Playlist for Summer 2008

Like most people, I always take my MP3 player on a trip with me. Unlike others, however, mine only feature 64MB RAM, equivalent to around 13 songs. This strange restriction (strange, because MP3 player nowadays can hold up to 1000+ songs) gives me the privilege to select my favorite songs and songs that are suitable for the occasion every time I go out.

This summer, I intentionally write off good songs that are most familiar to me, such as many John-Mayer style soft rocks (ex. Neon, Your body is a wonderland, No such thing… these are good when you want the ‘free’ and ‘vacation’ feelings) and some of the everlasting, lonely-kind-of love songs (ex. 東京愛情故事, 飛機場的10:30, The one you love, Air-supply… appropriate when it’s dark and quiet in the cabinet and you’re at 36,000 ft, and when suffering those hard-to-fell-asleep nights). They are great, but this time I’m trying to explore new territories. And I didn’t let myself down.

I think I’ve made a perfect song selection for my summer of 2008. Here are the songs that are on the list:

Killing me softly – Susan Wong
Why Georgia – John Mayer
Allegro, Autumn, The Four Seasons – Vivaldi
Northern light – Kenny G
After the love has gone – Billy Joel
Free loop – Daniel Powter
Whole world around – Daniel Powter
Beautiful world (background music) – 宇多田光
千里之外 – 周杰倫、費玉清
我的快樂時代 – 陳奕迅
唱歌給你聽 – 阿牛

If I have to, I’d go over every song, and tell everyone how I love them so. But apparently there’s really no need, and even if I really do so, I doubt anyone would take it serious enough. Well, I’m just glad I selected these songs to accompany me.

These songs not only have impressive melody, but most of them also feature story-telling lyrics. People who know my song listening habit would know that I put a lot of emphasis on lyrics when deciding my feeling toward a song. Songs I like songs often carry lyrics that I identify with. If I could, I’d like to sing out my feeling to the world. Sometimes it’s just more simple and straight forward. (Such as in a relationship… I suck at saying ‘sweet words’, but I won’t hesitate to select a great song that expresses my love)

It’s easy to know what I’m thinking of by examine my playlist. Maybe that’s a good reason why I kept all the playlist since 2003. That's exactly when I first get my 64MB MP3. It’s like a diary written in music. They always bring memory, regardless of good or bad (a more accurate adjective would be ‘bittersweet’). The above playlist is now recording my memory of 2008. Hopefully by the end of September they’d be carrying more positive memory.

Values

Am I strong enough to be challenged by others on my values?

As we grow older, there are a lot of things we have to take charge of, to decide. One of the most important things is choosing one's values. Based on that, one further make other decisions. That rule of thumb, that belief, that compass in everyone's heart, that whispering sound, is our last line of defend to distinguish right from wrong, to say something is important, and others not.

Different people may have different values. Different values lead to different priorities. That's why some may spend their whole life to earn something that others think irrelevant to any kind of success.

The question I have to myself today is: If I were to be challenged by others on my values in life, will I be able to defend myself? Can I walk home after straight 48 hours of work, and still satisfy with my life?

You've got the whole world around

For the past half a year, I've always been on the chase of life surprises. It's quite challenging, and to tell the truth, a bit tiring. From the rejection of Stanford, to the opportunity at BCG, and all the followed ups-and-downs. Now that I'm preparing to leave TW in less than 10 days. Haha, always on the run :P

In the time like this, there is really one song that could soothe one's busy and worried heart. Daniel Powter - Whole World Around.

(lyrics adopted from ptt.cc/lyrics)

Whole World Around

Life’s been good i can’t complain so far…
designer clothes expensive caviar
and gated homes to keep the wolves at bay
tinted glass to hide my guilt and shame…
   
Neon signs and vagrants at the door
broken values, needles, liquor stores
won’t somebody help me to believe
help me to deny the things i see
   
(*)
Now whatever comes your way
sometimes you win
sometimes you lose
when it all comes down you make it through

You got the whole world around x2
something tells me not to make a scene
open up your heart and let me in…
   
(*)
I've tried as far as enough to lead my arm in minds
receives every words I know still were saying in the skies
take me, wake me , push me down, as long as I'm understood
like a soldier's view
from the bomb to the tomb
the towers I forget ever knew.

--

Ah, what a song. This is for those who feel sorry for themselves, but instead they are simply too lucky to have overlooked all the blessing.