Songs & Memories

Was just chatting with Suzan online, yakking away until we came to the topic about songs that remind us of our younger days or experiences, bringing back the sense of nostalgia. You know, those kind of songs when you hear it, your mind just automatically flashes back to that point in time, unlocks all the memories and play them one-by-one in your head. Like watching a movie.

Sometimes they remind you of something funny. For instance, when I listen to Backstreet Boys’ “I’ll never break your heart” and Boyzone’s “Love me for a reason”, almost immediately I laugh because I remember those days in primary school where there was this battle between fans of Backstreet Boys and fans of Boyzone. Who was the better boyband. Who dances better. Who sang the sappy songs sappier and cheesy songs cheesier. Who generally had more good looking guys. Who was gay and who wasn’t. Why Nick Carter / Stephen Gately looked so much like a girl. Or why Boyzone only had two lead singers and Backstreet Boys had three (then lah). Who will last longer (that one Backstreet Boys won by the way). Now at this age, it really looks merepek (ridiculous). But hell, it was fun.

Remember Hanson’s “Mmmbop”? When I hear that, I remember the time when my sister and I (and probably the whole world) realized that they were Hanson brothers. From a newspaper article. Not two girls and one boy. Oops. And also, that one of my classmates insisted that we call her Mrs Taylor Hanson or Mrs Ronan Keating. Talk about fanatic. When I hear "Until the time is through" by 5ive, I recall those days where I sat in front of my computer then in my now brother's room (then guest room) replying e-mails to e-pals while listening to the radio. Now all contact's lost.

Then there was “One Sweet Day” by BoyzIIMen and Mariah Carey, which reminded me of my days back in The Word Centre actively involved in the youth ministry, dance ministry, drama ministry and admin. We always requested the same song from the deejay whenever we drop by Sungei Wang Plaza. The deejay's our friend. Hahaa. Even to this day, but he's no longer deejay. Even any Jars of Clay song will suffice. Days of sleeping over at friends’ houses, late night supper, friends sleeping over in our houses, having dance/drama practices one after another.. Gosh I miss those days. Gosh I missed my friends. It was sad that it had to end the way it ended.

Backstreet’s back, alright! Hahaa. In my final year, we actually suggested to our choir teacher to sing that song for our annual prize-giving ceremony. Which, of course, she said no way! And we ended up singing Colours of the Wind instead (plus a patriotic song). And we had won the state competition that same year too! It was crazy because we were just aiming for a top five spot and kalau ada rezeki, top three. The elated feeling of being at that moment and announced as champions just flows back. We were practically in tears, up jumping on our feet and screaming when they announced the first runner-up because there was only one spot left and we were the only school left unannounced. Crazy man. Crazy. Surreal.


Then there would be "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson. Hear the song until phobia liao. This song would remind me of - no, not global warming or world peace but - my librarian days in high school. Heard that song for three days straight in the motivational camp. Heard that song everyday in the library since. Even performed it in front of the whole school for God-only-remembers-what event. Dengar sampai boleh gilerrr. Now whenever I hear that song on radio, I subconsciously change stations. The memories are sweet, but the song is bitter to my ears now man.

"Big Big World".. I forgot who is it by. When I hear that, I remember our trip to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. My brother was at this mode where he couldn't get the song out of his head. And he sang that song where ever he went and whenever he wanted. My sister and I couldn't and wouldn't stop teasing him about singing about being a girl since the song went "I'm a big big girl in a big big world, it's not a big big thing if you need me". That's pretty much all he sang all the time. The morning we were heading up to Mount Sinai, it was pitch dark (3am) and we were all separated because we were sitting on separate camels (butt damn pain ok) up half the mountain. We couldn't see each other. But I knew I passed my brother at some point. Because I heard a singing "I'm a big big girl in a big big world...".


Leaving you with a picture of the sunrise seen from the peak of Mount Sinai, makes waking up at 2am, sitting on the camel for hours until butt super aching, climbing all the way to the peak with our two legs. Then coming down from the mountain, which took hours of trying not to slip, fall and land on camel dung yang bertaburan di sekitaran.