Obsessions, part cinq - Where it all began: MUSIC I DON’T UNDERSTAND.

Or rather, songs with foreign languages, with lyrics I have no hope of understanding without the help of the Oh-So-Wonderful Google, and/or music that I can’t sing along to unless I stare at the lyrics for hours.

Current obsession: 2PM. Because let’s face it, much as I try to suppress it – I’m as susceptible to abs as the next girl. And oh boy, do these boys have abs. Hellooooo!

Exhibit a. AAAAABBBSSS.

Exhibit b. Dem boiz look good in fitted shirts.

And they’re hilarious to boot. Abs and comedic talent – the way to my (admittedly shallow) heart. Every. Time. But their songs are fun, and perfect for dancing madly to.

BUT! As the title suggest – this wasn’t where it all began.

1999 was a year of discovery for me, and as far as I could remember it – awesome music. Freshly landed in Jakarta, my ears were immediately assaulted with Neo’s Cewe Matre – a weird, but somewhat hilarious song about girls who are only out for money. Woke up one day to Sheila On 7’s Dan playing on MTV one day, and at one point, I was introduced to Dewa. (And back then, Indonesian was pretty much a foreign language for me! :p) And suddenly a whole new world opened..!

Up till then I was listening to Oasis and Blur and NSYNC and All Saints and Natalie Imbruglia – all brilliant artists, yes.. But all English speaking singers, with lyrics in English. The most ‘foreign’ artist I knew back then was Bjork (but she sang English songs so I figure she doesn’t count..) and Sash! (But his songs were mostly about the beats, not the lyrics). So to my utter delight, I found a sh*tload of Indonesian artists via my cousin and brother. And then.. I found Utada Hikaru.

For a time, I was obsessed with her.

She was pretty, her songs were.. amazing, and different, I didn’t understand a single f*cking word – and it was glorious. I’ve been listening to this one again non-stop:

I found the lyrics and patiently spent 10 minutes on the internet loading the page (back then, I still had dial-up internet folks!). The wait was worth it though, I was just completely mesmerized by the pretty, pretty lyrics. (And we all know how much of a whore I am for words, yes?.. At least when I’m not distracted by ABS.) 

saigo no kisu wa
tabako no flavor ga shita
nigakute setsunai kaori
(the last kiss
tasted like tobacco
a bitter and sad smell)

ashita no imagoro ni wa
anata wa doko ni iru n' darou
dare wo omotte 'ru n' darou
(tomorrow, at this time
where will you be?
who will you be thinking about?) 

you are always gonna be my love
itsu ka dare ka to mata koi ni ochite mo
I'll remember to love
you taught me how
you are always gonna be the one
ima wa mada kanashii love song
atarashii uta utaeru made 

(you are always gonna be my love
even if i fall in love with someone once again
I'll remember to hold on
you taught me how
you are always gonna be the one
it's still a sad song
until I can sing a new song)

Pretty, yes?

So yes. Utada Hikaru’s First Love got me hooked on Japanese musicians. (From there I discovered L’Arc~En~Ciel, Gackt, X Japan, etc).. Basically, I blame her for my love of songs that I DON’T UNDERSTAND BUT SOUND SO PRETTY! Mainly it's French singers, who have me wrapped around their little fingers because hot damn, French is a sexy language. With the Japanese in tie for first place because seriously. Utada Hikaru. Not to mention Bump of Chicken and School Food Punishment and Spitz and Cibo Matto and many, many, many instrumental artists I adore. (Not to mention my obsession with anime and manga in high school introduced me to a sh*tload of Japanese musicians!)

But for now, my obzeshoon is with teh Koreans.

Damn it, Carla Bruni – start singing more songs. Your voice is too smexy to be kept quiet! Either you release new songs or I ogle at ABS!

Fine. Abs it is. (For now at least ;P haha)