious was the fact that the actor who play Neidermeier in Animal played the tyranical dad whose abuse led his children to transform into members of the band. How they transformed is the funny part and the way they banged their had kept me laughing as I watched this. Those were the times back then.

It reminds me of light things were back then and despite certain issues that I have mentioned before, we just wanted to have fun. Though I prefered heavier and classic style metal, I have to admit I enjoyed listening to this song. It's strange how during it's time, this song and others tunes used to play nonstop everyday. Now I seldom here it in the classic programs or see the video on cable. I guess Steely Dan was right when they said that those days are gone forever over a long time ago.

It's Not Over Yet: Don't Dream It's Over By Crowded House

Before blogging on the internet was popular, I used to keep a journal where I would write about my thoughts and views. A lot of the things that I wrote were about things that I hoped for but sadly didn't come to pass. It's hard for me to mention this because as I wrote down my entries, I noticed that this happened several times during different periods in my life. A period ends without any closure which leaves me wondering if I'll ever achieve something meaningful. Times like these, the song "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House gives me some assurance.

I remember the first time I heard this song which was a week after my graduation and my brother's marriage. I admit that when high school was over, I felt a certain void deep inside me. Was it because there were things I wanted to do or people I wanted to be with, but never got the chance. What hurts is that I would have the same feeling during my last year in college as well. It's like I missed my chance at something but I don't know what it is.

When I hear this song, I get a glimmer of hope that it is not over. I take comfort in the thought that maybe it was not the time for it yet. I guess that's why I shy away from reunions because whenever I think about the past, that void feeling comes back to haunt me. Yet despite all the unaswered questions, this song assures me that maybe one I'll get the chance to fill the void and really move on, not just catching up with the times. I'll know that day will come and I'll for it as I live.

Get Up And Go Song: Quick Silver Lightning By Rodger Daltrey

One of the things that I liked about the rock songs of my time was that not all of them were pessimistic or self-pitying.  In fact a lot them were full of energy and very inspiring; literally food for the soul.  I would wake to their sound as I prepared myself for school and the tunes help keep me awake as we all jumped in the car and even sang along with the music.  You feed off the music's adrenaline as you begin a new day.  One such song which always helped me get energized for the day's chores was sung by The Who's lead singer Rodger Daltrey called "Quick Silver" and if you haven't heard it, I suggest you do.The video for the song itself is just as inspiring as the song. It showed the street bike race between Kevin Bacon and Lawrence Fishburne across the streets of New York and if you that scene, it really gets your blood pumping.  If that doesn't get you worked up, Rodger Daltrey's powerful vocal chords will make heads turn and ears glued to the radio as he belts the lyrics in classical Who fashion.  Top that with a terific saxophone and keyboard and you end feeling that you're jacked with energy.  If anything, it would make you want to take your bike out of the rack and just zoom into the highway. The song's positive energy is strong that it manages to pull me out of my deepest funk when things go bad.  Whenever I hear this song, it makes me feel like I can do anything no matter how hard it is.  I can imagine myself with my brothers and buds listening to this song and clanking and gulping a lot of beers as the volume goes full blast.  Today's songs don't have that energy and are all depressing and rip-offs from the last three decades.  If we had more songs like this, things wouldn't look so bleak and I stand by that always.