Monumental Soundbyte - 93

Harry Belafonte - The Banana Boat Song (Day O)

Day Ooooooooooo, Day Ooooooooooooo, Daylight come back me wanna go home...

This is a traditional jamaican song but i first heard Harry's version and i have been in love ever since. Most people are also familiar with his version and Harry as a musician is usually associated with this song.

This song actually makes sense. Its about a bunch of dock workers loading and offloading bananas. The shift is over and they wanna go home.

Its a catchy calypso song and makes me smile everytime i hear it.....Enjoy

Monumental Soundbyte - 92

Alexander O'Neal - If you were here tonight

Another sappy love song that makes this list. Released way back in 1985, this is my favorite Alexander O Neal song followed closey by Criticize. The words of this song are its magic so enjoy.........

As the night moves in
Love takes on a new meaning
If you were here
You would know what I mean to say

The circumstance leaves me only waiting
For the chance
I only want to love you more ... more

Can’t you understand it
Girl you know how much I care
It’s not the way I planned it
If you could only know my feelings

You would know how much I do believe
If you were here tonight
By my side
If you were with me now

When the lights go out
I can not pretend
This bed’s too big for me
To be in alone all alone
Slow burn light a candle for our love
So we’ll always be one to one in love

Can’t you understand it
Girl you know how much I care
It’s not the way I planned it no
If you could only know my feelings

You would know how much I do believe
If you were here tonight oh love
By my side
If you were with me now

Every night alone I just wait here anticipating
For the day I won’t feel this pain baby
Please don’t keep me waiting
Come to me
If you were here tonight

Monumental Soundbyte - 91

Enigma - Return To Innocence

Weird song that i absolutely love.

It was in the days when the predominant cable company in Lagos was Disc Communications and channels included MTV Europe and BOP TV (which had the soap opera Santa Barbara with Cruz Castille...anyway i digress).

MTV Europe introduced me to this video which was weird.... i remember a white stallion and everything going backwards....fascinating.

This song was released in 1994 and did very well on international charts.

This song is fascinating,.,...there are vocals supplied by Angel X but there is also like an aboriginal chant which you hear but it apparently was used without permission. There was an ensuing lawsuit....

During the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, the song was used which pushed into mainstream consiousness.

Its a fabulous and creative song...Enjoy!

In the spirit of christmas

Monumental Soundbyte - 90

Oleta Adams - Get Here

This song!

The words of this song pack a powerful punch and Oleta Adams delivers it vocally.

This is the song i associate most with her even though she has had a distinguished career in R&B, Jazz and Gospel. However, this song was originally recorded by Brenda Russell. Oleta's version was nominated for a Grammy in 1991.

I can sing this song.,...I mean i can SING this song with every fiber of emotion in me. I really really feel something when i hear this song....

I dont sing it as much now...but there was a point in my life when i was in a long distance relationship and the words of this song just meant the world to me. The emotions expressed and the yearning and desperation in the words...

Yeah - i decided no more long distance relationships.....

The words are here...Enjoy!

You can reach me by railway, you can reach me by trailway

You can reach me on an airplane, you can reach me with your mind

You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man

I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

You can reach me by sailboat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope

Take a sled and slide down the slope, into these arms of mine

You can jump on a speedy colt, cross the border in a blaze of hope

I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

There are hills and mountains between us

Always something to get over

If I had my way, then surely you would be closer

I need you closer

You can windsurf into my life, take me up on a carpet ride

You can make it in a big balloon, but you better make it soon

You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man

I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

I don't care, I dont care, I need you right here right now

I need you right here, right now, right by my side

I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

Monumental Soundbyte - 89

Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings

This amazingly beautiful song is from the movie soundtrack to Beaches and hit number one in 1990.

Interestingly, even though we have all come to associate this song with Ms Midler, she actually didnt record it first. I am not exactly sure who performed this first but Sheena Easton, Gladys Knight and Lou Rawls all recorded versions.

This song is a feel good, inspirational song that can be played at weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and even funerals. In fact, a recent poll shows that this song is the most commonly played number at British funerals.

The words are simply amazing....

It must have been cold there in my shadow

To never have sunlight on your face

You were content to let me shine, that's your way

You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory

While you were the one with all the strength

A beautiful face without a name for so long

A beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you're my hero

And everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle

For you are the wind beneath my wings

It might have appeared to go unnoticed

But I've got it all here in my heart

I want you to know I know the truth

Of course I know it

I would be nothing without you

Did you ever know that you're my hero?

You're everything I wish I could be

I could fly higher than an eagle

For you are the wind beneath my wings

Monumental Soundbyte - 88

Roberta Flack & Maxi Priest - Set the night to music

This soothing, soothing track laid forgotten in my collection until it popped up during shuffle play a few weeks ago.

This is an amazing amazing song. And its monumental - well because i like it a lot....LOL.

Maxi Priest and Roberta Flack - not a combination i would have thought of but the result is so easy on the ears.

Listen to it and i dare you not to have this on repeat a few times...

Enjoy!

Women's Issue - Miss Landmine 2008

Miss Landmine Angola 2008

First off, i would like to thank the blogger webround for drawing my attention to this.

I got the link and delved into the website.

Inspiring, disturbing, heart breaking, thought provoking....

This is a different kind of pageant. No long limbed nubile beauties with layers and layers of makeup here. Each of the contestants is beautiful and missing a leg. While the ladies are vying for the title, the winner will also get a prosthetic leg from an orthopedic clinic.

What struck me about this is that the founder is Norweigian and male. The motto for the contest is "Everyone has the right to be beautiful" and that is something i truly believe. So Morten Traavik traveled to Angola after the civil war ended and after seeing the landmine victims smiling and laughing everyday, the idea for the contest was born.

The website is interesting in the sense that while it profiles the women, in a world where perfection is the quest for most, the images are disturbing. I will admit that my first reaction was pity. I just felt so sorry for these "poor" women with missing limbs. Then i realised that the contest and profiling these young women is not to inspire pity but to show strength, determination and the truth about our world.

Of course, this concept has gotten a lot of criticism - people calling the women freaks and even some people asking if these women are being exploited but the most important thing is that it is getting attention.

What do you think?

Monumental Soundbyte - 87

Chris De Burgh - Lady in Red

This is Chris De Burgh's biggest hit and it was released in 1986. This song is massive. One of the greatest love songs ever and it went to number 1 in over 25 countries. Its especially sweet to me because the inspiration and the reason for this song is his wife Diane....

The words are beautiful too...Enjoy!

I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight

I've never seen you shine so bright

I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance

They're looking for a little romance

Given half a chance

And I've never seen that dress you're wearing

Or the highlights in your hair

That catch your eyes

I have been blind

The lady in red is dancing with me

Cheek to cheek

There's nobody here

It's just you and me

It's where I wanna be

But I hardly know this beauty by my side

I'll never forget the way you look tonight

I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight

I've never seen you shine so bright, you were amazing

I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side

And when you turned to me and smiled, it took my breath away

And I have never had such a feeling

Such a feeling of complete and utter love

s I do tonight

The lady in red is dancing with me

Cheek to cheek

There's nobody here

It's just you and me

It's where I wanna be

But I hardly know this beauty by my side

I'll never forget the way you look tonight

The lady in red

My lady in red

I love you

A Loss in the Music Industry

Ike Turner died yesterday at the age of 76. Many people know him as the abusive ex-husband of Tina Turner played to perfection by Lawrence Fishburne in What's Love Got To Do With It.

What few people know is the genius and talent of Ike Turner. This man had music flowing from his veins and is/was one of the greatest guitarists ever. He played a number of instruments including the piano (i believe he played on the Gorillaz album) but his personal life overshadowed to a large degree his talent and stumped his success.

I am sure a lot of us are familiar with the abuse he meted out on Tina. He went on to face drugs and weapons charges. It is claimed that Ike has been married 14 times but what public record shows is 4. In fact Ike was in prison on those drug and weapon charges when he and Tina were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Tina accepted the award on his behalf.

I never approved of his personal life and his antics but his talent i could not deny.

Rest in Peace!

...................

I didnt get much sleep last night. So many things on my mind. So many things came up last night that made me re-evaluate some things i took for granted. And i am shaken.....

Monumental Soundbyte - 86

Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs - Stay

Another very old song. This song was written all the way back in 1953 and it has a funny beginning. At the time, Maurice was 15 years old and apparently he was trying to convince his date to stay out till 10pm. He lost the argument but the song is the result of that.

Its such a simple short song but so so catchy. I am sure a lot of you have heard it in one way or the other. You can listen to it on my soundbyte widget. It has been covered by a lot of groups but Maurice's version is the ish.

Enjoy!

............

For a little while there
Things got routine
So blah
Then all of a sudden
Its excitement galore again
These waves and phases
Have me giddy and giggly
So many things to think about
So many options to weigh
All the while
Playing with fire

This is just random ish. I am in a bit of a whirlwind at the moment and cant seem to find the words to write or express how i feel about all the stuff around me. Its good stuff, not particularly heavy...just stuff....

I head back to Lagos today and i cannot say how glad i am to be going home.....

Monumental Soundbyte - 85

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tracks of My Tears

Something from the Motown era which is really one of my favorite eras ever (that statement sounds so odd....what other eras are there?).

Anyway, this hot number was released way back in 1965 and has the honor of being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Green eyed Smokey Robinson sings about dealing with heartbreak behind smiles. And i can so relate. I do that all the time. I can be the life of the party, smiling and going with it all when inside i just want to cry till there are no tears left.

This is also one of those songs that i think people should never ever cover. Linda Ronstadt and Aretha Franklin lent their vocal stylings to this song and did absolutely nothing for me.

This song has some of the corniest but hottest lines...

"My smile is my makeup i wear since my breakup with you"
"Baby take a good look at my face, you'll see my smile seems out of place"

Rhyming all the way......

Enjoy!

Tired!

I have been living in a hotel and out of a suitcase for the past 5 weeks and i am just fed up.....

Monumental Soundbyte - 84

Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

I have been a fan of Joni Mitchell for many years but this is by far my favorite song of hers. I first heard it as i watched the lovely movie Love Actually and it was love at first hear.

It was first released in 1969 and again, it shows what the essence of truly great music is. Timelessness. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 170 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

Since a lot of the people around me dont know who Joni Mitchell is, i urge you all to listen to this song on the soundbyte widget and i leave you with the words. Its a beautiful bittersweet song soooooo..Enjoy...

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down
And still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's love's illusions that I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they sayI've changed
Something's lost but something's gained in living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all.

On my wishlist this christmas.......Music

Of course i will start off with the cds that i want for the month.....

Monumental Soundbyte - 83

Marc Cohn - True Companion

I bet a lot of people havent heard of Marc Cohn. This man - ...

So a lot of people ask me how i hear about random artists. Well -i hear a song and i buy the album. Truly. If i connect with a song, then i buy the whole album regardless of if i have heard of the artist or not.

And that is how i "met" Marc Cohn. It was a few years ago and i heard a song called "Walking in Memphis" and i thought it was by Bruce Springsteen. That should give you an inkling as to what he sounds like. I did my research and voila Marc Cohn. I forgot about Marc until about 3 years ago when u stumbled on his debut cd. And i fell in love.

Actually, his self titled album is simply amazing - If you like Bruce Springsteen, or simple music with strong lyrics emoted by a strong, deep voice. Marc is best known for the Walking In Memphis song and even won a grammy award for best new artist in 1992. This amazing man was shot in the head in 1995 in an attempted robbery and was released from the hospital the next day.

But this post is not about THAT song or this man (who you can tell i really really like). Its about the last song on his self titled album called True Companion.

I will let the lyrics of this song speak for it - but if you like songs about true love and passion and soul mates and soul stirring emotions - then this is THE song. I mean - i could have my darling Luther on rotation and could break my listening pleasure to include anything by Marc - especially this song. And that is big for me cos nothing comes between me and Luther.

I cannot say enough how much i love this song. So please listen to it by pressing play on the soundbyte widget thingy and enjoy..........

Baby I've been searching like everybody else
Can't say nothing different about myself
Sometimes I'm an angel and sometimes I'm cruel
But when it comes to love I'm just another fool

Yes I've climbed a mountain
I'm gonna swim the sea
There ain't no act of God, girl
Could keep you safe from me
My arms are reaching out,out across this canyon

I'm asking you to be my true companion
True companion
True companion

So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that its you alright
When I take your hand, I watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers, and I'll lift up your veil
Then I'll take you home and with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion

You are my true companion
I got a true companion
Whoa true companion

When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like that couple on the corner do
Cause girl I will always be in love with you
When I look in your eyes, I still see that spark
Until the shadows fall, until the room grows dark

Then when I leave this earth
I'll be with the angels standing
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion
True companion
True companion

Monumental Soundbyte - 82

Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

I cannot believe this song was released in 1982. What an amazing enduring song from a true talent. One of the originators of smooth r&b.

This song was number 1 on the billboard r&b charts for 10 weeks making it the longest running number 1 r&b single of the 80s. The entire decade. It also made a huge impact on the pop charts and became a massive hit globally.

This song is monumental because Marvin Gaye had been nominated for the Grammy awards 11 times in his career, but this is the song that won him his first grammys. He won the awards for Best Male R&B artist and Best R&B instrumental. The song was ranked number 231 on billboards greatest songs of all times list and i agree whole heartedly.

Now onto the content of this song. Can you imagine what a stir this song would have caused in 1982? Oooh...and do you remember the ultra smooth video?

Its pretty straightforward. Its about finding sexual healing with that special woman. What is fascinating is the way the song came about. Some guy comes to interview Marvin Gaye for his autobiography (David Ritz) and he notices comic pornography and comments that he needs sexual healing. Marvin then tells him to write a poem and that is how this song came to be.

This song has been covered by a lot of artists including Michael Bolton, Keith Sweat, Michael McDonald, Ben Harper, Kate Bush and even Bone Thugs and Harmony.

A truly ground breaking song.

Enjoy!

Monumental Soundbyte - 81

Stevie Wonder - Ribbon in the sky

One of my favorite songs truly.

Of course Steveland Hardaway Judkins - later changed to Stevanland Morris is an icon. Winner of a whooping 25 Grammy Awards, member of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and a host of other accolades.

This song was released in 1982 and the video for this song is so amazingly beautiful. Find it on youtube if you can cos i dont know how to embed those widget thingys. This is one of those songs that is so beautiful because of the lyrics and delivery....so enjoy!

Oh so long for this night I prayed

That a star would guide you my way

To share with me this special day

Where a ribbon's in the sky for our love

If allowed may I touch your hand

And if pleased may I once again

So that you too will understand

There's a ribbon in the sky for our love

This is not a coincidence and far more than a lucky chance

But what is that was always meant

Is our ribbon in the sky for our love

We can't lose with God on our side

We'll find strength in each tear we cry

From now on it will be you and I

And our ribbon in the sky

A MeMe - 7 Weird Things about me

So i was tagged by Laspapi and since its been a while since i did a meme, here we go:

• I eat paper. Its one of those compulsive things. I dont know why it started but i have been doing it for years. Since the start of secondary school i believe. And its not sheets of paper. Just the edges of books and stuff. I thought i had stopped doing it till about 2 weeks ago when a member of my team exclaimed "are you eating paper?". Emm....yes i said. I sure am


• I dont like people very much. Which strikes many people as untrue especially if you have met me. I am talkative and laugh a lot. But its on my terms. People annoy me. They scare me sometimes. People irritate me. So this means that i can switch off in the middle of a conversation and just tune out. It means i can be incommunicado for days on end just because i dont want to talk or see anyone. It means i will take off and go to a movie/dinner by myself. I am secure in my own company and since i figure i do damn well by myself, the people i choose to have around me - are quality folks


• I am obsessive compulsive. Well in some things. For example, i am addicted to fragrances. So i have a huge collection of perfumes and body splashes. They are arranged in a particular order and i use them in that order. If the order is thrown, i feel lost. Same thing with shower gels and soaps. I alternate. Shower gel today, soap tomorrow. The order must not change. Same thing with my nail polishes and lip glosses. I have quite a number and i have a system. I have 2 storage bins for each. So i use this shade of nail polish or gloss today from bin 1, it goes into storage bin 2. And i do that - not repeating any until bin 1 is empty. This can take a few weeks. Then i start over taking stuff from bin 2, use and put in bin 1. Movies that i have accrued are arranged in a particular way and i watch them in that order. I have tons of unread books. But as i buy them and put in my bookshelf, i arrange them in order and i read them in that order.


• My laughter is weird. I laugh a lot and it runs the gamut of chuckling, squealing, cackling to even loud shrieking. I have tried to tone it down but i laugh from the inside and i just well...let it go


• I HATE pawpaw and watermelon. Apart from the taste - nasty. The texture is disgusting. But i am revolted by the inside of these fruits. The inside of pawpaw makes me itch. All those black little rough seeds. And then sometimes, they are hidden in the grooves. Yuck! Watermelons..the holes in the fruit and then the seeds....I am revolted just typing this out


• I am addicted to suya. One of the reasons i cant be a vegetarian. I love suya. I can have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can eat just suya. As long as its extra hot and there is lots of onions, i am good. I have even gone as far as buying suya spice from suya men and seasoning my own meat at home. Yup


• I play with belly button. Its cute when you are 5. But when you are as old as i am and find yourself reaching under your shirt to play with your belly button regardless of where you are - that's just plain weird.

That was fun - and even i am convinced that i am weirder than i thought. I tag Olawunmi, Daddy's Girl, Chxta, Bella Naija...Since they are not likely to do it, ...emm...

Monumental Soundbyte - 80

Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire

The original man in black. Some people would have had their first encounter with Johnny Cash via the movie Walk the Line with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

In his career, he sold over 50 million albums worldwide. And did you know that Johnny was scottish?

Anyway - on to this song. It was released in 1963 and became the biggest hit of his career and stayed at number 1 for 6 weeks. Believe it or not, the title of this song is actually about love. If you remember the movie Walk the Line, then you will remember the love affair between Johnny Cash and June Carter. Hot, passionate love affair. Johnny died about 3 weeks after June passed away.

This song was originally recorded by June's sister Anita but Johnny took it, reworked it including introducing mariachi type sounds.

For all the soccer fans out there, Liverpool FC adopted the song in 2002 and is frequently sung by fans during games. The song was also played in the locker room of the English Cricket team during the final day of a test match against India last year.

It is simply an amazing song that is catchy and hot. Enjoy.........

Women's Issue: Phenomenal Woman - 3

I guess this should actually read Phenomenal Women.

During my vacation to India, we passed a bunch of people dressed in blue like the woman above. And i remember wondering why they were in blue. That's UN peace keeping standard issue.

Last night, there was a piece on the world's untold stories and Liberia was the focus of the piece. But with a different spin.

During the 14 year civil war that literally crushed this country, abuse of women in the population of about 3.2 million people stood at 93.6%. 93.6% of the women that lived in Liberia at the time of conflict were abused. 73% of this number were raped. Heart breaking statistics. Even after the war ended 3 years ago, women continued to be abused -sometimes by UN peace keepers.

With the swearing in of Africa's first female president, things have changed. She has appointed women to key positions including making the head of police a woman. She was a riot to watch yesterday. Decked out in her uniform, she said women have always been the brains behind their families, have been the secretaries and administrative assistants behind the influential people in the country - so it was time to take center stage. I loved her confidence and cockiness.

Anyway - the object of this post - the phenomenal women i speak of here are the Indian UN peacekeepers doing their thing in Liberia. As a result of all the abuse faced by women in the past, the UN took the step to have women makeup the peacekeeping mission and a number of things have happened as a result of this:

• Women soldiers working with the citizenry brings a different response - less antagonistic and machismo, More compassion and dialogue
• It builds trust among the female citizenry. So far, they are not afraid or threatened by the peacekeepers and even find them approachable
• The Liberian police force that had a hard time getting new recruits (since all of the force was fired) has had about 200% increase in the number of volunteers - mostly women

What struck me the most as well is that most of these Indian peacekeepers already had experience in conflict regions with most of them serving in the disputed region of Kashmir. Almost all these women are wives and mothers. The way they handled their weapons, their coordinated efforts...i was so psyched. During missions, they just seemed almost robotic. But in their base camp, bollywood movies in the background, laughter and almost normalcy

I cannot put into words exactly how this story made me feel but I am proud to be WOMAN

Monumental Soundbyte - 79

James Brown - I got the feeling

A series of this nature would not be complete without something from the godfather of soul himself. This man could funkify any song.

I love, love this song because the first time i heard it was on The Cosby Show. That memorable episode when the Huxtables were celebrating Cliff's parents anniversary. And all the Huxtable kids did something to this song. Of course i remember Theo in his little tux doing his thing and looking cute and Rudy - she stole my heart in her little purple dress - "Baby, Baby, Baby"...So so cute.

This song was released in 1968 and reached the number 1 spot on the r&b charts. It also was in the top 10 on the pop charts as well. When the Jackson 5 auditioned for Motown's Berry Gordy, this is the song they chose with Michael Jackson closely mimicking James Brown's moves here.

Hot song guaranteed to get you moving. Happy Monday.........

Monumental Soundbyte - 78

Prince - Little Red Corvette

Another number from one of the sexiest men that ever walked the face of the earth.

This song was Prince's introduction to a white audience because of the rock elements to the song. It was released in 1983 and at the time was Prince's first song to reach the top 10 in the US. There is a kicking guitar solo by Dez Dickerson which makes me wish i could play the guitar everytime i hear it.

This song is simply about a one night stand with a pretty "loose" woman but as much as Prince enjoys it, he talks about her slowing down and finding a love that lasts.

Prince is just a genius. He says that he got his inspiration for this song while taking a nap in background singer Lisa Coleman's corvette after a hectic recording session. Every time he took a nap, more of the song would come to him....LOL. The video for this song was also the second video by a black artist to see so much airplay (MJ's Billie Jean was the first).

In the 90's Chevrolet ran a campaign using antique corvettes with the byline - they dont wirte songs about volvos. Chevrolet also used this ad during one of the grammy award ceremonies in the 90's.

Now this wouldnt be a Prince song if there were no veiled sexual references. Listen to the song and see if you can figure out what the little red corvette is. One hint - its not a car. LOL

Enjoy!

Monumental Soundbyte - 77

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

This is truly a masterpiece.

Freddie Mercury wrote this song for the band and it was released on a 1975 album. I think its true music lovers that can appreciate this song. Its a very unstructured song that some have called chaotic. It doesnt even have a chorus. But that had no effect on the commercial success of this song. Billboard ranked it 163 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. The video that accompanied this song is pretty hot as well.

Everything about this song is amazing. It was recorded over a 3 week period and in 4 studios (and if you listen to the complexity of the song, one can understand why). Freddie Mercury (God rest his soul) to me remains one of the true musical maestros ever. It has been written that he would "see" and "hear" songs in his head and execute them almost fanatically. This song is no exception.

Now, on to the lyrics of this song. So much confusion about this. I will admit that it was just a few years ago that i paid attention to the lyrics in totality. I enjoyed this song quite alright, but for some reason, i didnt listen to the lyrics in full - i guess i never figured there was a a story or train of thought here. Freddie Mercury hated to talk about his inspiration for songs preferring for listeners to interpret themselves. However, finally - in one of their interesting greatest hits cds that had liner notes - the band says this song is about a man that kills a person my accident and then sells his soul to the devil - but before he is executed, he calls to God and regains his soul. Heavy stuff....

This is truly a monumental song so enjoy!

All about Family

I spent this weekend with my family -----so here are some pics....

My Aunty T, her 16 year old daughter I and her 14 year old son E. See how tall and good looking my cousins are. The lady in green T, is my mom's little friend (she is like 25 i think)

In my mom's shop. The lady in white is my Aunty T and the young 14 year old man in red is her son. So my cousin. And that's my mom in black with my cousin (her second son)

My cousin Seni. So he passed the New York Bar a few weeks ago. He has clerked for a judge so far and now works with one of the top entertainment companies in New York since he intends to practice in the area of entertainment law

My beautiful mummy and my cousin. These 2 are so so close. I mean kissing and hugging all the time. Sheesh!

Some of the most important men in my life. Standing up is my cousin Seni. In the middle is our puppy (yes that big big dog is a puppy - 7 months old and still growing) Sam. I call him Big Sam. And sitting down is the prince of our family - my brother Chief who turns 25 in December.

My divalicious baby sister.....She is a very very confident smart, sassy and amazingly intelligent young woman. She graduates Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia, Athens with a double major in Journalism & Media Studies (taking after my dad) in December. She has the voice of an angel and has a demo out already and even recorded background vocals for a popular artist. She makes me so so proud. She is mature and so sure of herself....Aghhhh.....I am so so proud

Monumental Soundbyte - 76

Etta James - At Last

Can you believe this song was released by Etta James in 1961? I guess this song can be called timeless since it really is still so fresh now. Most people will have heard this song at a wedding or 2 and it is relevant because the words and the orchestration are perfect. The beauty of this song is in its lyrics which are below and Etta's delivery. You can separate the women from the girls, the boys from the men vocally simply by listening to delivery. Etta does not ad lib, there is no affectation. She buries herself in the meaning and intent of the song and it comes through...
Enjoy.....

At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song

At last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clovers
The night I looked at you

I found a dream
That I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known

You smiled, you smiled
Oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At Last

Monumental Soundbyte - 75

Cyndi Lauper - True Colors

Oh my. What an absolutely beautiful song. This song was released in 1986 and i remember hearing it during a Kodak advert. Then Phil Collins did something wonderful to this song. But i have to admit that i really really love Cyndi Lauper's version. It has being adopted over time by the gay community as well.

Cyndi's child like voice makes this song even more special to me. So happy friday all and have a blessed and safe weekend.

Much Love

Happy Thanksgiving ...............

Ecstatic!

I wrote about my darling cousin Seni here. Welllllllll, my fabulous cousin is in town for a few days...Can i say again how excited i am again?

Update!

More from the rape case featured on yesterday's Women's Issue post here

Monumental Soundbyte - 74

Luther Vandross - Superstar/Until you come back to me

Ah! Another song from my favorite artist ever. I especially love this song 'cos its actually 2 songs in one.

Superstar was originally done by The Carpenters and Until you come back to me was originally done by Aretha Franklin.

Extolling the virtues of Luther Vandross again would be trite but i really think that the beauty of this song (apart from its lyrics) is the vocal arrangement. 2 songs mashed together is a dicey prospect but the execution with Luther's vocal abilities and perfect ad libbing make it work. So here are the words....Enjoy!

I wanna tell you, baby
The changes I've been goin' through
Missin' you, missin' you, oh
Till you come back to me
I don't know what I'm gonna do

Don't you remember you told me you loved me, baby
You said you'd be comin' back this way again, baby
Baby, I love you
I really do

Long ago
And oh, so far away
I fell in love with you
Before the second show and your guitar
And you sound so sweet and clear
But you're not really here
It's just the radio

Don't you remember you told me you loved me, baby
You said you'd be comin' back this way again, baby
You looked for me to be yours
You want my love, but you're on the road
Don't you remember me anymore

Loneliness
Is such a sad affair
And I can hardly wait
To be with you again
And what to say, to say
To make you come again
Oh, honey
Come on back to me again

Even More Disturbing - Women's Issue

A Saudi Arabian human rights attorney is asking the government to allow him to represent a woman who was gang-raped -- and then sentenced to prison for speaking out about the case.

The attorney, Abdulrahman al-Lahim, had his license revoked last week by a judge for speaking to the Saudi-controlled media about the case, al-Lahim told CNN. The judge more than doubled the sentence against al-Lahim's 19-year-old client because she spoke to the media about the case, a court source told Arab News, an English-language Middle Eastern daily newspaper.
The woman -- who was initially sentenced in October 2006 to 90 lashes -- had her sentenced increased to 200 lashes and was ordered to serve six months in prison under Saudi Arabia's strict Islamic law.

"We were shocked," al-Lahim said of the increased sentence. CNN has been unable to reach Saudi government officials for comment on this report, despite repeated requests. Watch the emotional toll the crime took on the rape victim »

Al-Lahim had petitioned the court to sentence the attackers to the death penalty, but instead the court agreed to increase their jail sentences, which had been two to three years, to two to nine years, al-Lahim said. The case has sparked outrage among human rights groups.

"Barring the lawyer from representing the victim in court is almost equivalent to the rape crime itself," said Fawzeyah al-Oyouni, founding member of the newly formed Saudi Association for the Defense of Women's Rights. "This is not just about the girl, it's about every woman in Saudi Arabia," she said. "We're fearing for our lives and the lives of our sisters and our daughters and every Saudi woman out there. We're afraid of going out in the streets."

Human Rights Watch said it has called on Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah "to immediely void the verdict and drop all charges against the rape victim and to order the court to end its harassment of her lawyer."

The woman, who is married, and an unrelated man were abducted and she was raped by a group of seven men more than a year ago, the lawyer said. The male victim was also given an increased sentence of 200 lashes and six months in prison, al-Lahim said.

The man and woman were attacked after they met so she could retrieve an old photograph of herself from him, according to al-Lahim. Citing phone records from the police investigation, al-Lahim said the man was trying to blackmail his client. He noted the photo she was trying to retrieve was harmless and did not show his client in any compromising position.

Al-Lahim said the man tried to blame his client for insisting on meeting him that day. It is illegal for a woman to meet with an unrelated male under Saudi's Islamic law. Al-Lahim has been ordered to attend a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Justice next month, where he faces a possible three-year suspension and disbarment, according to Human Rights Watch.

He told CNN he has appealed to the Ministry of Justice to reinstate his law license and plans to meet with Justice Minister Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh. "Currently she doesn't have a lawyer, and I feel they're doing this to isolate her and deprive her from her basic rights," he said. "We will not accept this judgment and I'll do my best to continue representing her because justice needs to take place."

He said the handling of the case is a direct contradiction of judicial reforms announced by the Saudi king earlier this month. "The Ministry of Justice needs to have a very clear standing regarding this case because I consider this decision to be judiciary mutiny against the reform that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz started and against Saudi women who are being victimized because of such decisions," he said.

Saudi Arabia's Islamic law or sharia is not written and, therefore, subject to a wide array of interpretations. Human Rights Watch points out that a judge in Jeddah threw out a lawyer simply because he was a member of the Ismaili faith, a branch of Shia Islam.

Under Saudi law, women are subject to numerous restrictions, including a strict dress code, a prohibition against driving and a requirement that they get a man's permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote.

The Saudi government recently has taken some steps toward bettering the situation of women in the kingdom, including the establishment earlier this year of special courts to handle domestic abuse cases, adoption of a new labor law that addresses working women's rights and creation of a human rights commission.

Christoph Wilcke of Human Rights Watch praised the female rape victim and her attorney for speaking out about the case, which he said may be indicative of "many injustices that we still don't know about." "It's not only one court, it is the Saudi government that is fully behind punishing a woman who's been raped [and] punishing the lawyer who's trying to help her and doing that both because they've spoken to the media," Wilcke told CNN. "And if they hadn't spoken to the media, we wouldn't know about it."

Shying away from criticism of key ally, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called the case and the punishment "surprising" and "astonishing."

"While this is a judicial procedure -- part of a judicial procedure -- overseas in courts outside of our country, still while it is very difficult to offer any detailed comment about this situation, I think most people would be quite astonished by the situation, " McCormack said. "I can't get involved in specific court cases in Saudi Arabia dealing with its own citizens. But most people here would be quite surprised to learn of the circumstances and then the punishment meted out," he said.

I read articles like this and i get so so angry. How on earth can a victim of a heinous crime like rape end up being punished? And this is the case around the world. If it isnt actual physical punishment, the jibes that come from police and so called concerned partners force women around the world to hide and say nothing. Living in silence. When i studied criminal law, there were countless cases of the humilation meted out to victims of rape - fast forward to the elective i chose - Sex & Gender in the Legal Process and more and more stories came to my attention.

In the real world, the injustice and inhumane treatment meted out to women make me so so angry. So angry that i want to cry. All these man-made laws, men ruled societies that do their best to kill the spirits of women.....Dont get me wrong, men are great. But here's the thing, its clear that some men perceive women as threats, or consider them to be less human than they are so bad treatment, thwarting of rights are enforced. Well, for me, i refuse, absolutely refuse to take it lying down.

I am not a bra burning feminist, but i realise that doing nothing is something that all women must be ashamed of. I urge you all, men and women to do something. It can be simple words of encouragement to the girls and women around you - letting them know that they worth more than gold; it can be buying a book for a girl child; or sponsoring a a girl child; or teaching your sons and brothers to treat women with respect; teaching the men in your lives to take care of themselves and not to look at women as toys, playthings or maids.....

I know a lot of Nigerian women doing their best to change the world in their way. And i am not talking about the famous ones. I am talking about wonderful women like Onada the blogger, Mrs Amuta (my mother), Hanney Musawa, Mariam & Zainab M and so so many more in my life that are doing things that are changing the lives of girls. These girls will grow up more empowered and able to stand firmer on their feet.

Knowledge is power. I urge you all to please put the women in your lives in the positions of all the victims that we hear and read about and use the ensuing emotions you feel to do some thing.

Much Love!