MUSIC MONDAY: Battleships by Daughtry

I first fell in love with Chris Daughtry when he sang Hemorrhage in the before-the-live-show round in American Idol.  That was a good seven (or some) years ago and even though his elimination from that season is still a shock, he has since more than pulled himself back together.  He immediately formed a band, Daughtry, and churned out songs that were easy favorites.

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20:  Musicians Brian Craddock, Robin Diaz, Chris Daughtry, Josh Paul, and Josh Steely of Daughtry arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Musicians Brian Craddock, Robin Diaz, Chris Daughtry, Josh Paul, and Josh Steely of Daughtry arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

It’s very tough to beat country rock for some space in my heart.  Hahaha.

While Home will always be my top Daughtry song, I must admit this took up some space too.  Even with all the booms.

Maybe it’s the wisdom of being a married man that’s why he always has the best lyrics.

20150622 Battleships by Daughtry

I wonder if that wisdom is automatic because I am excited as hell to be married to my man too.

 

MUSIC MONDAY: Reclaiming this song

Have you ever had that one song you thought was fit for that moment and then you look back and you realize that it’s not?  It’s this song for me.

I first heard this song on the movie Wimbledon and then on Girl Next Door.  Never mind that in those movies, I fell in love with Paul Bettany and Elisha Cuthbert.  I fell in love with the song because of this line.

This year’s love had better last
Heaven knows it’s high time
I’ve been waiting on my own too long

Wimbledon

And for the people who know me, I am a serial monogamist and a long term person.  I am always in a relationship and it’s never just a fling.  It’s always serious.  Each time.

TGND

But I have never really quite felt belonged.  If that’s even a word.  Have you ever felt that?  Being with someone but not really feeling it’s the right place?

When I heard this song, it was such a perfect fit.  I have been looking for that one great love — a love so great that I do not mind at all that it consumes me.  Because in my head, that’s how it should be.  That’s the kind of love I’ve always witnessed.

My grandmother and grandfather, an arranged marriage that turned out to be one of the best marriages you can ever witness in this lifetime.  My Tatay and Nanay, LDR turned can’t-do-anything-without-you marriage.  My cousins and their drunken nights with their partners who never hesitated to own up to their mistakes and vice versa.  My brother’s not so sneaky kisses to his now wife and stepdaughter.

It’s all over me.  The all consuming love and people didn’t mind it.

And you can only imagine my relief to have found it myself.  I have always thought that a song can only belong to a moment in time, but I never really thought a song can belong entirely to a person.

So I am reclaiming this song.  This is mine.  Always has been and I knew it before I could even admit it.

MUSIC MONDAY: Smash Into You by Beyoncè

I have always wondered why this beautiful song didn’t get its own music video.  I’ve been looking through YouTube, but apart from a couple of performance videos from abroad, there’s nothing on this song.

20150525 Beyonce Smash Into You

With an upcoming wedding and music tastes so diverse, Le Beau and I are happily exploring our musical middle ground.  And even though I know his love for me has always been evident by show of his allowing me to select our playlist with minimal input from him, he has to know that this song is for him alone.

Yes, the cheese has landed.

Eight months to forever.  Can’t wait.

All The Good Things with Up Dharma Down

It has been a very hectic couple of months as school, wedding and work all fought for my time and attention.  I was in dire need of a relaxing couple of hours, a few moments that need not require deep slumber.  So when I was invited to listen to the genius that is Up Dharma Down, who am I to refuse such wonderful company?

IMG_9313

At the musical hotspot 12 Monkeys in Century Mall, Makati, Up Dharma Down set the stage as they unveil their newest single All The Good Things inspired by their recent travel to Singapore.

I love this band.  I really do.  I love them so much, I get goosebumps each time I hear them perform.  Because it is never short of soul or spirit or inspiration.  So I’m not surprised that they came up with new music while on vacation.

UDD in Gardens by the Bay

In collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, the band signals a refreshed initiative to invite Filipino travelers to see Singapore in a whole new light and to share with them the unique experiences available in Singapore, as seen through the eyes of the band.

“The song is about having an idea of what’s good but only coming to terms with it upfront by actually doing something about it, such as traveling after a long time of toying with the idea of it. It’s about being open to new experiences, having that proactivity and positive outlook. We saw that during our trip in Singapore and we thought that it is a lot like us as a band. Always moving forward and always innovating,” said Armi.

(Can I just say that I love awkward Armi?  ADORKABLE GALORE.)

Up Dharma Down All The Good Things

What I loved about their post performance interview was this quote:  “You need to be affected by the community around you.”  And I agree.  The song was full of life, full of excitement, without losing the UDD signature.  It was great.

That same night, they launched the music video that goes with it.  From the Gardens by the Bay, to the 2am:dessertbar, the music video boasts of everything Singapore the band tasted and experienced.  With a constantly changing urban landscape, each visit to Singapore proves to be different from the last one.

UDD in Haji Lane

It really is a rock star life.  Carlos kept saying that it was the first time they saw Singapore in day time.  I guess they’re only there at night and with Singapore being so close to home, it must be a fly in-fly out thing for our musical geniuses.  I can’t help but be happy for their well deserved break (which turned out to be a fruitful one too).

Paul Yap in 2am dessertbar

Can I just say that no one looked happier than Paul to be in front of this amazing dessert?  Hahaha.

I’m still looking for that one trip with my friends before I jet off to marriedhoodness (yes, I invented that word), so in a way… maybe Singapore just might be the answer.

It doesn’t hurt that Singapore is celebrating its 50th year.  And it definitely doesn’t hurt that there are Golden Jubilee deals.  The Golden Jubilee promotion is an exciting selection of exclusive deals on flights, hotels and more.  Take advantage of special airfare deals, stay at any one of the participating hotels in the city for 2 nights to get the 3rd night free, shop till you drop during the Great Singapore Sale for a chance to win S$500 daily, and embark on a gastronomic adventure with exclusive dining discounts from various establishments.

UDD in Pidgin Kitchen & Bar

Head on over to  www.yoursingapore.ph to listen to All The Good Things and see what inspired Up Dharma Down during their visit.  Of course, for Golden Jubilee deals, visit www.yoursingapore.com/goldenjubilee

*searching flights now*

MUSIC MONDAY: Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding

I always have faith in music.  I’ve always been a music girl, even though majority of my choices are what you would call dated.  But of course, with the sudden rise of immediately popular pop singers and the ease of recording material with autotune and synthesizers, it’s easy to be fooled that talent on record is not as evident (or present at all) on live performances.

And then, this beautiful lady sang on Ryan Seacrest’s show.  Talk about pitch perfect.

20150518 Ellie Goulding Anything Could Happen

Ellie Goulding may have skyrocketed (further) into fame with that theme song from Fifty Shades of Grey but really, this girl is just a butt load of talent.  What a voice!  This video is two years old and I still hit the play button over and over.

Husky voices are eternally sexy.  But raw talent is miles miles miles sexier.