"All you need is Love" sang the Beatles, but "What is Love?" as that Dance tune of the 90s said, "Is this Love?" ask Whitesnake in their super famous song and... Well, enough, Javier.
The thing is that, if you think about it, "love" is a complicated term to explain; I mean, if you ask anyone to quickly explain what they understand for love, most will start by saying "it's something you feel when..." but most of those definitions will likely be imprecise, vague and, definitely, very different from each other. Yes, love is not easy to define, yet it is one of the basic pillars/axes of a fulfilling life (along with health and wealth) and, undoubtedly, probably the main reason which has led to almost any human creation, endeavor, enterprise, undertaking or action ever. Yes, I challenge you to find any work that is not the result of any human passion. Most artistic or literary works stem from "the love of something or for someone": think about Shakespeare's literary works (Romeo and Juliet, Othelo, Hamlet, etc) for instance. But this is not limited to "romantic love"; some works stem from "the love of God" (the Holy Bible, the Koran...), the love of one's identity (wars of independence), the love of one's country/culture and contempt for others' (laws of immigration, Islamic terrorism...), love of a pure, superior, immaculate race (Nazism, ethnic cleansing, etc.), you get it, right?
So, the concept of love is so broad and wide that we're gonna focus here on the idea of "romantic love", all right?
From very early on, we hear countless stories about what love is supposed to be: you meet the boy/girl of your dreams, marry him/her, start a family and live super happily ever after. Yeah, right. I guess some genuinely live a life like that: they meet their true soulmate, their significant other, hit it off immediately, experience "love at first sight", find out that they are actually the Ying to the other's Yang, everything is nice and easy in their coexistence and never have a single argument or remarkable problem. If you belong to this group of people, lucky you. Most people, however, know that this thing called love is not devoid of difficulties and highs and lows and that it takes some of one's commitment and effort.
First of all, all that "take me as I am" nonsense is... well, nonsense: in sharing one's life with another person/other people, one needs to be prepared to compromise and be willing to adapt one's personal ambitions, routines, hobbies for the sake of a greater good (i.e.: that relationship), and also be ready to change one's ways because, believe me or not, nobody's perfect. If you didn't have to change ANYTHING AT ALL in your life, you rarely take into account your partner when planning it and yet, they never question anything, but follow you instead like a loyal lapdog who's totally under your thumb, well, I'm not exactly sure that one is a very healthy relationship. It may be perfect and perfectly convenient for YOU, I guess, but I doubt he/she will deeply feel the same.
Secondly, we have to be ready to learn from our mistakes and struggle to not make them in the future: yeah, we all at some point MAY have been too dependant on someone or way too cold, aloof, indifferent to them, we may have been cheated on or have cheated on somebody, treated somebody like dirt or been treated like dirt- and lived with it-, let a stormy relationship go on way too long and end up in an acrimonious breakup or parted ways far too soon and ended a probably would-be-great relationship (maybe for not wanting to compromise at all!). "To err is human" says the saying ("and to forgive is divine" it continues). So there is no point in crying over spilled milk, bemoaning and cursing our terrible luck. The past is passed. So let's try to get over it and focus on the present and future. And I KNOW, as with many things in life, the "easier said than done" line applies very well when it comes to relationships, but let's just try, shall we?
Thirdly, we have to be HONEST with ourselves and know what we want in life, and what we expect from ourselves and from other people. And be sincere. "What we do in life echoes in eternity," said the character Maximus in Gladiator. So, I think it is better to be brutally honest with yourself and the rest and accept that it may be difficult for you to have a "normal" relationship and sometimes feel like shit than be full of shit because you cannot tell the truth if your life depended on it. Again, "easier said than done".
Besides, there's one thing that bums me out a little bit and it is the "mercantilism" that sometimes surrounds relationships, the laws of supply and demand that have almost always run love and romance; I'll explain myself: if you are wealthy, intelligent, fun, educated, good-looking, well-dressed..., finding a partner will be like 1 million times easier for you than if you're not. And, probably, you'll go for an equally valuable, pricey "item" (if you know what I mean). That categorization of people as products of variable value makes me a little sad. But I guess it has always been like that.
Finally, all that applies to romantic love could be said as well about friendship: if you find someone who makes you feel good and brings genuine happiness and joy to your life, they are a keeper. And as such, you need to take care of them! Stop finding excuses for not getting together with your friends more often because life has changed and people walk different paths and blah, blah, blah. He who has a friend has a treasure. Don't give them away!
What are your thoughts about this topic? Leave them in the comments box!
The aim of this very interesting video is to give you some varied phrases and expressions to say "I like it!" in different ways. One of the problems students experience at this level is being stuck with rather simple language, quite similar to the one they were using in more basic levels. To say "I like something" is perfectly correct, of course, but knowing more expressions makes your spoken English much richer, accurate and natural.
I'm sure most of you remember the infamous shooting taking place in January 7th 2015 (four years ago already, wow!), in the offices of the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo, in Paris.
Like -I assume- you, I was shocked and horrified by how a bunch of fanatics tried to terrorize people and impede freedom of expression, on behalf of any religion. See, freedom of speech is one of the key, pinnacle achievements of humankind and the sole thought of seeing it constantly threatened by a bunch of brainless savages armed to the teeth just turns my stomach.
I was not familiar with the aforementioned magazine, but I heard the type of jokes you could find in it take no prisoners, that is, make fun of everything and everyone, something which I kind of endorse, but I understand and respect that others won't.
I mean, while I don't really mind someone casting doubt on and even ridiculing my convictions and beliefs, I rarely try to stir up controversies about sensitive matters such as politics or religion; you see hundreds of people calling each other names on Facebook and acting dead serious on some issue related with the two previous topics. I think it just generates divide, so I personally tend to steer clear of that. And, besides, some people/groups/cultures tend to tolerate jokes on their values and beliefs worse than others so, why risk, innit?
The thing is that soon after those abominable attacks, a couple of posts with links to articles which read "I am not Charlie Hebdo" started to pop up on my Facebook page. I was curious and I paid them a visit, just to find pretty eloquent and well-written opinions on how sometimes freedom of speech/expression can be used in pretty wicked ways.
Take a look at those articles and think about what they say and if you feel like, as usual, add your comment in the corresponding section!
Hey! we're currently involved in topic nº5 "Art Attack", which deals with -duh- various forms of artistic expression , music being one of them. This is one topic I'm super passionate about and one I could talk or write about for hours, literally. So please, do not expect much diplomacy and, for God's sake, do not take offence if you disagree with my opinions here; it's just musical tastes we're discussing here and if you feel I unjustly thrashed an artist you are really fond of, you could go and do the same and I would never be offended, AT ALL. But if you really feel you need to express your outrage at my writeups, just do so in the comments box!
I remember, during an informal conversation with a friend, I was telling him that I was mainly drawn to music that was: a) heavy, loud, noisy, angry, aggressive or fast, b) weird, quirky, strange, original, different- from what I had heard- and c) catchy, tuneful, singable, melodious, bouncy, infectious. Notwithstanding my musical preferences, it is obvious that, when creating a playlist that you- along with OTHER PEOPLE- want to enjoy, the third category prevails. Therefore, find here the playlists I created for different categories.
Having been focused for many years on mainly loud and noisy music (Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Experimental, Noise Rock...), long ago I realized that my music collection could end up being a little limited if I neglected the sounds of Classic Rock of the 60's, 70's and even 80's. Besides their ubber famous classic "Nights in White Satin", I had mainly passed on the Moody Blues, not because I thought they were mediocre songwriters or anything (quite the opposite, actually), but because I was focused on other styles. Man, what was I thinking of? Great, haunting, kind of ethereal melodies, with their trademark harmonized vocals are the ingredients of this superb song.
You can't go wrong with mid 70's King Crimson if 1970's Rock (Led Zeppelin, Genesis, etc.) appeals to you. Great-beyond-words song, off their 1973 album "Red", featuring great vocals, melodies, and the characteristic weird time signatures and intricate guitar play of Robert Fripp and Bill Brufford's busy drumming. So good it is not funny.
This one connects with my "weird, quirky sounds"-fiend side: Like a way trippier, more bizarre version of early Pink Floyd (circa 1967-68), Gong genuinely sound like music made by loonie hippies to be enjoyed by loonies, be they hippy or not. The whole song revolves around the syncopated line "I am, you are, we are craaaazyyy!", for God's sake! My latest obsession! Jethro Tull- "Hunting Girl"
Just like the Moody Blues, I had for a long time neglected to pay Jethro Tull the attention that they probably deserved, and again, more for a question of time than for musical prejudices. They have, of course great records, and great songs. I may be sometimes a bit put off by Ian Anderson's voice-which at times reminds me of an English literature teacher reading aloud poetry to their students-, but the combination of great melodies, with that medieval feel (undoubtedly helped by Anderson's flute) and progressive Rock antics have definitely won me over. Jellyfish- "The King is Half Undressed"
I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't heard AT ALL of Jellyfish. I didn't listen to them until quite recently, myself. They are often categorized as "Power Pop", but they sound more to my ears like the classic British Pop/ Rock bands of the late 60's (the Who, Beatles, Kinks). Their retro style must have been pretty out of place at the beginning of the 90's (the Grunge era, remember?), but this song is SUPER catchy; therefore, its deserving inclusion on this playlist. PARTY MUSIC Ramones- "Rock n' Roll High School"
The Ramones are said to have invented or popularized Punk Rock as we know it, and for that, I thank them but, genres aside, it is undebatable that they wrote dozens of great, singable songs which featured loud, tough guitars, but poppy and tuneful vocals. A party without The Ramones is not a party in my book, and this is one of their most famous and party-friendly songs. Enjoy! Chic- "My Feet Keep Dancing"
Punk Rock and Disco music coexisted at the end of the 1970's, and it is no secret that each type of music did not go down well with the fans of the other type (Punk Rockers hated Disco music and viceversa). To be honest, I don't give a damn about this kind of controversies, more so almost 40 years later. If you didn't fully understand what a "groovy" song is supposed to sound like, here you are! It can get much "groovier" than this! Madness- "One Step Beyond"
Play this song in a party with people of my age, and some will automatically start to move their feet and their arms doing the characteristing "ska" dance. It is SOOO bouncy and rhythmic! Utterly infectious
Rufus & Chaka Khan- "Aint' Nobody"
Released in 1983, at the height of the Breakdance movement and part- or so I believe- of a soundtrack, this is just one song that recently stole my heart and shattered it to pieces (in a good sense) with its awesome-beyond-belief melody. I mean, how could you not LOVE this song? See? My musical tastes have traditionally gravitated towards HARD Rock music and I genuinely get the kicks out of music that would come across to many as tuneless noise with lightning fast drumbeats and "vocals" that literally sound like someone gargling broken glass if that someone had a particularly awful day and felt like yelling at everyone with his mouth full of said glass. But it is impossible for me to refuse to delight in a vocal melody this perfect (the bouncy music definitely suits the vocals all right!) Some would say the song betrays some influence from the King of Pop (good old Jacko), and they would be right, but I have never heard myself a Michael Jackson song this astoundingly GREAT.
Even though it was a HUGE hit more than one decade ago, OutKast's "Hey Ya!" definitely stands the test of time. The song is ULTRA CATCHY from beginning to end, and it's complicated to find someone for whom this song does not do anything at all. If you find that person, tell them they're a soulless jerk. How can't you like THIS?
Great, festive song that never fails to put a smile on my face. Danceable beats, Electronic samples and cheerleader-like vocals seem to be The Go! Team's signature sound. I guess it is one sound that can eventually become formulaic, but as long as they make songs like this one, we can safely play them at a party. CSS- "Alala"
One of the really FEW acts that I have genuinely enjoyed in the 6 times I attended the SOS 4.8 festival. These Brazilian girls have understood that less is more and sometimes the only thing you need to make a good party song is the right attitude (girly, naive on the outside, but bratty, confrontational, cocky and punkish in nature), a catchy, driving bassline and nonsense lyrics sung with the attitude previously described. Cool, cool one.
1982! Ha! I remember when this song was a hit! It's easy to see why this can be lumped in the "guilty pleasures" section: almost nobody remembered the band "Bandolero" even 2 years later, and very few remember them now. But, hey! However, this song is nothing to snore at: groovy music, bouncy, catchy verses, the Spanish torero iconography, which I guess may have been fashionable in France (where the band was from) back then, and even a black guy who delivers some early rapped verses and breakdance moves. 5 stars for pure guilty pleasure.
Maybe the only band/artist in the present category to have commanded a semi-respectable career, Simple Minds put out some records at the beginning of the 80's which are considered by many great examples (if not exactly masterpieces) of 80's New Wave/ Pop music. This song (which made the band a household name thanks to its inclusion in the "Breakfast Club" soundtrack) is a nice one, but let's face it, it is not brutally good: one is waiting for the anthemic chorus ("ew ew ew ew") during the whole song, and the verse does not have too much to offer. But, when that chorus comes in... aw... you can't help going "ew ew ew ew".
I urge you to watch this video! This is quintaessential 80's cheesy Pop! Gosh!,what looks! Hilarious!
This could have been your typical pop song and video of the early MTV days, aimed at teenagers of that era. But then, you compare this and today's teen pop (Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne...) and you realize this, at least had SOUL! Well, what the heck!, this one is a terribly catchy song, and Cyndi Lauper was obviously gifted with a solid set of vocal cords. I'll listen to this rather than to today's Pop (either teen or Indie) any day of the week.
Fast forward to 1996. And if we are talking about guilty pleasures, why not just cutting the crap and go for a genuine one-hit wonder that will never go down the slightest in the history of Pop music (not even in the history of Dance Pop), but which is absolutely enjoyable? Here we are a super catchy song, ideal for the dancefloor! Technotronic's massive hit "Pump up the Jam" may be a better known example of the Eurodance subgenre, but I like this one more. And the "my baby has no money, he's got his strong beliefs" line prove that lyrics can be completely irrelevant as long as you have a vocal melody as infectious as this one.
There's not much I can say about this one, besides from the fact that sometimes the formula pretty chick with a typically FM Pop-trained voice singing sensitive modern R&B songs about romance works; you only need a chorus as melodious as this one. The rest of the song is not as catchy, but the heartbroken sounding chorus makes up for it. Not as good as Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" but not extremely inferior to it.
When going for music "to sleep to" I do not mean "so boring you could fall asleep", but music you can actually "sleep to", sleep-inducing music. And for such a purpose, who else better than the originators of Dream Pop, Cocteau Twins? "Dream Pop" may be another silly label made up by critics (like "Post-Rock", "New Romantics", etc.), but in this case it suits perfectly this British group: their early songs are dreamy, ethereal, atmospheric, and downright gorgeous! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Rightful heirs of Cocteau Twins, the also British Slowdive, released in the 90's a couple of highly praised records that basically expanded the Cocteau's signature sound but relying more on guitars and creating beautiful and evocative sonic landscapes. This song is one of my favorite of theirs.
Lisa Germano's "Geek the Girl" is one of my favorite records of the 90's, and hands down, the best music recorded by a woman in those years (in my opinion, of course). It is an extremely slow record, quite different to what I usually listen to. But, it is every bit as eerie and disturbing as it is slow; it deals with a teenage girl that fails to find true love and gets instead abuse from most around her. Not very happy sounding, right? Anyway, this song is so chilling, beautiful, sorrowful, haunting, that I wouldn't be surprise if someone actually relaxed and wound down to it.
MUSIC FOR A ROMANTIC EVENING
Nina Simone "My baby just cares for me"
What a great song this is! How could you not like it? This one actually dates back to 1962, but thanks to a video clip, it regained its lost fame in the late 80's. Anyway, its smooth vocals and jazzy, though melodious and piano-led, music, make it a perfect song for a romantic evening. Cheers!
Sade "Smooth Operator"
Talk about being classy! There are few artists as appropriate for a special date as Nigeria-born, London-resident Sade. It's stylish, it's delicate, it's smooth, it's sexy! And on top of all that, it's tuneful, melodic, memorable! Even, if like me, you're full of energy and anger, and you call yourself a tough Rocker, there should be room in your heart for some respite, a bottle of wine, a nice candle-lit dinner and the company of the right person. Well, this one can be the perfect soundtrack to such an idyllic moment.
Marvin Gaye- "Sexual Healing"
Wow! It looks like things are getting interesting, my friend! If you've made it to this point, it is a sign that everything is going well! What could I say about the epochal, late Soul singer Marvin Gaye that hasn't been said yet? His life had a quite tragic ending, but his music remains timeless. While his early 70 records (1971's "What's Going on" and 1973's "Let's Get it On") are the ones that get all the praise (and deservedly so) as Soul/Motown/R&B masterpieces, few of his songs are as popular as "Sexual Healing". As its name says, it is sexy, indeed!
MUSIC I CAN'T STAND
Casa Azul- "Revolución Sexual"
This band- well, this song, I haven't really paid attention to any of their albums, nor am I going to in the future- epitomizes all that's wrong about the new Spanish indie scene (I guess from the mid 2000's onwards): uninteresting dancey music, nondescript, plain vocals and stupid, puerile lyrics. All these bands look like they could model for Loewe or something and that could not be more removed from what I understand as Rock n Roll.
The worst thing is that these cats surely get laid aplenty. Big deal.
Maldita Nerea- "Perdona si te llamo amor" (though any of their songs would do)
I personally do not have anything against these young lads. They are probably really nice people with their dreams and ambitions who have exactly the same right to make a living out of music as I do of teaching. It is their embarrassingly corny music, their sappy lyrics, those rotten choruses and, above all, the puke-inducing stuffy-nosed vocals which I have everything against, making me rush away in search of the nearest bunker everytime any of their hits gets remotely close to my eardrums. Again, probably a nice bunch of guys, but in this writer's opinion, a musical output that verges on sheer sonic torture and on the groundings of that, I cannot but just declare: fuck this nice young band to hell.
Michael Jackson- "Black or White"
Here we have the opposite case. There's nothing really wrong with this song musically: your average slick, overproduced90's mainstream Pop (and pretty subpar when compared to other Michael Jackson's songs); not too terrible, but not too good, either. It is the lyrics and the song message which makes me cringe: how can you sing "If you're thinking about being my baby, it don't matter if you're black or white" at this point in your career when you have undergone plastic surgery to change the color of your skin and your appearance completely? "It don't matter if you're black or white"? Apparently it DID matter to him.
Juan Magan (featuring Paulina Rubio)- "Vuelve"
We close this section with the worst of the worst. Today's music industry Midas (i.e.: he turns shit into money), Juan Magan, with his annoying vocal effects joins forces with Paulina Rubio, as self-absorbed as ever, to put out one of the most atrocious creations of mankind ever. The perfect soundtrack to likeminded junk- TV programs, like Gran Hermano or MHV.
Seriously, if you like this kind of stuff, you DO NOT like music; you might like dancing, or clubbing or watching TV or anything, but you do not like music (not that there's anything inherently wrong about that).
EARWORM!: I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD! Rolling Stones- "Give me Shelter"
The old Beatles vs. Rolling Stonesdispute is a rather stereotyped one. Why should you side with one of them when you could actually enjoy both? However, I must say I'm almost partial to the Stones. During the late 60's-early 70's nobody could play simple Rhythm and Blues/ Blues Rock/ old-school Rock n' Roll like they did. It may have been a clear case of injustice that 5 young Englishwhite boys got all the credit for music that poor, hapless black people had been singing and playing for decades, but as I see, justice does not prevail in our world, nor has it prevailed in the history of Rock.
Their satanic majesties wrote dozens of SUPERB songs between 1965 and say, 1973. This is one of my favorites.
Blondie- "Hanging on the Telephone"
1978's "Parallel Lines" is one of those perfect, flawless Pop records, and its opener, "Hanging on the telephone" embodies the definition of "catchy". If Christina Aguilera or Madonna sang it, I'm sure they would completely ruin it with their arrogant vocal acrobatics, but before they do so, we're lucky to be able to listen to it the way it was meant to be and should remain, with Debbie Harry's raspy but tuneful voice. I love you Debbie!
Judas Priest- "Breaking the Law"
Enter the ultimate ANTI-HIPSTER band (I guess Iron Maiden would be a likely contender). Yeah, that's right: long-bearded, thick-rim glass wearing wannabe critics, so-called experts and boastful self-appointed music connoisseurs will never heap any praise whatsoever on the 'Priest. Who cares? what do they know anyway? Here's a never-ending classic, a song I can play to death and never get tired of.
What's so great about 1980 "Breaking the Law"?, then? Well, where do I begin?Maybe thehummable melody of its memorable riff, its powerful drive, its rebellion-inducing lyrics, Rob Halford's always great vocals... I dunno, it's a superb song, it is so uplifting and empowering that it makes me wanna jump, raise my fists and smash things up. I guess its message may be somehow juvenile (therefore ephemeral), and it's been quite long ago since I ceased to be a teenager (more than 20 years ago), but I definitely refuse to grow old and boring, and "Breaking the Law" never fails in bringing out the heavy metal kid in me.
The Clash- "Rock the Casbah"
The Clash are remembered as a Punk band or even "the only Punk band that matters". When compared to contemporaries like the Sex Pistols, they do not sound too Punky or aggressive, though. They were exceptional songwriters and a phenomenal combo, and have been for a long, long time my favorite band ever. Like the Beatles, they were tremendously diverse and played a great variety of styles, from Rock, Punk to Reggae, Jazz, Swing, Pop, Disco, R&B... Seriously, there were few musical styles that the Clash didn't try. One of their most famous songs, and one of their grooviest is one of their last singles, 1982's "Rock the Casbah". Enjoy!
Billy Bragg- "A New England"
By no means could I leave out a song that gives me the goosebumps EVERY time I listen to it. I have mentioned that my main problem with singer/songwriters/ folk/ protest songs are that they tend to be too minimalistic: just a man/woman and their acoustic guitar; no pounding drums, no electric guitar riffs or cool bass lines... vital things for a Rocker like me. But, man, just listen to that chorus "I don't wanna change the world, I'm not looking for New England, just looking for another girl". A dork like James Blunt could have sung the same and it would have meant nothing to me, but Billy Bragg's words are completely heartfelt. This is music at its most emotional, right out of the heart.
Madonna- "Into the Groove"
Rather than the corporate juggernaut that Madonna is today, in the early-to-mid 80's, M. Louise Ciccone was an obviously already ambitious and talented girl but whose ego had not yet overshadowed her artistic side. She put out many bouncy, dancey, singable Pop tunes that featured memorable vocal melodies and juvenile lyrics. "Lucky Star", "Holiday", "Material Girl" or "Papa don't Preach" are an example of it. However, this- along with the gorgeous-beyond-words "Live to Tell"- is my favorite by the Blonde Ambition.
Michael Jackson- "Smooth Criminal"
After having thrashed poor old Jacko in the previous section, I feel the need to make amends with the King of Pop. I have absolutely nothing against the neverland prodigy: he released one of the best Disco records ever (1979's "Off the Wall") and 2 great 80's Pop records (1983's "Thriller" and 1987's "Bad"). The 2 latter went on to become the highest selling records ever. I always say complete success and people's appreciation cannot be subjective. Whether I think of Michael Jackson as a genius or not, it is irrelevant, he was a true artist. And, what's more, whenever I listen to the unforgettable "Annie are you ok, Annie are you ok, are you ok, Annie?" refrain, I only can kneel down, take my hat off and agree about the mastermind he was.
Pop will Eat itself- "Wise up sucker!"
A great, great, uplifting, empowering, foul-mouthed, but ultimately melodic song that comes across as the perfect one to play to a friend who has been recently dumped by a girl that you never liked as a girlfriend for him (as long as he is not completely devastated). Its "She loves me, she loves me not, oh, she loves me, she loves me not" chorus will remain in your head for hours. Repeated playing guaranteed.
