Come On, Eileen

I had fun watching this video for some special reason... *wink wink*. I said to myself whenever I'm feeling down, I will play this song in my head with a little animation like my special someone singing/teasing this to me... and then everything will be OK.

You know what i mean by watching this video:

Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexmith feat. Chris Martin

I can't help gushing about this next song, its mostly the lyrics that got me into it. The melody just adds more to the beauty of the song. I heard it awhile back, but every time I hear it a rush of positive energy just gets through me. I don't get that too often. Although it may have a slow/ sad tone to it, its really a song that inspires hope and high spirits.

So here it is:



Gold In Them Hills:

I know it doesn't seem that way
But maybe it's the perfect day
Even though the bills are piling
Maybe Lady Luck ain't smiling

But if we'd only open our eyes
We'd see the blessings in disguise
That all the rain clouds are fountains
Though our troubles seem like mountains

There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose heart
Give the day a chance to start

Every now and then life says
Where do you think you're going so fast
We're apt to think it cruel but sometimes
It's a case of cruel to be kind

And if we'd get up off our knees
Well then we'd see the forest for the trees
And we'd see the new sun rising
Over the hills and horizon

There's gold in them hills
There's gold in them hills
So don't lose faith
Give the world a chance to say...

A word or two, my friend
There's no telling how the day might end
And we'll never know until we see
That there's gold in them hills

There's gold in them hills
So don't lose heart
Give the day a chance to start

There's gold in them hills...
There's gold in them hills...

The Flying House and Super Book

When I was a kid I love watching cartoons, well I guess just like any other kids, and I thought I will never outgrew it. Back then there wasn't much cartoons on television, unlike now you have a lot of options from the Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, local tv networks among others. But how I long for the days where everything in life were much simpler and cartoons have more sense and values.

The cartoons that I am referring to are "The Flying House" and "Super Book", cartoons of the mid 80's. Those who are familiar with these, must have grown up in the same era as I was, gotcha! I may not realize it back then, but these two are my major source of Biblical stories. Hmm it's kinda sad that I got my information from here, but that's why these cartoons came to be in the first place for this reason and to teach children good morals and values. That's fair enough. I love the interesting characters, the stories, and I love the opening songs especially that of The Flying House - "We were having fun, playing hide and seek, then a summer storm appears..."

You can try to "at least" sing-a-long with me as we try to relive these cartoons...

The Flying House:


Super Book:

The Corrs

Before Regina Spektor, before Coldplay (and a few other bands in between), I was first and foremost a Corrs fan. The Corrs is an Irish band consists of four exceptional siblings – Jim, Sharon, Caroline, and Andrea Corr. Aside from being Irish who are known for their music, they come from a family of musicians as their parents were both in their own band back then called the Sound Affair (sounds cool for a band's name). So it’s no surprise that they got the genes from their folks.

I first heard of them when I was a freshman in college, that would be 11 years ago, and I’m still a fan to this day. I used to read a lot about them, their biographies and such! I was ashamed by how much I read about them. You know you are a big fan when your friends hear a Corrs' song and they think of you immediately. Then my brother got me a copy of a magazine (above photo) with them as the cover which he bought overseas, that meant a lot to me. I also got a postcard from a friend who had been on one their concert, that was so sincere of her. Ahh, how I wish it will be my turn to see them in concert someday.

I can’t also seem to decide who my favorite Corr sister is, at one point I wanted to be Sharon, then Andrea, and then Caroline. All of them are pretty and talented, but when I base it on the instrument I wanted to play the drums, it is by far the coolest thing to play next to the violin, the tin whistle,... There were times that I pretended I was on stage singing too. On the other hand I put on the cd on my walkman, closed my eyes and allowed myself to go places...

I think musicians should be a goodwill ambassadors of their countries too, the Corrs got me interested in Ireland. They represent their already beautiful country when they play Celtic music and just even using some of their traditional musical instrument to their own music.

These days The Corrs is on hiatus, but I read they will have a comeback soon so I'm excited for the new stuff. As for now, here are two of their songs in their first studio album “Forgiven not Forgotten”…I miss the Corrs and watching these videos below just brings back memories. Ah, how music has been part of my life, it has been a refuge…

Love To Love You:

Runaway:

Laughing With by Regina Spektor

I'm a big Regina Spektor fan and today is the day that she will release her new album "Far" and for that reason alone I will post something from her. Her new track is called "Laughing With". Again, another great song from a talented artist. Here is the official video, and the lyrics is simply amazing as well. Watch and Enjoy!

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yet

No one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistaken

No one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or flood

*Chorus*
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’ve lost all they’ve got
And they don’t know what for

No one laughs at God on the day they realize
That the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God when they’re saying their goodbyes
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughing at God in hospital
No one’s laughing at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’re starving or freezing or so very
poor

No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
We’re all laughing with God

Better Than Ezra - A Lifetime

My interest in music was mostly influenced by my two older brothers. Way back then, our house was filled with basically alternative rock music played in high volume. This time around, its only me playing not-so-loud music. One of the bands that I listened when I was in high school was Better Than Ezra with their hits like Good, Desperately Wanting, and Rosealia. I can still recall singing along with these tunes (and my brother's theme song is definitely Desperately Wanting.) Better Than Ezra has been around for 2 decades already, I believe they are one of the most underrated bands but I guess its better that way. BTE has a strong fan base though, so thats good.

Allie woke up 8AM Graduation day.
Got into a car, and crashed along the way.
When we arrived late to the wake,
Stole the urn while they looked away,
And drove to the beach 'cause I knew you'd want it that way.

And you were standing on the hood of the car
Singing out loud when the sun came up.

And I know I wasn't right, but it felt so good.
And your mother didn't mind, like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing in my mind.
And three and a half minutes felt like a lifetime. It felt like a lifetime

And you move like water I could drown in you.
And I fell so deep once, till you pulled me through
You would tell me "No one is allowed to be so proud
They never reach out when they're giving up."

And I know I wasn't right, but it felt so good.
And your mother didn't mind, like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing in my mind.
And three and a half minutes felt like a lifetime. It felt like a lifetime

Are you sitting in the lights? Or combing your hair again?
And talking in rhymes? Are you sitting in the lights?

When I got home, heard the phone, your parents had arrived.
And your dad set his jaw, your mom just smiled and sighed.
But they left soon and I went to my room.
Played that disc that you'd given me, and I shut my eyes
Swear I could hear the sea.

When we were standing
On the hood of your car
Singing out loud when the sun came up.

And I know I wasn't right, but it felt so good.
And your mother didn't mind, like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing in my mind.
And three and a half minutes felt like a lifetime.

It felt like a lifetime

Cute Little French Girl Telling a Story

Ahhhh I can't help it, this is just so cute!!! I like it when i hear people talking in French even though I don't understand it and even though they are shouting at each other it will still amuses me. This cute French girl in the video below will definitely capture your heart, she is a natural storyteller. Want proof, then watch this:

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

The girl's name is Capucine, a 4 year old from France. Her mom decided to use Capucine's popularity put into good use. A project called "Capucine's Library" was set up to raise money for Edurelief. Edurelief is a development organization based in Mongolia, who helps provide school books to Mongolian kids. If you want to get involved in their goal, here is the link.

Ain't No Reason

Today is Independence Day, and for some reason this is the song on my mind, and the video suits the song too... moving and thought provoking.

Regina Spektor

I heart Regina Spektor, and i find it kinda sad that i don't know anyone who share the same fondness i have for Ms. Spektor. But i found a way of spreading the love...

Regina was born in Russia but when she was 9 years old moved to New York. She is an anti-folk/pop singer/songwriter/pianist and she is known for her eclectic use of words and unorthodox style of singing.

She is brilliant, super talented, smart, amazing, adorable, funny, unique and beautiful. Her most familiar work would be "Fidelity" and "Samson", but that's not the only reason why i listen to her, cause there are so much more (hint: Better, Hotel Song, On the Radio... ) I've been listening to her music for more than 2 years now, and I never get tired. And she has a new album coming up too! Cant wait.

Here's an unofficial video for "Raindrops", the video itself is adorable and its a shout out to my yojimbo!



and here's another brilliant live performance of "Fidelity: Enjoy!