I Live in Paradise City

For my 50th post on MHB, I’d like to discuss something really personal and close to my heart. I think there are some moments in life that truly define you as a person. Whether it’s winning an award for a fantastic accomplishment or having a baby or receiving your first paycheck, they all mark points of your life you’re happiest or proudest and you never forget. To me, one of these moments was attending Guns ‘N’ Roses’ first ever concert in Bangalore. Now I mentioned in my last post that Bangalore is the city to be in if you want to see international artists perform, and boy am I thanking my stars I live here. I would call Bangalore my ultimate ‘Paradise City’.

I’ve  been a fan of Guns ‘N’ Roses since I was very little. In fact I don’t even remember when exactly I fell in love with them because they’ve always been present in my life. The person I have to thank for that is my gorgeous, kick-ass and totally awesome aunt who is a fan herself and introduced the band’s music to me. In fact my aunt and my mom are the two people who I thank first and foremost for the development of my interest in music, especially the soft spot I have for 80′s Rock. Going for the concert with them, especially my aunt, was truly something I will never forget as long as I live. Guns ‘N’ Roses are something my aunt and I have always bonded over and seeing Axl Rose perform on stage the songs we used to sing along to all through my childhood brought tears to my eyes. I know it sounds cheesy, but hey I was extremely emotional and working my way through a massive glass of beer.

Axl Rose is the only original member of Guns ‘N’ Roses left in the band and most of my friends didn’t attend the concert because they felt Slash’s absence had changed the band’s dynamics completely and he was the only one worth watching anyway. Being an Axl fangirl, I couldn’t disagree more because even though I admit I would have liked to see Slash, I didn’t feel the music had changed in any way. Guns ‘N’ Roses sounded as raw and powerful as ever and I didn’t think they needed Slash at all to sound brilliant. Axl Rose started off a little shaky, but as he warmed up he brought out a whole lot of energy. They performed Sweet Child O’ Mine, November Rain, Better, Paradise City and a lot more. His voice still sounds the same and he is truly a God of Rock.

We think our favourite musicians are invincible. We perceive them as forever young, having had a drink from the Fountain of Youth to make them beautiful, sexy, and dynamic but seeing Axl Rose that night was a bit of a wake-up call.

Axl Rose then:

Axl Rose now:

I was reminded that musicians are also only human and age, illness and death all affect them the same way as they do us. Having to live up to our expectations in fact adds more burden to their shoulders and it’s unfair for us to expect them to remain the same as time passes. Axl Rose may look very different, but I’m proud to be able to tell you that his voice and energy remain the same and so does his talent for song-writing. He even performed some of his famous dance moves along with Sweet Child O’ Mine and my aunt was screaming like the crazy fangirl she is. I was screaming away too even though I had a bad throat. To say it was epic would be an understatement.

As you all know my favourite band is Tokio Hotel and when my aunt told me that Guns ‘N’ Roses are her Tokio Hotel, it got me thinking; What will they look like in 20 years? Will they still be as sexy as they are now? Will they still be alive, making music? Where will I be? All I know for sure is that I will forever remain a fan of Bill and Tokio Hotel, just like my aunt stayed in love with Axl Rose and Guns ‘N’ Roses.

[Sorry, couldn't help but add a photo of Bill!]

 

On Being a Tokio-Addict

As you may or may not know I have a huge thing for Bill Kaulitz, frontman of German rock band Tokio Hotel. Now I have been pretty upset due to the lack of activity in the band’s musical life for the past 2 years and to be honest I am not fangirling as much as I used to. Don’t get me wrong. I will always love this band. But as a devout fan for the past 6 years, is new music too much to ask of them? I mean do your job! We fans paid for those cars, gym memberships and expensive sunglasses, you know.

It’s come to the point where we are all looking at new photos of the Kaulitz twins and going ‘yes you look extremely sexy, but when is the new album coming out?’. When a Tokio-Addict poses such a question, you know we’re pretty desperate.

So when Cherry Tree Records finally announced that Bill has collaborated with Far East Movement on a new song set for release in May, I felt that surge of fangirling-spirit returning to my Tokio-starved body. Now this collaboration is clever. Far East Movement, who I absolutely adore, are pretty big when it comes to number ones on international charts and collaborations with top artists like DEV, Justin Bieber, Ryan Tedder and Kid Cudi.

If this new song titled ‘If I Die Tomorrow’ from FEM’s upcoming album Dirty Bass is a dance number rather than something slow and mopey, I predict it to be a huge hit, especially amongst us Aliens. It could really put Tokio Hotel on the global map with worldwide airplays and hits on YouTube. If it’s slow and mopey, it might just remain within the playlists of the existing Aliens and fail to crack the global charts because, let’s face it, it won’t be anything radically new, and 2012 is about being FRESH.

I am personally hoping for something that pretty much defines the term ‘dirty bass’; In other words I’m dying to see Bill Kaulitz get down and dirty, especially due to the rather ‘bad-ass’ look he’s going these days. [Excuse me while I shamelessly add yet another picture of him]

He seems to have a point to prove with this new hippie-thug avatar which I don’t entirely dislike, so I hope he delivers keeping in mind our high expectations and doesn’t crash and burn. I am crossing my fingers and wishing with all my heart that there is a music video coming along with the song because his announcement on the BTK App of ‘shooting something’ excluding the rest of the band could mean a video for ‘If I Die Tomorrow’. My obsession shall then resume with the same, if not greater, intensity. Until then, I shall continue trolling Cherry Tree Records’ Twitter for more news.

Remember to ‘Like’ me on Facebook! :)

http://www.facebook.com/midnightheartbeat

And Then There Were 11…

Happy New Year, everyone!  Here’s to hoping all of you guys have an amazing year ahead filled with love, joy  success and of course, music. Now while there are so many wonderful things to look forward to as we move into 2012, we must not forget the fun times that 2011 brought along with it. I for one had my final board exams among other joyous occasions this year, so it was quite the party really. Even though I was stuck at home studying most of this year, I did love the music 2011 brought us. This past year also gave us many reasons to celebrate. Beyonce Knowle’s pregnancy and Lady Gaga visiting India were two of the biggest events of the year, along with the return of Coldplay and the incredible success of Adele’s album 21.

There were some songs that really blew the roof this year, and while I can’t list all of them, I have picked 11 songs that were the very definition of success. So here we go, my top 11 songs of 2011!

11. ‘It Will Rain’ by Bruno Mars

This song made a major impression on me when Bruno Mars performed it live on X-Factor this year. The intensity and beauty of the graphics on the stage and the beat of the song combined left a lasting impression on my mind.

10. ’Price Tag’ by Jessie J

Catchy and bright with a message, Jessie J’s debut track ‘Price Tag’ always brings a smile to my face.

9. ‘Moves Like Jagger’ by Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera

If this song can’t get you moving and grooving, nothing will. Adam Levine outdoes himself vocally and looks fabulous in the music video. The addition of Christina Aguilera just gives the song that extra oomph it needs.

8. ’E.T.’ by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West

This song reminds me of Bill Kaulitz, and you all know my love for that man. The lyrics describe exactly how I view him; ‘Every move is magic’? HELL YES!

7. ’Born To Die’ by Lana Del Ray

I have a deep emotional connection with this song, and I don’t know whether it has something to do with the video or Del Ray’s hauntingly beautiful voice. One thing is for sure, someday she will be huge.

6. ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ by Foster the People

One of the most popular songs this year and a personal favorite, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ is Indie rock at it’s best. It’s best to listen to it with a group of friends while just hanging out and having a good time.

5. ‘Countdown’ by Beyonce Knowles

This song was on constant replay during exam months, and kept my spirits up. It’s light-hearted and full of fun.

4.  ’Party Rock Anthem’  by LMFAO

This song had the entire world jamming this year, and I remember dancing a hundred times to it this year with my friends. All of us know the lyrics, the dance moves and can go on for hours to its beat.

3. ‘Paradise’ by Coldplay

If any artist can deliver time and time again it is Coldplay, and ‘Paradise’ is one of those songs that just bring a smile to your face.

2. ‘Judas’ by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way is very special to me on a personal level because the entire album makes a statement about freedom of all kinds, and standing together as one world and one family. My favorite track from the album is ‘Judas’ because I love her interpretation of the Biblical legend, as well as the vocal skill she has displayed on the song. The video is also one of my favorite Gaga video’s so far.

1. ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele

Adele has broken all the records in music this year. Her album 21 is one of the most successful albums of all time, with ‘Someone Like You’ having stayed on top of the charts for five weeks. This song speaks of coming to terms with a broken relationship and moving on with your life, no matter how hard it can be. The song is simple and beautiful and Adele’s vocals are absolutely divine, connecting with thousands of souls across the globe including mine.

So there you have it guys, my top 11 tracks of 2011. I would love to know YOUR favorites of 2011, so please go ahead and comment, telling me which songs you loved most in the past year! :)

Now there are a couple of things I am looking forward to in 2012. There are three albums that are set to release this year that have me so excited I can’t even begin to describe how I feel!

1. My favorite band Tokio Hotel are set to release their first album in 3 years. Now obviously I am jumping with joy, but it remains to be seen if the new record (still to be titled) will be able to match up to if not surpass their 2009 album Humanoid’s success.

2. Another artist I absolutely adore is Adam Lambert, and after I heard he is ready to release his new record Trespassing this year, it was enough to make me want to do cartwheels around the house. I hope to see more of his fabulous vocal skills on this album and a few dazzling new music videos.

3. I am also looking forward to the release of Robbie Williams’ new album after his disastrous last solo album Rudebox. Hopefully he is done with chasing UFOs and his vocal talent will shine through this time.

So let me know you guys: What songs/albums/artists are YOU looking forward to in 2012? Do comment and tell me all about it! Here’s to a brand new year, filled with music and love! Have a rocking 2012!

-Ridz <3

THE 10,000 LIKES CAMPAIGN

So to those following this campaign, so far we are up to 7,422 members on TH India’s Facebook page. We need to hit 10,000 or else we will most probably never see Tokio Hotel set their foot on Indian soil. So for the sake of all the Indian Aliens out there, make some noise, and let your voice be heard! Join this campaign and help bring Tokio Hotel to India!

All you have to do is click on the above image and ‘Like’ Tokio Hotel India’s page on Facebook! You must be an Indian fan, or represent an Indian fan to be counted!

http://www.facebook.com/TokioHotelIndia

Also please sign this petition… It only takes a minute! :) –>http://www.petitiononline.com/IA10000/petition-sign.html

For more details contact : billismyphantomrider@gmail.com

Thank you guys…

LET’S DO THIS!

10,000 LIKES CAMPAIGN.

Okay everyone, this post is going to be slightly different from the usual posts I do, and it’s a topic very close to my heart. I’m sure that if you are a regular reader of my blog you know all about my love and obsession for the German rock sensation Tokio Hotel.

The thing is even after being a fan almost 5 and a half years I still haven’t gotten the chance of seeing them, performing or at a meet and greet or anything. This is largely due to the fact that I live in India, combined by a little pinch of bad luck that seems to follow me everywhere. Besides me, however, there are thousands of fans here who haven’t got the chance to see Tokio Hotel. Some of us have been fans since 2005-2006 but just don’t have the privilege to go see the band in Europe or America. I don’t know why but most artists seem to want to avoid India for as long as possible. Some artists say ‘World Tour’ but India [the world's largest democracy for Godssakes] misses out on these tours. So us Indian fans have decided to take matters into our own hands. We have started what I’m calling ‘The 10,000 Likes Campaign’ to bring TH to India.

We contacted Universal Music and they informed us we need a total of 10,000 INDIAN fans to get the band to India, and this would be accounted for by the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TokioHotelIndia. So Aliens, let’s do this! Let’s get the number to 10,000 likes!

Sign this petition to support this movement! —> http://www.petitiononline.com/IA10000/petition.html

The campaign will be constantly updated on Midnight HeartBEAT. Each band member will appear on a banner like the one above. All you have to do is click on it and go to the Tokio Hotel India fanpage for more information.

If you have any questions, contact me at billismyphantomrider@gmail.com

Let’s go, Aliens!

WE, THE FANS. Don’t Make the Mistake of Underestimating Us.

The universal truth is that an artist is only as famous as their fans. Fame is achieved only through having a dedicated fan base, a screaming mass of hysterical human beings who will go to the ends of the earth to see you, even for just one second.  Fans are people who come together for one single purpose, one mission and one interest. Some artists have enough fans to form whole armies, and sometimes, those armies won’t hesitate to battle it out to protect the honour and name of their artist. So if you get that breathless tightness in your chest, those sleepless nights/continuing dreams, gasps that tear through your chest, tears that stream down in heavy torrents and those sudden bursts of energy that zip through you like lightning when you see a picture/video/live concert or hear that special song, get prepared; Tissue paper in hand, and mp3 players fully charged, tattoo machines buzzing, cameras fully loaded and ready to shoot, we’re ready for some action.

Here are some of the more powerful fan-armies in the world today…

The first band on my list is 30 Seconds To Mars and their incredible support system, The Echelon

What I love about this band is the way they involve their fans in their albums and music videos, most recently in their album ‘This Is War’… Some of the tracks feature the Echelon themselves, for example ‘Kings and Queens’. The music video features the Echelon as well.

Next is My Chemical Romance and the MCRmy: MCR has been a constant in my life since 2006 and the release of ‘The Black Parade’. They are a band who inspire many to start a journey towards a better life and conquer fears. The powers of the lyrics of their songs is so great, it embeds the lyrics into one’s soul. The MCRmy consists of hardcore loyalists to the ‘governing’ body that is MCR. There is no pissing off a soldier from this army, as they will literally destroy you with laser guns. Am I right, fellow Killjoys? There are many examples of MCR tattoos that most of the MCRmy sport, consisting mainly of song lyrics and MCR’s logo.

Next is the gorgeous Lady Gaga or Mother Monster to all her Little Monsters:

Lady Gaga’s fan base are known for their craze for the gorgeous Lady and her absolutely gaga outfits. Many costume stores around the planet have an imitation of at least ONE famous Gaga outfit, and her fans are not afraid to blow all their money on those fab get-ups. The Little Monsters are a bunch of wild party-animals, and in my experience, great unique people to know.

Next we take on true ‘Beliebers‘ of Justin Bieber:

Okay, now this has to be one of the craziest fandoms I have ever come across, second to only ONE other that I know [which I will be mentioning later on]. Screaming, hysterical crying, fainting and injuries are most common occurrences at any JB concert, so I warn you, get prepared as you would for a stampede. I have to say the Beliebers seem to mostly consist of an average of 9-16 year olds, predominantly female, with a few exceptions. I have a huge respect for Justin Bieber as he actually possesses a hell of a lot of talent and charisma. While I am not part of the Beliebers, I can fully understand why he is popular; talented, young, good-looking, wealthy and with a pleasing personality… What’s not to like?

I know many people hate Justin and many people love him, but then again its a personal choice. After all, fans are fans because of their personal taste in music.

Let’s take a more ‘glamorous’ turn with the fan army of Adam Lambert known as, obviously, Glamberts:

What is beautiful about the Glamberts, is the range of ages they consist of. No fan is too young or too old to be a part of this army. It’s safe to say women of all generations have gone bonkers about this incredibly talented and sweet-natured singer; Every woman wants him in their lives as a son, brother, husband, boyfriend, or best friend. However unattainable he may be, it does not stop any woman lusting after him and that gorgeous voice. I don’t know the name of this lady with this amazing tattoo, but I would like to thank her if she comes across this article. If anyone reading this knows her, please do let me know so I can credit her properly. :)

And finally, the final force of fandom that has beaten all others and has been given the official title of ‘Best Fan Army’ by the MTV Online Music Awards, are the Aliens the ‘rabid fanbase’ of Tokio Hotel:

It cannot be denied that this fandom is EPIC. Whether it is fighting tooth and nail to support a band-member or waiting for hours on end at a venue to catch a single glimpse of their idols, no one has it down better than the Aliens. Tokio Hotel as a band have charisma, sex-appeal and talent, qualities that have catapulted them not only to fame, but to super-stardom. Being an Alien myself, I must warn you that I am completely biased here. :P And….

The Aliens largely consists of girls, age 14 upwards, but there are MANY exceptions to this stereotype. What is special about this band is the fact they grow everyday. Being an Alien for 5 years, I see them growing with me, reaching adulthood with me and am glad to have that sort of ‘company’, a reminder that while they are rockstars, they are close in age to a lot of their fans and can therefore relate to problems their fans might be facing. They have music that is real, music that defines teenage angst and the turmoil that rumbles through our heads. This band is an escape, a sanctuary for us Aliens to flee to, and there is nothing better that takes away the pain.

I myself have a tattoo of the band’s insignia, and am proud to be a part of the Aliens who have established themselves as Aliens for life and have tattoos related to the band.

The power of fans is an astounding energy, a force of nature to be reckoned with. If you try to change a fan’s mind about the artist they like or go for an all out attack on their fandom, you risk losing their trust, friendship, and also receiving a slap or a zap from concealed laser weapons… Of course beware of Little Monster claws, and sharp Alien tongues.

Music lives in us and its artists very well change our lives… And I’d like to think it’s for the better. They give us something to believe in and courage to pursue our goals and fulfill our dreams. So don’t be afraid to get inspired and join an ‘army’. After all, this rollercoaster called ‘Life’ runs best when we’re all screaming hysterically.

If you want me to add any other armies that YOU support, leave a comment and I’ll edit the article… I’m open to suggestions, always! If you have any tattoos/stories you want to share about YOUR favorite artist, comment, and I’ll post it onto the article… :D

Listening to the Radio at 11pm, Tolerating The Cigar Smoke From My Father’s Direction -_- And A Concert of A Lifetime…

Greetings all my readers! I am so happy to typing this down right now, even though the smoke from my father’s cigar is a bit annoying. I am sitting here with my entire family, each of us consumed by our own personal interests, creating a comfortable, familiar silence that happens every night in our family’s living room…

We keep our evenings reserved for some quiet time [excluding the moments my brother chooses to burp] where we read the papers, listen to music, talk, make jokes and sometimes bug the hell out of each other. Even though we have our fights, there’s nothing more I enjoy than a bit of family time where we get to discuss music with each other.

My parents are very different from the ‘conventional’  Indian families. My mother listens to rock, pop, and anything and everything 80s, a love which she incorporated into me. She also has an obsession for Adam Lambert– Probably the most astounding musician since Freddy Mercury!

My father on the other hand is pretty old school - Give him Jazz, lounge, and Unchained Melody any day… Though he wouldn’t diss U2, Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull.

As you can see by their choices they are pretty different personalities, though at this very moment seem to be in harmony with each other as they discuss a random article from the day’s paper.

My little brother? Well what can I say… Taller than me already though he’s pushing just 13 and with an attitude large enough to engulf Russia, his choices are what boys his age say they love so that they don’t come off as saps; Green Day, Linkin Park and the curious choice of Panic!At The Disco keeps him satisfied, and as Green Day’s ‘American Girl’ begins to play on the radio at the moment, he perks up faster than a hungry man with a plate of pasta in front of him!

And you all know my obsession with this man O_O:

The bottom line here is that though all our music tastes vary so much, we all came together for the one man who mattered. The one man who managed to transcend boundaries or age, gender and genre: BRYAN ADAMS.

The man came back to perform in Mumbai for the fifth time on the 12th of February, which was last night. A month prior I was jumping like a shrimp at the very idea that he was coming and last night I was finally there! It was epic, and therefore truly the Bryan Adams way!I have to go to bed soon, so here’s a quick glance at some of my favourite Numbers of The Night:

Everything I Do - While performing this he asked the entire audience of 20,000 to put their lit cellphones up in the air and wave… The effect was a sea of lights gliding in unison to his voice.

18 Till I Die – Since I was and am 18 at the time of the concert, this song meant a lot to me and Bryan Adams himself, who says he still believes he’s 18!

Baby When You’re Gone – For this one he pulled up a random audience member and asked her to sing along if she knew the song, which she did! While she couldn’t really sing, she made up for it with her enthusiasm and then jumping on Bryan Adams in the end. I would’ve done it too.

Died and Gone to Heaven- He dedicated it to a man who had once jumped up onstage [in a Mumbai concert of his] and grabbed the mic and yelled ‘Thought I’d died and gone to heaven!!!’ and then jumped back into the crowd.

Summer of ’69 - EVERYBODY knew the lyrics to this one! Doesn’t need much explaining!

Here I Am – One of my most favourite songs since I first heard it seven years ago, I was in tears when he sang it and the reality of the fact that I was looking at him do it, hit me.

All in all, Bryan Adams has an energy that cannot be compared with. He remains simple yet charming in his signature black shirt, jeans and slicked back hair. Each and everyone in that audience had a great time. Couple the music with pleasant weather, a moonlit night and good food, you had yourselves the biggest and best party in Mumbai! My family and I left the concert feeling considerably pleased though I wish he had done ‘Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman’….

Rock on, my fellow Mumbaites!!

Peace out <3

Pull Out That Box of Kleenex and Gear Up for Waterworks; Here Are the TOP TEN SONGS THAT MAKE ME CRY.. T_T

HEYYY EVERYONE!! HAPPY 2011!! :)

I’m sorry I havent posted in a long time, and I really don’t have any excuses except ‘there was simply no time’..-.-’  These past months have brought on a tirade of emotions for me, and I felt this new post would be appropriate to commemorate that… I was actually working on this post since january 15th to get the perfect mix of songs that would correctly convey how I feel and mean the most to me… So here they are!! THE TOP TEN SONGS THAT MAKE ME CRYYY!! T_T

Once in a while a song really hits you hard. Whether it’s about love, loss, racism or world affairs, it doesn’t matter. There are just those few songs that trigger a tear or two when you listen to their lyrics, or the passion in the artist’s voice or the gut-wrenching guitar/violin/etc, solos. Sometimes a song brings back a memory that gets you emotional, may it be angry, sad or just so darn happy that you could bawl. Being the soppy little person that I am there are quite a few songs that stir these emotions within me and are successful in drawing out my tears. Yes, I can be pathetic at times, but lets just say its part of the job description. :’)

At number 10, we have ‘Whataya Want from Me’ by Adam Lambert:

Now, I have been a fan of Adam Lambert’s from the very first moment I saw him performing on American Idol. He was runner-up in the competition but has gone on to establish himself further than any of the previous winners, stealing hearts and spreading his ‘fever’ around the globe. Now the song ‘Whataya Want from Me’ is the second single from Adam’s debut album ‘For Your Entertainment’. The song is about misunderstandings between lovers, parting and then realizing how much one needs the other. In the song he begs his better-half not to ‘give up’ on him and thanks  them for loving him as they are ‘doing it perfectly’. The lines that get me the most on this one are ‘There might have been a time when I would let you slip away, I wouldn’t even try but I think you could save my life.’

Video—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFYJjLtH_qo

Number 9. is ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’ by Nicole Kidman from the OST of ‘Moulin Rouge’:

I don’t remember when I first watched this movie, but I know that though I was very young this song had a major impact on me. Nicole Kidman played a show dancer in the famous Parisian nightclub The Moulin Rouge. Desired but not loved, her character searches for an escape, an outlet. I understood her desire to be free, to be loved, to dream her dreams freely. The lyrics were sung with so much emotion, mainly sorrow and defeat, that I didn’t have to understand the song to know her pain. ‘One day I’ll fly away, leave all this to yesterday… Why life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming ends…’ is my favourite line in the song. It is morbid, but then when you watch the movie you realized the character has every right to sing this song, and the song is the very essence of the character’s pain.

Video—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgE4r2DmsbA

Number 8. is ‘Say it to Me Now’ by Glen Hansard:

This song is from a beautiful little Academy Award winning movie, ‘Once’, which is about two struggling street musicians who meet and go on a journey of love, spirituality and above all, music. The thing about this song is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways. It is very short [2 minutes 35 seconds] but it can convey thousands of messages with just the fewest of utterances. Glen Hansard has a very husky and rough voice which accentuates the frustration in the song, which in my opinion is a tussle with God. He’s telling God to speak up to ‘say it to [him] now’, give him the message that he has been waiting for instead of making him go through so many trials in his life. What really turns on my Tear-Tap is the sheer anger in Hansard’s voice when he breaks into the verse ‘ Cause this is what you’ve waited for/ Your chance to even up the score/ And as these shadows fall on me now/ I will somehow/Cause I’m picking up a message Lord/And I’m closer than I’ve ever been before’. You have to listen to the pain to feel it.

Video—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXRwplFTh_Y

Number 7. can only be ‘Unchained Melody’ by the Righteous Brothers:

Yes, its true: I AM A TOTAL SAP! >.< This song is regarded as an overplayed cliché by many of our day and age, but it got its facts right, to be honest. Everyone knows how it feels to ‘hunger for [their lover's] touch’, long for separation to never come between them and the one they love. This song is the base for all love songs that have originated with separation or loss being the main theme. ‘I need your love’ croon the Righteous Brothers, stealing thousands of hearts with the song’s re-release in 1990 for the movie ‘Ghost’. The song has been translated into over a hundred languages and more than 500 official studio versions of the song exist today. The song is universally loved and adored by many and almost equally hated! However, just try watching ‘Ghost’ and you’ll see why exactly I cry when I hear this song.

Video—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrK5u5W8afc

Number 6. is ‘Your Guardian Angel’ By the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus:

This song is like a balm to an ache. It soothes loneliness, cools the burn of anger, and disinfects thoughts about giving up. It has inspired many dances, songs, stories and more and has saved lives. It’s about having an ‘angel’ in your life who makes living worth every minute you look into their eyes, every moment they touch you and every conversation you have with them. They make everyday a new revelation about yourself. There are no real words to describe how this song makes me feel. I guess the best way to put it is that it awakens me to all of the amazing people in my life who make everyday so wonderful and make me strong. A promise of ‘I will never let you fall’ rings true as you can almost hear your heart swearing to protect those you love. My favorite part of the song is ‘Seasons are changing/And waves are crashing/And stars are falling all for us/Days grow longer and nights grow shorter/I can show you I’ll be the one’ where he wants to prove that he will be as equal a guardian to the one he loves as she has been to him. He will not let the boundaries of time effect his feelings towards her in any way. The integrity in the lyrics and the honest way they are communicated by lead singer Ronnie Winter, are what truly make this song worth a listen.

Video—->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Em4fUOrZo

As we reach the halfway point of my list, I hope you have gotten those tissues as the songs I am about to recommend are truly rollercoasters of emotions…

Okay, so at number 5. I must share with you ‘Kiss from a Rose’ by Seal:

Now I was about 2 years old when the song first released, as a part of the OST for ‘Batman Forever’, so this song has been echoing all through my life; whether it be my mom or my aunt humming it, or listening to it play on the radio while taking a drive at midnight, this song never fails to invoke a sense of peace and everlasting love. At the same time, the song is tinged with a bitterness as the narrator of the song describes the woman he loves as a ‘growing addiction’ the therefore he cannot live without her. We can safely say the song does justice to a double-edged sword called ‘love’, where love is the cure and the drug itself and the one loved becomes ‘my power, my pleasure, my pain’ [my favourite line in the song]. To truly understand this song, you need to have someone in your life who you know you can’t live without.

Video—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMD2TwRvuoU

‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol is number 4. on my list simply because it brings a lump to my throat.

I don’t know why the song affects me in this way, but every time I listen to it I feel a sense of longing. It urges me to find the person I’m meant to spend the rest of my life with, RIGHT THIS INSTANT. More than anything else, the song is a metaphor for a proposal. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her, even though they ‘don’t know where’ and are ‘confused about how as well’. I think the beauty of the song lies in its utmost surrender to the beauty of a lover, finding paradise in a lover. My favourite lines in the song have to be ‘All that I am/ All that I ever was/ Is here in your perfect eyes, they’re all I can see’. The music video is truly a wonderful backdrop to this gorgeous ballad.

Video—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrpSjXo6ah0

Song number 3. is a little mostly unknown song called ‘Hilf Mir Fliegen’ by Tokio Hotel

This song is a bonus track on ‘Zimmer 483′, Tokio Hotel’s 2nd studio album. Since the song only comes when you buy the German CD with the bonus track and is not available on the English version. I actually found it on a random search but once I heard Bill Kaulitz’s vocals on this one, I was seriously astounded. I had never heard him sound so… mellow and gentle and it was mainly this that brought tears to my eyes. The ability in a man to sound vulnerable never fails to pierce my heart and I had a spear in my chest, alright. The song is about needing a person you love to help and encourage you when you are in a tough spot. I had to use Google to find a translation to the song, but when I did I was amazed at the beauty and the sincerity in  the lyrics. My favourite is “erzähl mir alle lügen/Mach es so, dass ich es glaub” which means “Tell me all the lies/ make me believe them”. Sometimes you just want someone to say everything’s gonna be okay, even if you know it isn’t.

Audio with full translation—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7cDAe_chEo

At runners-up, we have ‘Love the Way You Lie’ Parts 1 and 2 by Eminem and Rihanna respectively.

Now if there’s ever a true definition of love, it is this. This song uses a story to say that love isn’t perfect and you have to work hard to make it work. You have ups and downs in every relationship, in varying extremes. The brilliance of this song lies in its ability to convince you of the pain and anguish the narrators are going through. In part 1, Eminem has the major part of conveying the story, while in part 2, Rihanna share’s the woman’s point of view. The song is about a couple who keep breaking up but then come back to each other, regardless of the fact that the man in the relationship is physically and verbally violent with the woman, and a liar. The woman tries to leave, but is held back, finally admitting that she never really wanted to go. ‘So maybe I’m a masochist/ I try to run but I don’t want to ever leave’ [part 2]. The man keeps losing his temper and beating her up, but then apologizes by saying he never meant to do it ‘I snap/Who’s that dude/I don’t even know his name/I laid hands on her/I’ll never stoop so low again/I guess I don’t know my own strength’ [part 1]. He’s trying to convince himself that he was justified in hitting her. When I heard this song, the pure anger in Eminem’s voice contrasted with Rihanna’s anguish filled tones seemed to take my breath away. I couldn’t breathe because no other rap song had ever effected me in this way. I felt myself fill up with various emotions ranging from pity to sorrow to elation, and I just couldn’t make up my mind as to whose side I was on. The passion in the relationship translates equally in the anger and the love that the couple share. The music video with Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan perfectly showcases this love/hate/love pattern, and at the end your left with one question… Is it always going to be this way?

Video—>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U

Now, Number 1. is the one and only song that leaves me an emotional wreck after I listen to it. It steals my feelings and throws them up into the air like a pack of cards that the wind can catch and blow away, because so help me God, ‘I Don’t Love You’ by My Chemical Romance cuts me real deep…

I’ve already explained my theories as to what the song is about in my earlier post on this song, so I’ll post up a link on this if you want to check it out, but this post is about what the song means to me and what emotions it awakened in me. This song is a ballad of pain and sacrifice; it’s about having the courage to tell someone you don’t love them anymore at the end of a relationship. The song is a punch to the guts for those who keep moving on from one lover to another, breaking hearts and destroying dreams. At least have the decency to come clean about your ways. As someone who has gone through heartbreak and know many who have, I can tell you that this song encourages one to be stronger and lift one’s head high, even after the toughest break-up. You shouldn’t let life bring you down and instead should ‘be off to find another way’, a better way. Gerard Way’s vocals are the most emotional and gut-wrenching vocals I have EVER heard on a song and the way the guitar accompanies his wails with anguish of its own simply breaks one’s heart into thousands of little pieces. The guitar sounds to me like somebody who is crying for a much-needed freedom; beautiful, longing and sad, Frank Iero really makes the instrument come alive and reach into your soul. You then wonder if anyone could really ‘have the guts to say/ I don’t love you like I did yesterday’.

Video—->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO9Lj0T93Xk

My post on this song—>http://midnightheartbeat.wordpress.com/2009/12/30/heartsong-i-dont-love-you-by-my-chemical-romance/

So there you have it, guys: The Top Ten Songs that say ‘I’m a Sap!’ Just kidding… :)

They are all beautiful and emotional songs in their own right and really give me strength and inspire me. I would love to know which songs make you emotional, so please do post in the comments section! It doesn’t have to be a song that makes you cry: ANY emotion is welcome, may it be anger, happiness, giddiness, or hyperness… I’d love to know them all!!! :) Do post soon, and let’s hope 2011 be filled with more love and less hate… :)

SONGS THAT ALMOST MADE IT:

Perfect- Pink

Monsoon- Tokio Hotel

Every Breath You Take- Police

Have You Really Ever Loved A Woman- Bryan Adams

Not Afraid- Eminem

Cosmic Love- Florence and The Machine

There are more, but then again I don’t want to seem like a COMPLETE sap. :)

Peace out! <3 ;)

The Times Of My Life, Squared.

I am sorry for the mammoth of a break I took this past month… I was actually preoccupied with my first ever trip to the US and completely freaked out in New York City. Times Square is truly one of the most fantastical sites on the planet and I couldn’t help but gasp at its epic, dramatic and sharp beauty. It is also by the way the site Alicia Keys shot her scenes in Jay-Z’s ‘Empire State of Mind’. I was actually listening to the song while landing in NYC and it created excitement, fear and enthrallment in me, all at the same time.



So much has happened since I last wrote and article and let me give you a gist of some of the things that have occurred:

First of all I got back to the dreary life of school and never-ending revision and tests because, hooray, my exams start tomorrow. As a student doing her very first exam in a new school I must prepare to impress or get grounded. So with the fear of not seeing my boyfriend again for a month driving me on, I am definitely on the ‘impress’ road.

The second interesting thing was that I turned eighteen on the 15th of November [just this last Monday]. Everyone has the idea that because its you 18th birthday, you should have a really rocking time and lots fun, party with your friends and freak out, cos yay you can finally drive, vote, and get married. I haven’t done ANY of the above because not only did I wake up in the morning with the feeling that my birthday was going to suck… it actually DID! After having the worst birthday ever and that too my 18th turning out so lousy and not the way I planned, I decided to just go home and have a good cry cos hey, no one had the time to spend with me on my birthday, right? If it’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t rely on anybody else to have a good time. I can’t put my trust in people because they end up smashing it into smithereens just for the sake of selfishness, and I’m not just saying it because I had a lousy birthday. I’m saying it because in this life there is no one you can trust unconditionally except family. Because my family were the ones who had an Italian dinner, an ice-cream cake and African red wine waiting for me at home. It was my family who wouldn’t let me shed a tear. And it was also all my friends who called, texted and gave me the hugs and support and the little outing to McDonald’s and Birdy’s that made it hurt less.



The FINAL thing that happened since I last wrote here is big. No, its positively massive! Its HUMONGOUS! Its going to shock, stupefy, stun, numb, excite, delight, maybe irritate or slightly anger you. You know its so huge and life-changing, that I might as well just say it because I have no more words to hold you in suspense…

I GOT A FREAKKIN TATTOO!

And not just any old pattern from a musty old book with photographs/stencils of lame old butterflies, skulls, snakes and hearts. No, I got myself something that has been important to me for the past five years. I got Tokio Hotel’s insignia, the ‘TH’ in a circle, tattooed onto the back of my neck, just like lead singer and idol, BILL KAULITZ. :) Since everyone asks me ‘Why?’ let me tell you with the words written down, without you arguing your ass of and trying to make me see ‘reason’. Let me tell you the story of ‘Why’.



My Tattoo

My words get caught while coming out of my mouth and turn upside down and round and round so that I can’t convey to you exactly what I feel. So I’m writing it to you because I know my power as a writer is great and no matter how hard you try you cannot escape the grip of my words. You see this is where the hunter becomes the hunted.

There is nothing more suitable to be my first tattoo than the TH symbol, because it represents my love for Tokio Hotel and their music, my love for my idol and inspiration Bill Kaulitz and his life-saver of a smile, my intense relationship with music and its artists and my love for art itself as the symbol combines music art and inspiration all together. Not to mention the fact that I’m insane. :)

People have asked my ‘Why Tokio Hotel? There are better bands around.’ and I feel like saying ‘Why did God make you who you are and not somebody else?’ Because in the end its the same thing, isn’t it? You are asking me to identify myself to you and to justify my identification, which is unethical and not your place. If you don’t already know why, it’s because you don’t know me, so don’t go on asking for justification and the endless seas of ‘Why?’. For my friends who have known me for years or even for a little while, the reason should be clear and most of you know exactly why I got it. If it’s a question of liking the tattoo 20 years from today and not regretting it, don’t worry because it’s not on your body, is it? I chose this tattoo because it will forever represent on my body what Tokio Hotel were, who they are now, what they will become, and their metamorphic journey through music. I have grown up with them, shared my love, my hatred, cried my sorrows and screamed my frustrations all the while their music channeled energy into me. It represents the fact that I am who I am partly because of them and partly because of the people who are in my life. It is a symbol of my individuality and uniformity with other fans who also have this tattoo. We are a global team, I think, and understand what this band means to us.

So there you have it folks, the big things that happened since I last wrote on MHB. I know I’m a psycho, so you needn’t point out the obvious!

Now on to business:

My latest obsession in with My Chemical Romance’s single ‘SING’. It awakens an animal part of me. Not an animal who wants to attack and kill but rather an animal who stalks through the night, howling to the full moon and just reveling the feeling of being free. Yes I must admit it, it is slightly more mainstream than what MCR have come up with previously, but it doesn’t stop the track from being beautiful. Quite the contrary. You really feel like you want to ‘sing it from the heart’, where ‘it’ is your freedom, your expression, your identity and your place on this earth. The techno vibes coupled with the short, brisk piano strokes simply bring the harsh realties and dangers of life into perspective. The video isn’t quite what I expected with the band going all out in a laser-gun duel with guys in masks all to save a little kid… Err… I actually craved more drama in the video, because the only part that hit me hard was the part where Gerard Way is grabbed, pushed up against a wall, and shot. Being a huge Way fan, I freaked out. In a bad way. :S

Another big hit with me is a single Linkin Park have come up with ‘Waiting For the End’. It’s very dream-like and similar to ‘Leave Out All the Rest’ from their previous studio album,  ’Minutes To Midnight’. I loved the intensity of the lyrics ‘This is not the end, this not the beginning’ and ‘so many things were left unsaid, its hard to let you go.’ Very emotional and in pain. I almost imagine a very painful dance between two lovers taking place… Or rather a very intense story unfolding from within the petals of the flower of hope. Something is SO haunting about this song that it makes you think about the mistakes you have made and what you would do to reverse them, at the same time it reminds you not to lose yourself in them. Simply beautiful, the video is striking and very in-sync with the dreamy-ness of the song. My favourite part about the song is the guitar solo from 3:06-3:14. Soul-stirring indeed. A definite tune for any playlist, its heartbreakingly beautiful. :’)

Here’s a link to the video for ‘SING’ by MCR—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTgnDLWeeaM

Here’s a link to Linkin Park’s ‘Waiting for the End’—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qF_qbaWt3Q