Gonna Get Over You

I have been beaten by a truckload of university work this week (all of it brought on by myself) and with it comes my personal apologise for the late post. This little video by Sara Bareilles (one of my favourite singer/songwriters) is cute and quirky. She sings about heartbreak but her emotions are juxtaposed against a catchy upbeat tune that, on initial thought, doesn't seem to fit the mood. Plus the dark eyeliner, quiffed hair, and pink lipstick is hard to get past. I'm trying this look out on my next night out...

One Day

"Live each day as if it's your last', that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at...something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance." 

I’m not a great fan of overtly-romantic novels but in saying that, give me an unfortunate love story and I'll listen... It's a good distraction from my non-existent one. Haha. I first came across this book when I was in Singapore earlier this year. I wandered into a local bookstore after work one evening; I needed something to read on my train journeys and listening to the same songs repetitively on my iPod became insufferable. I scanned the bookshelves and as fate would have it, my eyes were drawn to One Day. Long story short, it will be one of the few novels I will read over and over again. (A lovely elderly man on the train noticed the book in my hand, and we ended up talking for the rest of the journey!)

My affinity for this book stems from an unfortunate truth for many people: some of us may never find our true significant other. Even worse, finding that person and not realising that they were in our lives for a long time. Emma and Dexter go on to lead seperate lives after their short stint together but, nonetheless, keep in touch over 20 years. The author, David Nicholls, doesn't follow the typical cliche love story between boy and girl. They don't spend the 'rest of their lives together'. No one's fighting terribly for the other's love and affection. No one is standing outside the other's window, throwing stones. No one is making big affirmations of their love to the other. The characters simply move on with their lives, unaware of the potential between them. To me it feels... realistic. Sad, but real. Hence why I loved reading it.

One Day is released in Australian cinemas on September 1st.  

I will be on hiatus for the next week - uni commitments are always looming in my world. I hope to be in contact with you all soon!

"Take It All" - An Emotional Plea for Mercy

I spent the better part of one night watching and listening to Adele perform her songs as part of the iTunes Festival in London. She sang to a packed auditorium to the point where I'm sure many people were involuntary squeezed up against one another. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in such an intimate musical setting before. Nevertheless, the crowd responded warmly and listened to the soul that is Adele.

I admitted I was a sucker for joyous love songs, but I also have a weak spot for incredibly depressing ones! This song is devastatingly beautiful, heartbreaking and depressing, and thus, my favourite song of hers to date. (Even more so than Someone Like You! Although, that song does come in at a close second...) Yes, it does have its fair share of stubborness and immaturity. The selfishness is quite clear. Adele cries out 'What about me? Look at what you're doing to me'. But the heavy attachment she gives to the song is hard to ignore and overrides any flaws. It really encapsulates heartbreak at its worst - the egocentric, self-absorbed beings we become when we're hurt. And the more I listen to her, I can't help but listen to the truth she brings with every word sung and as a result, sympathise with - and somewhat pity - her loss.

I jokingly posted on my Twitter account the following: "What is it about Adele's songs that makes you never want to get out of bed, ever again?". One of my male friends replied with: "It's the soul in her voice." And I think he hit the nail right on the head.*  

What is the definition of "soul"? In musical terms, it is a style/genre which could be considered as a softer, stripped down version of 'RnB'. The song does reflect this; the musical components are quite simple. The chords used aren't complicated and there's only one tempo/rhythm used throughout it.

But in everyday terms... the soul - what's inside all of us in one form or another - is a complex vacuum of emotions - emotions we love, emotions we tolerate and emotions we wish we will never have to endure a second time around. And putting aside the technical aspects of music, maybe that's what true soul is in the musical world - raw emotion sung from the heart.

From the powerful beginning of "Didn't I give it all?", the bargaining of "I will change if I must.", 'Take It All' is my favourite song on her album. It's the begging, the pleading, the hurt and the anger all compressed into a 3 minute tune.

*It's good to know that Adele does not only reach out to the female populace, but also taps into our men's 'hidden' emotions too.

Learn to Let Go

Source of picture: thebeabook

A serious fault of mine is the inability to let go. Be it friendships, relationships or, sometimes, anger. If only letting go were as easy as pulling your hand out of the water or even saying the phrase itself. 

My problems with detachment can only be attributed to the feeling of 'unfinished business' as well as other feelings of being 'forgotten', 'abandoned', and 'lonely'. I often find myself in relationships and friendships that end abruptly, leaving behind only a bitter taste of frustration and confusion. And it is only natural to want to solve the problem and not dwell in sad emotions for too long. A dear friend said to me "No matter what, you're always looking for a conclusion. An answer." I think that is true for most people. Answers are what give people closure, relief and thus, the ability to let go and move on.

Part of my experience in Singapore was to learn, in a healthy manner, how to let go. Of relationships. Of friendships. Of bitter emotions. However, the questions I wanted to ask could not be answered definitively. And sometimes, things will always be unfinished business, no matter how hard you try to find answers for them. The only thing to do - 'When you're on your way out or they're on their way out.' - is to say goodbye right there and then, and not make a fuss. 

But, I can't say that I have completely moved forward from it all. I promise I'm working on it.

Adele Adkins

Source of picture: asunglullaby

For those who are not familiar with Adele's voice, I urge you to watch her performance of Someone Like You at the BRIT Awards. It is simply one of the most beautiful musical pieces to grace my ears. Her voice transcends soul like nothing I've ever heard before.

Be wary though. It is easy to plug her soulful sound on replay for days and become sucked into her world of hurt. To ensure your general happiness is kept intact, it is best to limit yourself to two or three songs at any one time. I, myself, have had her '21' album on repeat for around 2 weeks. I have a terrible habit of listening to music I like to the point where I become sick of it. However, I'm not sick of Adele yet. Oddly enough, I've come to enjoy putting myself through her misery since I'm too sensitive to detach myself from her lyrics.

I hope when she sings her songs, she sings to heal. Although, I do not understand how one can sing about heartbreak day in and day out without being reminded of a failed relationship... Still, it takes strong willpower to do what she does. How do you move on when you are constantly being reminded of loss, especially when people expect you to relive the story over and over again? Does she become numb to it all? I would like to think she is very professional in what she does but it makes me nervous when she tears up and her voice cracks when she sings. She's only a human being after all, and blending the personal with business is never easy.

All I can say is... that takes alot of balls.

If you've ever had your heart broken, Someone Like You should be your anthem. But don't check up on the backstory for this song. It will just lead an already depressed and sensitive listener, like me, into morbid angst.