Song of the Week #51: Phoenix – 1901

This song was e-mailed to me by a close friend.  After giving it a couple of listens, it is catchy and it grows on you.  At least, it did for me.  Haha.

Phoenix is a French alternative rock band and "1901" is their first single from their 2009 album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

Lyrics:

Counting all different ideas drifting away
Past and present they don't matter
Now the future's sorted out
Watch her moving in elliptical patterns
Think it's not what you say
What you say is way too complicated
For a minute thought I couldn't tell how to fall out

It's twenty seconds till the last call
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey
Lie down you know it's easy
Like we did it over summer long

And I'll be anything you ask and more
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
It's not a miracle we needed
No I wouldn't let you think so

Fold it, fold it, fold it, fold it

Girlfriend, oh your girlfriend is drifting away
Past and present 1855 -1901 †
Watch them built up a meteor tower
Think it's not gonna stay anyway
Think it's overrated
For a minute thought I couldn't tell how to fall out

It's twenty seconds till the last call
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey
Lie down you know it's easy
Like we did it over summer long

And I'll be anything you ask and more
You're going hey hey hey hey hey hey hey
It's not a miracle we needed
No I wouldn't let you think so

Fold it, fold it, fold it, fold it

Song of the Week #50: Our Lady Peace – Never Get Over You

From their latest album released on July 21st, 2009 is Our Lady Peace - Never Get Over You.  The album title Burn Burn is part of the lyrics for this song.

As usual, to give it a listen, open the music player with the yellow button in the above Flash slideshow.

Lyrics:

She said it's quiet, in the shadow of the sun.
She looks tired, the life that's come undone.
She turns, turns, turns, turns.

She likes hockey, and summers by the lake.
We're not talkin' because of my mistakes.
I burn, burn, burn, burn.

If you walk out that door, I just don't know what i'd do.
I'll never get over you.
If my heart hits this floor, I just don't know what I'll do.
I'll never get over you.

In this silence, It's never been so loud.
I try and fight it, but the words just don't come out.
I burn, burn, burn, burn.

If you walk out that door, I just don't know what I'd do.
[ Our Lady Peace Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
I'll never get over you.
Ir my heart hits this floor, I just don't know what I'll do.
I'll never get over you.

There's no hiding, from your silence.
There's no hiding.

If you walk out that door, I Just don't know what I'd do.
I'll never get over you.
If my heart hits this floor, I just don't know what I'll do.
I'll never get over you.

Don't you go.
Don't you go.
Don't you go.
Don't you go.

Song of the Week #49: U2 – I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight

Sorry I'm late on updating this one but since songs stick around in the music player for quite some time (say about 20 weeks), I figure as long as I update some time during the week it'll be fine.  I've been quite busy and determined more than ever in mastering this "thing" I'm working on down to a "science".

My Sony MDR-EX90LP earphones broke so it has kind of put me in a kind of funk since I cannot listen to music the way I'm used to.  I took this as an opportunity to upgrade to the MDR-EX500SL and go the Bluetooth route.  I'll make a post later reviewing the setup I'll be wearing.

As for the song, you may have heard this one on the Blackberry commercials and it's how it came to my mind to make it the song of the week.  The video of this song is amazing.  I really like the artwork and the story as it unfolds with the music.  Think South Park in 3D, or Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The video shows how interconnected we all are and how we all have problems.  From "every beauty going out with an idiot", lost dogs, lost children, homelessness and poverty, to single moms, it shows we all need help sometimes.

Youtube link to the music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmJgdXkAqMU

To all the haters, the empiricist side of me believes from the evidence of sales and tour sellouts that U2's success would not be continuing today after 33 years had they not changed and experimented with their music album to album.  There's only so many Joshua Tree 's you can release before it gets old.  But I guess to each their own.

Lyrics:

She's a rainbow and she loves the peaceful life
Knows I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight

There's a part of me in the chaos that's quiet
And there's a part of you that wants me to riot
Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet-tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
A change of heart comes slow..

It's not a hill it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting?
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight

Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won't listen to your boys and girls
'Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven't heard
Is it true the perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but a change of heart comes slow...

It's not a hill it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Listen for me, I'll be shouting
But we're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight

Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Ha, ha, ha

It's not a hill it's a mountain
Listen for me, I'll be shouting
Shouting to the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
You know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy, if we don't go crazy tonight
Oh Oh
Slowly now
Oh Oh

Song of the Week #48: The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling

The songs that really stick with me are those that have memories behind it.  I first heard this song in passing at a birthday party and it didn't stick then cause I wasn't really paying attention.  But I listened again and paid close attention to the lyrics and the beat.  This song evokes nothing but positive memories of the past and an optimistic future.

I look forward to the time I am free once more from the institutional barriers, free and confident to let loose, and no longer self-conscious of Asian glow (and find some miraculous way of eliminating it altogether - blasted ALDH2-deficiency and increased cancer risk!).  I hope to recover from years of poor mental and physical health and last past 1 AM once more.

In regards to the past, I'll just say it brings me back to the fun times in New Orleans and of other good nights long past I shan't share here.

"this song is dedicated to everyone who is getting ready to go out...
its the song to listen to when you drive to the club or party...
its the song to listen to after a long day or week at work...
its the song to that makes me wanna throw my stress away...
the song to listen to when you're about to spark up..."
-will.i.am

P.S.  This song is VERY remix-worthy.  Remixers are going to have a field day with this one!

Lyrics:

I gotta feeling...
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling...
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling... (Woohoo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling... (Woohoo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

Tonight's the night
Let's live it up
I got my money
Let's spend it up
Go out and smash it
Like Oh My God
Jump off that sofa
Let's get get OFF

I know that we'll have a ball
If we get down
And go out
And just lose it all
I feel stressed out
I wanna let it go
Lets go way out spaced out
And loosing all control

Fill up my cup
Mozeltov
Look at her dancing
Just take it... OFF
Lets paint the town
We'll shut it down
Let's burn the roof
And then we'll do it again

Lets do it (x4)
And do it (2x)
Let's live it up
And do it (3x)
Do it, do it
Lets do it(3x)

Cause I gotta feeling... (WoooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling... (WoooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling
Tonight's the night (HEY! )
Let's live it up (lets live it up)
I got my money (I'm paid)
Lets spend it up (Lets spend it up)
Go out and smash it (Smash it)
Like Oh My God (Like Oh My God)
Jump off that sofa (Come On! )
Lets get get OFF

Fill up my cup (Drank)
Mozeltov (Ma'haim)
Look at her dancing (Move it Move it)
Just take it... OFF
Lets paint the town (Paint the town)
We'll shut it down (Shut it down)
Lets burn the roof (Woooooo)
And then we'll do it again

Lets do it (x4)
And do it (2x)
Let's live it up
And do it (3x)
Do it, do it
Lets do it(3x)
Do it, do it, do it, do it

Here we come
Here we go
We gotta rock
Easy come
Easy go
Now we on top
Feel the shot
Body rock
Rock it don't stop
Round and round
Up and down
Around the clock

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Friday, Saturday
Saturday to Sunday

Get, get, get, get, get with us
You know what we say (say)
Party everyday (x2)

And I'm feeling (WooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

I gotta feeling (WooHooo)
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good good night

Woohoo

Song of the Week #47: Eminem – Beautiful

This song is like the story of my life in so many ways, it's freaky.  Many of the issues I have put behind me but many still linger.  I figure this song can form the basis of my biographical "About" page.  I'll write it later and if I'm still not comfortable about posting it for the world to see, then I guess I'm not yet ready, grasshoppa'.  Regardless, everyone has their problems so I'm not going to whine about them here.

As usual, the song can be heard in the music player above.

Lately I've been hard to reach
I've been too long on my own
Everybody has their private world
Where they can be alone

Are you calling me?
Are you trying to get through?
Are you reaching out for me?
I'm reaching out for you

I'm just so fucking depressed
I just can't seem to get out this slump
If I could just get over this hump
But I need something to pull me out this dump

I took my bruises, took my lumps
Fell down and I got right back up
But I need that spark to get psyched back up
And in order for me to pick the mic back up

I don't know how or why or when
I ended up this position I'm in
I'm starting to feel dissin' again
So I decided just to pick this pen

Up and try to make an attempt to vent
But I just can't admit
Or come to grips with the fact that I may be done with rap
I need a new outlet

And I know some shit's so hard to swallow
But I can't just sit back and wallow
In my own sorrow but I know one fact
I'll be one tough act to follow

One tough act to follow
I'll be one tough act to follow
Here today, gone tomorrow
But you'd have to walk a thousand miles

In my shoes, just to see
What it's like, to be me
I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like

To feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each others' minds
Just to see what we'd find
Look at shit through each others' eyes

Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you
So don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you

I think I'm starting to lose my sense of humor
Everything's so tense and gloom
I almost feel like I gotta check
The temperature of the room

Just as soon as I walk in, it's like all eyes on me
And so I try to avoid any eye contact
'Cause if I do that then it opens the door
For conversation, like I want that

I'm not looking for extra attention
I just wanna be just like you
Blend in with the rest of the room
Maybe just point me to the closest restroom

I don't need no fucking man servant
Trying to follow me around and wipe my ass
Laugh at every single joke I crack
And half of 'em ain't even funny like

Ha! Marshall you're so funny man
You should be a comedian, god damn!
Unfortunately I am
I just hide behind the tears of a clown

So why don't you all sit down
Listen to the tale I'm about to tell
Hell, we don't gotta trade our shoes
And you ain't gotta walk no thousand miles

In my shoes, just to see
What it's like, to be me
I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like

To feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each others minds
Just to see what we'd find
Look at shit through each others eyes

Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you
So don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you

Nobody asked for life to deal us
With these bullshit hands we're dealt
We gotta take these cards ourselves
And flip 'em, don't expect no help

Now I could've either just sat on my ass
And pissed and moaned
Or take this situation in which I'm placed in
And get up and get my own

I was never the type of kid
To wait by the door and pack his bags
I sat on the porch and hoped and prayed
For a dad to show up who never did

I just wanted to fit in
Every single place, every school I went
I dreamed of being that cool kid
Even if it meant acting stupid

And Edna always told me
Keep making that face and it'll get stuck like that
Meanwhile I'm just standing there
Holding my tongue tryna talk like that

'Til I stuck my tongue on that frozen stop sign pole
At 8 years old
I learned my lesson then
'Cause I wasn't trying to impress my friends no more

But I already told you my whole life story
Not just based on my description
'Cause where you see it, from where you're sittin
It's probably 110% different

I guess we would have to walk a mile
In each others shoes at least
What size you wear? I wear 10's
Let's see if you can fit your feet

In my shoes, just to see
What it's like, to be me
I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like

To feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each others minds
Just to see what we'd find
Look at shit through each others eyes

Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked just stay true to you
So don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked just stay true to you

So don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful
They can all get fucked just stay true to you
So

Lately I've been hard to reach
I've been too long on my own
Everybody has their private world
Where they can be alone

Are you calling me?
Are you trying to get through?
Are you reaching out for me?
I'm reaching out for you

Yeah, to my babies
Stay strong, daddy will be home soon

And to the rest of the world
God gave you shoes to fit you
So put 'em on and wear 'em
Be yourself man, be proud of who you are
Even if it sounds corny
Don't ever let anyone tell you you ain't beautiful

Song of the Week #46: YUI – Again

To listen to the song, open the music player in the above Flash header.

This is the OP1 of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime series and it's how I first came upon this song.  YUI, after taking a short break, continues to be awesome.  The anime itself is pretty good as well and plans to follow the manga storyline instead of diverging like the first anime series did.

Here are the lyrics (Romanized) and the translation.

Lyrics:
Yume no tsuzuki oikaketeita hazu nano ni
Magarikunetta hosoi michi hito ni tsumazuku

Ano koro ni mitai ni tte modoritai wake janai no nakushitekita sora wo sagashiteru
Wakattekuremasu you ni gisei ni natta you na kanashii kao wa yamete yo

Tsumi no saigo wa namida janai yo zutto kurushiku seotte kun da
Deguchi mienai kanjou meiru ni
Dare wo matteru no
Shiroi NOOTO ni tsuzutta you ni motto sunao ni hakidashitai yo
Nani kara nogaretainda
Genjitsu tte yatsu

Kanaeru tame ni ikiterun datte
Wasurechaisou na yoru no mannaka
Bunan ni nante yatterarenai kara
Kaeru basho mo nai no
Kono omoi wo keshite shimau ni wa
Mada jinsei nagai deshou (I'm on the way)
Natsukashikunaru
Konna itami mo kangei jan

Ayamaranakucha ikenai yo ne aa gomen ne
Umaku ienakute shinpai kaketa mama datta ne

Ano hi kakaeta zenbu ashita kakaeru zenbu
Junban tsuketari wa shinai kara
Wakattekuremasu you ni sotto me wo tojitanda
Mitakunai mono made miendamon

Iranai uwasa ni chotto hajimete kiku hatsugen docchi
Mukaiattara tomodachi datte
Uso wa yamete ne
Fukai HAATO ga iradatsu you ni karadan naka moeteirun da
Hontou wa kitai shiten no
Genjitsu tte yatsu

Kanaeru tame ni ikiterun datte
Sakebitaku naru yo kikoete imasu ka
Bunan ni nante yatterarenai kara
Kaeru basho mo nai no
Yasashisa ni wa itsumo kansha shiteru
Dakara tsuyoku naritai (I'm on the way)
Susumu tame ni
Teki mo mikata mo kangei jan

Douyatte tsugi no DOA akerun dakke kangaeteru
Mou hikikaesenai monogatari hajimatterun da
Me wo samase me wo samase

Kono omoi wo keshite shimau ni wa
Mada jinsei nagai deshou
Yarinokoshiteru koto yarinaoshite mitai kara
Mou ichido yukou

Kanaeru tame ni ikiterun datte
Sakebitaku naru yo kikoete imasu ka
Bunan ni nante yatterarenai kara
Kaeru basho mo nai no
Yasashisa ni wa itsumo kansha shiteru
Dakara tsuyoku naritai (I'm on the way)
Natsukashikunaru
Konna itami mo kangei jan

Translated lyrics:
I am supposed to pursue my dream
in this narrow winding road, stuttering in the crowds of people

It's not that I want to return to that past,
I am just searching for the sky I have lost.
I hope you understand.
Don't show the sad face as if you have been sacrificed.

Tears do not end a sin. We have to carry it with us through
in this maze of feelings with no ends in sight.
Who am I waiting for?
As scribbled on the blank note, I want to be more honest.
What do I want to escape from?
Is it this thing called "reality"?

For what am I living?
In the middle of the night as my memories are fading.
I can't play safe anymore,
but there is nowhere to go too.
There's still so much in life to remove this feeling.
I will feel nostalgic about it.
I welcome this pain.

I have to apologize for this. Ah, I'm sorry.
I can't say it well. I'm just causing worries.

Everything that I embraced that day.
Everything that I will embrace tomorrow
I will not arrange them in any order.
I hope you understand. I closed my eyes
but I could still see things I do not want to see.

Unnecessary rumours that I hear for the first time, so what?
Face it and you will be friends
Don't tell lies like these.
My heart being agitated from deep inside,
a burning sensation runs through my body.
Actually I'm expecting something
from this thing called "reality".

For what am I living?
I want to shout it out loud. Can you hear me?
I can't play safe anymore,
but there is nowhere to go too.
I am grateful for all the kindness,
so I want to become stronger to march on.
I do welcome friends and foes.

How do I open the next door? I'm thinking.
The unretractable story has begun.
Open your eyes. Open your eyes.

There is still so much in life to remove this feeling.
I want to start all over again so that I can complete what I haven't done.
Shall we go AGAIN?

For what am I living?
I want to shout it out loud. Can you hear me?
I can't play safe anymore,
but there is nowhere to go too.
I am grateful for all the kindness,
so I want to become stronger. I feel the nostalgia.
I welcome this pain.

Song of the Week #45: ATB – Gravity

I've always been a fan of the electronic kind of music.  It's pretty big in Europe if you don't know.  Not so much here.  As usual, the music player can be opened using the button in the above Flash slideshow.

Lyrics:

Gravity, it takes hold of me
It takes me unwillingly away from you
Paradise, it’s more than a roll of dice
Are we willing to pay the price
Can we be true?

For a while are we willing to really smile
‘cause I can’t read this borrowed style
Searching for you
As I go promise me I will know
The moment I see you so I know what to do
I know what to do
When it’s you

I owe to my heart more
As you come into abuse more
It’s perfect
It’s all I could ask for
Beautiful
As you come into abuse more

For a while are we willing to really smile
‘cause I can’t read this borrowed style
Searching for you
And as I go promise me I will know
The moment I see you so I know what to do
I know what to do
When it’s you

I know what to do
When it’s you

I owe to my heart more
As you come into abuse more
It’s perfect
It’s all I could ask for
Beautiful
As you come into abuse more

I owe to my heart more
As you come into abuse more
It’s perfect
It’s all I could ask for
Beautiful
As you come into abuse more

Gravity, it takes hold of me
It takes me unwillingly away from you
Paradise, it’s more than a roll of dice
Are we willing to pay the price
Can we be true?

Song of the Week #44: Linkin Park – New Divide

To listen to this song, open up the music player by pressing the button in the above Flash slideshow.

I first heard this song in the credits of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Despite not liking the film, this song by Linkin Park is pretty good.  Though I'm still partial to "What I've Done".

Here are the lyrics:

I remembered black skies, the lightning all around me
I remembered each flash as time began to blur
Like a startling sign that fate had finally found me
And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve

So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes
Give me reason to fill this hole, connect the space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies across this new divide

There was nothing in sight but memories left abandoned
There was nowhere to hide, the ashes fell like snow
And the ground caved in between where we were standing
And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve

So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes across this new divide

In every loss, in every lie, in every truth that you'd deny
And each regret and each goodbye was a mistake too great to hide
And your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve

So give me reason to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes
Give me reason to fill this hole, connect the space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies across this new divide
Across this new divide, across this new divide

Song of the Week #43: Coldplay – Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love

These two songs were released as a single track on Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008) album.  I prefer "Lovers in Japan" over "Reign of Love" but I guess "Reign of Love" makes for a good calming follow-up after such a fast-paced song.  "Lovers in Japan" is such an uplifting song and it's perfect for the wake-up playlist for my old iPod (now resting permanently on an alarm clock dock).  It certainly makes me feel like I'm in the bustling cities of Japan - one of my long-term places to visit.

Lyrics:

Lovers, keep on the road you're on
Runners, until the race is run
Soldiers, you've got to soldier on
Sometimes even right is wrong

They are turning my head out
To see what I'm all about
Keeping my head down
To see what it feels like now
But I have no doubt
One day, we are gonna get out

Tonight maybe we're gonna run
Dreaming of the Osaka sun
Ohh ohh...
Dreaming of when the morning comes

They are turning my head out
To see what I'm all about
Keeping my head down
To see what it feels like now
But I have no doubt
One day the sun will come out

---------------

Reign of love
I can’t let go
To the sea I offer
This heavy load

Locusts will
Lift me up
I’m just a prisoner
In a reign of love

Locusts will
Let us stop
I wish I’d spoken
To the reign of love

Reign of love
By the church, we’re waiting
Reign of love
My knees go praying

How I wish
I’d spoken up
Or we’d be carried
In the reign of love.

Song of the Week #42: Lifehouse – Broken

NOTE: Since this is the last song of an 8-song update, the music player is activated by going to the above Flash slideshow header and clicking the yellow post-it note button labeled "Open Music Player" in the top left corner.  If you have a pop-up blocker, it may or may not block the new window depending on how strict your pop-up blocking software is.

This is featured in the trailer for the upcoming film, The Time Traveler's Wife. I don't know if this will be a successful adaptation from the book but the trailer looks nice.  This is a sad "break-up" song though - so it fits the movie, I guess?

Lyrics:

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain is there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain is there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on to the words you say
You said that I will, I'll be ok

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you