Beat It 2 September 2009
Posted by Renette in Michael Jackson.add a comment
Once upon a time, there were two rival gangs – the Jets and the Sharks. Tony, the best friend of the leader of the Jets, fell in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks. They try to make their relationship work despite the gang rivalry. However, during a violent rumble, Maria’s brother kills Tony’s best friend. Enraged, Tony kills Maria’s brother and runs off. To avenge their leader, a member of the Sharks shoots down Tony, who was about to run off with Maria.
This is the plot of West Side Story, a Broadway musical which was later made into a Hollywood film. It presents the cruel consequences of violence, 
especially among teenagers. It was also the inspiration for the award-winning music video of Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit song “Beat It.”
Composed by Michael Jackson, the song advises the listeners to “beat it” in order to avoid violent confrontations: “You better run, you better do what you can / Don’t wanna see no blood, don’t be a macho man / You wanna be tough, better do what you can / So beat it.”
It was not a secret that Michael Jackson suffered physical abuse in the hands of his father while growing up. Being a victim of abuse caused him to develop very strong convictions against violence, which is reflected in his music.
Directed by Bob Giraldi, the music video of “Beat It” catapulted Michael Jackson into superstardom and won many awards, including Favorite Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Soul Video in the American Music Awards. It was later inducted in the Music Video Producer’s Hall of Fame.
Similar to West Side Story, the music video of “Beat It” shows two rival gangs of different ethnicity. When the leaders of both gangs 
are about to start their one-on-one knife fight, Michael Jackson appears between them, singing “Beat it… / It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right / Just beat it.” He is able to stop the fight from happening, and members of both gangs join him in a group dance choreographed by Michael Peters (who is one of the leaders of the gang).
Gone Too Soon 28 July 2009
Posted by Renette in Michael Jackson.add a comment
A lot of people have seen Usher’s emotional rendition of the Michael Jackson classic, “Gone Too Soon,” during the memorial service for the King of Pop last 7 July 2009. The song was sadly appropriate for the legendary artist’s sudden passing: “Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight / Here one day / Gone one night.”
Released in 6 December 1993, “Gone Too Soon” was the 9th single from the album Dangerous. It was composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, and was produced by Michael Jackson himself.
The music video of “Gone Too Soon” shows video clips of a young American teenager named Ryan White, to whom the song was dedicated. At the age of 13, Ryan White became infected with HIV due to a contaminated blood treatment used to cure his haemophilia. When the fact that he was HIV positive became publicly known, he was expelled from school. This started a prolonged legal battle to allow him to go back to school, which turned Ryan White into a national celebrity and a poster child for AIDS.
White frequently appeared in public to promote AIDS awareness 
with celebrities like Michael Jackson, who became his close friend. The pop star even gave him a red Mustang convertible as a gift. A few months before White’s high school graduation, he finally succumbed to AIDS after battling a lung infection. Michael Jackson attended his funeral, along with other celebrities who have become close to him throughout the years.
A few months after White’s death, Michael Jackson recorded the song “Gone Too Soon” as a tribute to his young friend. He also performed the song for President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ball on 20 January 1993, where he took the 
opportunity to talk about the importance of AIDS research.
Another untimely death led to the re-emergence of the song in 1997 – that of Princess Diana, who died in a car accident on 31 August 1997. “Gone Too Soon” was included 
in the compilation album in her honor, which was called Diana Princess of Wales Tribute.
Although the song never reached #1 in the charts, “Gone Too Soon” will always remind the world of a brilliant artist who was gone too soon.
ALICIA KEYS Live in Manila 7 August 2008
Posted by Renette in Alicia Keys, Alicia Keys As I Am Live in Manila.add a comment
I’ve always loved Alicia Keys because she’s my age, she plays the piano (and a pink piano too in her Karma music video), she has a big voice that sounds bluesy, and she’s got STYLE. And to top it all off, she reminds me of the time I first started going out with my boyfriend, Sidney (it’s a long story, so I won’t delve into that).
We went to see her live at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia last 05 August 2008 (Tuesday). It was supposed to be at the open-air concert grounds, but they had to move it in because of the weather. Before I start with my rave review though, I have to get the following rants out of the way:
1. The concert started VERY late. The front acts opened the show at around 8:30 pm, while Alicia Keys came on at past 10:00 pm! I wouldn’t mind waiting for her for an hour and a half, but can’t the organizers at least tell the expectant crowd the reason for the delay and tell us the estimated time when it would start? And how come they played really lame music while we were waiting? Couldn’t they at least have played some Alicia Keys?
2. The lights were on at the “bronze” area (or General Admission) during the front acts. It felt as if the people in the “silver” area (nearer the stage) were having a concert, and we were spectators outside the venue. Plus the giant screens weren’t on, so I couldn’t see Luke Mijares and Duncan Ramos. Not that I came to see them, or was interested in seeing them, but that’s beside the point.
3. The people who bought Php900 and Php500 tickets were all lumped in one area. Thankfully, I bought the Php500 tickets so it didn’t matter to me, but I can understand why people who bought the more expensive tickets were so pissed.
4. There were no seats in the bronze area. I completely agree with the guy standing next to me who said to his friend, “Can’t they even provide Monoblocs so that we can sit somewhere instead of the floor?” On another note, if I paid Php2700 or even Php4000 for my ticket to get nearer the stage, I’d have liked something better than Monoblocs to sit in.
Okay, so enough complaints. Really, Alicia Keys was phenomenal! Unlike some singers out there who don’t sound so good when they’re performing live (uh… think Maroon 5, no offense to their fans, I’m a fan too), she sounded even better during the concert than she does on the CD!
Unfortunately I forgot to list down all the songs she performed in order, but here are some random memories from the concert:
1. She opened with a song I wasn’t familiar with, but it got the crowd going and we all instantly forgave her for being so late.
2. She started “Superwoman” by rapping the lines, “still when I’m a mess, I still put on a vest with an S on my chest, oh yes.” It is now officially my second favorite Alicia Keys line, but mainly because the S reminds me of my, uh, boyfriend Sidney. Plus I have a pink shirt with an S on the chest (actually, it’s the Superman logo).
3. I’m putting up a video of her performance of “Karma,” which they rearranged by giving it a salsa beat. It was so unexpected, yet so danceable. I have a video of the performance as well, but since I was further from the stage (than the person who shot this) and I wasn’t able to film the entire song, I decided to put this video clip instead which I found in YouTube (thanks to user standard123123).
4. She sung only her parts in “My Boo” so it was pretty short, but at least I got to hear her sing my favorite Alicia Keys line live, “Yes I remember boy, the moment I knew you were the one I could spend my life with.”
5. Her performance of “Teenage Love Affair” sort of reminded me of Destiny’s Child (since she was doing some choreography with her two backup singers. She looks a little weird sometimes when she’s dancing, but it’s all good. The fans appreciate the effort.
6. “Fallin” was one of the most loudly cheered performance. I think it’s still her best song because it really showcases her musicality and range. It was so great to see her play the piano and sing it to the crowd.
7. It was a treat to hear Alicia Keys and Jermaine Dupri singing “Diary.”
8. She played other favorites like “Unbreakable,” “You Don’t Know My Name” and “Like You’ll Never See Me.” I missed hearing “Girlfriend” and “Goodbye” though.
9. “No One” was one of my favorite songs, and she played it for her “encore.” It was a great way to end the night, but I knew she had another song up her sleeve since she hasn’t sung “If I Ain’t Got You” yet.
10. For her real encore, she did “If I Ain’t Got You.” Although I’d have liked it if she ended on a happier, more upbeat note (like “No One”), I understand how she said this song is appropriate because she knows she wouldn’t be here if she ain’t got us (her Filipino fans).
A Great HYMN 30 May 2008
Posted by Renette in Hymn (Jars of Clay), Jars of Clay.add a comment
Jars of Clay is one of my favorite bands of all time, and one of my favorite memories was watching their concert in Araneta Coliseum three years ago with my boyfriend Sidney, plus Julie and Carl (my church mates). I’ve loved them since around 1998 or 1999, when I was first introduced to their music by Carl. He lent me his cassette tape of their album “Frail,” which he bought on sale for around Php50.00 I think.
HYMN is not my favorite Jars of Clay song, but I like it very much; so much in fact that I remember telling Carl that I wanted him to play this song in my funeral. As a rule, I like old hymns – with their outdated English and the slightly repetitive tune from start to finish – and I enjoyed Jars of Clay’s modern hymn (aptly titled “Hymn”). I also loved their covers of old hymns, modernizing them and giving them a new sound (such as “I Need Thee Every Hour” and “It Is Well with My Soul“).
Back to Hymn. I was won over this song by virtue of one haunting line: “I’ll pirouette upon my grave…” What a beautiful way to think of dancing in relation to death, which reminds me of the verse “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11). Even the saddest occasions are times of celebration as long as God is with us.
The melody of Hymn is beautiful, the words are profound, and the imagery is lovely. I hope you’ll take the time to listen to it using the YouTube link I provided.
Oh refuge of my hardened heart
Oh fast pursuing lover come
As angels dance around Your throne
My life by captured fare You own
Not silhouette of trodden faith
Nor death shall not my steps be guide
I’ll pirouette upon my grave
For in Your path I’ll run and hide
Oh gaze of love so melt my pride
That I may in Your house but kneel
And in my brokenness to cry
Spring worship unto Thee
When beauty breaks the spell of pain
The bludgeoned heart shall burst in vain
But not when love be pointed king
And truth shall Thee forever reign
Sweet Jesus carry me away
From cold of night and dust of day
In ragged hour or salt-worn eye
Be my desire, my wellspring lie
I KNOW IT!!! 29 May 2008
Posted by Renette in Hillsongs, I Know It (Hillsongs).add a comment
I KNOW IT (from the Hillsongs) is a huge favorite with me simply for the memories it brings back every time I hear it. This song is from “All Things Are Possible,” which was the first Christian album (and in cassette tape format too!) that I bought way back in 1998 as a college freshman. It was an important year for me – it was the year I graduated from high school, it was the year I went to college, and it was the year I first started being actively involved in my home church, IRM Marikina. (There’s actually another important reason – it was the year I met the guy who would become my boyfriend after 7 years as close friends – Sidney).
The song pretty much talks about knowing for sure what the core of all Christian theology is – that Jesus died for us and set us free. There’s this line I particularly like – “[I'm] not living life my own way.” It reminds me that once you ask Jesus into your heart, you should give Him the steering wheel of your life and take the backseat yourself. Unfortunately for us, we’re usually backseat drivers, nagging the Driver on where we should go and where we should stop and which way we should turn and how fast we should go. So I guess this is a reminder for me today to chill and let Jesus do the driving. He knows what’s best for me after all.
I know it, I know it
His blood has set me free
I’ve been delivered, forgiven
Fear has got no hold on me
I’m set apart, not living life my own way
No holding back till I see Him face to face
Because I know it
Oh yes I know it, I know it
The blood of Jesus has set me free
There is healing in the Name of Jesus
Salvation in the Name of Jesus
Forgiveness in the Name of Jesus
I’ve never known it like I know it today
There is power in the Name of Jesus
Fullness of joy I’ve found in Jesus
Strength in the Name of Jesus
I know it, I know it
Oh I’ve got to tell you that I know it
