Comfortably Numb

One of my all time favorite songs...

Songfacts:

• This was the last song Waters and Gilmour wrote together.


• According to Rolling Stone the lyrics came from Roger Waters' experience when he was injected with tranquilizers for hepatitis by a doctor prior to playing a Pink Floyd show in Philadelphia. "That was the longest two hours of my life," Waters said. "Trying to do a show when you can hardly lift your arm." The experience gave him the idea which became this song.


• This song tells a part of the story of Pink, "The Wall" album's protagonist. Pink, feeling completely isolated from society, cannot stand the pressures of life as a rock star and collapses in his hotel room before leaving for his concert. A doctor is sent into the room and gives Pink an injection that gives him the energy he needs to perform. The lyrics are written as a conversation, with Waters voicing the doctor and Gilmour voicing Pink.


• This song features two guitar solos by David Gilmour, and is a particular favourite with Pink Floyd fans. The final solo (outro, coda, or fade out), is widely revered by fans and air-guitarists worldwide as one of Gilmour's best, and is an archetypal rock guitar solo.


• When they played this on The Wall tour, a 35 foot wall was erected between the band and the audience as part of the show. As the wall went up, Gilmour was raised above it on a hydraulic lift to perform the guitar solo. It was his favorite part of the show.

Lyrics:

Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

Come on, now.
I hear youre feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.

Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I had a fever.
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I got that feeling once again.
I cant explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

Ok.
Just a little pinprick. [ping]
Therell be no more --aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick.

Can you stand up?
I do believe its working. good.
Thatll keep you going for the show.
Come on its time to go.

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.
I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.

Elvis - Suspicious Minds

We're caught in a trap
I can't walk out
Because I love you too much baby

Why can't you see
What you're doing to me
When you don't believe a word I say?

We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds

So, if an old friend I know
Drops by to say hello
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?

Here we go again
Asking where I've been
You can't see these tears are real
I'm crying

We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And be can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds

Oh let our love survive
Or dry the tears from your eyes
Let's don't let a good thing die

When honey, you know
I've never lied to you
Mmm yeah, yeah

The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Source: Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

With 23 songs on the list, The Beatles are the most represented musical act. They are followed by The Rolling Stones (14 entries); Bob Dylan, who also topped the list with "Like a Rolling Stone", (12 entries); Elvis Presley (11 entries); The Beach Boys and Jimi Hendrix (seven entries each); and Chuck Berry, U2, James Brown, Prince, Led Zeppelin, and Sly & The Family Stone (six entries each).

1. Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan

2. Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones

3. Imagine, John Lennon

4. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye

5. Respect, Aretha Franklin

6. Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys

7. Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry

8. Hey Jude, The Beatles

9. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana

10. What'd I Say, Ray Charles

11. My Generation, The Who

12. A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke

13. Yesterday, The Beatles

14. Blowin' in the Wind, Bob Dylan

15. London Calling, The Clash

16. I Want to Hold Your Hand, The Beatles

17. Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix

18. Maybellene, Chuck Berry

19. Hound Dog, Elvis Presley

20. Let It Be, The Beatles

21. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen

22. Be My Baby, The Ronettes

23. In My Life, The Beatles

24. People Get Ready, The Impressions

25. God Only Knows, The Beach Boys

26. A Day in the Life, The Beatles

27. Layla, Derek and the Dominos

28. (Sittin on) the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding

29. Help!, The Beatles

30. I Walk the Line, Johnny Cash

31. Stairway To Heaven, Led Zeppelin

32. Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones

33. River Deep - Mountain High, Ike and Tina Turner

34. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', The Righteous Brothers

35. Light My Fire, The Doors

36. One, U2

37. No Woman, No Cry, Bob Marley and the Wailers

38. Gimme Shelter, The Rolling Stones

39. That'll Be the Day, Buddy Holly and the Crickets

40. Dancing in the Street, Martha and the Vandellas

41. The Weight, The Band

42. Waterloo Sunset, The Kinks

43. Tutti-Frutti, Little Richard

44. Georgia on My Mind, Ray Charles

45. Heartbreak Hotel, Elvis Presley

46. Heroes, David Bowie

47. Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel

48. All Along the Watchtower, Jimi Hendrix

49. Hotel California, The Eagles

50. The Tracks of My Tears, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

51. The Message, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

52. When Doves Cry, Prince

53. Anarchy in the U.K., The Sex Pistols

54. When a Man Loves a Woman, Percy Sledge

55. Louie Louie, The Kingsmen

56. Long Tall Sally, Little Richard

57. Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harum

58. Billie Jean, Michael Jackson

59. The Times They Are A-Changin', Bob Dylan

60. Let's Stay Together, Al Green

61. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On, Jerry Lee Lewis

62. Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley

63. For What It's Worth, Buffalo Springfield

64. She Loves You, The Beatles

65. Sunshine of Your Love, Cream

66. Redemption Song, Bob Marley and the Wailers

67. Jailhouse Rock, Elvis Presley

68. Tangled Up in Blue, Bob Dylan

69. Crying, Roy Orbison

70. Walk On By, Dionne Warwick

71. California Girls, The Beach Boys

72. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, James Brown

73. Summertime Blues, Eddie Cochran

74. Superstition, Stevie Wonder

75. Whole Lotta Love, Led Zeppelin

76. Strawberry Fields Forever,The Beatles

77. Mystery Train, Elvis Presley

78. I Got You (I Feel Good), James Brown

79. Mr. Tambourine Man, The Byrds

80. I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Marvin Gaye

81. Blueberry Hill, Fats Domino

82. You Really Got Me, The Kinks

83. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), The Beatles

84. Every Breath You Take, The Police

85. Crazy, Patsy Cline

86. Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen

87. Ring of Fire, Johnny Cash

88. My Girl, The Temptations

89. California Dreamin', The Mamas and The Papas

90. In the Still of the Nite, The Five Satins

91. Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley

92. Blitzkrieg Bop, Ramones

93. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, U2

94. Good Golly, Miss Molly, Little Richard

95. Blue Suede Shoes, Carl Perkins

96. Great Balls of Fire, Jerry Lee Lewis

97. Roll Over Beethoven, Chuck Berry

98. Love and Happiness, Al Green

99. Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival

100. You Can't Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones

Maand - Kesariya Balam

Maand is a classical style of folk music centered on the romantic life style of Rajasthan's rulers, and Maand Raag recreates the old world charm and graceful dances of the desert.

Another Rocking Week With The UnXpected

It all began on thursday during lunch at a malay food joint near Avago Yishun Plant.

HL : Zaile, Do you have any plans for today evening?
Zaile : No.
HL : Let's check out Peninsula Plaza then Wala
RJ : Yay! We will show you the best band in town - 'The UnXpected'. You know - they play Dream Theater & Rush. And ofcourse my all time favorites The Beatles :)
Zaile : Allrite! Wala it is then...

HL & RJ accompany Zaile to Peninsula Plaza.

Zaile : Alamak! This is musician's paradise.
HL : Yay! This is heaven.

Zaile quickly picks one small lead guitar for his son from Davis Guitar Shop who refused to give any discount. Never mind. The price was quite reasonable.

HL, Zaile & RJ reach Wala right on time to grab the most wanted table :) Victor plays acoustic before The UnXpected start their gig @9:45pm.

Victor: Thanks for the cheeky smile :) You know - just now during the break bartenders were telling - Look at them sitting in the first row with a guitar. They look quite powerful with the guitar, isn't it?
RJ : Mine is a kid guitar. cannot be powerful
Victor : Allrite guitar god! Wait Shirlyn suan you

As usual, it was an amazing gig by The UnXpected packed with varities of songs - from babies-making-ones to not-so-babies-making-ones. Zaile was a full time musician (lead guitarist) until he got married and started doing what he does today. Apparently, Rene has played with Zaile's band members in Penang. Brandon also knows Zaile's drummer which reinforces - it's a small world :) Zaile was quite impressed with the band and will hopefully plan to have future project meetings in Singapore rather than asking RJ to come to Penang :)

Vineet, another friend of RJ finally decides to visit Singapore. After a hectic day, Vineet & RJ manage to reach Wala on saturday night just in time to grab a not-so-far-from-the-most-wanted table.

Brandon : Where is HL?
RJ : Umm, I think he is meeting a few friends for dinner

RJ sends SMS to HL to check what time is he reaching wala

HL replies : I'm still with the girls. C u later @ wala's

As expected, HL couldn't turn up and was missed. 2nd set by The UnXpected on saturday was probably one of the most enjoyable and rocking sets so far. In addition to The UnXpected playing expectedly great, the crowd was very responsive too. A few songs that were played in 2nd set - The Beatles Medley (From Me To You, Ticket To Ride, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Help!), Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love, Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water, Queen - Under Pressure. Vineet very well understood what RJ had been trying to explain for long, after watching The UnXpected live.

Sunday evening at around 2pm RJ calls HL.

RJ : So... What's the plan?
HL : But you saw them yesterday only.
RJ : As if we ever counted :) And Vineet is also going back tonight so it will be good if he can see them again. So?
HL : Suuuuure! ha ha

We don't get to see Joan (Violin, Keyboard) & Colin (Bass Guitar) in Wala so it's always good to visit Muddy Murphy's on Sunday evenings at 4:30pm. Danny (from the ublues group) also jams here often with The UnXpected. I will let pictures do the talking now.

Closer To The Heart

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to start
To mould a new reality
Closer to the heart

The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
Forge their creativity
Closer to the heart

Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart

You can be the captain
I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart

Metropolis

The smile of dawn
Arrived in early May
She carried a gift from her
home
The night shed a tear
To tell her of fear
And of sorrow and pain
She'll never outgrow

Death is the first dance, eternal

There's no more freedom
The both of you will be
confined to this mind

I was told theres a miracle for each day that I try
I was told theres a new love thats born for each one that has died
I was told thered be no one to call on when I feel alone and afraid
I was told if you dream of the next world
Youll find yourself swimming in a lake of fire

As a child, I thought I could live without pain without sorrow
But as a man Ive found its all caught up with me
Im asleep yet Im so afraid

Somewhere like a scene from a memory
Theres a picture worth a thousand words
Eluding stares from faces before me
It hides away and will never be heard of again

Deceit is the second without end

The citys cold blood teaches us to survive
Just keep my heart in your eyes and well stay alive

The third arrives...

Before the leaves have fallen
Before we lock the doors
There must be a third and last dance
This one will last forever
Metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles
Shes taken you to your home

It can only take place
When the struggle between our children has ended
Now the miracle and the sleeper know that the third is love

Love is the dance of eternity