All posts in Music

i should have listened when you said good night

this ain't a love song!

it was just another routine day for him. he was on the train, reading his book around the same familiar faces he sees everyday on the same ride.

the train pulls at his station. he gets off, and climbs up the stairs of the subway. swipes his ticket at the ticket barricades, and crosses the street.

the watch on his wrist reminds him of a meeting that he has to attend in an hour, and he frowns to himself, hardly having any sleep the night before. battling thoughts, he gets into the lift and reaches work.

the routine day begins and he catches up with the left-overs from yesterday. attends the meeting, comes out feeling as numb as ever knowing that nothing that was discussed in the meeting will materialise anyways.

decides to have an early lunch and he strolls down. as he walks out of the building, he changes his mind to have a short walk, to clear his head. the streets are buzzing with people, everyone with a different agenda in their minds at that moment – he wonders in amazement, fixing his gaze on random faces and drawing pictures in his head on their agendas.

an old woman, waiting for the bus, probably trying to get to her son’s house to meet her grandchildren whom she hasn’t seen for a few months now.

a child buying lollies at a convenience store, with the reward pennies he won from his grandfather for a chore done?

a young women, dressed in a business attire, trying to hide the pensive look on her face, probably rehearsing her upcoming job interview which will determine the direction of her determined ambition.

a young couple, meeting up for lunch, quite elated. both must’ve been working in different offices, around the corner – holding hands, probably on the verge of finalising their wedding venue?

he unconsciously reaches out for his phone and speed-dial’s #2, only to hear the same message he’s been hearing for a long time now, “the number you have dialed has been disconnected”.

the wind blows with a shrill chill, hitting his face like a thousand needles, snapping him back to stark reality in the present timeframe.

he smiles at his own ignorance, putting away his mobile in his suit pocket, lights up a smoke and heads back.

just another day to burn, just another week, like it’ll be another month and so, another year.

—–

Here’s the song that’s been on my mind for a few days. You can listen to my rendition of the song below – had recorded this back in 1995, playing the guitar and singing it in front of the computer mic… can’t believe it’s been 13 years since!

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i should have seen it coming when roses died
should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
i should have listened when you said good night
you really meant good bye
baby, ain’t it funny, how you never ever learn to fall
you’re really on your knees, when you think you’re standing tall
but only fools are “know-it-alls” and i played that fool for you

i cried and i cried
there were nights that died for you baby
i tried and i tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby

if the love that i got for you is gone
if the river i cried ain’t that long
then i’m wrong, yeah i’m wrong, this ain’t a love song

baby, i thought you and me would stand the test of time
like we got away with the perfect crime but
we were just a legend in my mind
i guess that i was blind
remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
the clowns wore smiles that wouldn’t fade
you and i were the renegades, some things never change

it made me so mad ’cause i wanted it bad for us baby
now it’s so sad that whatever we had, ain’t worth saving
if the love that i got for you is gone
if the river i’ve cried ain’t that long
then i’m wrong, yes i’m wrong, this ain’t a love song

if the pain that i’m feeling so strong
is the reason that i’m holding on
then i’m wrong, yeah i’m wrong – this ain’t a love song

in the room where lovers sleep

in the room where lovers sleep

the splinter stings and tears.

every few steps taken ahead, with all the effort and hope, are all retraced back within a fraction of a few seconds.

he looks out of the window. the rain has repressed, the leaves on the trees shedding the remains of the storm that was last night. a few hours go by as he watches the leaf expunge all the beads of water on it, only to crave for it all over again after it has.

the clouds start to clear, and the sun glimpses out, to take a peek at what the rain has left for it.

he’s still by the window, reminiscing, conjuring, questioning, answering, calming and searching his heart.

the air brings the smell of wet wood and rusty chains. he looks up at the sky, and watches the sun playing hide-and-seek with the help of the clouds.

observing the flickers of shadows that are being casted – he shuts his eyes tight, to run away from the memories that lie naked on the bed he’s sitting on. haunting him, calling him, earnestly beseeching him.

voices in his head flash by. voices he had forgotten over time all come rushing by… “magic”, “take a chance”, “bending destiny” – and he lets out a scream to drown them.

the heavens comply and thunder strikes, he turns around to look out the window in amazement.

within minutes the clouds have completely concealed the rays of the hopeful sun.

within seconds, the rain comes crashing down on the leaves.

he turns to takes a comfortable stance at the window across the bed – he knows he’s not going to move from there for a long time to come.

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in the coldest time of year,
darkness all around my heart.

i was alone but didn’t fear
to wander in the light of stars.

in the bright and silent night,
winds would knock and disappear.

still i felt the feeling near,
like the first time you were ever here.

you’re so far away,
so far away,
you left me,
you told me you would stay.
you never said goodbye
and i’ll keep asking why,
i keep on asking how,
oh come unto me now.

i have breathed the morning air,
i have heard the four winds blow.

i was weary but prepared to follow
down this lonely road.

in the room where lovers sleep,
winds would knock and disappear.

still i felt the music near,
like the first time we were ever here.

you’re so far away,
so far away,
you left me,
you told me you would stay.
you never said goodbye
and i keep wondering why,
i keep on wondering how,
oh come inside me now.

you can make the whole world sing

for a few days now i’ve been repeatedly listening to this song on my iPod

i remember when i had first seen the video of this song back in 1997 december on mtv and how calm it made me feel.

there’s a little magic in the song, you can shut your eyes and really feel at peace with everyone in the world – even if you’re heartbroken, or you are happily together :)

here, listen to it and find out for yourself:

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show the world and all its people
all the wonders love can bring
give us strength and understanding
give us all one song to sing
let the music play
play it loud and make it clear
its time to stand up
to a new world that is now so near
from the bottom to the top
to the leaders of the land
we all have one heart
everyone of us must lend a hand
and let there be joy in the world
and let there be no sorrow
(let there be)
and let there be peace on earth
and let there be peace on earth
for all the world
weve got to see

that love, oh love
what a blessed thing (oh, yeah)
say it loud
make it clear today
all the walls are falling down
no more children off to war
if we search in our hearts
all the suffering will be no more
and let there be joy in the world
and let there be no sorrow
for all gods children
let them see
that love, oh love
what a blessed thing (oh, yeah)
say it loud
make it clear today
and freedom, no more lies
we can save this world if we try
one world i know we can make it
yes, its only in your heart
yes, its only in your dreams
you can climb the highest mountains
you can make the whole world sing
love, oh love
what a blessed thing (oh, yeah)
say it loud
make it clear today