Beyond - 早班火車 (Morning Train)

This is a beautiful song by my all time favourite Hong Kong rock band, BEYOND. Many of us in East Asia and South East Asia picked up guitars because of BEYOND, that's the impact they created, especially when the band mastermind Wong Ka Kui, the genius was still with us!

Too bad God took him away in such a tragic way at such young age in 1993... Guess all legends had to die young... RIP 黃家駒 Wong Ka Kui (June 10, 1962 – June 30, 1993)

Anyway, Morning Train was released in 1992 under Beyond's eighth Cantonese album 《繼續革命》（Carry on The Revolution). The lyrics describe about a man who's in a one sided love in a dreamy and beautiful way, where he meets his dream woman every morning in train.


Original recording version.


Beyond performed Morning Train without Ka Kui in 2003 Live.

Lyrics:
Sorry for my lousy translation, but I believe it is still better than any crappy software translation. I hope my interpretation could at least help you understand this song better. Cheers!

天天清早最歡喜　在這火車中再重逢妳
(Every happy morning, in this train we meet again)
迎著　妳那似花氣味　難定下夢醒日期
（Moving towards your flower like fragrance,  it is hard to know when to wake up from dreams)
玻璃窗把妳反映　讓眼睛可一再纏綿妳
（Through the reflection of the glass window, my eyes could linger around you again)
無奈妳那會知我在凝望著萬千傳奇
(How frustrated that you don't know that I'm staring into thousands of legends/fairy tales)

Chorus:
願永不分散　祈求路軌當中　永沒有終站 woo-oh
(Never may we part, I pray that this journey will never end, woo-oh)
盼永不分散　仍然幻想一天我是妳終站
(Never may we part, still I imagine one day, I'll be your destination)
妳輕倚我臂彎
(You lean on my arms gently)

火車嗚嗚那聲響　在耳邊偏偏似柔柔唱
(The noise of train whistle, sounded like soft singing right next to my ears)
難道妳教世間漂亮　和默令夢境漫長
(As if you taught the world what beauty is, and silently order the dreamland to be endless)

Repeat Chorus

多渴望告訴妳知　心裡面我那意思
(How I wish I could tell you the meaning of my heart)
多渴望可得到妳的那注視
(How I wish I could attract your attention to myself)
又再等一個站　看妳意思
(Yet another station, waiting for your decision)
三個站盼妳會知　千個站妳卻似仍未曾知
(Hoping you'll know after three stations, and yet you never know after a thousand satations...)

Repeat Chorus Read more...

Celine Dion - What Wonderful World

I know many of you may not like Celine Dion's What A Wonderful World cover, and always comparing her rendition to Louis Armstrong's originality and emotion...

Well, I just don't care a bit about the comments, yes, Louis Armstrong's version is the greatest one, but after all, it's just about taste and personal preference.

Most importantly, this song just soothed me from all the negativity I had today, and that's the reason why I'm sharing this version instead of the original's.


Thank you, Celine!


from Celine Dion - Miracle (2004)

Lyrics:
I see trees of green... red roses too
I see 'em bloom... for me and for you
And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue... and clouds of white
Bright blessed days.... warm sacred nights
And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow... so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces... of people going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin'.. how do you do?
They're really sayin'... I love you.

I hear babies cry... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more... than I'll never know
And I think to myself... what a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself... what a wonderful world... oh yeah! Read more...

Christina Rosenvinge - Expensive Shoes

Attracted by the dreamy melodies and vocal, I found this song on a compilation album Happiness & Tenderness 2006, published by Avant Garden Records. It was on air during a hair cut in a local hair salon, I quickly asked for the CD that the boss was playing to get to know the song and track list.

Happiness &s Tenderness 2006 (sold out)

Expensive Shoes is actually one the dreamy (a lil more upbeat) songs from Christina Rosenvinge's U.S. debut Frozen Pool album, published in 2011. Right now I still haven't listened to many of her songs, and her earlier Latin, Spanish pop songs. It is know that she moved to New York City in 1999, and changed her musical direction from Pop to Indie and Alternative. She was also a member of Christina y Los Subterráneos.

I love her angelic voice, and somehow her voice reminds me of Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star)... what do you think?

Christina Rosenvinge on myspace

Christina's official website: christinarosenvinge.com


Frozen Pool (2001)

Lyrics:
So thank you for the lawn and the tea cups
the tutus and the crown that I´ve still got
now I shine like a new silver spoon
and keep quiet as I´m supposed to do

So thank you for the ring and the tulips
though I guess I was too young to refuse it
but it´s sunday I don´t need an excuse
I´m a shade in pretty expensive shoes

Yes, that twisted melody
spinning in my head like a ferris wheel
no, I wouldn´t be so sad
if I could be alone for a while

So thank you for the price on my raincoat
and that hook that looks so nice
round my pale throat
I´m a big girl paying all my dues
pretty girl in pretty expensive shoes
Read more...

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Summer Wine

I'm far from being a fetus when this song is written, hahaha!

This song is used as a background music for a design reel, which I don't remember who the animator is. Anyway, this song was written in 1966 by Lee Hazlewood for Suzi Jane Hokom and Hazlewood himself in 1966, but the version I post here is the remake of Nancy Sinatra and Hazlewood in 1967, and then featured on Nancy & Lee LP in 1968.

It's a rather sweet and sexy song, where a man met a woman who offered him summer wine, and ended up his silver spurs and money stole ;-)




Fairy Tales & Fantasies: The Best Of Nancy & Lee

Lyrics:
Strawberries cherries and an angel's kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things

I walked in town on silver spurs that jingled to
A song that I had only sang to just a few
She saw my silver spurs and said lets pass some time
And I will give to you summer wine
Ohh-oh-oh summer wine

Strawberries cherries and an angel's kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things
Take off your silver spurs and help me pass the time
And I will give to you summer wine
Ohhh-oh summer wine

My eyes grew heavy and my lips they could not speak
I tried to get up but I couldn't find my feet
She reassured me with an unfamiliar line
And then she gave to me more summer wine
Ohh-oh-oh summer wine

Strawberries cherries and an angel's kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things
Take off your silver spurs and help me pass the time
And I will give to you summer wine
Mmm-mm summer wine

When I woke up the sun was shining in my eyes
My silver spurs were gone my head felt twice its size
She took my silver spurs a dollar and a dime
And left me cravin' for more summer wine
Ohh-oh-oh summer wine

Strawberries cherries and an angel's kiss in spring
My summer wine is really made from all these things
Take off your silver spurs and help me pass the time
And I will give to you summer wine
Mmm-mm summer wine
Read more...

Richie Sambora - In It For Love (Undiscovered Soul)

Richie Sambora is the lead guitarist of the famous melodic rock band Bon Jovi, I actually prefer his vocal works rather than his guitar soloing. Don't get me wrong, he's a good guitarist with his own styles, it's just that he also posses great voice, which to me, outshines his guitar efforts.

I love the positive energy of In It For Love, the easy, mostly acoustic, 7th track from Richie Sambora's second solo album. It talks about the reality, the frustrations of everyone's normal life. But what really matter at the end of the day is LOVE, and love will keep us going.

So be loving, be tough!


Richie Sambora - Undiscovered Soul (1998)




Lyrics:
Life is a road
Forever winding where it leads us
I don't know
In it together for better or worse
Searching for our pal of gold

Time leaves a trail
Of broken hearts
So many arrows
Just keep missing their mark
Baby, that ain't us

Nothing else matters
When you're in it for love
Together we can only go higher
You can reach any rainbow
You're dreaming of

Nothing else matters at all
When you're in it for love, baby
Yeah, we'll share in the laughter
Share in the tears
And the promises we keep

Life can be crazy
Love can be cruel
But it's always been
A two way street

You try and give it
All you have to give
So many people
Don't know how to forgive
Baby, that ain't us

Nothing else matters
When you're in it for love
Together we can only go higher
You can reach any rainbow
You're dreaming of
Nothing else matters at all
When you're in it for love, baby

You try and give it
All you have to give
So many people
Don't know how to forgive
Baby, that ain't us

Nothing else matters
When you're in it for love
Together we can only go higher
You can reach any rainbow
You're dreaming of

Nothing else matters at all
When you're in it for love, baby
When you're in it for love, baby
In it for love

When you're in it for love, baby
When you're in it for love, baby
When you're in it for love, baby
In it for love
Read more...

Sotte Bosse - 瞳がほほえむから (From The Smiling Eyes)

No, I don't understand a word of Japanese though I can read Kanji (Chinese characters). But that's the beauty of good music because they always break the boundaries of nationalities, languages, culture... All you have to do is sit back and feel it.



I found Sotte Bosse on Youtube, and the first song I listened to is 太陽のキス (Kiss of The Sun, which is a feel good song too!). Then I bought their Moment album from HMV Singapore. Right now From The Smiling Eyes is my favourite Sotte Bosse song. It's a cheerful song in bossa nova and J-Pop style, and as I said, you don't need to understand Japanese language in order to appreciate it, 'cuz you'll fall in love with the beat and melody right away!

As a graphic designer, I love the consistent style of their album and music video graphics, simple and delightful!


Sotte Bosse - Moment (2007)


Lyrics (with google translation. An accurate translation will be very much appreciated!):

ねえ この世に生まれて最初の朝に何が見えたの?
今 その輝きであなただけを見つめている

一面に咲いた菜の花の色 ほら拍手のように揺れてる

迷った遥かな日々 涙じゃなく力にして
あふれる想いを今こそ果てなく抱きしめて

ねえ 憶えてますか めぐり逢いはいたずらだよね
でも 遠い痛みもいつか愛の強さになる

歩き出す肩にとまる光が 二人やさしさへみちびく

感じて あたりまえの、ありったけの心の声
さわって くりかえす明日を乗り越えてゆくのね

うれしい あなただけが私だけをさがしていた
見つめて ふたつの瞳に言葉はいらないの

ほら 瞳に映るあなたが今ほほえむから…

Google translation:
The first morning I saw what hey are born into this world?
You are looking at the glow that only now

You know I shake like a clap of Rapeseed blooms on one side color

Every day to force a far astray tears Janaku
Now is full of thoughts a result Hug

Do you remember Hey I Love Affair It's not naughty
The strength of love will also come in a distant but painful

Kindness leads to two stops of light to start walking shoulder

Obvious feeling, as much as the voice of heart
Overcoming the die tomorrow I touched repeatedly

I was just looking happy Only you
Two eyes staring words is unnecessary

Reflected in the smiling eyes right now ... hey
Read more...

SORE - Silly Little Thing (featuring Atilia Haron)

This is a sweet and lovely song by an Indonesian band: SORE, featuring Malaysian singer and songwriter, Atilia Haron. The song was released in 2011, can be found on both SORE's Sombrero Kiddos EP and Atilia's Indah (indah means beautiful or picturesque in Bahasa) album.

SORE on myspace
Atilia's official website: atilia.us

Lyrics:
Raining out on Sunday
A lazy funny calm day
Laying down on some fun times as well

You slowly come to my sense
Our time has come to be friends
The sun is sliding up for some love dance

You are so fine
(Just like) eveybody’s waltzing watching the raindrops
Silly little thing that you are

And I’m so glad you’re mine..
(You make me) Walking on side arms frolic some sweet flaunts
Silly little thing that you are

Silly little thing that you are boy
Fancy everything that you’ve got dear
Every little thing you desire’s waiting for you

So now the fun is out there
Such a flaming escapade
The sun is setting up for the game to play

Raining out on Sunday
Lazy funny calm day
The moon is sliding out for some more love dance
Read more...

Kina Grannis - Valentine (Stairwell)

This is my first post to start sharing some feel good music with you, and I choose the cute, multi-talented Kina Grannis who writes and sings with sincerity.

I got to know Kina Grannis from a local paper and ordered this wonderful album June 24th, 2001 through her official website (kinagrannis.com). It reached Malaysian custom and was released on June 28th, kinda efficient huh?

Yeah!


It's autographed :-)


Track listings. Apart from her original songs, I also love the cover songs she did in the bonus disc, especially The Sound of Silence (Simon and Garfunkel).

This is her first full length album featuring lotsa great easy listening songs, and with Kina's comforting voice, trust me, it's gonna make your day!

Here's the featured song "Valentine" from the album with it's creative official music video (HD). Enjoy~


Lyrics:
Love, it's a special day
We should celebrate and appreciate
That you and me found something pretty neat
And I know some say this day is arbitrary

But it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
Baby, I...
I will love you
I'll love you, I'll love you

Love, I don't need those things
I don't need no ring
I don't need anything
But you with me
'Cause in your company
I feel happy, oh so happy and complete

And it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
Baby, I...
I will love you
I'll love you, I'll love you

Yeah, it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
Baby, I...
I will love you
I'll love you, I'll love you

So won't you be my honey bee?
Giving me kisses all the time
Be mine, be my Valentine

So won't you be my honey bee?
Giving sweet kisses all the time
Be mine, be my Valentine

Oh, be my Valentine

Read more...