Thanks to Ieishah over at Fat Juicy Oyster, I can't get this new song, Looking for Paradise, by Alicia Keys and Spanish crooner, Alejandro Sanz, out of my head.
Now, Ieishah thought the song was horrible. I believe the words she used were "cheesy con queso." But somehow it's growing on me. And it's not because of the lyrics (they are cheesy con queso). It's got a catchy little refrain, yes, but more importantly, it's a kinky gazpacho duet that reminds me of me. Am I saying that Alicia is my sister-twin and Alejandro Sanz is a dead ringer for el esposo? No, I'm not that ridiculous. I just love to see Black and Spanish paired up together making beautiful (albeit a little cheesy) music together. It feels like a reflection of my reality.
So Meltingpot readers, do you do the same thing? Do you find yourself in music? Tell me what song speaks to your life story and you'll be entered in a drawing to receive an autographed copy of my life story, Kinky Gazpacho and a Kinky Gazpacho t-shirt from whatrugear.com. All entries must be received by Monday, November 23rd at midnight.
Peace.
Oh, and here's the song Looking for Paradise by Alicia Keys and Alejandro Sanz. Do you think it's cheesy?
8 comments:
When my husband and I were dating, we were in a car on our way to Atlantic City (where we enjoy going for daytrips) and I remember Vanessa William's "Saved the Best for Last" came on the radio and I was singing along. I'm no great singer, but the song and the fact that I was singing it to him really touched him. It's a song we both cherish to this day.
However, in the reality of marriage, things are not always smooth and the song I honestly relate to the most when we're not speaking to each other (which unfortunately is a little to often)
is Heather Headley's "I Wish I Wasn't". I remember the 1st time I heard it and I was blown away not only by her voice (but, unfortuntaely) also the starkness and realism of the message. So, of course he doesn't know it, but this is one of my personal favorites also - depending on where things are between us - it always brings a tear to my eye.
We are of different races, cultures and religions and there are times when I can't help but wonder is it all worth it. Sorry for the dash of realism - I know this is pretty much an upbeat blog.
the other day i saw a copy of sanz's new cd on a student's desk. i asked him about it. he gave it to me. now this. i cannot escape this song!! lol. but apparently, that's MY fault. i love that i could give you a piece of you, though.
as for a song that defines me... cause girl, i want a t-shirt...
there are 3.
1. la vie en rose, the version from star academy france contestants, maureen and pierre. maureen was this amazing r&b singer, and they just soul-ed it up completely. also, it's the first song i remember from my new expat life, when i moved to belgium in '07.
2. then there's sanz's 'corazon partío' from '98. that reminds me of my first expat experience in costa rica. the mangos, the rhythm, the freedom!
3. then there's 'unas voces' by las migas. it was the first flamenco i ever loved. though i discovered las migas while i was with the catalan, i couldn't stop playing it after meeting the serb. especially the refrain: 'que buen sabor/que tiene el amor?'
ugh. i would die for that song.
1. When I was little my parents had a collection of John Coltrane albums that I loved to listen to. I'd dance around the house and imagine that I could make music like that. The sounds touched me so deeply. One of my favorite songs was and still is "I just want to talk about you." It's on the Live at Birdland album. It's a ballad and he plays a lot of notes by every phrase has so much feeling behind it. He says everything you can possible say in that one song. I still get chills whenever I hear it. Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR9ixWP-P9I
2. My second song is "Love" by John Lennon. This song reminds me of when my husband and I first started dating. I often write poems based around the lyrics of a song. Here's one I wrote about that song and our relationship when it was young.
Love is real
Real is love
I looked out the window for 4 hours and 7 minutes at the point where the clouds met the clear blue sky
My mind softened by travel
My thoughts spread across time zones
Love is touching
Touching love
I'd spoken to you hours earlier on the phone
Your voice fading with the reception
Then I'd struggled to remember what you looked like
Now I've memorized the gentle curl of your hair
The pattern formed by the lines around your eyes when you smile
The shape of your mouth
Love is teaching
Teaching love
Yesterday you asked me if I'd ever been in love
No, I said casually while adjusting my hair in the mirror
I want to reach out to you, but I don't know if I should
Love is asking to be loved
Here's the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEpaBLhcchs
That was a long answer, wasn't it?
I have many, but the one that sticks out to me recently is Bridge Over Troubled Water, by Simon and Garfunkel.
This was the song that played at my sister's funeral and it hits home to me in so many ways. When I hear it, I imagine that she is telling me those words that when I can't find anyone around me, she'll be there in some way.
Her casket closed as that song was playing at the specific moments of a line that goes "Sail on Silver Girl."
Yeah, when I hear that song, I feel like I am taken back to one of the most painful moments in my life.
But, I also have songs for each one of my children and they all know their songs. For my oldest son, it is "You are the sunshine of my life" by Stevie. For my daughter, it's John Mayer's Daughters.
I love music. Music can always take me back to that moment when I met my husband. I never believed in love at first sight. But, I swear I fell in love with him the moment I saw him smile. I got butterflies when he walked past me and said "keep smiling". We have been together ever since. The song Breathe by Lee Carr always takes me back to that moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx24ELVIyk4
There are so many! I've narrowed my list down to three songs that I listen to again and again and never get tired of them.
1. You Gotta Be by Des'ree. Everyone knows that song. It was played many times on the radio back in the 90s. In fact, I first heard it in the second grade and I'll never forget the impact it has had on me since then. That song is a personal testament tomy life as it has got me through some very tough times. I still love it to this day.
2. L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle aka Habanera from Bizet's opera Carmen. When I first heard this song I was like, wow! Usually sung with a chorus it's the title character, a gypsy, schooling the men on the fickleness of love. It's amazing, to say the least. The opera takes place in Spain so there you go!
3. La Fleur Tu M'Avais Jetee aka The Flower Song in Bizet's Carmen. This aria (song) is sung by the obsessed corporal Don Jose to Carmen, the object of his love. The song literally spells out his love for her and how the flower she tossed him reminded him of her. Anyone who doesn't know French can still understand the feel of the song and how it moves the listener with its haunting, beautiful melody. I even have it as a ringtone on my phone! I listen to this song at least once a day! That's how much I love it! I close my eyes and pretend that I am the gypsy Carmen and he is singing it to me. It's therapeutic after a long day of pure hell.
So there you have it. Those are my top three. The Alicia/Alejandro duet isn't too cheesy. It's sweet, in a very subtle way though.
I love the Sanz! However, I'm not feeling the song with AK. BTW, I jammed to Corazón Partío while in Spain ad nauseam lol. The guitar playing drew me in ...
Too bad the contest ended! However I wanted to post the 3 songs that defines me right now:
1) Si Una Vez by Selena.
The words Selena sings is exactly how I feel right now. She basically is regretting saying that she loved her ex-bf to whom she basically gave her all.
2) Tú no ta´ pa´ mí - Omega y Mambo Violento
Realization that my ex and I were not a good match, better suited for someone else. Love this style of merengue too!
3)I am not my Hair - India.Arie This is for me and my friend. We both went natural, and all of the sudden, we were hit by good hair vs bad hair and dark skinned vs light skinned issues. I was exposed to this when I was younger (everyone would say oh you have "good hair"), but I could not believe that grown people were partaking in this foolishness. My own mom keeps threatening to put a relaxer in my hair while I'm sleeping. So I loved how India says that it's about what's inside, not what's on top of our heads and our skin type/color.
Honorable Mentioned:
On Your Face - Earth, Wind & Fire
Grew up on EW&F, but this song really didn't hit home until now. It seem like my attempt to live abroad really fail because I let everything get to me. I was too busy being mad and sulking, and that's when it seem more bad things would happened. I'm really thinking now if my attitude would have changed or if I didn't let that stuff get me down, would my luck would have changed . . . I will definitely keep this in heavy rotation for my next aventure!
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