By: Dani Santos, SFU Student
International students can surely relate to the feeling of missing home, and “Manila” by Hotdog perfectly encapsulates this. Released in 1976, this Manila sound (a genre blending rock and roll, jazz, funk, and disco) track talks about an individual’s desire to leave home, but constantly feeling out of place when they’re away. They sing they’ve gone to places like San Francisco, Disneyland, and Sydney, but nothing compares to being in Manila. Hotdog even describes this sensation “like a girl that you really can’t forget:” “Parang babaeng and hirap talagang malimutan.” The iconic sounds of jeepneys in Manila and the dialogue from a driver, along with the mix of Tagalog and English lyrics, make the song unique to the Manila experience.
“When I Met You” by APO Hiking Society
APO Hiking Society introduced one of the most classic love songs in original Pilipino music (OPM) history back in 1982 with this ballad. The main character compares himself to “an empty piece of a shell” at the beginning of the song, not knowing what being in love with a person would bring into their life. He then recounts all the things that being with her has done. He says, “You gave me a reason for my being,” and promises her a lifetime of love. The mellow tempo with just the right inflections gives the song a relaxing feel, and the heartwarming lyrics make “When I Met You” the epitome of a harana (serenading) song.
“With A Smile” by Eraserheads
When times get rough, it’s hard to think about the good things in life, but the Eraserheads are here to remind us to stay optimistic with their 1994 hit, “With a Smile.” The main character sings to a girl, encouraging her to keep her head up and smile, and reassures her that he will be there for her even throughout the bad times. While they may be referring to the anxieties that can come from being in a relationship, the sentiments can be applied to everyday life. The song starts off slow, but it builds up and eventually peaks with the chorus of “do do do’s” in the middle and towards the end. An ensemble of vocalists paired with the Eraserheads’ motivating words make “With a Smile” the perfect tune to sing with a group of friends at karaoke or with thousands of strangers at an Eraserheads concert.
