They both are from the same period of my life (obviously, cause they are from 1997 and 1998), when I was just figuring out what music was in my poor life, 2 or 3 years before I start to play the guitar.
I also remember that they performed a concert in São Paulo many years later, I still liked the band, but it was really expensive and I wasn't excited and "rich" enough to pay for it...
This song reached the number 1 in the US (but not in Brazil as I told in the beginning =o)
There's a place at Sampa's city centre that's called "Galeria do Rock" (Rock Gallery). It's a 5 floor building where a bunch of stores sell CDs, vinils, t-shirts. In the past it was all about rock, nowadays there stores which sell other kind of music and stuff.
When I was 14, I went to the Rock Gallery with my father and a very good friend of mine (Dezesseis' drummer). I had saved some money to buy everything I could, so did my friend.
My father was driving and he parked in a car park close to the Rock Gallery. Right in front of the car park there was a broken pipe, which was being used as a shower by a beggar. He was completelly naked, using a plastic cup get the wather from the gap of the sidewalk. It was a very warm day and I have never seen someone as happy as him when taking a shower!
After that, we went shopping and bought everythin we wanted. It's wasn't much, because we didn't have much money. My friend bought a CD by Sepultura, and he openned it when we were in the car... sadly, it was falsified.
One of my goods, the only one I can remember, was Insomniac by Green Day. This CD had been reaaally criticised by the audience, but for me, it's as good as the others (even Dookie).
Song number two, Stuck With Me, is my favorite, and we used to play it in Dezesseis. Some say, that it's name is wrong, and had been exchanged with a song called Do da da (From Stuck With Me Single), which says repeatedly "Stuck With Me" in the chorus. It's an unfortune that this song is not part of the main CD, because would definetely be one of the best songs of the album!
Once upon a time, there were three youngster from the south of São Paulo. They were only friends until one day when things changed!
They were "having fun" in a "party" of a "friend" when they first suggested to start a band. Well, the guitar player wasn't good, the bass player (myself) neither, but the most important was that the drummer wasn't actually a drummer, he had never played a drum before that day. However, it was only a small detail: what's the problem about starting a band without a drumset? Easy, anyone can do it! To make things even better, my friends decided to name the band as Porca Loka (I have always hated that name, I was against it, from the beginning, I swear!)
Ok, we finally bought a drum and started playing (or pretending). I still have some tapes of or rehearsals, so disgraceful! Well, it wasn't good as music, but it was awesome as friendiship and good fun!
How can a band be a punk rock band if its first song is not from the Ramones? So, the first song that comes to my head when I remember things from that time is "I wanna be your boyfriend". How dare we play it so badly? Jesus...
The funniest thing is the sound of the drumplates, that were actually demonstration plates, what means, plates to be shown in the front of the store with the drums, but not to be sold with it! Holy shit, it had been better if we used pans, traffic signs or something else!
Very, very good times! I really miss it, thanks to my old Friends Dan and Surf (he loves his nickname =o).
Well, well... this song reminds me two situations of happiness.
The first one happened in the end of November, actually on my 24th anniversary! I went to a Saw Doctors concert with my girlfriend, and this was one of the best moments in Ireland. I was so excited in the concert, coundn't stay quiet a second. This is one more remarkable moment for me, because i could feel and share this moment as part of a group... I felt I was part of something Irish... there was no more imigrants or foreigners in the theatre! All the irish were singing out loud! From my seat I could see a man in this fourty's who was singing as it was his first concert ever! Right in my front, there was a elder couple which was really charming! The old lady was dancing so beautifully that she seemed a little girl!
This day itself would be enough for me to not ever forget this song. But, one month later I was in my company's party! Ok, it was a catering company, but it was a happy day, happy people and the beginning of the holidays, it was christmas party! =o)
I talked to the DJ and asked a Saw Doctor's song. Almost half an hour later he played, N17 was on again! 90% of the company was made of foreigners that didn't know that song, but, there 4 or 5 happy irish guys who sang this song with me, once more, unforgettable!
N17 is the road that connects Tuam (Saw Doctor's hometown) to Galway city.
Music: N17
Band: Saw Doctors
Album: If This Is Rock and Roll, I Want My Old Job Back
Release: 1989
Few scenes from the concert!
The video bellow shows some shots from the party! (Song: The Pogues - Fairy Tale of New York)
Well, last week I told you the story of the first song I learned to play in the bass and this song reminds me another story... It didn't happen to me, but it bothered me a lot at that time. I was fourteen or fifteen...
When Bad Religion was the best and almost my only band to hear, one of my friends was listening to it and he finally bought CD.
Few days later, he came to me to say he threw the CD away. The reason: his mother read through the lyrics and found out what they were about. For those who are not informed or are too orthodox, the lyrics can be misunderstood as something anti-Christ.
I was shocked, I had that CD and I cound't imagine that someone could ever do that. Months later, my friend came to me once again and asked my CD for him to make a copy...
There's no specific song that reminds me this story, then, my favourite song in this CD will do!
I think I'll write a series of posts based on my "firsts". I have already writen about the first music I liked in the Pop Blues style, the first I liked by Sister Hazel, and so on.
It´s a variation of the same subject, thats the first song I ever played in the bass. It happened in the year 2000 when my big friend Edu Giansante came back to our village. He brought his drums, guitar e and bass with him.
I was only a begginer with the guitar but I wanted to learn to play the bass. I showed him some songs I liked, and he learned by ear one by Bad Religion that started with the bass, and taught me!
Then, this song, far away from my favourites, but still a good song, draws a division line in my "musical life".
Well, nothing is perfect. It´s a brazilian saying that can be said and understood in any language!
Once upon a time, there was a band, my band, called Dezesseis (Sixteen). Once upon the same time, there was going to be an event in my school... Well, it can be seen as an oppotunitty, can´t it?
Well, we talked to the principal and she allowed us to play in the event, bad luck day, I have to say...
We rehersed some new songs, trying to get the most most popular but still in our style, Punk Rock / Hard Core. We played few songs, 4 or 5... One of ours, and the others were covers... I could remind any song we played, but for some reason, any reason, I remind Offspring - Sefl Steem.
The sound equalization was awful. They plugged the microphones in speakers that were located metres away from the band, we could barely listen to it, and the audience could hear only it! That was a disaster in its perfection! One of my worst shows ever, possibly the worst!
I have already talked about other Amy Mcdonald's song, but, this one, because of it's lyrics, is kind of more important than This is the Life.
I really believe that there's some sort of destiny and that some things will happen completely out of our control, what means that you must let life flow. This song talks a little bit about it, but it talks about the loves we have along the time. Some of them will last more, but some others will last even more in our minds, what is the most complicated.
This song came insistently to my mind when I had one of that conversations about relationship that nobody likes to have. It played over and over again.
Love this song.
Artist: Amy Macdonald Music: Mr. Rock and Roll Album: This is the Life Released: 2007
This time I'll talk about a band, not only a music. This band will always remind me the Carnival of 2007.
I love when people like the music I presented, and in that Carnival I turned O.A.R. on everybody liked. My best friends liked the music and O.A.R. was the main soundtrack of our carnival when in the house (rented for the carnival) or when driving.
There are few important songs from O.A.R., but it deserves its own post. Now, let´s enjoy one of their best songs, that, however, is not to do with any important moment of my life at the moment.
You can watch below a video showing scenes the carnival at Gonçalves - MG / Brazil, but youtube took off the sound, which was an O.A.R. song.
Band:O.A.R Song: About an Hour Ago Album: The Wanderer Released: 1997
It´s weird, but it´s people, it´s human being. People need to feel that are not alone, it´s good to be first one, however it's not always good to be only one who did it!
Ryan Newell has a really particular voice, so does John Popper (Blues Traveler). They have a really particular voice, however they have similar voices and somewhat similar band style.
That was enough for me to missmatch All For You with Blues Traveler. I heard All for you on the radio for the first time few months after a I heard Run Around. For me it was obvious that the song was from the same band.
I researched the song on Google, Yahoo, and many others: "Blues Traveler - All for you". At that time, these search engines weren´t as good as they are now, and I struggled and couldn´t find the lyrics or the mp3.
Few months later, I found out that All for you was a Sister Hazel´s song, and that´s when I started to like the band which became my favourite from that moment on.
Artist: Sister Hazel Music: All for you Album: Sister Hazel Released: 1994
Turn it loud Let it build We got a long way to go But you, ya gotta start somewhere (Dave Matthews Band - I did it)
We really need to start somewhere, there´s no use in expecting to be the best in your first time, to be the best boyfriend in the first relationship, to be the boss in your first job... but there are few other stuff that you can start very well.
One of the most important things about the first one is that you´ll never forget it, you might forget your name, but you may not forget your "firsts".
That´s how it happened, the first song I ever liked in the style I usually call "pop blues" is Blues Traveler - Run Around. It is a remarkable start, because John Popper is probably the greatest harmonica player ever.
I assume that Blues Traveler is an adorable band, with lots amazing tunes, however it´s not one of my top 10 bands (nevertheless this song is possibly in my top 10 tunes). However it gave birth to another passion, that I´ll tell next post.
This song does not bring any specific memory to my mind, but it´s the first, and that´s enough, by the way... it´s powerfull enough to make a bad day turn into a good day!
Artist: Blues Traveler Music: Run Around Album: Four Released: 1994
Why do the grandparents become the most important person / icon in a family? Well, it can be easily answered by: They are the most experienced people in the family... Ok, fair enough, this is a reasonable answer, but sometimes people don´t consider them the most important, or at least don´t treat them as they were.
Actually, their importance is unquestionable, once if they weren't there, nobody else would be there too. But when they are really the most important, they influence the life of everyone that has given birth out of their DNA. Some of them will be too young to realise the influence their grandparents or great-grandparents had over their lives.
9th March is my grandmother's anniversary and she asked us to make a big party, so we did. It was amazing, I never felt that way with my family before, was a great experience. All her children homenagiate her saying what they were feeling at that moment, no word has been written down beforehand.
The grandsons (including myself, the youngest of them), too many to speak one by one, made a tribute, singing one her favourite's song. More than 20 people singing... two guitars (out of tune) and one flute playing.
Well, not the best players, not the best guitar and flute, far from good singers... but, absolutely, the best feeling...
This is not the translation. This is a version in english composed by an brasilian singer, Raul Seixas. The idea of the original lyrics has been preseverd.
White Wings
When i stare the ground of My land Burning loose as dancing flames I asked man there upon The heavens If i deserve me this kind of pain I asked the man there upon The heavens If i deserve me this kind of pain Everywhere the ground is so dry There's no trees, no green, just red I lost my cattle, my apaloosa For lack of water some took away I lost my cattle, my apaloosa For lack of water some took away Even white winged birds flew away Flew away from my land sight It was when i said goodbye Sweet rosie Keep in to your heart, this heart Of mine It was when i said goodbye Sweet rosie Keep in to your heart, this heart Of mine Many thousands miles away, now Feeling lonely, lost and blue I keep on waiting rain falls again there So i'll be back thou home again I keep on waiting rain falls again there So i'll be back thou home again When the glow green of your eyes Flows again all over land I can asure you, so don't You cry, no 'cause i'll be back, see To you again!! I can asure you, so don't You cry, no 'cause i'll be back, see To you again!!
Coming back to the eletronic music, maybe the dance music of nowadays.
The song was released in 2007 but it's remarkable in 2008 for me, that's because this song played a important role on farewell. I had two different parties with my friends, and this song makes me remind every second spent and not spent with them those days.
The first moment, a trip tenderly called "Spirit of Ibiuna" that happened in Piedade. A dozen of my friends went there with me and Edu to spend the weekend. The weather didn't help much, but the guys know how to bring happiness when it seems to be out of reach.
The second farewell party was in a night club, which we rented for us that night, that was another unforgetable moment, when I played my music, and the DJ played Yves LaRock - Rise Up.
That's the second song the reminds me the good things about my departure to Ireland (check the first one).
Every word you say, every move you make... oops, it sounds like a song, let´s try to make some other way.
Everything you do is a piece of you! Everything you create is a way to recreate you, inovate. That´s how I feel about my music! And sometimes it´s weird beacuse my songs are or will be part of my future instead of part of my past, as they should logically be.
This is a song I wrote years ago, and the first and main chords I created even longer ago. I had just the first peace, and the second one took a long while for me to come up with.
I wanted to record this song in the beginning of last year when I recorded "Adeus São Paulo", but couldn´t ´cause i didn´t have time... but I´ll record it, soon, you´ll see! =o)
Now, I can just record like this: me, my guitar and my disgraceful voice. Hope you enjoy it anyway! I translated the lyrics so that everyone can understand what I´m singing!
From everything I learnt and what I know today They make part of me and of the image that some have about me I know it´s hard but I will be happy one day
Chorus A woman, maybe a saint, or a dream that you might have It´s not enough, we all make mistakes, and the most important Only for you
If there were only 1001 nights, or only 10 things I hate about you That would be much easier to learn And maybe one day, even survive In this world where everything is about you I don´t want some just to feel pity of me
I was just kid when this cd was released but I remember it pretty well.
The compact disc was spreading in Brazil and we finally bought our first CD player. Months later my father bought a big stereo for the living room, and we won two cds with it: Daniela Mercuri - A Canto da Cidade, e The 3 Tenors - in Concert.
All the songs from this CD reminds me that time, but I think there's no better music to put here than Brazil.
Artist: The 3 Tenors Music: All, specially Brazil Album: The 3 Tenors - in Concert Released: 1994
Perfect for a first night with a girl, as it happened to me. I think it says almost everything that you feel when making love is soft and sweet.
There's a special taste for me even more because it happened when I was simply listening to John Mayer's songs every single day, finding more about the lyrics and so on.
Artist: John Mayer Music: You body is a wonderland Album: Room for Squares Released: 2007
A cover version by a portuguese girl that I liked very much.
We got the afternoon You got this room for two One thing I've left to do Discover me Discovering you
One mile to every inch of Your skin like porcelain One pair of candy lips and Your bubblegum tongue
And if you want love We'll make it Swim in a deep sea Of blankets Take all your big plans And break 'em This is bound to be awhile
Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands) Your body is a wonderland
Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase You tell me where to go and Though I might leave to find it I'll never let your head hit the bed Without my hand behind it
You want love? We'll make it Swim in a deep sea Of blankets Take all your big plans And break 'em This is bound to be awhile
Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands) Your body is a wonderland
Damn baby You frustrate me I know you're mine all mine all mine But you look so good it hurts sometimes
Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonder(I'll use my hands) Your body is a wonderland Your body is a wonderland
"This is the "most punk" song we've ever released!" That's what Mike Dirnt, Green Day's bass player thinks about Billie Joe's song. Probably because it's completely different to everything Green Day done before.
This song has a differente appeal and talks about a decision point when thinks change in your life and you need to move on! In that case, to Billie Joe, the reason was the end of a relationship that, for him, shouldn't have ended.
It's one of the most popular of Green Day songs, it's possibly as famous as Basket Case, the classic. When this song reached the top of the charts I was discovering Green Day. I used to listen to the radio everyday just to listen this song wishing really hard that Time of Your Life was in the top... but, unfortunetelly, it never happend, at least not in the main rock radio station of that time.
All the days I listened to the radio, I'll never forget, the most voted was The Unforgiven II, by Metallica, which I liked, but which I wasn't supporting.
Good times, when I went out to play on the streets with my friends having two other bigger friends: the radio, and the earphones.
Artist: Green Day Music: Good Riddance (Time of your Life) Album: Nimrod Released: 1997
Some songs strike you in the middle of the afternoon, that's life, things happen by they own accord.
I first heard this song on the radio when I was coming back from school. It's a really simple song, of 4 chords, two simple guitar solos. But it took my breath away... I took note of the lyrics, and researched in Google.
I found the song and listened to it several times that day. Two or three months later I was travelling to Bristol, England to watch of Amy Macdonald's concerts, and it was unbelievably fantastic.
I was by myself but I had loads of fun, and enjoyed each minute of the 21 years old singer on the stage. She looked gorgeous (mainly because she looked much thinner than in the videos) and kind of shy, looking like a little girl that doesn't know very well what to do with her talent and fame.
So, this song stroke and marked forever two days of my Lifespan: the day I knew Amy, and the day I met Amy.
Artist: Amy Macdonald Music: This is the Life Album: This is the Life Released: 2007
Oh the wind whistles down The cold dark street tonight And the people they were dancing to the music vibe And the boys chase the girls with the curls in their hair While the shy tormented youth sit way over there And the songs they get louder Each one better than before
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
So your heading down the road in your taxi for four And you're waiting outside Jimmy's front door But nobody's in and nobody's home 'til four So you're sitting there with nothing to do Talking about Robert Riger and his motley crew And where you're gonna go and where you're gonna sleep tonight
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life And you wake up in the morning and your head feels twice the size Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna sleep tonight?
In my opinion, one of the most important punk rock songs ever. That's the way I classify this song.
There are few reasons for that:
1 - the song was released in 1993, the before the "new punk" explosion, when Green Day, Offspring and many other punk bands came up and stroke the radios and conquered millions of listeners / followers
2 - the lyrics are about the Gulf War, when the first president of the bastard family Bush said they will win the war because was by their sides. Ironic, isn't it? (It's a pity that none proper punk movement raised back from the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the USA).
I don't really remember the song when it was released, but only from my fist English classes when I was trying to understand lyrics of songs I liked, and American Jesus was one of the first, or maybe the first.
American Jesus, possibly my best punk rock song. Bad Religion, probably my best punk band.
Unfortunately, Bad Religion is not a great video clip producers, but, we can stick to the music, what is already enough.
Band: Bad Religion Music: American Jesus Album: Recipe For Hate Released: 1993
For those who live in such a distance country, in such different culture, it's really tough to decide to move abroad to become an exchange student.... but I did it! And I'm pleased because of that, it's by far the most amazing experience a youngster can have.
We do face lots of hassles in this journey, but it couldn't be more rewarding. It's been 9 months now and I visited 12 countries - 17 cities, ate lots of delicious food, and the best of all, met hundreds of people. People I may never see again, but who made each moment worthwhile. (More about my exchange student life, click here)
Few weeks before I leave Sao Paulo, I was driving my car through one of the biggest avenues of the city, which is alongside Pinheiros River. I was listening to this song, when I stopped a second to listen to the lyrics.
Oh the Green and Red of Mayo I can see it still It's soft and craggy bog lands It's tall majestic hills Where the ocean kisses Ireland And the waves caress its shore...
Hey... Did he say Ireland? I rewarded the song a few seconds and listened it again. Yes, he did! He said the name of the country where I'm going to spend my next 12 months.
On that day, when I got back home, I researched about the band and found out that they were Irish.
I love some of their some, some others not much, but this song is definitely part of my soundtrack!
Hello Everybody! First of all, I want to wish everybody a very happy, rewarding and enjoyable 2009.
Some songs are made to make us think, others to make us shout, others to regret but all of them are made for us to get better.
This song reminds me one of the best weekends ever. I went to the US to make a course, and took the opportunity to watch a Sister Hazel's concert at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach. I bought the new CD, one mp3 player... I rented a car, and Sister Hazel - BAM! Volume 1 was the soundtrack for that weekend. From that album, there is a song that is part of a turning point in my way of thinking, of understanding life.
I think this song has a lot to do with the song I wrote (it's my about).
I hope you guys enjoy! Everybody can be a little better for themselves, let's do it every day!
Well, this is, finally, one song is part of my actual day-to-day.
Not only because I like and it's famous now, but because I'm living in Ireland, this song is simply in everyone's mouths!
The first moment that makes me remind this song is when I started to research about Amy Macdonald, one my current passions. She recorded a cover version, which is very good, and reminded me that these songs existed and was good.
But the moment linked to this song I'll never forget probably is way back home on 22nd December 2008.
I was walking through Grafton Street, Dublin centre, when I saw a small crowd around a guitar player (as it's pretty common in this street). As I approximated, they were in silence, and sudden started to play Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire. When they finished the music, I restarted to walk towards home... then, I heard, they were beginning to play Mr. Brightside. I gave in to the music and joined the crowd once again.
We sang other good songs such as Worderwall (Oasis), Iris (Googoo Dolls) and many others. But the song I'll never forget will be Mr. Brightside, by the Killers...
