Take Me or Leave Me

Earlier this week, the song I'll Cover You from Rent's soundtrack played in my head for no apparent reason.  Suddenly, I felt depressed.  I don't know why I felt that way considering how lovely the lyrics are, but I did.


When one song depresses me, I counter it with more songs, and one of those is another piece from Rent.




Every single day,
I walk down the street
I hear people say: "Baby's so sweet!"
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me,
Boys, girls I can't help it, baby.
So be kind, and don't lose your mind
Just remember, that I'm your baby


Take me for what I am!
Who I was meant to be!
And if you give a damn,
Take me baby,Or leave me!
Take me baby or leave me!


A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun.
This diva needs her stage, baby,
Let's have fun!
You are the one I choose,
Folks would kill to fill your shoes!
You love the limelight too now, baby!
So be mine, and don't waste my time
Cryin', "Oh honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?"
(Don't you dare!)


Take me for what I am!
Who I was meant to be!
And, if you give a damn,
Take me baby, or leave me!


No way, can I be what I'm not!
But hey, don't you want your girl hot?
Don't fight, don't loose your head,
'Cause every night who's in your bed?
Who? Who's in your bed?
(Kiss Pookie?!)


(It won't work!)
I look before I leap.
I love margins and discipline.
I make lists in my sleep, baby.
What's my sin?
Never quit.
I follow through.
I hate mess but I love you.
What to do with my impromptu baby?
So be wise, 'cause this girl satisfies,
You got a prize, so don't compromise
You're one lucky baby!!!


Take me for what I am!
(A control freak!)
Who I was meant to be!
(A snob yet over attentive!)
And, if you give a damn!
(A lovable droll, geek!)
Take me baby or leave me!
(And anal retentive!)


That's it!
The straw that breaks my back!
I quit!
Unless you take it back!
Women,
What is it about them?
Can't live, with them or without them!


Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
Who I was meant to be
And, if you give a damn
and if you give a damn you better
Take me baby or leave me
take me or leave me
Take me baby, or leave me
Guess I'm leaving, I'm gone!

I saw the musical when it was performed here and this song was one of my most anticipated.  I'm having a hard time looking for the local performances though, because they are at par with the Broadway cast, in my opinion.


Somehow, I can relate to both players sentiments in this song, but I identify more with Joanne.  


Who do you identify with?  

Indestructible

There are times when one feels vulnerable.  I woke up today without a sense of balance; as if something was amiss.  I still don't know what is wrong, probably it's all in my head.  Thankfully I have a repertoire of obscure songs to perk me up. 


Don't look no more,
Cause it'll only make your eyes sore
Hey! Count your R.E.M's,
It's comforting the sanctuary there we have
We argue sometimes and we fear we put the knife in too deep
but even when madness heads, it's only gladness I keep inside
So give me a sign

Cause we are Indestructible
Yes we are
And you are my life-line
And we are Indestructible
Yes we are

Hey, hey, you can be wicked
And you know I can be fickle sometimes too, y'know
Maybe you're my better side
Or maybe you annoy me to the point of where I'm holding this
Gun against your head, but I never said we have the same free spirit,
tell me will you cry? Don't cry
So give me a sign

Cause we are Indestructible
Yeah we are
And you are my life-line
And we are Indestructible
Yes we are

You take me as I am, mister
I've a little red devil on my shoe
You always stay real strong
You can take the rough with the smooth
And I know that we forget what we mean to say
Too proud sometimes
Guess we're only human

Cause we are Indestructible
Yeah we are
And you are my life-line
We are Indestructible
Yes we are
So give me a sign

We just have to remember that even though we may be vulnerable, what harms us -- whether real or imagined -- couldn't destroy us without our consent.

[Not] Born This Way

...too bad the song supports homosexuality. =( God didn't make gays lesbians transvestites and they were definitely NOT born that way. pero ang ganda nga ng boses.

I really hate to ask this, but are Christian viewpoints really so narrow?  Here we are again, met with another little Filipina to make our race proud, another soul recognized internationally because of her talent, and all you can focus on is the "un-Christian-ness" of her song selection.  Did you even research on the rest of the song's lyrics?

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those lyrics seem like a praise to God, and how perfect He is, and all His creations.

Don't be drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way


How can you dismiss a song so utterly just because it gave a shout out to "gays, lesbians and transvestites".  Did you not see how the song aims to uplift the spirits of those outcast for their appearance; for their color, race or disabilities?  The song wants you to embrace who and what you are, to not let yourself be the victim of the stereotype.  It tells you to love your quirks, your uniqueness -- your GOD-GIVEN individuality.


So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways
All my underdogs, we will never be, never be
Anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks


Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe


Pink and Katy Perry said much the same things with their songs, why are you not panning them in the same way?  Is it because the "gays, lesbians and transvestites" have made Lady Gaga the figurehead of their advocacy?  Or maybe because Lady Gaga, when placed side by side with Katy and Pink, looks weird?  I can only hope that it isn't the case.

I have been blessed with quality, secular education during my formative years, and I was taught that our God was a Father who loves his flock as much as the sick, the lepers, the outcasts; and who readily forgives.  He taught me to love my neighbors as much as myself.  He was no longer the vengeful, wrathful god of the Old Testament who commands his people to crush the infidels.  He was a universal, CATHOLIC God full of love and tolerance.  Or do you worship a god that is different from my own?

I remember years ago, when Madonna was much maligned and criticized by various Christian groups to no end because of Papa Don't Preach; stating that the song promotes pre-marital sex; urging people not to support her and her music for its un-Christian message.  An unfair treatment (yet again) considering the very pro-life message of the song.

Papa don't preach, I'm in trouble deep
Papa don't preach, I've been losing sleep
But I made up my mind, I'm keeping my baby, oh
I'm gonna keep my baby

Give the girl a break!  She knows she made a mistake, and she's pregnant because of it.  But she has decided she'll correct that mistake and let her baby live.  Must you dwell on the wrongdoing committed rather than the actions made to make amends?  Isn't passing judgment on other people also an un-Christian trait?

I've digressed.  Too much, it seems.

We're talking here about a girl, a Filipina, who is a source of national pride for being recognized for her talent.

Why couldn't you have left it at that, and steered way away from quick judgment on her song choices?

I am SO glad you are not one of my facebook contacts.

Music Mash-ups

Ever wonder how Rick Astley would sound as a rocker?

I didn't.

But someone else had, and made this mash-up of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up and Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit.

I first heard this on a local radio station, and it just made me laugh out loud. The mix was seamless, and the video was such a gas.

Enjoy!