Today, BTS performed at MTV Unplugged. I missed the livestream, but thanks to MTV for uploading the videos fast!
Opening: Telepathy
They just proved that they are true performers. I didn't know this song could be this exciting! They brought this song to life. As expected, BTS are the best in live performances. V and Jimin danced together at the end are so adorable.
When the days all feel the same
I’m the happiest when I meet you
When every day is different
The most special person to me is you
Things are fine, right?
You’re not hurt anywhere, right?
These days, hmm
It feels like everything’s up in the air
Thanks to all this free time
I get to write this kind of song
This is a song for you
Yeah, a song, yeah, a song
Alright, let’s go away, to the blue sea
The blue sea where we frolicked around together
All these futile worries, for just a moment
As we lay them down, for just a moment
Let’s have fun together, just us,
On this small island in the midst of the blue sea where we made memories together
Even though right now we’re far away
Our hearts are still the same, aren’t they?
Even if you’re not by my side, yeah
Even if I’m not by your side, yeah
We all know we’re still together
When the days all feel the same
I’m the happiest when I meet you
When every day is different
The most special person to me is you
Morning rises like wild grass
Just like a mirror, I check on you
My eyes aren’t crusty from sleep, they’re full only of you
They’re heavy again, these knees full of bruises
As I walk the streets, I think about this distance
That this star* has permitted us to have
Oh, can I be your Bibilly Hills**
Like you did the same to me
(Baby)
It’s a little dangerous for things to go too fast
It’s a little boring when things go too slow
Not too fast
and not too slow
Let’s match each other’s pace and go
This is a rather long and fun rollercoaster
Even though right now we’re far away
Our hearts are still the same, aren’t they?
Even if you’re not by my side, yeah
Even if I’m not by your side, yeah
We all know we’re still together
When the days all feel the same
I’m the happiest when I meet you
When every day is different
The most special person to me is you
(T/N: * The Korean words ‘이 별/this star’ and ‘이별/ separation’ are both pronounced ‘i-byeol’ and are differentiated only by whether there is a space between the characters. RM may be playing on the similarities in pronunciation between the two words.
** A play on the Korean phrase ‘비빌 언덕/bibil eondeok’, which means ‘someone to lean on’. However, on its own, the word ‘언덕/eondeok’ also means ‘hill’. RM turns the Korean phrase into English by calling it ‘Bilbilly Hills’, which sounds similar to Beverly Hills.)
Credits Faith, Mary, Aditi, Yein @bts-trans
2. Blue and Grey
This sounded better than their album. What an eye and ear candy! To me, this song is like essential oil. When your emotion needs it, it heals your heart.
Where is my angel
Draped over the end of the day?
Someone come and save me, please
Only the sighs of a tiring day
Everyone looks happy
Can you look at me? Cuz I am blue & grey
The meaning of the tears reflected in the mirror
The colors hidden in my smile, blue & grey
I don’t know where it went wrong
A blue question mark in my head since I was a child
Maybe that’s why I lived so fiercely
But once I look back, once I stand still here
That menacing shadow swallows me up
The question mark, still blue
Is it uneasiness, melancholy?
Perhaps we really are animals of regret*
Or perhaps it’s that I was born out of loneliness
I still don’t know, that menacing blue
I hope I don’t get consumed by it, I will find the exit
I just wanna be happier
Melt me, I’m cold
My hand reached out innumerable times
A colourless echo
Oh this ground feels so heavier
I am singing by myself
I just wanna be happier
Is even this too much to ask for?
The beating of my quickening heart
That I felt when I walked the cold winter streets
Even now, I still feel it
Don’t say it’s okay
Because it’s not okay
Please don’t leave me alone, it hurts too much
The road that I always walk on, the light that always shines on me
But for some reason, today it’s an unfamiliar scene
Did I become too used to it or did it fall apart**
But it’s heavy, this piece of metal
A grey rhinoceros*** coming towards me
I stand with unfocused eyes, all alone
This moment doesn’t seem like me
I’m just not scared
I don’t believe in the god that is certainty****
Colorful words make me nervous
Wide gray areas put me at ease
Here there is the grey of a million faces
When it rains, it’s my world
I dance on top of this city
May the bright days have fog
May we be together always on wet days
And to all the dust here,
I raise a toast
I just wanna be happier
Feel the heat from my hands
I need you more because they are not warm
Oh this ground feels so heavier
I am singing by myself
Far in the future, if I smile
I’ll say, that’s how it used to be
As I secretly take back the words that are floating in the air
I fall asleep at dawn, good night
(T/N: * This is a reference to lyrics from ‘People’ on D-2, which go “내가 보기에는 후회의 동물이 분명한데/In my opinion, we’re clearly animals of regret”.
** The words ‘무뎌진/mu-dyeo-jin’, which means ‘getting too used to something’ and ‘무너진/mu-neo-jin’, which means ‘something falling apart’ are very similar in pronunciation.
*** This is a saying for a danger that you see coming but still can’t do anything about. It’s the opposite of the Black Swan, which in financial terms is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, severe impact, and the widespread insistence they were obvious in hindsight. Meanwhile, Grey Rhinos are obvious dangers that are often ignored anyway.
**** The Korean word for ‘certainty’ is ‘확신/hwakshin’. It contains 신/shin, which is the word for ‘god’.)
Credits Megana, Yein, Aditi, Mary, Faith, Rinne @bts-trans
3. Fix You (original by Coldplay)
BTS have 7 vocalists I am telling you! J hope is already known as their 5th vocalist, Suga and RM low notes compliments the higher notes. I totally love this! I need more of the rapline singing, I bet other ARMYs would agree with me! They emotions are expressed well, and their vocals are just amazing! I would love to have another performance like this. They totally fixed us! I lost count on how many times I replayed this hahah!
My personal favourite is Jin (the pink mic). Check out his self composed solo titled 'Abyss'. It's freely available on soundcloud!
When you try your best, but you don’t
succeed
When you get what you want, but not
what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can’t
sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down
your face
When you lose something you can’t
replace
When you love someone, but it goes to
waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And high up above or down below
When you’re too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you’ll never
know
Just what you’re worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot
replace
Tears stream down your face, and I
Tears stream down your face?
I promise you I will learn from my
mistakes
Tears stream down your face, and I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you...
4. Life goes on
My personal favourite song from BE album. I think I've replayed this a zillionth times since it's release. This unplugged version is just awesome! This song is so meaningful because it's addressing how most of us feel with this Coronavirus pandemic. They comforted their fans by saying that they also feel the same frustrations, but in the end life still goes on. They are sending the message about striving together and do what we do best since there's nothing much we can do about the pandemic.
The world came to a stop one day
Without a single warning
Spring didn’t know how to wait
And came anyway, so thoughtlessly
The streets that have been cleared of footprints
And I’m here, fallen to the ground
Time passes all on its own
Without a word of apology
It seems like it’ll rain again today
I’m completely drenched
It still won’t stop
I thought it would be enough
To run faster than those dark clouds
But it seems I am only human after all
It hurts so much
This cold that this damned world has given me
Thanks to it I press the rewind button where dust has collected*
In my fallen state, I request an off-beat dance
When winter comes, let’s exhale
A warmer breath
There’s no end in sight
Is there even an exit?
My feet won’t pick themselves up, up oh
Close your eyes for a moment
Hold my hand here
Let’s run away to the future
Like an echo in the forest
The day will come back around, won’t it?
Just like nothing happened
Yeah life goes on
Like an arrow in the blue sky
Another day flies away again
On my pillow, on my table
Yeah life goes on
Like this again
I’ll take this music as a chance to share myself with you
Everyone says the world has changed
Thankfully, things between us
Still haven’t changed yet
The word ‘annyeong’** with which we start and end the days
Let us use it to thread today together with tomorrow
Even though we’ve paused for now, don’t hide in the darkness
Because the light will shine again.
There’s no end in sight
Is there even an exit?
My feet won’t pick themselves up, up oh
Close your eyes for a moment
Hold my hand here
Let’s run away to the future
Like an echo in the forest
The day will come back around, won’t it?
Just like nothing happened
Yeah life goes on
Like an arrow in the blue sky
Another day flies away again
On my pillow, on my table
Yeah life goes on
Like this again
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
(T/N: * The word used for ‘rewind’ here is 되감기/dwaegamgi, which is similar to 감기/gamgi, the Korean word for ‘a cold’ or ‘flu’.
** The word 안녕/annyeong in Korean can mean both ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’.)
Trans cr; Faith Spot Checkers; Aditi, Rinne, Mary & Yein @ bts-trans
Ending Dynamite
This great song has been on Top 10 Billboard 100 since its release in August 2020! It's their first all english song that was released to lift up their fans' moods during the pandemic.
Obviously, I love this unplugged version the most! (and the cute version with Snowman SUGA, and the one with Michael Jackson tribute dance break, and the one with their personal painting art gallery!)
'Cause I-I-I'm in the
stars tonight
So watch me bring the
fire and set the night alight
Shoes on, get up in
the morn
Cup of milk, let's
rock and roll
King Kong, kick the
drum, rolling on like a rolling stone
Sing song when I'm
walking home
Jump up to the top,
LeBron
Ding dong, call me on
my phone
Ice tea and a game of
ping pong
This is getting heavy
Can you hear the bass
boom? I'm ready (woo hoo)
Life is sweet as
honey
Yeah, this beat
cha-ching like money
Disco overload, I'm
into that, I'm good to go
I'm diamond, you know
I glow up
Hey, so let's go
'Cause I-I-I'm in the
stars tonight
So watch me bring the
fire and set the night alight (hey)
Shining through the
city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up
like dynamite, whoa
Bring a friend, join
the crowd
Whoever wanna come
along
Word up, talk the
talk
Just move like we Off
The Wall
Day or night the
sky's alight
So we dance to the
break of dawn
Ladies and gentlemen,
I got the medicine
So you should keep ya
eyes on the ball, huh
This is getting heavy
Can you hear the bass
boom? I'm ready (woo hoo)
Life is sweet as
honey
Yeah, this beat
cha-ching like money
Disco overload, I'm
into that, I'm good to go
I'm diamond, you know
I glow up
Let's go
'Cause I-I-I'm in the
stars tonight
So watch me bring the
fire and set the night alight (hey)
Shining through the
city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up
like dynamite, whoa
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite
Shining through the
city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up
like dynamite, whoa
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na, ayy
Light it up like
dynamite
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na, ayy
Light it up like
dynamite
'Cause I-I-I'm in the
stars tonight
So watch me bring the
fire and set the night alight
Shining through the
city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up
like dynamite (this is I)
'Cause I-I-I'm in the
stars tonight
So watch me bring the
fire and set the night alight (ah)
Shining through the
city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up
like dynamite, whoa (light it up like dynamite)
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite
Dy-na-na-na, na-na,
na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite
Shining through the
city with a little funk and soul
Light it up like
dynamite, whoa
Yup, it was fun! BTS
live performances are always great! I hope you guys enjoyed it too!
These songs have been in my playlist for years now. It somehow helped me go through those bad moments during my housemanship day. I love the acoustics and electric guitar. There are special emotions emitted from the songs that soothes me. So far, I haven't met anyone with the same music taste. I hope I could find one!
1. Chau chau - Delispice
I knew this song from Running Man. I name it The 4 Sentenced Song. When I am sad, I want to be heard. Listening to this, I felt like I am being heard, hence I love this song. I wrote about this song in 2013. Read here
2. Aqua timez - Sen no yoru wo koete
This song is used for the ending song of Bleach movie: Memories of Nobody. I heard it for the first time when I watched the movie, and I totally fell in love with it. I love the emotions of the song, even though I don't understand the lyrics. There is desperation and yearning, yet hopeful at the same time. Somehow, it resonates with my emotions of desperately wanting to be hopeful, to see the bright side of everything. And not to be forgotten, I love the strings! Since then, it has become one of my favourite song.
3. Jay Chou - Fearless
I love the fusion between traditional and modern instruments! I thought this was sung by two people, but apparently I was wrong! I only knew when I watched the live performance video. The female-like voice is actually a falsetto! This song is totally an ear candy that makes me feel invincible.
4. BTS - Boy in Luv (Sangnamja i.e tough guy)
The korean meaning of the song is tough guy. I love the electric guitar! Their hoarse voice accompanying the electric guitar is the best! The choreography makes the song perfect. How I wish I can dance like them! Listening to this song, I feel like I'm unleashing all of my suppressed anger! Bonus point for Jimin's high note! It feels like screaming out of my lungs. I would usually feel much better after listening to this.
These are precious songs that accompanied me through my somewhat lonely journey. I have the extended list, which is an unexhaustive list. I might share them later on! Not sure if anyone is interested though, But oh well, I continued blogging to brush off my rusty writing. So I'll write about whatever I have interest in! Till next time, bye!
I remember that time when BTS debuted, I was preparing for my final professional exam which was about a month away. The exam determines whether I graduate or my study time will be extended. They debuted with the song No More Dream, that totally grabbed my attention as they are addressing the thought that I have in my mind. At that time, not many songs have meaningful lyrics, be it Malay song, English song or kpop song. And for me, a good song should have good lyrics. So I totally appreciate this song with meaningful lyrics.
Back to their debut song, it's a song that talks about teenagers having unspecified dreams like wanting a big house, big car and big rings, living in luxury. But truthfully, they don't have a real pathway towards those dreams. They go to school, aiming to be admitted to prestigious university because that is what everyone has been doing. Plus, becoming a government official is the public definition of being successful. The lyrics asked, What is your dream? A question that I no longer have the answer. I mean, I didn't have any other aim other than graduating medical school ever since I started my first year. I used to have a few ambitions that wasn't really in the mainstream when I was younger though, and attending medical school wasn't even in the list. Hence, I have some regret about my inability to walk towards those dream. That question asking 'what is your dream' totally picked on my sore spot. But since I was already almost at the end of the road, there's nothing much to think about, but to pass the exam and graduate.
At that time, I was stressed out about passing the exam as I don't think I have the strength and motivation to go on if I failed the exam. Many thoughts came to my mind, such as why am I in this field, why don't I have any other talent, why am I unable to walk towards my ambition, what can I do if I ever flunked this exam, etc. Well, those thoughts have been there along the 6 years journey and it was augmented by the tension of passing the final exam to graduate. To be honest, I managed to stay for the whole 6 years thanks to the support of my batchmates and some good friends. Otherwise, I might have deferred.
My first impression
I wasn't a big fan of hip hop song, but thanks to the meaningful lyrics and catchy song, I love it. The song is asking the teenagers to be bold and to have dream, instead of going with the flow of the mass opinion, which I totally agree to. The world have changed, and we need enthusiastic people in their own fields, instead of being there because they had to. I personally think that people who love their job are bound to have more achievement, which is good for the improvement in the community. If we think about how our ancestors could have breakthrough achievements despite their limitations, I believe it is due to their enthusiasm and passion that they are able to do so.
Hence I kept BTS under my radar, waiting to see what other kind of song would they come out with. My first impression was J-hope is so handsome, he must be the visual of the group. Chibi-like Jimin is so cute, he seems like BTS mascot, as he is always in the center and he is the only one wearing sleeveless shirt. As for RM, I felt like he could be better styled. But still, he wasn't as bad as UKISS' debut style! Suga's cute look doesn't fit his fire-spitting rap. I had thought that he must have been talked into it by the company. Hahah but apparently not! Jin looks like a well-mannered kid trying to rebel! V totally looks like a rebel and Jungkook was so young!
No More Dream (translated lyrics from Genius English translations)
[Pre-hook: RM] Hey, what's your dream? Hey, what’s your dream? Hey, what's your dream? Hey, is that your dream?
[Verse 1: SUGA, RM, Jungkook] I wanna big house, big cars & big rings But in reality, I don't have any big dreams Haha I live an easy life Even if I don’t dream, no one says anything to me Everyone is thinking the same as me When we were still youngI said I'll go to some university Okay, mum, I'm going to the library
[Pre-Chorus: V, j-hope] What is the you that you dreamed of? Who do you see in your mirror, I gotta say Go your own way Even if you live a day Do something Put weakness away
[Verse 2: Jung Kook] Why don't you say anything? You don't want to study You're too afraid to quit the school, right? See, you're getting ready for school Grow up, don't just talk, You have a glass mentality, boy (Stop!) Ask yourself, when did you try hard [Pre-hook: RM] Hey, what’s your dream? Hey, what’s your dream? Hey, what's your dream? Hey, is that your dream?
[Chorus: Jung Kook, Jimin] It’s a lie, you such a liar See me, see me ya, you're hypocrite Why are you telling me to go another way? Do well yourself! Please don't force me (La la la la la) What's you dream? What’s your dream? (La la la la la) Is that your dream? Is that your dream?
[Verse 3: SUGA] Boring same day, every day repeats Adults and parents tell us the same dream Future job number one, public officials? It's not a forced dream, a relief pitcher
[Verse 4: j-hope] Throw a fastball to the self-study time that is a waste of time Disobey the hell-like society pardon the dream Ask yourself 'bout the profile of your dream Become the subject of your own life, away from suppression [Pre-Chorus: Jin, Jimin] What is the you that you dreamed of? Who do you see in your mirror, I gotta say Go your own way Even if you live a day Do something Put weakness away
[Pre-hook: RM] Hey, what's your dream? Hey, what's your dream? Hey, what's your dream? Hey, is that your dream?
[Chorus: Jung Kook, Jimin] It's a lie, you such a liar See me, see me ya, you're hypocrite Why are you telling me to go another way? Do well yourself! Please don't force me (La la la la la) What's you dream? What's your dream? (La la la la la) Is that your dream? Is that your dream?
[Bridge: RM, SUGA, Jung Kook] Don't know how to live Don't know how to fly Don't know how to decide Don't know how to dream now Open, open, open your eyes again Dance , dance, dance again Dream, dream, dream again Don't hesitate, don't hesitate, wassup! [Chorus: Jung Kook, RM] It's a lie, you such a liar See me, see me ya, you're hypocrite Why are you telling me to go another way? Do well yourself! Don't push others! (La la la la la) What's you dream? What's your dream? (La la la la la) Is that your dream? Is that your dream?
This is one of my favourite song. The combination of electric guitar and the live orchestra is just too cool. It's kinda interesting since it has only 4 sentences, yet meaningful.
I hear your voice
I hear your voice
I hear your voice
I hear your voice
Even though I try not for the life of me to hear it
Even though I try not for the life of me to hear it
I hear your voice
I hear your voice
Even though I try not for the life of me to hear it
Even though I try not for the life of me to hear it
I hear your voice
I hear your voice
Even though I try not for the life of me to hear it
Even though I try not for the life of me to hear it
It has been a ve~ry long time since I last blogging. Oh, the composing area is wider! Nice going!
I'm unsure how you would feel about this post, but it's my blog, so be it! [muahahaha]
Back in the early 2000s, nasyid was growing like mushrooms popping up after the rain. Somehow, I enjoy their good songs, but only 2 groups got my attention. Which are obviously Mirwana and Nowseeheart. Mainly its their voices that made me attracted. And believe me, if these two were performing live, the quality is always great!
Other than that, I loved Mirwana because of their harmony. They are really creative and so I really enjoyed listening to the main vocal as well as the back up voices. Then, they made the acoustic version and rearrangement for Hikmah Kembara. Oooh! I just love those versions!! But the downside to it, I couldn't find any recording or mp3 of them T_T
Then, as for Nowseeheart, their singing are just great! As you listen, you would be wondering if they really are singing live; which they really are! They always exceed expectations.
However, since they are no longer active, I kinda feel lonely. No doubt there's Maher Zain, Irfan Makki, etc. They are are good singer, got nice songs and all, but for me that's all there is to it. Not enough to get my full attention. Keep in mind, I'm not disregarding them! And this is just my personal opinion. Don't bash me for my opinion, people ^_^
Then, the Hallyu wave arrived in Malaysia. When SuJu came to Malaysia somewhere around 2005, I couldn't care less. So what, they are selling music, but I'm not interested. So just let them be. I've always believe that if they are not good or popular enough, they won't reach me. I'm not the kind who go crazy over new things, nor I criticize new things when I don't know them enough to say anything. I mean, which senile people would go talking rubbish about something that they don't even know! Well, if they do then, what a pity because they are disregarding and making a fool of themselves. -_-"
There are just too many products from Korea. Nice songs are enjoyable, but its' is these two songs below that really captured my attention. They somehow reminded me of great performances of my said favourite group. And their vocals is a HUGE factor. If you really feel the urge of standing against my points, please listen to them first. (",) [provided that you listen without prejudice] and please don't mind the fans ~peace!
I just felt like posting something when i finally found this song, ceritera by zainal abidin (I never knew he was the singer until today...haha...)
more than 10 years back, it was like a new phenomenon. but it's a pity that it just faded away by the passing time. moreover, it was never played again in the tv, right? kinda sad.
well, there're 2 songs in this video. have fun!
here's the lyrics:
Tajuk: Ceritera
Penyanyi/Artis: Zainal Abidin
Kurun lalu ada ceritera
Kisah lima pendekar muda
Taat menuntut kehendak raja
Mereka jadi lagenda
Bahan ceritera muda remaja
Satu lagenda yang tak dilupa
Berakhirnya kisah lama
Hilang senjata di dunianya
Timbulnya pula di zaman kita
Senjata di simpan di dalam peti
Ditemani guru yang disegani
Selamat hingga ditemui
Lima pemuda di zaman ini
Mencari dan juga mempercayai
Senjata perlu dikuasai
Kini ia ditemui
Di zaman yang maju teknologi
Kuasa lama mula teruji
Ooh oh Tuah yang mengetuainya
Ooh oh Jebat akur dan menurut
Ooh oh Kasturi, Lekir, Lekiu berjanji
Membantu bila ditandingi
Ini kisah lama orang dagang di Melaka
Anak muda diwariskan keris sakti oh pendekar
It's a sad thing that I can get involved in the Kelab Silat anymore. Well, I don't know what's going to happen to that club in FPSK. Sparring was fun, even though the training was like hell. I'm saying this once only; thanks to the seniors, yes, you seniors, who made it possible for me to participate in the silat tournaments. well, MASUM was a bonus for me. thanks a lot!
oh, yes. Obstetrics written exam is tomorrow. Good Luck friends! (yes, me too)
