Forget María's catchy little ditty from West Side Story. These are the songs that make me feel better about myself when I'm feeling less than gorgeous or when I'm just in a funk.
About finding that inner strength when you're hit with the idea that you're less than the ideal. The actual video (linked in title) is stellar.
2. "Yo no soy esa mujer" by Paulina Rubio
Have I ever mentioned the fact that I was on the same plane as La Chica Dorada when I flew back from Chile to Miami? Because I walked right past her and thought, "Dang that's an ugly coat! But she looks kinda familiar...." It wasn't until we'd all gotten through customs that I realized who she was. Anyway, this song. "Yo no soy esa mujer que no sale de casa...." A song for the tough girl refusing to be relegated to a life of domesticity - read, me.
"I like what I see when I'm looking at me when I'm walking past the mirror." Always classy and confident. Love! (Click title for the full song)
4. "Video" by India Arie
It's a classic. &heart
5. "Señora de las cuatro décadas" by Ricardo Arjona
Because no one does sexy imperfections in a song like Arjona. Another classic.
6. "Superwoman" by Alicia Keys
It's a no brainer, really. I remember having this one on repeat while I willed myself to believe it during a particularly rough period, not going to lie.
7. "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews
Love it!
8. "Piel canela" by La Sonora Matancera and Bobby Capó
Let's hear it for this cinnamon skin! Also, it's hard to feel bad while listening to cha-cha-cha.
9. "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield
Cheesy Europop? Check. Clichés galore? Check. Catchiness? Double check. And I love it unabashedly.
10. "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley
Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright.
There had to be a Christmas edition of this. I wonder if we ever really realize the depth of the words we're singing at Christmas....
1. "O Holy Night"
This is by far my favorite Christmas song because of lines like these: * "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." * "Fall on your knees, O hear the angels voices" * "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease..."
2. "Arbolito de Navidad"
"Arbolito, arbolito, campanitas te pondré. Quiero que seas bonito, que al recién nacido te voy a ofrecer. Iremos por el camino, caminito de Belén, iremos porque esta noche, ha nacido el niño rey." And it's catchy. I end up singing it all the time.
3. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/We Three Kings" by BNL featuring Sarah MacLachlan
And it's true: I love their version above all other ones. Sample lyrics: "Let nothing you dismay, for Jesus Christ our Saviour was born upon this day, to save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray" and "Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown Him again, king forever, ceasing never over us all to reign"
4. "Burrito sabanero"
Nothing too deep here, but it's so stinkin' catchy and I love it. "Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén, si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén"
5. "Angels We Have Heard On High"
"Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains..."
6. "What Child Is This?"
"This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him praise..."
7. "Las Posadas"
So the story behind this song is that Joseph and Mary are looking for an inn.... I don't know why I love it as much as I do, but I do love it.
8. "Villancico Yaucano"
This is one of those uniquely Puerto Rican Christmas songs. The story is similar to "Little Drummer Boy" in that it's about poor folks coming to visit the Christ child without a whole lot to offer materially, but I like it just a little more than "Little Drummer Boy" - "Al Niño recién nacido todos le ofrecen un don yo como no tengo nada le ofrezco mi corazón."
9. "Little Drummer Boy"
I guess it's the story that I really like - bringing what you've got, and I kinda like what David Bowie does with it. I really don't think we think about the things we're singing at Christmas....
10. "No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente" by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
Trust a Puerto Rican to make a song about kicking people out of your house after a rowdy Christmas party a holiday classic. Seriously. This song is hilarious! "¡Pa'fuera! ¡Pa' la calle!" Jajaja...
Yeah, the video's a little creepy, but the song is brill. "My hands longing to touch you, but I can barely breathe, Starry eyes that make me melt, right in front of me..." Love it! I can't get enough of this song these days.
2. "Another Day" (or anything) by Steven Delopoulos
This man is pretty genius. First there's the brilliance of his guitar playing, then there's the depth of the lyrics. I'm not usually a fan of Christian music (am I a bad Christian for saying that?) - at least not 90% of what they play on the radio - but this is good stuff. L.P. once said something about how rare it is that Story (capital S) and Truth (capital T) coincide, but his music is one of those rare examples, I think.
3. "If You're Out There" by John Legend
I can't make a list without Mr. Legend; y'all know this. "The future started yesterday and we're already late..." It's a little on the cheesy side, I know, but it's still the kind of song that gets to me. There's a hope in the song, a call to action. Good stuff.
4. "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds Five
I love, love, love this song. "And in a white sea of eyes I see one pair that I recognize, and I know that I am...the luckiest." Mmmm...
5. "teachme" by Musiq Soulchild
Even though the title irks the grammar nerd in me, I'm a fan. "Teach me how to love, show me the way to surrender my heart...how I can get my emotions involved." I kind of love those lines....
6. "Father and Daughter" by Paul Simon
This video has both that song and "You Can Call Me Al" - another favorite. Maybe it's because I miss my Stinky, but everyday I realize how much I love this song. Plus, those lyrics! I mean: "I'm going to stand guard like a postcard of a golden retriever", who can't imagine that?!
7. "What a Good Boy" by Barenaked Ladies
"I go to school, I write exams; If I pass, if I fail, if I drop out, does anyone give a damn? And if they do, they'll soon forget, cuz it won't take much for me to show my life ain't over yet." Love those lines....
8. "Hay amores" by Shakira
First, I'm happy to see Shaki with darker hair - still blonde, but a natural shade of blonde. (I'm still a fan of the crazy haired Shaki of the 90s.) Second, I love the old school bolero flavor of this song. "There are loves that are resistant to damage, like the wine that gets better as it ages, so grow my feelings for you." Again, translations don't do it justice.
9. "Hoy te permito odiar" by Tercer Cielo
Speaking of things that don't translate well.... The part when they say "Odio el mismo lugar" gets me EVERYTIME! I can't even begin to translate this one well.... It's about not selling God short, basically, about trusting Him enough to push us beyond our human limitations.
10. "Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley (ah, technology)
To echo Kanye: "I wish her heart still was in rhymin'" This song is just good stuff: chill, not boring, summery.... I do miss summer. Hahaha.
Songs I've been listening to a lot lately - the latest soundtrack of my life.
1. "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl" by Nina Simone
Oh, the scandal. Dirty, dirty little song, but so smooth you almost don't even notice it. Hahaha. This is the perfect sound for studying, though, and her voice is fantastic. I love her.
2. "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)" by John Legend
Who doesn't know how much I love John Legend? No one, that's who. This particular video has the lyrics translate (not quite accurately, as far as I can tell) into Portuguese, which I thought was fun. I love the "Let's go to the park. I want to kiss you underneath the stars" lines....
3. "Refuge (When It's Cold Outside" by John Legend
As long as we're talking Mr. Legend.... This is such a good, good song. "When it's cold outside, there's no need to worry, 'cause I'm so warm inside. You give me peace." So cheesy, so cute. This is probably my favorite of his songs.
4. "Like a Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae
Her voice! 'Nuff said. Can you tell I've been listening to all this mellow stuff while studying? Hahaha...
5. "Restless" by Alison Krauss and Union Station
The woman's voice is unbelievable: clear, effortless, beautiful. "I just can't stand bein' alone; gonna have to change that someday." This song and "Gravity" have been top of my list lately.
6. "These Arms of Mine" by Otis Redding
Combining one of my favorite songs with a great dance routine.... Oh, this song! "These arms of mine, they are yearning, yearning from wanting you. And if you would let them hold you, oh, how grateful I will be." Mmmm, what a way with words, and how subtly sexy. The dance routine, a little less subtle on the sexy, but still fabulous.
7. "You Were Made for Me" by Sam Cooke
They just don't make music like this anymore.
8. "Welcome to DC" by Mambo Sauce
This is the one that I'm blastin' in the car on my way to school. "The G. O. the G. O...." Yessir, that is the sound of Go-Go, the sound of home. The video isn't good, not gonna lie, but the sound! "Much love to VA and MD, that's why the new DC is the DMV." Who knew I'd be reppin' it like this. Hahaha...
9. "Una plegaria más" by Fiel a la Vega
Surprise, surprise: a little Fiel love. This song gets to me more and more these days, though, because of the way they're trying to figure out just how God is involved in all the brokenness of the world. It's the kind of the thing that we're working through in class, too. Not that I've quite figured it out - I don't think I ever will. But I do believe He's somehow involved in it with this plan that's so much bigger than my head.
10. "I Tried" by Bone Thugs N Harmnoy Feat. Akon
Bone Thugs will always hold a special place in my heart. "I'm startin'to see it's me where the complication's at" Great line! That's always a hard thing to admit, not that the message is consistent, throughout, but that's so good. Plus, this song fits with my idea that nothing worth having comes easily.
11. "Much" by Ten Shekel Shirt
Obviously, not the original, but the song is the point of it. "I am the one who's been forgiven much, and I am the one who loves much." I'm working on that second half.
12. "Constellations" by Jack Johnson
So chill, so good. Can't you just picture the whole thing? I love it. What is up with all the Portuguese translations, though?!
13. "One" by U2 feat. Mary J. Blige
Two legends on a legendary song. It's got a new flavor, and it made me think about the lyrics again, instead of just sitting back and listening. The crush I have on Bono and the respect I have for MJB make me a sucker for this particular version.
14. "Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)" by Alicia Keys
"I wanna tell you something, give you something, show you in so many ways....Won't wait till it's too late." This is the kind of song I wish I could live by.
15. "Que Sera Sera" by Sly and the Family Stone
My favorite version of a great song. This version is like magic: mellow, but not boring at all. Those harmonies are on point.
Two very different songs, but both are so smart and so good.
In other news, I am now the proud owner of a GPS system. That means I will be constantly annoyed by Lola's (that's her name) "Recalculating", but I will not need Mapquest anymore and I'll be able to figure out this area.
"Papeles Mojados" by Chambao Here we have a song about illegal immigration to Spain. She's saying "What would you do in their shoes?" There's all this injustice, poverty, war, disease.... Wouldn't you risk it, too? Many don't make it, but those who do just want a better life. And across the pond....
"Mojado" by Ricardo Arjona and Intocable Same story, different continent.
I could throw in "Visa para un sueño" by Juan Luis Guerra and it'd still be the same, with a slightly different geographical focus (DR-PR). The thing is, it sucks to be the stranger in every case. There are valid reasons for this movement of people, and though it can't continue unchecked, closing borders does nothing to resolve the underlying problems (economic and political instability, injustice, poverty, violence, disease, etc.).
The 90s were so the time for "girl power", cheesy as that might be. The result? Sharon singing "Revolución femenina" in the early days of reggaetón, the Spice Girls, and this song by TLC, among others. Who didn't love TLC back in the day? This song is just so good. Every woman can identify with it at some point in her life, but it's the the kind of thing that gives you hope. It reminds you that your worth as a woman is in something so much deeper than your looks. Even pretty girls need to hear that.
Oh, the crush I had on Babyface growing up.... I remember singing my little heart out to this one. Now, with more experience and more reasons to connect with the lyrics, it's taken on a new meaning. "What if I'm not truly over" and "When does 'you'll get over it' begin?" - mmmm. I feel ya. Besides, there's something about a stripped down r&b song that's refreshing.
Obviously, it's not Amy Grant, but the one version of her actually singing it on youtube is in six parts or so. If you can get past the rambling at the beginning, the girl sings it pretty well. That song was on repeat when I was in high school and on-again-off-again with good ol' F. Haha. I still think that in spite of, or maybe because of, the cheese factor, it's a good song. That part about the "hopeful thrill" of the phone ringing is just so right, you know?
4. "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins
I used to belt this one out when it came on the radio when I was about, oh, ten. I remember that I felt oh-so-bad-@$$ singing it because she said both "damn" and "lover" in the chorus. What I didn't realize then is how incredibly bold she is in the song.
5. "Under the Bridge" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
This song.... This song was the beginning of my love affair with music. I was in fifth grade and it was the first song that I loved that my parents hadn't already preapproved for me. Does that make sense? It was my first completely independent musical selection, not, of course, that I was allowed to buy the cd (Blood Sugar Sex Magik? I wasn't stupid!) but I fell in love with the Chili Peppers then. The thing is: they're still flippin' brilliant. Even then, I knew this song was hauntingly beautiful; now that I know what it's about, it's even more amazing. Plus, I was able to appreciate the sexiness of Anthony Kiedis then. ;)
6. "Peaches" by The Presidents of the United States of America
Yeah, it's crazy random. Crazy, crazy, crazy random. And hilarious! I got a can of peaches for my fourteenth birthday, that's how much this song influenced my life. But come on now: "Peaches come from a can, they were put there by a man in a factory downtown"?! Brilliant! And ninjas in the video before ninjas were even that cool. Bonus.
7. "Fight For Your Right (To Party)" by the Beastie Boys What's not to love about The Beastie Boys?! They mixed up every kind of music I loved, wrote clever lyrics, and were so awkward that it was perfect. Everything they did was pure genius. This song pretty much sums up the teen experience, plus they give themselves a shout out in their own song. That always struck me as pretty stinkin' funny.
Just so stinkin' CATCHY! It's still the kind of song that makes me wanna get up and dance, just like it did back in the day.
9. "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs N Harmony
This song is just so beautiful. It was one of the first of the more - let's say urban - songs that I could really appreciate. When songs are true, there's a connection that transcends barriers of age and generation and socioeconomics. When this song came out, I'd only lost my great-grandmother. Ten, eleven years later, I've lost so many more people and I feel this song more deeply. It's such a good one - as are "Days of Our Lives" and "First of the Month".
10. "Jane Says" Jane's Addiction
I remember listening to this on Q101 back in IL - which I was totally NOT allowed to listen to, by the way. It was on several of the mix tapes that I was obsessed with making at the time. I didn't really understand that it was a song about a drug addiction - I was obviously a naive kid in that area (see number 5), but the lyrics and that plaintive quality really got to me. The lines that I most loved then are the ones I most love now: "I've never been in love, I don't know what it is. She only knows if someone wants her. I want 'em if they want me." I can't even put words to how good those lines are.
11. "Mr. Jones" by Counting Crows
I was going to leave it at ten, but then I remembered this gem. I've always been a sucker for a story song - hence my love for country music - and for songs about wanting to be more than what you are. I guess that's the running theme in all of the above (with the exception of "Peaches" perhaps). This song is just so GOOD.
Mujer de 26 años (Hey! That's me!) by Tony Croatto and Fiel a la Vega
Love that song, the bittersweetness of settling for stability and the pang of regret all those years later and the determination to let her daughter live without all the pressures of el qué dirán. It's so Latin.... My parents are old-school Puerto Rican, and that qué dirán is such a huge deal in the family, that I can totally identify with the woman in the song.
A little clarification for non-Spanish speakers: el qué dirán is the fear of what others will say about the decisions we make and the things that we do. We live public lives, us Latinos, and that fear is a huge part of traditional Latino culture - it was one of the recurring themes in all of the texts we read in A2....
Anyway, on a different note, I have a place to live and roommate for next year. J and I secured a cute little apartment five minutes from Eastern which I'm excited about. We even have a front porch! I heart porches. I'm a little (ha!) worried about money, but I'm trusting God to provide for me.
I went to ICC last night and saw a lot of the folks from the retreat. I really enjoy spending time there, even though I am pretty much the only one who's not Korean.
Well, as long as I'm up so early, I should get my booty in gear and work out. I've been so laaaaaazy this summer!
"Una Plegaria Más (Padre Nuestro)" by Fiel a la Vega
"Y es difícil admitir un fracaso y después venirnos a hablar de salvación yo sólo quiero hacer bien lo que hago y dejarme ya de tanta conversación Tú y yo sabemos que lo único que queda aquí es morir de pie..."
"And it's difficult to admit a failure and then come here to talk about salvation I only want to do what I do well and leave behind all the conversation. You and I know that the only thing that remains here is to die with dignity."
I had a date with A. last night. We went to the movies to watch Wanted, but it was sold out, so we settled on the latest Indiana Jones movie, which we both enjoyed, even though he hadn't seen any of the previous ones. After the movie, we hit up IHOP where our waiter totally flirted with A. much to my amusement. All in all, a good time. We have a lot in common, and it's just easy with him - no searching for topics of conversation, no awkwardness, no pressure, just a lot of laughing and talking. He's leaving for FL in July, and I'm on my way to Philly in August, so this will be short lived, but it's been fun.
Other than that, it's the usual.
This is the first weekend in about a month that I don't have any plans and it feels GOOD. I've been cleaning up at a nice leisurely pace in my sweats and Kanye T.
I've been remembering today why I love Fiel a la Vega to no end: there's this insane poetry to their lyrics that I just can't get over.
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. "Encontrarte es una historia que hoy deberían publicar"
It's my favorite of their songs, though there was some stiff competition. It's about the quiet intimacy of love, about love easing our insecurities, about the day-to-day beauty of discovering another person.... Love it.
2. "Cositas Así"
The title of this blog came from this song, as did the quote at the top of the page. All the little things disappear before little things like these.... "Y decidí que sólo yo mismo puedo ser" (And I decided I can only be myself) and "Lejos de mí las estrellas quedarán pues sólo así las puedo ver brillar" (The stars will remain far from me because that's the only way I'll see them shine) are the lines that I most love. It's a song about idealism tempered by reality - the kind of thing I get.
3. "Solamente"
This could've easily been number one. From those opening chords, I get goosebumps. Few songs are this beautiful and deep. It's about all those secret things we want: those connections, that comfort, that renewal.... My favorite lines: "Y la felicidad a veces me está utópica, Señor, como un sueño de Marx, como una romántica canción, pero si acercas tus dedos de emancipación, liberas mi sed del dolor del sol." -- I'll try a translation, but there's so much you lose in English: "And sometimes happiness seems utopian to me, Lord, like a Marxist dream, or a romantic song, but if you come close with your emancipating fingers, you'll free my thirst from the pain caused by the sun." Yeah, so much better in Spanish....
4. "Boricua en la luna"
Because it's the culture that makes us Boricuas. People have asked how I can feel so Puerto Rican when I have lived off the island most of my life, and it's like this: I was raised Puerto Rican. It's the culture more than anything: calling everyone Mr. or Mrs., putting family above all else, a stirring of the soul when you hear La borinqueña.... "Y así le grito al villano, yo sería borincano aunque naciera en la luna." - I'd be Boricua even if I were born on the moon.
5. "Canción en la arena"
This is one of my ultimate summer songs. First of all, it's hilarious, second it's so chiiiiiill. My favorite part is the part where he talks about the guy in the Che Guevara shirt, and says, "poor Che doesn't know he ended up generating a whole lot of capital". Oh, the irony.... Haha!
6. "Elipsis de una fuga"
I don't love the video, but I love, love, love, this song. There's this subtle sexiness to it, although it's about protest and politics as well as about this relationship he's got going on. Like I said, these guys are poets.
7. "Septiembre Río Piedras"
Another highly political song.... I like the part about euthanizing democracy. The unfortunate thing is that it's what we live in so many parts of the world. I also like how he points out that we all come into the political process with our own pet issues. Finally, there're the references to Buddha, Christ, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Silvio Rodríguez, and Pablo Neruda. The words that they "bled" that we forget when it comes to fighting for what we believe....
8. "Mil canciones"
It's a song about knowing yourself, what you stand for; it's about growth. "Suman mil mis contradicciones; todas canto así" - My contradictions add up to a thousand; I sing them all this way. I feel you....
9. "Salimos de aquí"
A song that sums up the complicated duality of being Puerto Rican - the mix of the local culture and all that's imported, this balance of Spanish Caribbean and US protectorate, the autonomous and the dependent.... We are a mix, a hybrid, a culture between two worlds; and yet we are singular in our way of life, our language, our culture. At once hybrid and pure. This song gets all of that. It really does make your heart swell with pride.
10. "Voces de sol"
This is one that's so full of hope. You can just imagine these men and women - glowing because they're dressed in sunlight - walking towards justice and something beautiful.
Loved it when I first heard it, back in the late 90s and it's been in my head for the last few weeks. "I can still feel you just as close as skin/ Every now and then/ All by myself, in a crowded room, or my empty bed..../I thought I'd forget you/ But I guess I forgot to."
2. "Dreaming of You" by Selena
Brings back so many memories. Weren't all of us Latinos in the US Selena fans when this came out? So sad....
3. "I Could Fall in Love" by Selena
Yeah, that's two by Selena. But seriously, I love this one: "I could lose my heart tonight if you don't turn and walk away...."
4. "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ella Fitzgerald
You know, or anything else by her. Because she's amazing. No one sings like this these days.
5. "El breve espacio en que no estás" by Silvio Rodríguez
I'm a bit of a Silvio junkie - something I inherited from my (conservative, apolitical) father (go figure). It took me forever to narrow down my Silvio picks, but this has always been one of my favorites: "No es perfecta, mas se acerca a lo que yo simplemente soñé."
6. "Con diez años de menos" by Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés
He really is that brilliant: "Esta mujer me propone que salte y me estrelle, sólo para verle, sólo para amarle, sólo para serle, solo y no olvidarle." My dad and I were always fascinated by those lines. What poets, those two!
7. "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey The video is important because everyone told me that I looked like the girl in it when it came out. Mariah was so GOOD back then! I'll also admit that I'm a huge fan of the David Cook version, so I'll include that video here. But, seriously, check out the original, because that totally could've been a twelve year old me. ;)
8. "Tal vez es amor" by Chayanne
I remember being in the car with Titi Myrna when this one came on. I must've been about twelve, the cheesiness together with Chayanne's sexiness made it an instant favorite. "No sé decir lo que me gusta de ti, algo me mata pero me hace vivir: tal vez es amor."
9. "Moscas en la casa" by Shakira
This one, or anything else from the "¿Dónde están los ladrones?" album. This was probably the first Shakira song that I fell in love with, though, so I chose it, though I was seriously debating "Ciega Sordomuda" and "Ojos Así".... This was the album that shot her to international stardom, before the crazy curls and the blonde hair. She's so beautiful and young here....
10. "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJs
My sister and I had this one on repeat. It still makes me want to dance.
Stinkin' copyrights.... Check out the original video. I couldn't get enough of it: so much hotness!
12. "Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze
Even back then I could recognize a hot beat. ;)
13. "More than Words" by Extreme
My favorite of the one-hit wonders. I always remember my cousins singing along to this and saying something like: "zen ju gwouldn't have to say that ju love me, because I'd alreary know..." The "alreary" was my favorite. Aww, but the four of us girls would sit in Liliana's room and play this tape OUT!
14. "Súbete a mi moto" by Menudo
Waaaaaay back. You can't be Puerto Rican and born in the seventies or eighties and not remember Menudo. I had pencils, t-shirts, and all the records (yes, records) which I played non-stop on my Big Bird record player (it was yellow). There's video of me dancing to this classic. Someone should've fired their choreographer, though....
15. "Rush Rush" by Paula Abdul
My favorite Paula Abdul song EVER - this one and "Blowing Kisses in the Wind". Ha, ha. We were huge fans. The reason this video won is for the young Keanu Reeves (those EYES!) and the "Rebel Without a Cause" theme. Major points for any James Dean reference.
Bonus Pick: "I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me" by Expose
I used to cry listening to this one. How I identified with it at ten, I'll never know, but I loved it....
"Y duele porque fuiste todo lo que deseé un día Pero si no hay amor Sé que el deseo ya no bastaría, no oh! Sufriendo por todo el recuerdo Viviendo de remordimiento. Hoy ya me voy amor y desearé Que tengas un buen viaje y no lloraré Porque sé bien que yo intenté quererte Y le dije no a ser feliz Porque solo pensaba en tí Que yo aprendería A amarte como tú lo hacías Y debo decir adiós."
NOTE: Seriously, don't think too much about these. I'm just enjoying a little music late at night.
1. "Stereo" by John Legend
Frequent readers know that I love this man's eyes. BEAUTIFUL man! I'm a huge fan of this song, too. You know how you think you know someone because you listen to their music or see them on tv? And how you fall in love with that persona? He's so good at explaining that.
2. "No" by Shakira
I love Shaki. I love this song. Sad, but there's still a toughness.
3. "A la primera persona" by Alejandro Sanz
Another one of my favorite singers. There's a melancholy to this one that I just feel; it's like I don't even have to pay attention to the lyrics, it's in the tone of his voice, in the feel of the video, in the music itself. Love it.
4. "Through the Wire" by Kanye West
I heart him. Scratch that, I have a serious crush on this man. Y'all know. This is my second favorite of his songs (Number one is "Jesus Walks"). In anticipation of the concert, I'm getting a little Ye love....
5. "Dumb it Down" by Lupe Fiasco
Sharp critique of the current state of hip hop. This man is a genius. Also looking forward to seeing him on Saturday.
6. "Pa' ti no estoy" Rosana
One of those great kiss off songs. Here's the other thing I love: music in Spanish from the Canary Islands. There's a nice international vibe to her music, even if the videos are disgustingly cheesy.
7. "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus and Pliers
Hot, hot, hot. One of my all-time favorite songs to dance to. It's the sound of summer.
8. "Mi credo" by Tiziano Ferro and Pepe Aguilar
The sexy. Mmmmm, those voices.... This is one of those that I like in theory. It's nice to listen to, but I wouldn't actually live this one out, you know? A little over the top, but still a pretty song.
9. "Crossroads" by Tracy Chapman
I'm trying to protect what I keep inside. She's pretty much brilliant; her's is the kind of music that stands the test of time, you know?
10. "Frontin'" by Pharrell.
Classic. Nuff said.
As I'm looking back, it's pretty obvious that my musical tastes are pretty diverse.... I like MUSIC.
Some songs to sum up what's going through my head lately:
1. At the risk of sounding oh-so-cliché, "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
"I don't care what they say, I'm in love with you. They try to pull me away, but they don't know the truth.... You cut me open." Who can't identify with that at some point?
2. "I Want You" by Common
Repeat performance for this song. It's just so HOT. "A hint of perfume that reminds me of you...I hope the gods and the stars align me and you."
3. "Hoy me voy" by Juanes
"Tú no supiste valorar lo que en verdad de daba yo.... Coraje me faltó para dejarte, tengo miedo de no olvidarte y por eso de ti me despido." You didn't know how to appreciate what I gave you truly.... I lacked the courage to leave you, I'm afraid I won't be able to forget you and that's why I'm saying goodbye.
4. "Si no te hubieras ido" by Maná
This is the Maná version of a Marco Antonio Solís classic. Good stuff, this. "No hay nada más difícil que vivir sin ti." There's nothing harder than living without you.
