When one goes through a 're-integration' process in one's community after being away for a considerable period of time, it can be quite a struggle. I know this for a fact because I am going through this right now. Exactly ten days since I got back from a whirlwind 10-month sojourn in the United States (US), I am still ambling around, digesting what I hear around absently... like a 'buffering Jungkoook' (JK)... although not as cute, of course.
Ten months, seven States, twenty cities and towns, and three universities of affiliation, and two more that were officially visited... indeed, there is so much to write regarding my latest US sojourn although I did post a few things about it in this blog already, and yet, the best parts remain in my 'memory box'... waiting to be chronicled here. Sometimes, the memory becomes too vivid in my head, it's like watching it on a screen in front of me, forcing me to 'zone out'... hence, the 'buffering'. This is why I completely understand JK... except that, in his case, I am sure that it's due to his being a genius artist - visions of perfection keep flashing in his head, and they fascinate him... hence, the usually 'euphoric' look in his eyes when he zones out. Or, perhaps, it's just an aftermath of a video game... all of a sudden, he realized a better tactic for winning! Don't ask me why I know... because if you ask, I'd lie! Hahaha...
Anyway, as I continue to struggle to slowly reintegrate in my community even when I hit the ground running at work, let me speed up the process by 'looking back' and 'looking (very) far back'... in this nostalgic post.
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Looking back
One of the most remarkable songs of BTS, for me, is "ON" from the album, "Map of the Soul: 7", released in the first quarter of 2020, just a few months earlier than the 7th debut anniversary of BTS... and just before the COVID-19 pandemic wrecked havoc worldwide.
The song was not meant to inspire resilience against the pandemic as it was created prior to the pandemic. Rather, it is BTS's reflection and self-affirmation, given the challenges that they surmounted as a group that brought them to where they were on the eve of their 7th anniversary. As it happened, BTS is truly destined for something great, and the words they chose in creating this masterpiece find significance in any form of human struggle. The timing of the release of "ON" couldn't be more impeccable, too, because, heaven knows that, that time, the world needed an uplifting 'anthem' to keep it afloat, which "ON" generously provided! In terms of lyrics, it is inspirational. It is like a battle cry of a generation robbed of supposedly the most significant days of their lives by a brutal virus that claimed many lives - literally and figuratively.
The song acknowledges the uncertainties around, and submits to vulnerability. "Is it the shadow that's shaking, or is it my feet that are trembling? Of course, I am not unafraid. Of course, it is not all okay..." And yet, it is encouraging one to soldier on, no matter what, "but I know, awkwardly, I flow. I fly together with that black wind." And when times became tough... really, really tough, BTS looked COVID-19 in the eye and stared it down without blinking, "Can't hold me down 'cause you know I'm a fighter. Carried myself into this beautiful prison. Find me, and I'm gonna live with ya!" And, the world stood behind these magnificent seven young men to fight for its existence against the pandemic!
𝅘𝅥𝅱𝆕 "Bring it, bring the pain, oh, yeah.
Come up, bring the pain, oh, yeah.
Rain be pourin', sky keep fallin'
Everyday, oh, na-na-na
Find me, and I'm gonna bleed with ya!" 𝅘𝅥𝅮𝅘𝅥𝅯
"ON" is not just your 'regular' fight song. It's a bold defiance against defeat... a refusal to lose, a refusal to bow under the harshness of life in general... and the punishing bitterness of the pandemic in particular. RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and JK stood their ground, stared pandemic in the eye, and dared it to move them where they stood. Considering how a multitude of our young generation stayed strong throughout the pandemic by just listening to BTS songs, and watching their old BTS Run episodes, interviews and MVs, BTS completely carried their generation to a decisive win!
In terms of music, this song is bound to become one of the most remembered songs of this generation. It bears the signature BTS multi-layer quality with the vocal line and rap line alternating, and sometimes coming together on top of each other faster than a bullet train, to assault the sound wave with beautiful blend of sweet vocals - feathery and thick; and muscular rapping - so bold and daring. This is why it is very hard to beat BTS. The vocal line sing so beautifully, indeed, with such thick, impenetrable quality; but the rap line make the BTS music quality absolutely 'airtight' - hard to copy, hard to match... one of a kind! The accompanying music goes from sway-worthy to hip-hop and break dance-worthy... to just totally explosive! It just grips the listener. The song changes tempo all throughout its 4 minutes and 6 seconds length without losing its grip on the listener. Yes, the song is meticulously produced, indeed, and it's bound to be a classic from this generation courtesy of these extraordinary seven young men from South Korea.
The official music video (MV) is also a work of art. Obviously a humongous effort was put in creating it, and in actually making it. But that's BTS... they never put out something that's half-baked. The seven members put their best foot forward in acting their parts out, creating a mini movie that is both visually impressive and musically unforgettable. Naturally, their dancing prowess were also exhibited, just making sure that they keep their hold of that coveted position - the artists that defined this generation. Their live performances of "ON" were also nothing less than terrific, fabulous... awesome!
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Looking (very) far back
The first time I saw the MV of "ON", I can't help but be reminded of one of my favorite Duran Duran songs, "Union of the Snake", released in 1983. It is from their third album, "Seven and the Ragged Tiger". There were no similarities in the songs but the theme of the MVs are somewhat related... well, for me, being both a Duranny and an ARMY. See for yourself.
𝅘𝅥𝅯𝆕 "The union of the snake is on the climb.
Movin' up, it's gonna race, it's gonna break through the borderline..."𝅘𝅥𝅱𝆕
I don't think I ever understood the meaning of this Duran Duran song though. Hahaha... and after all these years, I am still struggling to figure it out. Simon Le Bon, the band's vocalist and song lyricist, attempted to explain a few times - seriously and jokingly. He completely capitalized on his attempted British poetry impressionism. His vague explanation never did anything to alleviate my confusion. Dang, Simon!Hahaha... In spite of that, I remained a Duranny until this day! Yep, I am happy to share the fandom with the late Princess Diana, too.
Being a fan does not vanish with time, and with a song that is difficult to comprehend. Being a fan is about relationship with the music that the band created. This is an unbreakable bond because they provided the 'music theme' of one's life. After all, if life is a movie, what helps it to become an obra maestra is a superb musical scoring, right? I may not understood completely what Union of the Snake meant but I remember most of the moments when I sang along with it through junior high school days - the mood and the social debacle around me. I do have history with Duran Duran and their music.
I remember, it was also in 1983 when Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was assassinated at the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which was still called Manila International Airport (MIA) that time. I was in junior high school. There was national grieving, political tension, and uprising, which later escalated to the first bloodless revolution in a very long time in the history of mankind, the EDSA Revolution in 1986 - a proud moment for the Philippines. Throughout those times, Duran Duran music and the rest of the "New Wave" music of that generation were our companion in going through that unprecedented social and political debacle in our country. That is history... and nothing and no one can change history.
Back to the Union of the Snake, the MV didn't help my confusion either! Hahaha... but it's visually pleasing, considering how pretty every member of Duran Duran was. Then again, isn't that one of the reasons for MV? It is supposed to aid listeners in song recall. The song did pretty well though, peaking at #3 in Billboard Top 100 for three weeks. Considering that that "New Romantic" era, a subpart of the "Second British Invasion" (the first one being the Beatles and Rolling Stones era), was peppered with SO MANY excellent bands back then such as Wham, Culture Club, The Police, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, and Spandau Ballet, not to mention that it was the time of booming American pop music, too, where the likes of Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, and Hall & Oates filled the limelight. And, for this particular song, Duran Duran had to contend with the very much anticipated second collaboration of the late Michael Jackson and Beatles' Paul McCartney in that phenomenal song, "Say, Say, Say", a follow-up to their first mega collaboration, "The Girl is Mine".
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Ah, memories... here I am again... *buffering*. Hahahaha...
Alright, I have work to do! I gotta go!
Let me leave you with the live performance of Duran Duran's Union of the Snake at the famed "Live Aid" concert in 1984. Let Simon Le Bon wow (or make you gag, whichever is applicable. Hahaha...) you with his eccentric moves on stage, Nick Rhodes' genius on the synthesizers, Andy Taylor's pretty good guitars, and that very tight rhythm section care of Roger Taylor on drums and the very pretty John Taylor (my forever crush! *blush* Haha... ) on bass.
Ciao!
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Video credits: The owners of the videos are indicated on the video themselves. Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.
References: BTS and Duran Duran official websites, and Billboard Hot 100.
