The most amazing, happiest find I ever made in one of my lowest of moments is this! 
I virtually had muppets for breakfast and snacks while growing up in the 80s. Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies... I've seen them all! Not only were they entertaining and musical, they were really funny! Who needs babysitters when you've got the muppets?
Unlike the anime and the cartoons that we see today, these shows did not have to rely on much special effects and hyperboles. The real charm of the muppet shows lie in their humorous wit and creativity. Sure, they can lay it thick on the sarcasm, but hey, it didn't hurt or deprecate anyone. And who can forget their songs? From the educational songs of Sesame Street to the fanciful theme songs of the various creatures in the Muppet Show, each showed a flair for the musicale and the fancy. Remember the hilarious Manah Manah?
Speaking of music, did I mention this site had an online radio? Yes, indeed-y they do! For the past hour or so, I have been ebbing in and out of blissful waves of nostalgic tunes... and the best part it is all of them are MUPPET TUNES! WOOHOO!
For that most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational ear-candy experience back from your childhood days, check out www.muppetcentral.com and log into their radio station!
One more set of songs I'd love to rave about. Whenever I make a new playlist, some of these songs almost always make it there, for whatever reasons - whether I'm moody, stressed, aloof, bubbly, restless, or elated. Here we go, for another shot at my favorite songs:
Ready, Steady, Go
by Larc-En-Ciel
'Are you ready?' starts this rather percussive, fast-paced song. It's like you're taunting your opponent before you start a competition. When >16bpm percussion comes in (well im estimating, I didnt really count the beats, lol!), then releases itself into the first stanza - its like revving a car, then letting go of the brakes, and off we go. Fits the title perfectly. I like this song because it challenges me, taunts me to do better. Helps sometimes when I do some really tough analyses and reports. This definitely makes it to my work (or workout, hehe) playlist.
The Second Star to the Right
for Disney's Peter Pan soundtrack
The way to Neverland is "the second star to the right and straight on till morning." This is where you'll never grow up and indulge every childhood fantasy. I love this song for reminding me that I can still be a kid if I want to. I just have to think happy thoughts. Though the song ends on sad note, because eventually we all grow up, one way or another, it urges us not to forget the feelings of childhood - of laughter, carefree moments, silliness, innocence, and fun.
Time to Say Goodbye
by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli
This song has elegance written all over it. It begins with strings on a march beat that steadily crescendoes towards each chorus then finales with a rich string and voice texture in the end. This is one song I'd love to sing to perfection, albeit softly. (Who can compete with Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli anyway? A powerful combo to be sure.) I don't understand the song much (being in Italian), but the melody is addictive. It draws you ever so slightly till you're immersed in the grandeur of its sounds. Nice meditative (or interpretative dance) music.
Unlimited
by Nanase Aikawa for the Samurai 7 soundtrack
What strikes me as very interesting in this song is its fast, smooth, and steady percussion. The seemingly up-and-down-ness of the accompanying melody is only a plus. But for some reason, I like this song, despite not understanding the lyrics. I think, since I heard this on the Samurai 7 anime, I often associate the song with kickass martial arts action. Maybe that's the allure of the song. Still, whether or not you have seen the anime series, this is something worth listening to.
Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin
by Kitchie Nadal
I had this as my LSS once. Tried to purge it from my head by listening to it exclusively the whole day. It worked, but surprisingly, I'm not fed up of listening to it now. It's a cute, unrequited-love kind of song. Really tugs at the heartstrings, especially the guitar wangs at the start.
With a Smile
by Eraserheads
Feel-good, happy kind of song, designed to cheer you up in even your darkest moods. The way this song starts out seems to reach you, a feathery touch on your shoulder, ever so lightly, and whisper sweet comforts. It feels your pain, but subtly, it shifts you, making you look toward a better, brighter side. You know, with a smile. :) Usually, when I'm alone and I feel nobody's there to be my sounding board, this song makes a good substitute. Though it may not be successful in bringing a smile to my face, it certainly takes away the frown. I love this song!
I'm no music expert, but I do have some things to say about music I love. Most of the time, it's just the feeling I attach to these songs that make me like them a lot. Like say, for j-pop songs, I don't entirely understand the lyrics, but the feeling I get from the tune is vivid and memorable; thus I like hearing more of them. I'm sure anybody could relate to a tune, no matter how foreign the lyrics are. The response can be instinctive - the tap of the foot, the sway of the body, the bob of the head, and even humming. I'm like that. I feel that I am open to various music genres, just as long as they 'click' with me. There are no borders to what I've yet to hear - loud or soft, instrumental or lyrical - whatever (though I draw the line at songs at ear-piercing sounds).
Below is a list of some of my favorite songs that I can remember from the top of my head. I think it's good to give these songs due praise, since they really rocked my world and affected me in some deep, emotional way. Not that I'm a sap or anything.
All the Small Things
by Blink182
Hearing this song gets my head bobbing instantly; it's kinda like a gut reaction. Haha! It sounds upbeat and funny. It sounds like it was made in the spirit of good fun, or rather, making fun of others. If you'll watch the video, you'll notice that it makes a parody of the Backstreet Boys and their groupies. It's a rockin nice no-brainer song.
Aozora no Namida
by Hitomi Takahashi for the Blood+ soundtrack
The best thing I like about this track is how the sounds build up to a climax in the chorus. Listening to this, I imagine myself running wild, running down everything in my way, then leaping over a cliff's edge into a deep pool of clear water. Though I don't understand much of this song, it's like it's telling me to rip free from myself and just let go. Yeah, that would be nice. A cool, kickass-bad-girl kind of track, this one is.
As the World Falls Down
by David Bowie for the Labyrinth soundtrack
The most romantic and nostalgic song I've ever heard. This song was played during the 'Cinderella' ballroom scene of Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in the 80s fantasy movie, The Labyrinth. It's romantic because it's slow and flows whimsically with bell sounds mixed with piano and guitar. It's like you're floating on the dance floor. I say it's nostalgic because it captured perhaps my last carefree childhood memories or at least the feelings I associate with them. PLUS, David Bowie is absolutely dreamy. Even though he's like 50+ years old now, he's still hunk material to me! *sigh*
Ashita no Kyou to Onaji Mirai
by Gomen the Hitman for the Otogizoushi soundtrack
Acoustic guitar chords dominate this rather optimistic-sounding track. It has a 'clean' sound to it; not too many instruments and voices. I guess this contributes to its optimistic feel, like tomorrow's gonna be a day as good as today, maybe even better.
Blackbird
by the Beatles
Another 'clean' and optimistic-sounding song - one acoustic instrument and one voice. It makes me feel that things can get better, if given the chance to 'fly' or 'see,' as the song goes.
Bring Me to Life
by Evanescence
This song is a call for help. I find this particularly comforting when I'm uber stressed and very anxious. It's for the moments when I feel my life force being sucked dry by demands of my job, and I'm desperate to escape the distressing situation. The forlorn voice of Amy Lee calls and reaches out for the surface of the living world, which is just within her reach. Somehow, I feel I am that voice, desperately inching towards the safety of homebase.
Digital Love
by Daft Punk
This is a cute falling-in-love song, but then again, I watched the video before I listened to the song. This came from Daft Punk's album where the videos were all rendered in olde anime style (ala Macross). It was about a guy dreaming about the unreachable (like say, the girl), but with luck on his side, he got the chance to play knight-in-shining-armor to this dream girl. If he did have a successful rescue, I don't know. It was supposed to be continued in Daft Punk's other videos, which I have yet to watch. >.<
Forrest Gump theme
composed by Alan Silvestri for Forrest Gump soundtrack
"Stupid is as stupid does" is an enigmatic reply to incredulous questions like 'Are you stupid or something?' ME LIKEY, HAHA! Maybe me use it as a lame excuse for stupid mistakes. Anyway, back to the song. Although I don't share the history of Golden Age America, I already sense the strains of nostalgia and poignance throughout this musical piece. Perhaps because it sounds 'clean' and simple to me - steadily paced single piano notes and faint violins in the background supporting the notes - does this piece sound at once both sad and optimistic. If this song had lyrics, it would talk about the circle of life, about how things must end and how life must go on despite the inevitability of the life cycle, just like in the movie.
Promises
by the Cranberries
Heavy, abrasive chords guiding a low, seething voice. I'd call this an angry song for promises made and not kept. This would qualify as an angsty song to me, expressing frustration and a need to retaliate for wrongs done. I think this song would be a great addition in the Underworld soundtrack, since it works a lot on the themes of betrayal and retaliation.
Rainbow
by ROUND TABLE feat. Nino for ARIA the Movie soundtrack
Again, another song I barely understand, but can feel well just the same. I never watched the movie, but I'm a big fan of ROUND TABLE songs, ever since I heard Let Me Be with You track. Their songs are usually on the light, bubbly, jazzy side, which really perks me up. But this song is somewhat laid-back and well, nostalgic, in the sense that you feel you're looking back on the good times you've experienced.
To be continued...
Speaking of music, did I mention this site had an online radio? Yes, indeed-y they do! For the past hour or so, I have been ebbing in and out of blissful waves of nostalgic tunes... and the best part it is all of them are MUPPET TUNES! WOOHOO!
