Brave - Sara Bareilles

I am loving this song Brave by Sara Bareilles at the moment. Catchy, pop-pish and inspirational.

Be brave! Say what you think or feel. After all, nobody can read your mind.

Another song - Jet Lag by Simple Plan

The song for the moment, which is so apt right now. For anyone who is either in a long distance relationship or whose partner is always flying. I have heard of this song before, but the lyrics never really registered in my mind until now.

Somehow I prefer the French version better. Maybe it is because it just sounds different. Plus they are from Quebec so they do speak French.

Enjoy. I don't want to be jet lag anymore though. Waiting...counting the days, hours and minutes till it will end.

Hmmm...just noticed the lead singer looked a bit like my Canadian pal. It's a common face in Canada :p

Music in my Life

The songs for 2012 to now.....

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years

Adele - Someone Like You

Beyonce - Dangerously In Love With You

Beyonce - Halo

Dan Smith - Baby Got Book

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful

Justin Bieber - As Long As You Love Me

Pitbull - Don't Stop The Party

Pink - Just Give Me A Reason

Pink - Try

Hmmm....that is about it for now...until more songs inspired my life.

Music: Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

Musician: Baz Luhrmann
Song: Everyone's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
Voice: Australian voice actor Lee Perry
Written by Chicago Tribune columnist, Mary Schmich, published on June 1, 1997.
The song was released in 1999 by Baz Luhrmann.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '97. Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering experience...
I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth;
oh, nevermind, you will not understand
the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can't grasp now,
how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are NOT as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that
worrying is as effective as trying to
solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real toubles in life are apt to be things
that never crossed your worried mind;
the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with your's.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy;
sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long, and in the end,
it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive.
Forget the insults.
If you suceed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters.
Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22
what they wanted to do with their lives;
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll divorce at 40.
Maybe you'll dance the funky chicken
on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
or berate yourself either - your choices are half chance,
so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can...
don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it...
it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance... even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines
they will only make you feel UGLY.

Brother and sister together we'll make it through.
Someday your spirit will take you and guide you there.
I know you've been hurting,
but I've been waiting to be there for you.
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can.

Get to know your parents,
you never know when they
might be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings;
they're your best link
to your past and the people
most likely to stick with you in the future

Understand that friends come and go,
but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in
geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths.
Prices will rise, Politicians will philander, you too will get old.
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young,
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble,
and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse;
but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair,
or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia;
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
from the disposal, wiping it off,
painting over the ugly parts,
and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Everybody's free. Everybody's free

I heard this song again a few months back but never really caught the title and I only managed to find time to google it today. It is so true - the lyrics. Pretty applicable to life.

So love yourself and enjoy your life. You have but one life to live it to the fullest, and to be true to yourself. Walking to your own drum beat and not to the constraints of society. Dance. Be free.

Kylie X 2008 Concert - 25 November

I was fortunate to have someone take me to Kylie X 2008 concert in Singapore about two Tuesdays ago. Such a short period of time and yet so much things happened since. It was almost full house. We were only let in at 8pm, the time the concert was to start. Obviously it would not be starting on time. This was taken around 810pm. There were not that many people yet as probably they were stuck outside trying to get in. I was at the East Entrance (apparently a few friends were also at the concert and at the East Entrance with 1 over at the North Entrance) Terrace block.

At 840pm, it was getting filled up now. There were more empty seats in the Arena block which was where the most expensive tickets were ($550 a piece!). While waiting for the concert to start, music was played to pump up the audience. The line for the ladies was unbelievably long! People were just milling around, waiting.

Cheers resounded when the camera panned onto three men in drag - Ivan Heng & company. Dressed like showgirls, I didn't really know who they were. Lol. But the two men in skirts next to me sure did. It drove home the fact that Kylie's music was like the anthem in gay clubs.

It finally started around 9pm. Making use of a big screen to complement the actions and dance on stage and two smaller screens to show what was happening on stage.

There she was. Alas, my camera did not have long range zoom. This was the best I could take.

I found the screens to be quite tiny to show the action on stage. Maybe it was also because I was seated higher up midway through the block. Or I need a new camera with better zoom as I saw another concert goer taking pictures with the zoom function and captured Kylie perfectly, as if she was standing right in front of her.

I enjoyed the concert - it was really a show production with the five costumes change (cheerleader with footballers, nautical theme, coachmen and society in the 19th Century...). After attending the last few concerts where music or the band was the focus, with hardly any costume change or drama, Kylie was refreshing for me :p

It was hard to believe she has been performing for 20 years. That was a whole lot of material she had to work with. She started off with the songs from the 2000 era, including "Can't Get You Outta My Head" delighting the crowd. This was the song which enabled her to break into the American market. Thus I forgot that AM hardly knew the other songs (being a Canadian et al) and basically spent the night observing the crowd which was whooping it up.

I kinda stopped following Kylie's music for a while (basically when I was living in Canada) and only started again after 2000 but I only know the songs which were played over the radio. So half the time I had no idea what songs she was singing. Lol. She interacted with the audience a lot, which was a nice touch.

It ended at 1015pm or so which was so soon. Guess I was used to the long concert by The Cure who played for 3 hours (and we left after 2 hours plus :p) and Manic Street Preachers. After a pretty long applause for an encore, Kylie obliged and sang another set of 2-3 songs. Asked for more encore and again she came back on stage. The 2nd encore was less prepared but it was nevertheless good. She finally ended with "I Should Be So Lucky" at around 1050pm.

Wonderful show. So different from the very first concert I attended which was Jason Donovan back in 1990. More glitz and drama.

Manic Street Preachers - 24 November

D asked me to go to Manic Street Preachers concert at Fort Canning Park as P could not make it. I didn't know much of Manic Street Preachers songs at all. Hahahahaha. I guess I am pretty much a pop music person or at least a Top 40 music listener. The days of me being passionate about all the bands, singers and songs and knowing every single details of them were long gone.

I only knew 2 songs. I didn't know the title for one song but the other was a cover of Rihanna's umbrella. And a few people actually opened their brollies and bopped along to the music. Sweet!

Not too bad, eh? The zoom to get a pic of the stage made it seemed like I was near. But we actually sat on the steps of the Sun-Rice building. There was a beer tent and Botak Jones stall selling mini burgers and cajun hot dog. The mini burger which was a decent regular size was awesome! Juicy beef patty with buttered toasted buns. Yummy! The hot dog which I shared with D was good but not as good as the burger.

I can't wait for the town Botak Jones to open so I can try the food from its outlet. Those in the suburbs are too inconvenient for me to get to.

Bitter:Sweet

I recently discovered music from Bitter:Sweet (band from US) and I love it! I first heard the song "Dirty Laundry" from a Jazz radio station in Canada and googled for it. Then I realized I actually heard a few of its songs - Bittersweet Faith from The Devil Wears Prada soundtrack, and a few others from various TV shows and commercials in North America.



Dirty Laundry



Bittersweet Faith

Actually after a while, you realized the songs are pretty similar due to the beats. But it sure makes an awesome lounge music, just to chill and relax with a glass of wine :)

Check out Bitter:Sweet website for more music and info.

Fergie - Labels or Love

Video from TonyBabyProductions on YouTube

I love this new updated theme song from Sex and the City movie!

Shopping for labels, shopping for love
Manolo and Louis, it’s all I’m thinking of
Shopping for labels, shopping for love
Manolo and Louis, it’s all I’m thinking of
1,2,1,2,3,4 turn the lights on

I already know what my addiction is
I be looking for labels, I ain’t looking for love
I shop for purses while I walk out the door
Don’t cry, buy a bag and then get over it
And, I’m not concerned with all the politics
It’s a lot of men I know I could find another

Oughta know that I’m always happy
when I walk out the store, store
I’m guessing Supercalifragi-sexy,
nothing to be playing with
I love him, hate him, kiss him,
just I’m trying to walk a mile in my kicks

Love’s like a runway but which one do I love more
No emotional baggage, just replace it with Dior
Love’s like a runway, so what’s all the fussing for
Let’s stop chasing them boys and shop some more
1,2,1,2,3,4 turn lights on

I know I might come off as negative
I be looking for labels, I ain’t looking for love
Relationships are often so hard to tame
A Prada dress has never broken my heart before
And, ballin’s something that my feet are with
I’mma do the damn thing, watch me do the damn thing
Cause I know that my credit card will help me put out the flames, flames
I’m guessing Supercalifragi-sexy, nothing to be playing with
I love him, hate him, kiss him,
just I’m trying to walk a mile in my kicks

Love’s like a runway but which one do I love more
No emotional baggage, just replace it with Dior
Love’s like a runway, so what’s all the fussing for
Let’s stop chasing them boys and shop some more
1,2,1,2,3,4 turn lights on

Gucci, Fendi, Prada purses, purchasing them finer things
Men they come a dime a dozen, just give me them diamond rings
I’m into a lot of bling, Cadallic, Chanel and Coach
Fellas boast but they can’t really handle my female approach
Buying things is hard to say
Rocking Christian Audigier, Manolo, Polo, taking photos in my Cartier
So we can’t go all the way, I know you might hate it but
I’m a shop for labels while them ladies lay and wait for love

Love’s like a runway but which one do I love more
No emotional baggage, just replace it with Dior
Love’s like a runway, so what’s all the fussing for
Let’s stop chasing them boys and shop some more
1,2,1,2,3,4 turn lights on

Shopping for labels, shopping for love
Manolo and Louis, it’s all I’m thinking of
Shopping for labels, shopping for love
Manolo and Louis, it’s all I’m thinking of
1,2,1,2,3,4 turn lights on

A Classic

This is so sweet, I was smiling the entire time I watched it. Who can ever forget the last dance in Dirty Dancing. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing to "The Time of My Life".

Plus all the other songs in the movie and the famous quote "Nobody puts Baby in the corner".

This is just magical! Sigh.

Bic Runga - Sway

I so love this song. It is so haunting. Took some time to find the song as some people have mislabeled it as sung by Liz Phair, which is not the case at all.

Lyrics:
Don't stray
Don't ever go away
I should be much to smart for this
You know it gets the better
Of me sometimes
When you and I collide
I fall into an ocean of you
Pull me out in time
Don't let me drown
Let me down
I say its all because of you and here I go
Losing my control
I'm practising your name
So I can say it to your face it doesn't seem right
To look you in the eye
And let all the things you mean to me
Come tumbling out my mouth indeed its time
Tell you why
I say its infinately true

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you

And there's no cure
And no way to be sure
Why everythings turned inside out
Instilling so much doubt
It makes me so tired
I feel so uninspired
My head is battling with my heart
My logic has been torn apart
And now
It all turns sour
Come sweeten
Every afternoon

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you
Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you
Its all because of you
Its all because of you

Lyrics - You Are My All in All

Lyrics
You are my strength when I am weak
you are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking you like a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus lamb of God
Holy is your name (2x)

Taking my cross my sin my shame
raising again I praise your name
you are my all in all
When I fall down you pick me up
when I run dry you fill my cup
You are my all in all

***********************************
One of my favorite worship songs which I had not listened to in a long time now.

(You Want To) Make A Memory - Bon Jovi

Another song which I like :)

(You Want To) Make A Memory - Bon Jovi

Hello again, it's you and me
Kinda always like it used to be
Sippin' wine, killing time
Trying to solve life's mysteries

How's your life, it's been a while
God it's good to see you smile
I see you reaching for your keys
Looking for a reason not to leave

If you don't know if you should stay
If you don't say what's on your mind
Baby just breathe
There's nowhere else tonight we should be

You wanna make a memory?

I dug up this old photograph
Look at all that hair we had.
It's bittersweet to hear you laugh
Your phone is ringing I don't wanna ask

If you go now, I'll understand
If you stay, hey, I've got a plan
We're gonna make a memory
You wanna steal a piece of time
You can sing the melody to me
And I can write a couple of lines

You wanna make a memory?

If you don't know if you should stay
And you don't say what's on your mind
Baby just breathe
There's nowhere else tonight we should be
We Should be

You wanna make a memory
You wanna steal a piece of time
You can sing the melody to me
And I can write a couple of lines

You wanna make a memory?
You wanna make a memory?

Over You - Daughtry

Another fine song to share. I love love love this song. There is another similar one, but I have not managed to catch the song title or singer. The problem when you listen to the radio and don't really pay attention.

Over You - Daughtry

Now that it's all said and done,
I can't believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down,
Like an old abandoned house.
What you said when you left
Just left me cold and out of breath.
I fell too far, was in way too deep.
Guess I let you get the best of me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

You took a hammer to these walls,
Dragged the memories down the hall,
Packed your bags and walked away.
There was nothing I could say.
And when you slammed the front door shut,
A lot of others opened up,
So did my eyes so I could see
That you never were the best for me.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.

Well, I never saw it coming.
I should've started running
A long, long time ago.
And I never thought I'd doubt you,
I'm better off without you
More than you, more than you know.
I'm slowly getting closure.
I guess it's really over.
I'm finally getting better.
And now I'm picking up the pieces.
I'm spending all of these years
Putting my heart back together.
Well I'm putting my heart back together,
'Cause I got over you.
Well I got over you.
I got over you.
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through,
I got over you.

Exotic/Sensual Dance - Look No Further

I dance, more specifically I bellydance. Besides that I have also learnt other forms of dance like hip-hop, jazz and adult ballet. I have tried salsa and somehow my knees refused to co-operate, so I could fake it if I have a great dance partner, but I don't really know the actual salsa besides some basic steps. I think I have also tried waltz, rhumba and cha-cha before, but those are so long ago and so basic I could barely remember. So anyway, I have decided to stick to bellydance as it suits my pace/body better :p Bruises on knees when doing floor-work for hip-hop is not fun at all.

I took up a course on sensual dance (similar to exotic dance) as I was curious to see what it entails. As the instructor also bellydances, the core was similar to what I know. The other difference was the adding on of lap-dancing, dancing with chairs/benches, against the wall/mirror, writhing on the floor as well as doing a strip-tease dance. Very ooomph!

Certain songs are sensual by nature with beats which are perfect for figure-8s, body waves and just making your bodies look like jello, soft and pliable and flexible.

Had nothing better to do, and so I was looking at YouTube and watching the mtvs of songs.

Pussycat Dolls - Buttons


A perfect example of exotic dance with its chair/lap dancing and bits of crawling on the floor. Reminded me of the dance class :p

Addictive feat. Rakim - Truth Hurts


Another bellydance favorite song for performing.

Sting feat Cheb Mami - Desert Rose


Fantastic bellydance song too :)

Beyonce feat. Shakira - Beautiful Liar

Another video to share :)



Nice middle-eastern influenced music, and some belly-dance movements. Beautiful, indeed! Always nice to see well-executed movements with proper isolations done. Watch for it at the end. Hip thrusts, a bit of maya, tummy roll etc.

Don't Write Me Off - Music and Lyrics

Another song from Music and Lyrics which I love. Who would have thought Hugh Grant can sing :p

I would melt into a puddle if a guy I like sing this to me. It is just so romantic and touching and funny.



Here is the lyrics for "Don't Write Me Off" by Hugh Grant

It’s never been easy for me to find the words to go along with the melody
But this time there’s actually something on my mind
so please forgive these few brave awkward lines
since I met you my whole life has changed
It’s not just my furniture you’ve rearranged
I was living in the past but somehow you’ve brought me back
and I haven’t felt like this since before Frankie said “Relax”

And Now I know based on my track record
I might not seem like the safest bet
All I’m asking you is don’t write me off just yet

For years I’ve been telling myself the same old story
that I’m happy to live off my so-called full of glories
But you’ve given me a reason to take another chance
now I need you despite the fact that you’ve killed all my plants

And Now I know I’ve already blown more chances than anyone should ever get
All I’m asking you is don’t write me off just yet
Don’t write me off just yet

Way Back Into Love - Music and Lyrics

Hugh Grant & Haley Bennett




I so love the song "Way Back Into Love", especially the version by Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. The slicker version playing over the airwaves currently are by Hugh Grant and Haley Bennett.

Totally recommended Music and Lyrics for a light-hearted romantic comedy movie. Just a simple feel-good show, with many witty dialogues.

Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore (Demo Version)

Make My Day - Sarah Connor

I love this song and sure hope for the day I will get to meet a guy who will do that - make my day :)

Make My Day lyrics

Verse 1
Found a note layin' on the bedroom floor
Read it and felt my emotions start to soar
It said, „Follow all the signs that lead ya down the hall
Be ready for a sweet surprise“
Excitement was risin' up with every stride
Couldn't help smilin', I felt joy inside
You always find a way to take my spirits high
Could not believe my eyes

Cause I saw - you
In the doorway
Breakfast - burnt
What could I say
It was - like
In the Movies

Chorus
Boy
You make my day
(With every little thing you do)
Make my day
(With every loving word from you)
Make my day
(You always seem to find a way)
Make my day
(Every moments like a holiday)
Make my day
(Every time that you walk in the room)
Make my day
(Every night I'm lyin' next to you)
Make my day
(Every morning when you're by my side)
Boy you make my day

Verse 2
One of those days nothing goin' right
Workin' my butt until late at night
Bout to tell my boss he can take a hike
When I got a call from you
Short time later all my work is done
Packed my things up and I was on the run
Straight to you like a shot from a gun
I unlocked the door and

I saw - you
With red roses
Iced Champagne
Candelabras
Bubble Bath
I'm T.K.O.

Boy you make my day

So listen girls
If U got some one who will treat you right
Won't run around all night
You need to hold on tight don't let him go
Better yet girls let him know, he is worth gold
Boys don't come like that on every corner

Chorus

Old Songs

Maybe I have been listening to old songs or songs of my time - the 80s and early 90s. Power98 has been playing them now, with an hour of "retro" music at night and then on and off during the morning and day.

Anyhow, some songs started playing in my head. Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Johnny Hates Jazz, etc. OMG! I am old now. Haha. Perfect 10 98.7 is too noisy for me. I specifically requested my colleagues not to play that station as it is too noisy for me to concentrate on work as the radio is next to me :p So now it is on Class 95. Still not my fave station but at least it is tolerable.

A few of my fave "old" songs:
Gift of Love - Bette Midler
When You Tell Me You Love Me - Diana Ross
If We Hold On - Diana Ross
Lost in Your Eyes - Debbie Gibson
Africa - Toto
Kokomo - Beach Boys
Two Steps Behind - Def Leppard
Creep - Radiohead
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
All This Time - Tiffany
Babe - Take That
Shout - Tears for Fears
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Westlife/Bonnie Tyler
Valentine - Martina McBride
Hard to say I am sorry - Chicago
Manic Monday - Bangles
All This Time - Tiffany
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Fading Like A Flower - Roxette
Fallen - Lauren Woods
Orinoco Flow - Enya
Angelia - Richard Marx
Superwoman - Karyn White
You're The Inspiration - Chicago

There are lots more but I can't recall them now. Of course I love all songs by NKOTB, Tommy Page, Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue...the teeny boppers time. Ahhhh....memories of real pop music. Diet of UK music, espeically by SAW productions. Lol. Who can forget Big Fun, Sonia, Bros, JD, KM, Rick Astley, etc. The lip synching incident of Milli Vanilli. Vanilla Ice (hey, I actually went to his concert on my own :p), Paul Lekakis (he's so cute!), Kon Kan, Fine Young Cannibals, Madonna, Samantha Fox, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Belinda Carlisle, Bananarama...

Nostalgia indeed.

In The End - Linkin Park

It starts with one thing
I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try keep that in mind
I designed this rhyme
To explain in due time
All I know
Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
It's so unreal
Didn't look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Trying to hold on, but didn't even know
Wasted it all just to watch you go
I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when

I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter

One thing, I don't know why
It doesn’t even matter how hard you try, keep that in mind
I designed this rhyme, to explain in due time
I tried so hard
In spite of the way you were mocking me
Acting like I was part of your property
Remembering all the times you fought with me
I'm surprised it got so (far)
Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then
But it all comes back to me (in the end)
You kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I

Chorus

I’ve put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
And for all this
There's only one thing you should know (2x) Chorus

Fed up with work, and this is such a great dance song, to get rid of any negative energy. I need the mp3 though.