Music review: Madonna - Rescue Me

Artist: MadonnaAlbum: The Immaculate Collection Release date: 2/27/91 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: I'm talking, I'm talking I believe in the power of love I'm singing, I'm singing I believe that you can rescue me

With you I'm not a little girl, with you I'm not a man When all the hurt inside of me comes out, you understand You see that I'm ferocious, you see that I am weak You see that I am silly, and pretentious and a freak

But I don't feel too strange for you Don't know exactly what you do I think when love is pure you try To understand the reasons why And I prefer this mystery It cancels out my misery And gives me hope that there could be A person that loves me

Chorus:

Rescue me [rescue me, it's hard to believe] Your love has given me hope Rescue me [rescue me, it's hard to believe] I'm drowning, baby throw out your rope

With you I'm not a fascist, can't play you like a toy And when I need to dominate, you're not my little boy You see that I am hungry for a life of understanding And you forgive my angry little heart when she's demanding You bring me to my knees while I'm scratching out the eyes Of a world I want to conquer, and deliver, and despise And right while I am kneeling there I suddenly begin to care And understand that there could be A person that loves me

(chorus)

Love is understanding It's hard to believe life can be so demanding I'm sending out an S.O.S. Stop me from drowning baby I'll do the rest

Rescue me (echo) Your love has given me hope [your love has given me hope] Rescue me (echo) I'm drowning, baby throw out your rope [baby throw out your rope] (repeat)

Ooh ahh, ooh ahh, love is understanding Ooh ahh, ooh ahh, love is understanding

Love is understanding It's hard to believe life can be so demanding I'm sending out an S.O.S. Rescue me, rescue me

It's not my business to decide How good you are for me How valuable you are And what the world can see Only that you try to understand me And have the courage to love me for me

(Background vocals, continuously for remainder of song:) [I believe in the power, I believe you can rescue me]

I believe [I believe in the power] I believe that you can rescue me (repeat)

I'm singing I believe I believe that you can rescue me I'm singing, I'm singing, I'm singing I believe that you can rescue me

I'm talking, I'm talking I believe in the power of love (repeat)

I'm singing, I'm singing, I believe I believe that you can rescue me

Hey hey, hey hey R.E.S.C.U.E. me Only you can rescue me Hey hey, hey... [I believe you can rescue me] [I believe in the power] [I believe you can rescue me] About the song: I think this is the first song that features Madonna speaking instead of talking or whispering. The music video for it features footage from her Who's That Girl tour, which was about 4 years prior to the release of the album. Originally Madonna didn't want this song released as a single. However, some radio stations played it anyway and it reached the top 5 in airplay. The single wasn't released until the song was already popular.

Despite the spoken verses, the song is still a pretty decent dance song. It brings back memories of the early days of Madonna when she was really popular in dance clubs. Yet it still has the feeling of Vogue, where it's an updated feel of the 80s dance club music.

Music review: Everclear - Father of Mine

Artist: Everclear Members: Art Alexakis (vocals, guitar), Greg Eklund (drums), Craig Montoya (bass, vocals) Album: So Much for the Afterglow Release date: 10/7/97 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Father of mine Tell me where have you been You know I just closed my eyes My whole world disappeared Father of mine Take me Back to the day When I was still your golden boy Back before you went away

I remember blue skies Walking the block I loved it when you held me high I loved to hear you talk You would take me to the movie You would take me to the beach You would take me to a place inside That is so hard to reach

Father of mine Tell me where did you go You had the world inside your hand But you did not seem to know Father of mine Tell me what do you see When you look Back at your wasted life And you don't see me

I was ten years old Doing all that I could It wasn't easy for me To be a scared white boy In a black neighborhood Sometimes you would send me a birthday card With a five dollar bill I never understood you then And I guess I never will

Daddy gave me a name My dad he gave me a name Then he walked away Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name

Daddy gave me a name Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name

Father of mine Tell me where have you been I just closed my eyes And the world disappeared Father of mine Tell me how do you sleep With the children you abandoned And the wife I saw you beat

I will never be safe I will never be sane I will always be weird inside I will always be lame Now I'm a grown man With a child of my own And I swear I'm not going to let her know All the pain I have known

Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My dad gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name Then he walked away Then he walked away Then he walked away About the song: I always cry when this song plays. It's an autobiographical song about Art's father abandoning the family when Art was a boy. While I know that deadbeat dads aren't uncommon, I think the part that always tugs at my heartstrings is the "Now I'm a grown man/With a child of my own/And I swear I'm not going to let her know/All the pain I have known" verse. It's wonderful to hear someone breaking the vicious circle that usually happens when someone who has a crappy childhood becomes a parent. Even though this is a sad and depressing song, that last verse does give you hope for the future.

Music review: BoA - Rock With You

Artist: BoA Album: Love & Honesty Release date: 1/15/04 Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: Hey, hey get it up You try this Gonna make you hot Yeah, yeah pump it up Do you wanna rock with me?

Hey, hey get it up You try this Taste my rock and roll Stand up get it up...

Uh-huh

Unlock your heart and listen… Ride out these unfair times skilfully It’s against my principles to believe rumours

I’ll walk with you even though no one else believes in you Even though the situation is still serious So that you don’t run away Before you get the message…

Hey, hey give me your love We can never go back! Yeah yeah! We’ll enjoy even the impossible This warmth that is yours without a doubt Makes me love you more Now I’ve found myself

I want to know more about you Gonna rock with you…right now

Hey, hey get it up You try this Taste my rock and roll Stand up get it up...

Turn up the volume on the stereo And when the night eventually comes, turn back time I want to show you That I’m the only one who understands That you’re just pretending not to be sad So that you don’t try to deny the person you are

Hey, hey give me your love I want to keep dancing with you Yeah yeah! Life will always change From this day, that’s totally because of you A totally new history is beginning

I feel like if I don’t pay proper attention to you you’ll go away So I’m gonna rock with you…right now

I’ll walk with you even though no one else believes in you Even though the situation is still serious So that you don’t run away Before you get the message…

Hey, hey give me your love We can never go back! Yeah yeah! We’ll enjoy even the impossible This warmth that is yours without a doubt Makes me love you more Now I’ve found myself

Hey, hey give me your love I want to keep dancing with you Yeah yeah! Life will always change From this day, that’s totally because of you A totally new history is beginning

I want to know more about you Gonna rock with you…right now About the song: BoA got a little more rock and roll with this song. While her songs are almost always good, they frequently have a typical pop sound. Rock With You relies more on drums, synthesizers and a throbbing bass. The result is a great dance song with the added benefit of BoA's strong vocals.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Down To Earth

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page (guitar), Ed Robertson (vocals, guitar), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass), Kevin Hearn (piano) Album: Barenaked Ladies Are Me/Barenaked Ladies are Men Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Some people are just all show Well, I don't mind that if the show is worth watching But it's all bark and no tree What's more ironic than a hippie in Versace? It's all peace and love and limousines You got the right message, but the wrong intentions How can you be touchy-feely when you've lost touch? I think it's time we had a little intervention with you

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite)

There's no better friends than the, the kind you pay If they don't balance, great - then the door will keep revolving It's a tight circle of the chosen few Well, how'd you manage that with the recipe involving Just a pinch of sweetness and a cup of angst? Mix it all up - you're the all-purpose flour Though it looks delicious, something smells bad I don't think I'd last a half an hour with you

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite)

What's it like to love you When there's no one else above you And no one gets to know you? Well, who'll be there to show you (via satellite)?

It's like making love to a TV It's kinda novel, but it's miles away from satisfying Your hangers-on say it's a great deal But what you're selling, there's no chance in hell that I'll be buying

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite) About the song: The more I listen to this album, the more I love it. This is a song about fake people...most likely celebrities like Paris Hilton since the guys like writing about current events and the people involved in them. These are people who pretend to be 'normal' yet act the complete opposite. Such a great song.

Music review: Alanis Morissette - You Learn

Artist: Alanis Morissette Album: Jagged Little Pill Release date: 6/13/95 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone, yeah I recommend walking around naked in your living room, yeah

Swallow it down ( what a jagged little pill ) It feels so good ( swimming in your stomach ) Wait until the dust settles

You live you learn You love you learn You cry you learn You lose you learn You bleed you learn You scream you learn

I recommend biting off more than you can chew to anyone I certainly do I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth at any time Feel free

Throw it down ( the caution blocks you from the wind ) Hold it up ( to the rays ) You wait and see when the smoke clear

You live you learn You love you learn You cry you learn You lose you learn You bleed you learn You scream you learn

Wear it out ( the way a three-year-old would do ) Melt it down ( you're gonna have to eventually anyway ) The fire trucks are coming up around the bend

You live you learn You love you learn You cry you learn You lose you learn You bleed you learn You scream you learn

You grieve you learn You choke you learn You laugh you learn You choose you learn You pray you learn You ask you learn You live you learn About the song: When most people think of Alanis Morissette, the think of the angst-ridden song You Oughta Know. Amazingly, You Learn is on the same album. This song is about taking a chance in life, learning from your mistakes and growing as a person. It's a wonderful inspirational song and it's just one of the reasons I love this entire album.

Music review: X-Japan - Forever Love

Artist: X Japan Members: Deyama "Toshi" Toshimitsu (vocals), Hayashi Yoshiki (drums and piano), Matsumoto "Hide" Hideto (lead guitar), Morie "Heath" Hiroshi (bass), Ishizuka "Pata" Tomoaki (rhythm guitar) Album: Forever Love (single) Release date: 7/8/96 Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: I'll never walk alone again, the winds of time are to strong. Ah, it's that what you hurts, which you'll have to live with... Ah, this tight embrace, and this burning, unchanged heart. In this ever changing time, love will never change.

Will you hold my heart? Stop flowing tears. Again, all of my heart is broken....

Forever love, forever dream Only flowing emotions,bury this intense, trying, meaningless times. Oh tell me why ... all I see is blue in my heart.

Will you stay with me? Wait until after the wind passes, all my tears are still flowing...

Forever love, forever dream Stay with me like this. Hold my trembling heart in the dawn. Oh stay with me...

Ah, everything good seems to be ending, in this unending night. Ah, what else would you lose if nothing at all matters.

Forever love, forever dream, stay with me like this. Hold my trembling heart in the dawn.

Oh will you stay with me... Until the wind passes, stay with me again.

Forever love, forever dream, I'll never walk this path. Oh tell me why, tell me true, teach me how to live. Forever love, forever dream, within flowing tears Bright seasons will forever change again and again .... forever love... About the song: Another gorgeous ballad written by Yoshiki. It's one of those songs that makes it very difficult not to cry while it's on. The more I listen to X Japan's songs, the more I love Toshi's voice. I only wish I had the talent that Yoshiki or Toshi has. Hopefully I'll get a chance to review some of their happier songs.

Music review: W - Daikishimenaide ~Nikki Tsuki~

Artist: W Members: Kago Ai, Nozomi Tsuji Album: 2nd W Release date: 3/2/05

English translation: Don't hold me Don't hold me What kind of facial expression should I make?

After we kiss After we kiss I can't look at your face 'Cause... I just can't look...

We were born far away from each other And then we met

There's a lot we don't know about each other, but We went shopping and got asked if we were siblings For some reason, I felt happy

I won't show my tears I don't want to show them I don't want to tell you what kind of tears they are

Everything, I mean everything! I like you This moment, just like this I want it to freeze

The environments we were born into Even our accents are different But still we met

We've still got a long fight with the unknown There's a lot of restaurants nearby, so let's go That station is famous for its ramen

April 9th, a clear Saturday. I wonder how many times we've gone on a date now. It was really fun. But really, I know what number date it is...

I know what number date it is, but... But, I can't count 'em... the second kiss I like you. I like you I like you. I like you. Ahhhhhhh!!! I like you.

The environments we were born into Even our accents are different But still we met

There's a lot we don't know about each other, but We went shopping and got asked if we were siblings For some reason, I felt happy

About the song: Another W song about liking a boy. Surprised? Like the rest of their songs, this is pretty cute but it's not as powerful as some of their other ballads. The way the lyrics are divided between them is interesting. They even share a 'deatta.' One sings de, the other sings at and the first sings ta. It makes the song a little bit different but it's nothing special. All in all, a forgettable song.

Music review: Stone Temple Pilots - Creep

Artist: Stone Temple Pilots Members: Scott Weiland (vocals), Robert DeLeo (bass, vocals), Dean DeLeo (guitar), Eric Kretz (drums) Album: Core Release date: 9/29/92 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Forward yesterday Makes me wanna stay What they said was real Makes me wanna steal Livin' under house Guess I'm livin', I'm a mouse All's I gots is time Got no meaning, just a rhyme

Take time with a wounded hand 'Cause it likes to heal Take time with a wounded hand Guess I like to steal

I'm half the man I used to be This feeling as the dawn It turns to gray I'm half the man I used to be This feeling as the dawn It turns to gray

Feelin' uninspired Think I'll start a fire Everybody run Bobby's got a gun Think you're kinda neat Then she tells me I'm a creep Friends don't mean a thing Guess I'll leave it up to me About the song: I wonder how many people committed suicide while thing song was playing. Not only is it really slow and depressing but the lyrics even say the singer is a loser. I'm not really sure how this became a popular song. It must have been riding the coattails of Plush, another song from the album.

Music review: Ken Hirai - Pop Star

Artist: Ken Hirai Album: Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95- '05 Release date: 11/23/05 (album), 10/26/05 (single) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

When I’m with you I’m so happy but then I’m so sad when I’m not Taking each other’s hands we run straight into a love affair I can’t fly to the sky but I can sing my song of loneliness at night if that would bring a smile to your cheeks When I held you close for the first time It was as if God himself came down upon me Now my destiny is to be a hero, just for you

*I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic

**I wanna be your pop star try harder for you so come here so I can hold you A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

I want to hide in darkness and have you pick up me gently If I’m imporatant to you, then hold me tight I keep walking this road, towards the light Using my right hand to protect you from pain so that I can hold you with my other hand

You’re gonna be my pop star and be more to me You smile in a daze A sparling pop star In your eyes, I do my magic

You’re my only pop star try harder for me Hold me, and don’t let go A sparling pop star Right now, in your eyes, I do my magic

As you fall in love anybody can be anyone’s pop star As God himself came down upon me Ny destiny was to be a hero, just for you

*Repeat **Repeat About the song: POP STAR is most famous for its video where Ken Hirai plays every role. It is a very catchy song and I can guarantee that once you hear it, it'll be very difficult to get it out of your head. All I can really say is listen to it. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

Music review: Do As Infinity - Remember The Hill

Artist: Do As Infinity Members: Tomiko Van, Ryo Owatari, Dai Nagao Album: Boukensha Tachi (single) Release date: 9/5/01

English translation: It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then. I know that hill, that light, About how I shone there more than anything -- I'll walk straight ahead...

Continuing to sigh, shivering a little, I knew that reality Wasn't going to be that easy.

It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then. I'm sure there's no way I'll be satisfied If it's something I can easily get right away, A path that only I can open.

Even though it seems I'm pressured By loneliness and worries, I keep a balance that seems like it's going to break.

If I'm sad for whatever reason, And end up without confidence, I'll once again remember that day, And the hill that holds your promises... The day of that refreshing wind...

A storm of despair with rain striking down... A dream full of tears...

It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then I know that hill, that light, About how I shone there more than anything...

If I'm sad for whatever reason, And end up without confidence, I'll once again remember that day, And the hill that holds your promises... I'll walk straigth ahead... About the song: It's easy to tell why this is a B side song. While there are some interesting string instruments being used, the song is still boring. The chorus parts are drawn out while the verses use a normal pace. It leaves the song feeling a little uneven. If they had left out the slow chorus parts, the sound would have been a bit better. Though I think it would still have a bland feeling to it.