Samba Song
Sitti Navarro
Article By Ayesa Lubag
A Filipino artist Sitti Navarro made it possible to create her own craft of bossa nova in the country, singing like a real Brazilian. Bossa nova originated in Brazil in the late 1950s. It has been the music admired by the middle and upper classes. These members of both classes were the once who composed the music and lyrics. A relaxed and trouble-free life of most Brazilians was shown which vaguely resembled the majority of which belonged to the working class. It was widely criticized for this reason.
Bossa nova’s rhythm is based mainly on samba. Samba originated in the African slave communities and has the elements of European march music. It is emphasized on the first beat with a degree noted to be in 2/4 time. The rhythm isn’t swinging like in jazz but rather, it is swaying.
The “popular music style” bossa nova and its use of seventh and extended chords shows its close relation to jazz music when harmonic structure is considered. The length of a song usually lasts from two to four minutes. It differs from rock music’s standard in Europe and America that has a format of two verses with a bridge, and a closing verse. Many bossa songs often lack a bridge and have no more than two verses.
Emo Rock: Angry No More
By: Maria Espie Vidal
Thick eye-liner, heavy bangs, everything black from head to toe and always aloof—yup, I know what comes up in your mind. This is a typical description of an “emo”. By the way, what is emo?
The definition of the “e” word remains debatable. Some say it is an acronym which stands for Emotionally and Mentally Overload (EMO) while others claim it to be an abbreviated version of the adjective “emotional”. Emo it became a fad amongst teenagers today.
These characters are popularly known to be dramatic, sentimental and depressed. This is disturbing to most because grave depression may lead to them being suicidal. They have a sort off “distorted” outlook in life which, oftentimes, highlights hopelessness and despair.
However, this so-called “depression” of emos is most likely related with love and relationship. Therefore, it could be said that emos are hopeless romantics.
On the bright side, this hopeless romantic-ness of emos gave them their deep attachment to poetry and music.
Birth of Filipino Emo Rock
Not so long ago, when alternative bands started to rule the airwaves, musicians were experimenting and mixing several genres with the standard rock and roll. There was pop rock, alternative rock, punk rock, rap rock and the all time favorite “tunog-kalye” (alternative sound with a mainstream-tune-type twist).
Then in the year 2007, a band called Typecast broke the “happy” and shallow-lyric theme of then mainstream rock sounds with their hit song Will You Ever Learn?. Then and there, new genre called “emo rock” was born.
Deep, passionate and, as expected, desperate words mixed with the heavy and metallic sound of rock, this new genre became a certified hit for Filipinos. Will You Ever Learn stayed on top of music hit charts for weeks and even months.
This song is about a couple who’re in the stage of being nearly separated. The speaker is talking to his partner about their dying relationship which the girl refuses to fix. However, he’s starting to get impatient with his partner as she stubbornly resists changing her ways. He’s caught up in a dilemma of whether or not he’ll leave her or understand her.
“So what’s the point in all of this
When you will never change?
The days have past
The weather’s changed
Should I be sorry?”
A year has gone and though Typecast went back to the underground scene, emo rock continues to rule the airwaves. Bands like Chicosci and Urbandub has switch from their normal genres to a more emotional tone. Emo rock is a sure fired it amongst Filipinos.
Filipinos are Emos
Whatever spell emo rock has, it is sure infectious. Though definitely not a first (I’m sure emo sounds has been around for quite a long time), it has dared to change the stereotype people has with rock songs.
Oftentimes, we associate rock with hate and evil messages incorporated with a growling vocal. With this, many believe that lyrics in this genre do not require creativity for a fact that nobody can understand them anyway.
With emo rock, lyrics matter. For the fact that they are a sentimental character, it is obvious that these lyrics must be creatively dramatic to encapsulate their feelings. Emo is so much about the feelings.
But, this dramatic encapsulation of human emotions has its pros and cons. Though it can help release heart aches and pains by making one cry this can also, if one is not capable of handling and manipulating his emotions, lead to depression, wrist cutting and even suicide. In this case, it is up to the listeners’ psychological management of their emotions.
Nevertheless, emo rock is predicted to rise for years to come simply because Filipinos are hopeless romantics as well. We are known for our deep connection with our romantic sides and the artistic expression of that feeling. And as long as Juan de la Cruz continues to love, songs of this theme—emo or not—will sure be a hit.
Exodus,Movement of Jah People
By Melanie Datu
In the present time where almost everywhere is war and injustice, a music genre, distinct for its passion for peace and advocacies, stands out.
Although strongly influenced both by traditional African and Caribbean music and by American rhythm and blues, Reggae owes its direct origins to the progressive development of “ska and rocksteady” in 1960s Jamaica.
According to Bob Marley, Reggae is Spanish in origin, meaning "the king’s music" but according to veteran musicians the word is a description of the beat itself. Hux Brown of the Skatalites and lead guitarist on Paul Simon’s 1972 hit "Mother and Child Reunion" says that it is "just a funny word which means ragged rhythm and the body feeling."
Reggae is the music of Rastafarianism. Rastafari movement spreads throughout the world largely because of the interest Reggae generates. The lyrics of reggae deal with issues of humanity: Faith, love, relationships, poverty, injustice and other social issues.
Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Just recently, this song by Bob Marley became ever more popular because of Will Smith’s I am Legend. Ironically, Will Smith also sings the song in Shark Tale. However, the song appears in strikingly contrasting contexts. In Shark Tale, Smith sings the song in a light-hearted, feel-good manner, while in I am Legend, the song has bittersweet undertones, as Smith's character sings the song in an attempt to stave off intense loneliness. But no matter, what does Three Little Birds really mean? Simple: Everything’s gonna be alright no matter how hopeless humans can be.
