Pump Up The Jam

I am not exactly a big fan of dance music but in my growing up years, there had been a few dance tracks that had stuck with me till now. Technotronic's 1989 dance hit Pump Up The Jam remains at the top of my list. 20 years on, it still sounds fresh and infectious as ever.

Turn up the volume, groove along to the strong beat and set your heart and feet a-tapping to this great great track.

Beds Are Burning

Midnight Oil is an Australian rock band. In 1987, they released the single "Beds Are Burning". I chanced upon this song back then and it has never left my head since. This powerful song has political overtones which talks about oppression. Below is an extract taken from wikipedia about the origins of the song :

"Beds Are Burning" is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. These 'last contact' people began moving from the Gibson Desert to settlements and missions in the 1930s. More were forcibly moved during the 1950s and 1960's to the Papunya settlement. In 1981 they left to return to their own country and established the Kintore community which is nestled in the picturesque Kintore Ranges, surrounded by Mulga and Spinifex country. It is now a thriving little community with a population of about 400.

Midnight Oil performed the song in front of a world audience of billions (including then Prime Minister John Howard) at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The whole band were dressed in black, with the words "sorry" printed conspicuously on their clothes. This was a reference to the Prime Minister's refusal to apologize, on behalf of the government of Australia, to the Aboriginal Australians for the way they have been treated over the previous 200 years, particularly in relation to native title and the government-sanctioned removal of Aboriginal children of the Stolen Generations from their families.

On a personal level, i always relate this song to certain periods of my life where obstacles and difficulties need to be overcome. Listening to this tune always encourages me to push and soldier on no matter what.

This music blog turns ONE YEAR OLD today. Many thanks to everyone who reads this blog and enjoys the music within.

'How can we dance when our earth is turning,
How do we sleep while our beds are burning' - Beds Are Burning

When I'm With You

This power ballad by Canadian Band Sheriff has been on my playlist for the past few weeks. Originally released in 1983 and then re-released in 1989, it reached #1 in the US charts. I remembered hearing it on the radio on the music chart show and liking it instantly. This is just such a sentimental and emotionally-charged song with very powerful vocals.

Interestingly, Freddy Curci, the lead singer's amazing high vocal at the end of the song is being listed in the Guiness Book of Records for holding the longest note in a song. It just feels like heaven whenever he hits the end of the song with that angelic vocal that seems to go on for eternity. Take a listen here.

A Personal Message to Uncle Kiat

My cousins, relatives and i wrote personal messages for Uncle Kiat this afternoon before he departs on his final journey.
This was what i wrote :

Uncle Kiat,

Thanks for all the memories and help
I will remember you fondly
Stay a Liverpool fan always
"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Goodbye Uncle ; You'll Never Walk Alone

My uncle passed away on this day today, after battling illnesses.

For the whole afternoon, i laid on my bed with memories of my uncle fleeting through my mind like a flashback tape. The fondest perhaps was the time when i stayed over at my grandma's place when outrageously, he would take afternoon leave from work just to be back home to play soccer video games with us. Those imageries remain fresh. Life feels the most poignant at moments of loss such as these.

My uncle was a fervent Liverpool fan. i was playing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' repeatedly during evening time and instinctively, the tears just flowed.

'You'll Never Walk Alone'

When you walk through a storm
hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.

I hope you are in a better place now uncle kiat and you will be remembered and missed always. I am sure i will think of you on every soccer match day from now onwards. Wherever you are, You'll Never Walk Alone.

Whitney

Whitney Houston is one of my favourite female singers. i grew up with her songs and ballads since my primary school days in the 80s and i still listen to them fondly. Blessed with a rich voice, her voice resonates with emotions every time. The 1987 album entitled 'Whitney' was her most successful album which produces four #1 singles.

Some of my favourite tracks includes 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', 'Didn't We Almost Have It All', 'All The Man That I Need', 'Miracle', 'One Moment In Time' and 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'


'And if somebody loves you, won't they always love you?
I look in your eyes and i know that you still care for me...'

- Where Do Broken Hearts Go

Cha Cha Heels

80s dance group Bronski Beat collaborated with Eartha Kitt on this 1989 dance hit 'Cha Cha Heels'. Collaborations between music artistes is a norm but i believe it takes an enigmatic singer and voice to bring the song to a next higher level.



Though i may not know much about Eartha Kitt other than her origins as a 1950s singer, when i first heard her voice on this track, i knew it gave the song a special touch. That slick sensual voice and characteristic growls really added a different dimension to the song. Take a listen to it and download a copy here.

Eartha Kitt died at the age of 81 on Christmas Day in 2008 last year.

' So don't you mess around with me you won't know what to do
Cause I'll put on my cha cha heels and walk all over you '