Kimya Dawson - Same Shit/Complicated

I love this song, specially the lyrics. The reason i like Kimya Dawson is because she writes poems just the way i would like to write and she rhymes them as well. Also, her poems are incredibly personal and she does things that i would like to do in my life.  This song is from her latest album - Thunder highs. I saw her perform this song live and it was simply awesome. 

You were looking down at them, they were looking down at you.
You were starched and press, they were all disheveled.
They were holding hands, they were ragamuffins and 
they said "I know we're not fancy, but we're on the same level.
We've got plans, big plans we're gonna change the world.
All you care about is dollars, that doesn't make sense.
All you do is hit snooze, watch the news, buy shoes, drink booze, make money, feel spent.
Day after day after day, it's the same shit.
Day after day after day after day after day."
Then you looked at them without batting an eye and said
"Hey little hippie, let your freak flag fly. 
Why don't you go smoke a bowl in your best tie dye,
get a tattoo of a dancing bear holding a peace sign.
You can talk the talk but when it comes to real change, 
aren't you and all your little friends exactly the same?
You sit around at potlucks pointing fingers, placing blame, 
drinking kombucha, and eating tempeh.
Day after day after day, it's the same shit.
Day after day after day after day after day."
If you are judging them while they are judging you,
and you think that makes them assholes, maybe you're an asshole too.
Do we argue with each other 'til we both turn blue,
or find similarities in what we like and what we do?
Yeah, just because someone does not look like me
doesn't mean that they are a clone or a sheep.
Maybe they like their job and they're living their dream, 
and they love their friends and their family.
Some people thrive between nine and five, 
and feel like they're choking if their neck's not tied.
And some people feel as if they're gonna die
if their seams aren't straight and their shoes aren't tied.
Some people like business, some people like numbers, 
some people grow organic heirloom cucumbers, 
and only feel free with their hands in the dirt
in a pair of old jeans and their favorite t-shirt.
Some people feel enslaved when they have a boss, 
some people without one feel totally lost.
To make this world work it takes all different kinds.
We have all different tastes, different strengths, different minds,
so it doesn't make sense to generalize
and it doesn't make sense to judge with our eyes.
We need more compassion, we need to be kind
if you open your heart you might like what you find.
'Cause there are some mean bus drivers, but there's some nice bus drivers
and there are some nice cops in Madison, Wisconsin.
And there's some nice teachers, and there's some mean teachers,
just because you have a mean teacher doesn't mean all teachers suck.
and no one is nice all the time, no one is mean all the time
think about what someone's going through that's making them be mean to you
maybe their pet gerbil died and they are really sad inside, 
or maybe they got in a fight with someone that they really like,
maybe they are really shy and don't know to socialize
they just want to run and hide, not saying that it's justified
but if we learn to empathize the resentments will vaporize
situations metamorphize before out very eyes.
then the need to stereotype will become outdated when we realize everyone is really complicated.
We are all so complicated.
I am also complicated.
I'm a black mama lactivist, a home-owning punk.
It's been over a decade since the last time I got drunk.
I drive a minivan, I've got junk in the trunk.
I think Danny Devito is a total hunk.
I like revisiting the shit my therapist helps me remember.
Being friends with someone for a long time, still not knowing their gender.
I fight for equal rights and I fight for inner peace.
I pray to the dead for the gratitude I need.
I've got chickens in my backyard and a little garden plot,
I really hate commercials but I got a slap-chop.
I'm a sucker for a remix, let me tell you what,
by the time that I am finished, you're gonna love these nuts.
I'm a little bit pop culture, a lot bit D.I.Y.,
I don't know the definition of T.M.I.
I write poems about my period, post pictures of my log,
if you don't like body functions then you shouldn't read my blog.
My husband's a musician from the mountains in France,
he wrote me a song, we did interpretive dance,
then he knocked me up, now we have the coolest kid,
yeah, hooking up with him's the smartest thing I ever did.
Now I feel like I can fly when I'm on roller skates,
I get a little high when I eat dried dates,

I feel like unloading when i'm loading up the car,

I feel like time exploding when holding my guitar.

I don't understand what numbers have to do with success.

or what sales have to do with happiness,

unless they're the kind of sails that will carry me to sea,

where my grandma and grandpa are waiting for me.

I never thought I'd make it to 25, now I'm 37 and I'm glad that I'm alive.

If I ever need a tour bus I'm still gonna drive,

cause I looking out the windshield as the world goes by,

looking out the windshield as the world goes by.

Now I'm 37 and I'm glad that I'm alive

and I like looking out the windshield as the world goes by.

Scala & Kolacny Brothers

If i give you a song and ask you to listen to it and now compose it differently, what would you do?
Have you ever tried? I have and have found it to be very difficult.

Recently i stumbled on Scala and Kolacny Brothers (Thanks to a link shared by Vishal Srivastav on Facebook). Wiki page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scala_%26_Kolacny_Brothers

From the songs that i have heard, they have a uniq genre of their own, a very classic genre that is lost now a days - they take songs and compose them in an operatic manner. Scala and Kolcany bothers is a Beligian girls choir. Their music yet has not touched deeply but this post is just to remember their style, a very creative approach and it takes time to understand true creativity.

It is so great to listen to these artists, bands from different countries. Last post was about Bjork who is from Iceland, this band is from Belgium. Enjoy the song Creep by them. Lyrics and video is below. The song was originally composed by Radiohead, you can see the difference.


When you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You're so fucking special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts
I want to have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice when I'm not around
You're so fucking special
I wish I was special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell I'm doing here?
I don't belong here

She's running out the door
She's running out
She runs runs runs

Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so fucking special
I wish I was special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't belong here





Other songs to try out
Bitter Sweet symphony - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulqsjl1wfDE&feature=related
California Dreamin' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXdqqCegZ-A&feature=related
Every breath you take (Very nicely done) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZICJ2ZPh63Y&feature=related
Smells like teen spirit (Interesting take) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui2a2KTx60s&feature=related

I've seen it all

Music, after a long time a post about music. There has been a lot of music in last month, i am going to write 3-4 posts about some of the music that has got me hooked.

It starts with I've seen it all. Got to know after watching the trailer of Dancer in the Dark, have not seen the movie yet but soon i will see it. My best source of music has been movie OSTs . Movies is such an amazing artform that can combine both visual and audio.

I've seen is sung my Bjork. I have not heard her other songs but i am going to soon. She has a very unique style of singing the song, quite creative. She makes the words stand out and the lyrics are very very good. Lyrics that make you hear the song again and again. Here is the video and lyrics :

"I've Seen It All"

I've seen it all, I have seen the trees,
I've seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze
I've seen a man killed by his best friend,
And lives that were over before they were spent.
I've seen what I was - I know what I'll be
I've seen it all - there is no more to see!

You haven't seen elephants, kings or Peru!
I'm happy to say I had better to do
What about China? Have you seen the Great Wall?
All walls are great, if the roof doesn't fall!

And the man you will marry?
The home you will share?
To be honest, I really don't care...

You've never been to Niagara Falls?
I have seen water, its water, that's all...
The Eiffel Tower, the Empire State?
My pulse was as high on my very first date!
Your grandson's hand as he plays with your hair?
To be honest, I really don't care...

I've seen it all, I've seen the dark
I've seen the brightness in one little spark.
I've seen what I chose and I've seen what I need,
And that is enough, to want more would be greed.
I've seen what I was and I know what I'll be
I've seen it all - there is no more to see!

You've seen it all and all you have seen
You can always review on your own little screen
The light and the dark, the big and the small
Just keep in mind - you need no more at all
You've seen what you were and know what you'll be
You've seen it all - there is no more to see!







There are multiple renditions of this song by Bjork but i find the one used in the movie to be the best.

chhai chappa chhai

छई छप्पा छई छप्पा के छई
पानियों में छीटें उड़ाती हुई लड़की
देखी है हमने
आती हुई लहरों पे जाती हुई लड़की

छई छप्पा छई छप्पा के छई
कभी कभी बातें तेरी अच्छी लगती है
फिर से कहना
आती हुई लहरों पे जाती हुई लड़की

ढूंडा करेंगे तुम्हें सारी रोंतें हम
रेगते ही पैरों के मोहरे न छोड़ना
नहीं
ढूंडा करेंगे तुम्हें सारी रोंतें हम
रेगते ही पैरों के मोहरे न छोड़ना

सारा दिन लेटे लेटे सोचेगा समुन्दर
आते जाते लोगों से पूछेगा समुन्दर
साहिब रुकिए ज़रा
अरे देखी किसी ने
आती हुई लहरों पे जाती हुई लड़की

छई छप्पा छई छप्पा के छई
कभी कभी बातें तेरी अच्छी लगती है

लिखते रहें हैं तुम्हें रोज़ ही मगर
ख्वाइशों के ख़त कभी भेजे ही नहीं,
नहीं
लिखते रहें हैं तुम्हें रोज़ ही मगर
ख्वाइशों के ख़त कभी भेजे ही नहीं,

ऐनक लगा के कभी पढ़ना वोह छिटियाँ
आँखों के पानी में रखना वोह छिटियाँ
तैरती नज़र आएगी जनाब

ओह देखा
आती हुई लहरों पे जाती हुई लड़की

छई छप्पा छई छप्पा के छई
पानियों में छीटें उड़ाती हुई लड़की
देखी है हमने
आती हुई लहरों पे जाती हुई लड़की

छई छप्पा छई छप्पा के छई
कभी कभी बातें तेरी अच्छी लगती है






Its been a long time since Gulzaar sahab appeared on this blog. I was really missing him. And then yesterday while eating dinner at Chat House, they were playing chhai chappa chaai. And after that, it was humming in my ears for the entire night, even while sleeping. And so here i am, sitting at 6:20 am writing lyrics for this song. Music is by Vishal Bhardwaj and it is somehow very difficult to imagine this song without his music. aur us par lata ji ki shararat waali awaz, she is so playful in this song. And look how cleverly Vishal uses the pause at "nahin" in second and third stanzas. And in between the lyrics, there is the Rahman-ish use of non meaningful words such as lara lara lara.

par jitna bhi bol lo, gaane ke bol ki baat hi kuch aur hai. gaur farmaiye

lete lete sochega samundar
and after listening to this line, mind visualizes the sea and yes woh leta hua hai. and you smile.

aur khwaishon ke khat kabhi bheje hi nahin. kya baat hai! Again in a blog with title Hazarron khwaishien aisi, khwaishon ke khat makes so much sense and gives so much joy to read this line, to listen this line.


Bahut khoob Gulzar sahab!!

Zindagi se darte ho

Just came back after watching Peepli live (review in another post). But at the end of the movie, while the casting and other information comes, there is a song performed by Indian ocean - Zondagi se darte ho.
The movie was good but this song in the end. everyone in the theater had left except four people, all listening to this Indian ocean song. I think this is definitely one of the best songs of this year for me. And Indian Ocean is definitely my favorite band now. They are able to bring the raw energy, the passion into these songs, it just makes you stand up and run! Yes run!

The song is written by Noon Meem Rashid.
Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noon_Meem_Rashid

I got the lyrics from this page http://dastangoi.blogspot.com/2010/07/zindagi-se-darte-ho.html


Zindagi se Darte ho

Zindagi se darte ho (4)
Zindagi to tum bhi ho (2)
Zindagi to hum bhi hain
Aadmi se darte ho (2)
Aadmi to tum bhi ho (2)
Aadmi to hum bhi hain
Tum abhi se darte ho

Aadmi zabaan bhi hai
Aadmi bayaan bhi hai (2)

Harf aur maani ke rishta haaye aahan se
Aadmi hai waabasta
Aadmi ke daaman se zindagi hai waabasta
Us se tum nahi darte ho (2)

Ankahi se darte ho
Jo abhi nahi aayi
Us gharri ki aamad ki
Aagahi se darte ho
Tum abhi se darte ho

Pehle bhi to guzre hain (2)
Daur na rassai ke
Be-riya khudaai ke
Phir bhi yeh samajhte ho (2)
Hech aarzumandi
Yeh shab e zubaan bandi
Hai rah e khudaawandi
Tum yehi samajhte ho

Tum mager yeh kya jaano
Lab agar nahi hilte
Haath jaag uthte hain
Haath bol uthte hain
Subh ki azaan ban kar

Roshni se darte ho
Roshni to tum bhi ho
Roshni to hum bhi hain
Tum abhi se darte ho

Raah- e- shauq mein jaise
rahru ka khoon lapke
Ek nayaa junoon lapke
Aadmi chhalak uthe
Aadmi hanse dekho
shaher phir base dekho
Tum abhi se darte ho (4)

ZINDAGI SE DARTE HO-THE SECOND COMING

Afraid of Life, are you
You too are life
We too are life
Afraid of Man, are you
You too are human
We too are human
Afraid already are you

Man is speech
Man is expression too

To the iron bond
Uniting utterance and meaning
Man is joined
Tied to his sleeves is Life
Not afraid of that

Afraid of the unsaid
Afraid of the moment
That has not yet arrived
Afraid of the awareness
Of the coming of that moment
Afraid already

We have seen the times
Before
Of inaccessibility
Of guileless divinity
And yet you believe
To desire is worthless
This night of silenced tongues
Is the path
To divinity

How will you know though
That if lips don’t move
Hands begin to stir
Hands begin to call
Like the Azan at dawn

Afraid of Light
You too are light
We too are light
Afraid of light

As in the journey of love
The traveler’s blood soars
A new passion leaps
Man boils over
Man laughs, look
The city is reborn
Afraid already
-Translated by Mahmood Farooqui with inputs from SR Faruqi


Now some videos

Indian ocean live performance : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0sxapniwqI&feature=related



Sung by Zia Mohi ud Din



And by Noon Meem himself



More research is needed about Noon Meem Rashid.


zindagi se darte ho, zindagi to tum bhi ho, zindagi to hum bhi hain.

kya baat hai! and in the end it says - tum abhi se darte ho!

You are afraid of now!

Hai pyar to musafir

Music! Yes, music was missing from this blog for a long time and what a way it has chosen to come back. Randomly, i started listening to Shubha mudgal and i came across this song - Hai Pyar to Musafir from the album ab ke saavan. And i was hooked. The lyrics, the way it is sung, the tempo increase. Kya baat hai! And the lyrics...... so many songs about love are there, yet this one finds a unique spot (well it is not ishtehaar level, ek kudi jiska naam muhabbat) but it is definitely at just one level down.

And Shubhaji ji awaaz....kya awaaz hai! FYI, she used to blog too. Her site is http://shubhamudgal.com/


Music can be downloaded from here - http://www.dishant.com/mailsong/8563.html

kab aaye kab jaaye kahan thehre kya khaye
Hai pyar to musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye
naraaz hota hai, ukta jaata hai
kaun jaane kiski baaton mein aata hai
bas uthta hai chala jaata hai
kitna koi roke, kitna samjhaye
Hai pyar to musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye


kab aaye kab jaaye kahan thehre kya khaaye
Hai pyar to musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye
naraaz hota hai ukta jaata hai
kaun jaane kiski baaton mein aata hai
bas uthta hai chala jaata hai
kitna koi roke, kitna samjhaye
Hai pyar to musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye


kabhi umar bhar intezaar karwaaye
kabhi darwaaze pe khada muskuraye
gali gali sheher sheher tehelta rehta hai
na kuch sunta hai, na kuch kehta hai
phir bhi baithe hain sab aas lagaye
kya pata kab kiski rah mein aa jaye
Hai pyar to musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye


Na rupya na paisa jo koi kamaye
na sharbat na paani jo koi bahaye
na dhoop na batti jo koi jalaye
na rekha na kundali jo koi padhaye
na mandir na masjid jo koi banaye
man se hi nikle aur man mein hi samaye
Hain pyar toh musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye
Hain pyar toh musafir, marzi se aaye jaaye

कब आये कब जाए कहाँ ठहरे क्या खाए
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए
नाराज़ होता है , उकता जाता है
कौन जाने किसकी बातों में आता है
बस उठता है चला जाता है
कितना कोई रोके , कितना समझाए
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए

कब आये कब जाए कहाँ ठहरे क्या खाए
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए
नाराज़ होता है उकता जाता है
कौन जाने किसकी बातों में आता है
बस उठता है चला जाता है
कितना कोई रोके , कितना समझाए
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए


कभी उमर भर इंतज़ार करवाए
कभी दरवाज़े पे खड़ा मुस्कुराये
गली गली शहर शहर ठहलता रहता है
न कुछ सुनता है , न कुछ कहता है
फिर भी बैठे हैं सब आस लगाये
क्या पता कब किसकी रह में आ जाये
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए


न रुपया न पैसा जो कोई कमाए
न शरबत न पानी जो कोई बहाए
न धुप न बत्ती जो कोई जलाये
न रेखा न कुंडली जो कोई पढाये
न मंदिर न मस्जिद जो कोई बनाये
मन से ही निकले और मन में ही समाये
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए
है प्यार तो मुसाफिर , मर्ज़ी से आये जाए

Hem (the band)

Myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/hem

How i discovered this band -

It started with this Liberty mutual ad -


And then i thought - geez! that was a good song. who is that ? Couple of google searches and i get that the band is Hem and the song is Half acre. The video is here -


Lyrics are -
I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
And folded in this scrap of paper
Is the land I grew in

Think of every town you've lived in
Every room you lay your head
And what is it that you remember

Do you carry every sadness with you
Every hour your heart was broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with you

A man is walking on the highway
A woman stares out at the sea
And light is only now just breaking

So we carry every sadness with us
Every hour our hearts were broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with us

But I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
I am carrying this scrap of paper

That can crack the darkest sky wide open
Every burden taken from me
Every night my heart unfolding


Hem's wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hem_%28band%29

Two songs

Two songs -

I end my today's blogging streak with these two songs. So many days, so many hrs, i have heard these tracks repeatedly. Gems! Wahan Kaun hai tera and Chalo Dildaar chalo

vahaan kaun hai tera, musaafir, jaayega kahaan
dam lele ghadi bhar, ye chhaiyaan, paayega kahaan
vahaan kaun hai tera, musaafir, jaayega kahaan
vahaan kaun hai tera.....................

beet gaye din, pyaar ke palchhin
sapna bani woh raaten
bhuul gaye woh, tu bhi bhula de
pyaar ki woh mulaaqaaten,
pyaar ki woh mulaaqaaten
sab door andhera, sab door andhera,
musaafir jaayega kahaan

koi bhi teri, raaha naa dekhe
nain bichhaaye naa koi
dard se tere, koi naa tadpa
aankh kisi ki naa royi,
aankh kisi ki naa royi
kahe kisko tu meraa, kahe kisko tu meraa,
musaafir jaayegaa kahaan
ho o  o  o, musaafir, tu jaaye gaa kahaan

kahate hai gyaani, duniya hai faani
paani pe likhi likhaayi
hai sabki dekhi, hai sabki jaani
haath kisike naa aayi
haath kisike naa aayi
kuchh teraa naa meraa, kuchh teraa naa meraa,
musaafir jaayegaa kahaan

chalo diladaar chalo chaa.Nd ke paar chalo
ham hai.n taiyaar chalo

(aao kho jaae.n sitaaro.n me.n kahii.n) \- 2
chho.D de.n aaj ye duniyaa ye zamii.n, duniyaa ye zamii.n
chalo diladaar...

(ham nashe me.n hai.n sambhaalo hame.n tum) \- (2)
nii.nd aatii hai jagaa lo hame.n tum, jagaa lo hame.n tum
chalo diladaar...

(zi.ndagii khatm bhii ho jaaye agar) \- (2)
na kabhii khatm ho ulfat kaa safar, ulfat kaa safar
chalo diladaar...

Kate and Anna McGarrigle

How do i find songs? Some people have asked me. My answer is very simple - I am always ready to try new songs. Through facebook/social networks, through freinds recommendation, radio, tv, movies and random surfing. But of all the above, i think movies stand out the most. Most of my fav songs are OSTs of some movies and i think everytime i hear them, it reminds me of the movie which gives me an extra layer of sub conscious association with the song.

In this case, i heard about Kate and Anna McGarrigle 3 days ago on NPR radio. And it was on NPR radio because Kate had died the day before. Sad but then they played one of their songs and i had to probe further. While i do not know which song they played, i think this youtube video/songs tells a lot about their genre.
The song is Hard Times Come Again no More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YrfLnlrquo

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears,
While we all sup sorrow with the poor;
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;
Oh Hard times come again no more.
Chorus:

Tis the song, the sigh of the weary,
Hard Times, hard times, come again no more
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
Oh hard times come again no more.

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay,
There are frail forms fainting at the door;
Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say
Oh hard times come again no more.
(Chorus)

There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away,
With a worn heart whose better days are o'er:
Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,
Oh hard times come again no more.
(Chorus)

Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,
Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore
Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave
Oh hard times come again no more.
(Chorus)

Bob Dylan - Blowing in the wind

While sharing songs on this blog, i have generally refrained from sharing songs that are extremely good but they are in common - the idea there has been why share something that everyone knows about. Example of this is Rahman's Roja, it is cult but everyone knows about it.

While the above is true, on another hand is that it takes time for one to appreciate the greatness behind a song or an artist. First timers may feel something good but it is not until you have listened 100s of times, you can understand the so called "cultness". Bob Dylan is one such example. I have known that he is a genius for some time now but it was only recently, after i bought the CD - The Best of Bob Dylan and listened to it over and over again, i now realize that his songs are truely beautiful. I am copying one of his most popular songs - Blowing in the wind. The lyrics carry the Gulzaar-ish kind of style :), One of the features of Bob Dylan is that in many of his songs, he is able to make them lines rhyme with each other. Quite interesting how he does it.

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, n how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, n how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before theyre forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, n how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, n how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before its washed to the sea?
Yes, n how many years can some people exist
Before theyre allowed to be free?
Yes, n how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesnt see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.

Jai Ho Oscars 2009

Yes, i watched the whole oscars yesterday. I just had to watch it. 2 reasons : (1) Rahman was going to win and (2) Kate winslet was going to win.

I had no doubts in either case. Kate got her first win on her 6th nomination. But she really couldn't be ignored this year. I have seen The Reader and i have loved it. Her performance was brilliant and no one could have taken it away from her this time. As someone who had watched almost all her movies, the way she pulls out these complex characters with such ease, it makes each and every scene enjoyable. And she was introduced nicely by Marion Cotillard and her acceptance speech was also quite good.

And now coming back to Rahman, i can't believe he said "mere paas maa hai" at the oscars. It was so hilarious. He spoke hindi, tamil and english. But the biggest revealation to me was that the song Jai Ho was penned by none other than Gulzar sahab. So my first task of this morning was to read his lyrics. One thing that Rahaman does to me is that he often makes lyrics of a song go in background because of his music. There are so many songs composed by him for which i just remember the tune but no words. Examples include - Dil se, Chaiya chaiya, aye udi udi, and now jai ho. But there are also some songs whose lyrics are put in front only by his mucic, examples are Ae ajnabi, jaage rahe, bahrat humko etc.


Jai Ho Jai Ho Jai Ho Jai Ho
Aaja Aaja Jind Shamiyane Ke Tale
Aaja Jariwale Nile Aasman Ke Tale
Jai Ho Jai Ho


Ratti Ratti Sachi Maine Jaan Gawayi Hai
Nach Nach Koylon Pe Raat Bitayi Hai
Akhiyon Ki Neend Maine Phoonko Se Uda Di
Neele Neele Tare Maine Ungli Jalayi Hai
Aaja Aaja Jind Shamiyane Ke Tale
Aaja Jariwale Nile Aasman Ke Tale
Jai Ho Jai Ho


Baila! Baila!
(Dance! Dance!)

Ahora conmigo, tu baila para hoy
(Now with me, you dance for today)

Por nuestro dia de movidas,
(For our day of moves,)

los problemas los que sean
(whatever problems may be)

Salud!
(Cheers!)

Baila! Baila!
(Dance! Dance!)
Jai Ho Jai Ho
Jai Ho Jai Ho

Chakh Le Ho Chakh Le Ye Raat Shahad Hai Chakh Le
Rakh Le Haan Dil Hai Dil Aakhri Had Hai Rakh Le
Kala Kala Kajal Tera Koi Kala Jadoo Hai Na

Kala Kala Kajal Tera Koi Kala Jadoo Hai Na
Aaja Aaja Jind Shamiyane Ke Tale
Aaja Jariwale Nile Aasman Ke Tale, Jai Ho, Jai Ho
Jai Ho Jai Ho
Jai Ho Jai Ho
Jai Ho Jai Ho
Jai Ho Jai Ho ....
Kab Se Ha Kab Se Jo Lab Pe Ruki Hai Keh De
Keh De Ha Keh De Ab Aankh Jhuki Hai.. Keh De

Aisi Aisi Roshan Aankhe Roshan Do Do Bhi Hai Hai Kya
Aaja Aaja Jind Shamiyane Ke Tale
Aaja Jariwale Nile Aasman Ke Tale
Jai Ho Jai Ho
Jai Ho Jai Ho


I have bold my fav lines. "Raat shehed(honey) hai, chakh le" ....that has Gulzar stamped all over it. This song also has some lines from foreign language. The music blends it so perfectly that it never got my attention.

PS: Paper planes by MIA is getting better with each listening :)

लकडी की काठी

लकडी की काठी काठी पे घोडा
घोडे की दुम पे जो मारा हथोड़ा
दौडा दौडा दौडा घोडा दुम उठा के दौडा

घोडा पहुँचा चौक में चौक में था नाइ
घोडेजी की नाइ ने हजामत जो बनाई
चग बग चग बग चग बग चग बग
घोडा पहुँचा चौक में चौक में था नाइ
घोडेजी की नाइ ने हजामत जो बनाई
दौडा दौडा दौडा घोडा दुम उठा के दौडा
लकडी की काठी काठी पे घोडा
घोडे की दुम पे जो मारा हथोड़ा
दौडा दौडा दौडा घोडा दुम उठा के दौडा


घोडा था घमंडी पहुँचा सब्जी मंडी
सब्जी मंडी बरफ पड़ी थी बरफ में लग गई ठंडी
चग बग चग बग चग बग चग बग
घोडा था घमंडी पहुँचा सब्जी मंडी
सब्जी मंडी बरफ पड़ी थी बरफ में लग गई ठंडी
दौडा दौडा दौडा घोडा दुम उठा के दौडा
लकडी की काठी काठी पे घोडा
घोडे की दुम पे जो मारा हथोड़ा
दौडा दौडा दौडा घोडा दुम उठा के दौडा

घोडा अपना तगड़ा है देखो कितनी चरबी है
चलता है मेहरौली में पर घोडा अपना अरबी है
चग बग चग बग चग बग चग बग
घोडा अपना तगड़ा है देखो कितनी चरबी है
चलता है मेहरौली में पर घोडा अपना अरबी है
लकडी की काठी काठी पे घोडा
घोडे की दुम पे जो मारा हथोड़ा
दौडा दौडा दौडा घोडा दुम उठा के दौडा

Lyrics by Gulzaar sahab (wah sahab wah!, shukriya)
Music by R.D Burman
Movie Masoom by Shekhar Kapoor

I was reading Gulzaar sahab's interview and he said that of all things he likes to write children songs like the one above. Today i remembered it and began to dissect this song. Its a gem but credit should also go to Burman.

Above are the lyrics of the song and i have bolded the main lines of the song. I typed the whole song in hindi. Rest are just repetitions (chorus). There is one mukhda and only 3 stanzas after it, each of 2 lines. Thats it! How cleverly Burman has shaped them into a song. This song is again a coming together of geniuses each in their own art and making a masterpiece.

Listen to this song and other children songs here : Dhingana

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian rhapsody

Carmina Burana

What does Old spice, LOTR, Enigma, matrix, have in common?
Ans: Carmina Burana, particularly O Fortuna!

Wondering what it is, Carmina Burana is a manuscript collection of latin songs. Music for these songs was composed by Carl Orff. The first and last song of the collection is O Fortuna. It is this song that is heard in the Old spice ad, in Enigma's album and used as background scores in the movie LOTR and matrix.

A bit of history:
In 1847, a musicologist called Johann Andreas Schmeller discovered a collection of 13th Century songs called Carmina Burana, meaning 'Songs of Beuern', in the Benedictine monastery of Benediktbeuern in southern Bavaria, Germany. (Beuern is the name of the village where the monastery was situated.) Most of the songs were in Latin, but some were in an archaic form of German. The songs were about drinking, love, sex and the overbearing burden of fate. They appear to have been the work, not of the Benedictine monks, but of a roving band of monks and clerics known as the Goliards, who were rebels against the authority of the Church. They were more interested in drinking and debauchery than in prayer and sanctity. They lived by the principle, 'Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die'. The Goliards were outlawed by the Church in a series of edicts and laws over the course of the 13th Century, culminating in them being 'defrocked'; that is, stripped of any official status, in 1300 at Cologne.

Schmeller published the songs, but nothing much further was heard of them for nearly a century. In 1935, the German composer Carl Orff (1895-1982) came across the collection and was immediately intrigued by the songs. Reading through the words was a revelation. Orff decided to write a massive work for choir and orchestra with a selection of these songs as the basis. Rather than using the melodies from the manuscript, he wrote his own new ones to fit the words, and orchestrated the whole piece for a 20th Century orchestra.

Plagiarized from here.

O Fortuna (Chorus)

English translation

O Fortuna velut luna statu variabilis, semper crescis aut decrescis; vita detestabilis nunc obdurat et tunc curat ludo mentis aciem, egestatem, potestatem dissolvit ut glaciem. Sors immanis et inanis, rota tu volubilis, status malus, vana salus semper dissolubilis, obumbrata et velata michi quoque niteris; nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris. Sors salutis et virtutis michi nunc contraria, est affectus et defectus semper in angaria. Hac in hora sine mora corde pulsum tangite; quod per sortem sternit fortem, mecum omnes plangite!

O Fortune, like the moon you are constantly changing, ever waxing and waning; hateful life first oppresses and then soothes as fancy takes it; poverty and power it melts them like ice. Fate - monstrous and empty, you whirling wheel, you are malevolent, well-being is vain and always fades to nothing, shadowed and veiled you plague me too; now through the game I bring my bare back to your villainy. Fate is against me in health and virtue, driven on and weighted down, always enslaved. So at this hour without delay pluck the vibrating strings; since fate strikes down the strong man, everyone weep with me!

Complete translation can be found here : http://web.comhem.se/hansdotter/carmina.html

Once

Once in a while there comes a movie like "Once" which just refreshes you, makes your day and leaves memories forever.
16 hrs ago i heard the song falling slowly 10th time and then went on to blog it here yesterday. Next thing, i downloaded a torrent for the movie and enqueued it. It was going on slowly and had to keep it on for the night. After waking up, the movie was downloaded but it was a spanish dubbed version. fuck it!, searched another torrent and then after 4 more hrs, it was done. Then followed an hr of tussle to wait and watch the movie at night but patience was unbearable (Movies are somehow better in the peace of night). So here i am 100 mins later and yes, i have watched Once.

Its beautiful! Simple, plain and brilliant! Its a love story of two ordinary people who love music. Music in the movie is Irish as is the location. I have heard Irish music in movies only and i have loved them. Other Irish movies that i recommend are - Evelyn and Cold mountain. Since i am an Indian and Indian movies are filled with the above two ingredients - love and music, its surprising that i love this movie way better than all of them. This is definitely my #2 best love story movie, the first spot is taken by Before sunset.

I was watching Tarantino's review the other day on Chungking express and he says that he hasn't met a person who has watched Chungking express and do not have a crush on Faye Wong's character. And i completely agree with Tarantino (can you disagree with god ?). So here's a list of characters on whom i have a crush:
1. Faye Wong in Chungking express.
2. Marketa Irglova in Once.
3. Nhu Quynh Nguyen in Mua he chieu thang dung (At the height of summer / The vertical ray of Sun)
4. Gayatri Joshi in Swades.
5. Julie Delpy in Before Sunset/sunrise.
6. Scarlette Johnson in Lost in Translation.

Ofcourse the list will grow on and on..... Strangely both Faye Wong and Marketa Irglova are singers first and actors later. I conclude this post by this beautiful song - The hill, written and sung by Marketa Irglova.
Lyrics:

Walking up the hill tonight
and you have closed your eyes
I wish I didn't have to make
all those mistakes and be wise
Please try to be patient
and know that I'm still learning
I'm sorry that you have to see
the strength inside me burning

Where are you my angel now
don't you see me crying?
And I know that you can't do it all
but you can't say I'm not trying
I'm on my knees in front of him
but he doesn't seem to see me
But all his troubles on his mind
he's looking right through me
And I'm letting myself down
beside this fire in you
And I wish that you could see
that half my troubles too

Looking at you sleeping
I'm with the man I love
I'm sitting here weeping
while the hours pass so slow
And I know that in the morning
I'll have to let you go
And you'll be just a man
once I used to know
And for these past few days
someone I don't recognise
This isn't all my fault
when will you realise

Looking at you leaving, I'm looking for a sign

Falling slowly

Falling slowly is an OST from the movie Once perfromed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. It won the oscar for this year's best song.

Lyrics:

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

This one song has inspired me to watch the movie. Sung in a very unique way, this song is quite mystical. At the time of writing this movie is ranked #227 on top 250 list of imdb. This song gives the message of hope. Here is what Marketa Irglova said on accepting her oscar:

"Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much, who helped us along the way. Thank you."

Foreign language songs

Lost in translation
Directed by Sophie Copolla
Song : Kaze Wo Atsumete. (Collect the wind)
Band: Happy End
Lyrics: (This is translated version of lyrics borrowed from : http://charmless.wordpress.com/2007/11/28/kaze-wo-atsumete-happy-end-mp3/

As I was walking down a towering alley
In the outskirts of the city
I saw beyond the blotched fog
A streetcar still sluggish from sleep
Crossing over the sea

That’s why I want to gather the wind (under my wings)
Gather the wind (under my wings)
And run across the blue sky. As I passed through a beautiful sunrise
I saw beyond the empty-looking breakwater
A city with its day-colored sails up
Moored in the port That’s why I want to gather the wind (under my wings)
Gather the wind (under my wings)
And run across the blue sky When I was killing time one morning
At an empty coffee shop
I saw through the cracked glass
The rustling of the high-rises’ silken clothes
Brushing on the sidewalk

The song sings about how the beautiful landscape of Tokyo has been lost by the rapid economic growth of Japan.

From the movie: Respiro
Respiro literally means "Respite" or "Breath". Good movie. Watched a good non-hollywood flick after a long time. It is about a woman who is living on an Italian island and has dared to do things different from usual norms and hence is typecasted as mentally ill by the locals. But a one line description is no way close to thousands of stories. My best part is the showcasing of the coarsen plain near beach ... in a way it gels with the movie...sub-consciously makes me feel coarse/agitated.
Song: La Bambola
Artist: Patty Pravo

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Tum chalo ( I had to blog this)

Check out the video above: Its made by toi for their lead India show. I havent seen the show but the video song and lyrics is very good.
Music by: Shankaar, Ehsaan Loy
Sung by: Shankar Mahadevan
Lyrics: Gulzaar (who else)

Falak pakad ke utho, aur hawa pakad ke chalo, –2
Tum chalo, to hindustan chale –4

Lagao haath ke suraj subah nikala karein, ]
Hatheliyon bhare dhoop aur uchhala karein, ]–2
Ufaq pe paav rakho, aur chalo akad ke chalo,
Falak pakad ke utho, aur hawa pakad ke chalo, –2
Tum chalo, to hindustan chale –4

Meaning: falak (Sky), and Ufaq (Horizon)
Read the 3rd and 4th lines. Man! I can read them 100 times and still not get bored.
The lyrics are plagiarized from here: http://projectbee.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/tum-chalo-indias-new-anthem/
i am still looking for the person/organization who made this video.


And since TOI has paid for this video, it does not mean that i have started liking TOI. I just appreciate their this venture as i did when Airtel hired Rehman to make that awesome tune.

Gulzaar

I have been wanting to do this since a very long time. I guess today must be a lucky day

एक रोज ज़िंदगी के रुबरु आ बैठे .
ज़िंदगी ने पूछा ..दर्द क्या है ..? क्यों होता है ..?
कहाँ होता है , यह भी तोह पता नही चलता ....
तन्हाई क्या है आख़िर ...?
कितने लोग तोह हैं ...फ़िर तनहा क्यों हो ...?
मेरा चेहरा देख कर ज़िंदगी ने कहा ...
मैं तुम्हारी जुड़वाँ हूँ ...मुझसे नाराज़ न हुआ करो ...!!



Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi hairaan hoon main
Tere masoom sawaalon se pareshaan hoon main

jeene ke liye socha hi nahin, dard sambhaalne honge
muskuraayen to, muskuraane ke karz utaarne honge
muskuraaooN kabhi to lagtaa hai
jaise honTon pe karz rakhhaa hai

aaj agar bhar aai hain, boondein baras jaayengii
kal kyaa pataa inke liye aankhen taras jaayengii
jaane kab ghum hua kahaan khoya
ek aansoo chhupaake rakhaa thaa

zindagi tere gham ne hamein rishte naye samjhaaye
mile jo hamein dhoop mein mile chhaon ke thanDe saaye..

Kimya Dawson

Well for the last 15 days or so i have been blessed by the magic of Kimya Dawson.
It all began with the movie Juno. Juno is a good movie, nice story, good acting, direction but what makes it special is its treatment and how music defines it. Its music is given by Kimya Dawson.
The dictionary meaning of chirpy is : Characterized by liveliness and light-heartedness.
Chirpy defines the genre of Kimya Dawson, chirpy lyrics, chirpy voice and ofcourse the music.
To give you just a flavour:

Song: Tire Swing
I took the Polaroid down in my room,
I'm pretty sure you have a new girlfriend.
It's not as if I don't like you,
It just makes me sad whenever I see it.
Cause I like to be gone most of the time,
And you like to be home most of the time.
If I stay in one place I lose my mind.
I'm a pretty impossible lady to be with.

Joey never met a bike that he didn't want to ride,
And I never met a Toby that I didn't like.
Scotty liked all of the books that I recommended,
Even if he didn't I wouldn't be offended.

I had a dream that had to drive to Madison
To deliver a painting for some silly reason.
I took a wrong turn and ended up in Michigan.
Paul Baribeau took me to the giant tire swing.
Gave me a push and he started singing
I sang along while I was swinging.
The sound of our voices made us forget everything
That had ever hurt our feelings.

Song: Anyone else but you
You're a part time lover and a full time friend
The monkey on you're back is the latest trend
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Song: Loose lips
We won't stop until somebody calls the cops,
And even then we'll start again and just Pretend that
Nothing ever happened.
we're just dancing, we're just hugging,
singing, screaming, kissing, tugging
on the sleeve of how it used to be

Song: So nice, So smart
you're so nice and you're so smart
you're such a good friend i hafta break your heart
tell you that i love you then i'll tear your world apart
just pretend i didn't tear your world apart

Her website is : http://www.kimyadawson.com/
Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimya_Dawson
Imeem playlist: http://profile.imeem.com/nhxxUiG/playlist/PZkFx0BZ/kimya_dawson_music_playlist/