I would like to introduce you to my favourite songs from around the world.
I have always been massively into music, from a young age. If you have read my post Paris: From Child to Adult Eyes, you’ll be aware that throughout my childhood, I was a raging Michael Jackson fan. Well, apart from a stage of being a little Spice Girls warrior in the 90’s (come on, wasn’t everyone?!) I feel confident in professing that I have always had a really awesome music taste, and I don’t think that’s subjective to say – my taste is quite eclectic.
As I got older, I started discovering more good music from the comforts of my own living room – the CD’s that came from my Mum’s shelf or the songs that I’d hear my Mum listening to started to resonate with me. I started smuggling artists and bands like Sheryl Crow, REM, Primal Scream and Blondie up to my room (not literally of course!) I never went through the boy band phase (just a very short lived Gina G phase when I was 10 – don’t judge!)
Image by Nicky Adriaens
I also became secretly into The Levellers due to my Mum listening to the album ‘Mouth to Mouth’ over and over and over…We all teased her at the time but I guess in my young age, it gradually started to dawn on me how great it actually was and I started to be glad when it came on for the millionth time; it is a solid album.
So, thank you Mum for exposing me to some brilliant music during my childhood as these ultimately shaped many of my interests in adulthood – I predictably became more and more fascinated in music as I got older and picked up a guitar at 13, started wrote songs, joined a band and started singing on stage and the rest is history.
I feel that a big part of me will always be a singer and performer but at the same time, a huge part of me just isn’t suited to that lifestyle as I find that whole scene really challenging. I’m hoping that one day, I will find a way to overcome those challenges and become secure enough to be able to bring back that part of myself again. I never like to just give up on things, but sometimes you just need a break from something, and it can do the world of good.
At age 22 I had hit a bit of a dead end with the music I was discovering. I’d seen a couple of adverts for the new release of Ladyhawke which caught my attention and a music video by Bat for Lashes that were incredible and ended up being firm favourites of mine but other than that, all I was hearing was chart music that to be quite honest, I was less than enthused about. I needed to discover more, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it.
Then, I met someone that helped me. We started going to see local bands and I began to realise that these arena concerts I’d been going to were impersonal and uninspiring compared with an intimate, raw gig held in a small venue. The artists are so exposed that all they have to show you is their talent, an obscure instrument and a craving to make music their livelihood. This is a recipe for something special as they have an incurable passion and drive resulting in something very special for their audience.
Image by Lisa
On that note (pun intended) here is the debut of what will be a series of posts of my favourite songs from around the world. These are songs that I think are important for any music lover (or anyone at all) to hear. Not only do they exemplify and reflect different cultures from around the world, they display the sheer talent and magnitude of creativity of all kinds of different people from all different walks of life.
It can be educational and insightful, getting to know the different instruments they use and the dances they perform; the French with their accordion, the Spanish with their Flamenco, Mongolian throat singing. There is so much to discover about the world just from music, it can give you the whole essence of a country in just a few short minutes and that is beautiful.
Image by Shikha Jain
France
So, let’s start with one of my favourite countries for music, France. There is so much French music that I love, both traditional and pop. One of my favourite instruments is the accordion, I think it encapsulates the true essence of the French culture and it makes me feel excited and euphoric when I hear it. I adore the traditional French sound, however, this time, I feel I have a duty to introduce to you, the one and only Camille to anyone that may not have heard of her.
If Björk dominates the Icelandic charts and Madonna dominates the US, Camille is the French equivalent. She is daring, quirky, unique and incredibly talented. Listening to her music inspires me to write, sing, dance and create. She just ignites all my senses and brings me to life. You’ll see what I mean from this video. Though beautiful, she isn’t your typical pretty, solo songstress and is not to be underestimated. She puts herself in a host of unusual situations and experiments with sound on a level that many wouldn’t even dream or think of doing.
Greenland
I only discovered this a few days ago but I connected with the song and video immediately. I am fascinated by Greenland and in fact all countries that have that gloomy, snowy, mysterious and somehow secretive vibe and I feel that this song and accompanying video reflect that mood perfectly. The video perfectly conveys the quirks of the Nordic people with the curious beak like masks and makeshift wings they are dressed up in. As you see in the video, a group of intriguing explorers gather together in the wilderness and perform an unusual dance routine full of interesting movements, effects and costumes all set in a magical, snowy landscape.
With only just discovering ‘Nive and the Deer Children,’ I don’t yet know much about them, but after looking on their website, which is perfectly Nordic themed, I’ve discovered that Nive Nielsen, the singer, songwriter, guitar and ukelele player is spoken incredibly highly of and endearingly described as going above and beyond what you would expect from a children’s story book writer. The writer doesn’t seem to know how to speak highly enough of her. This is a musician that intrigues me in that perfect way; where you’ve heard an amazing song, seen some inspiring imagery and now you can’t wait to get your teeth stuck into the album and their future work. So far, I am very impressed with the Greenlandic music scene and look forward to discovering more.
England
Lone Wolf, what can I say? He was an amazing artist. It’s so sad that I have to refer to him in the past tense; not because the man is no longer alive but because his alter ego, sadly isn’t. He no longer goes under the guise of Lone Wolf. Paul Marshall, a rare talent residing in Leeds began his musical career under his real name but upon writing his second album, realised his music was going in a completely different direction musically and decided to go under the guise of Lone Wolf which brought an added element of mystery and in my opinion, fireworks to his music. It became much more theatrical and consuming.
This pseudonym seemed to bring something very special to life and the dark, devilish concepts and heart wrenchingly written songs brought his fans a hybrid combination of sorrow and joy, emotions that are very interesting to feel simultaneously. So, even though, Lone Wolf will never bring any more albums or performances our way, I feel that his three precious albums, ‘The Devil & I,’ ‘The Lovers’ and ‘Lodge’ have to be remembered and forever celebrated, they are too good not to be.
Iceland
Iceland has so many amazing musicians it really is hard to pick just one to recommend. Now, as many of you may know, Björk is the headlining musician in Iceland and she has an undoubtedly fascinating collection of awe inspiring songs and tantalising music videos which I adore. But I figured that perhaps not as many people may have heard of Emilíana Torrini and that she deserved to be credited on my list as one of the most incredibly talented singer/songwriters in Iceland.
I came across her a few years ago whilst perusing my partner’s vast music collection and was hooked immediately, she has one of those breathy, rich voices that wins you over from the first note. She mainly writes the lyrics, vocal melodies and sings whilst collaborating with a bunch of brilliant musicians who work to create the perfect music to suit Emilíana‘s lyrical ideas. She is a fascinating artist in that she uses dark and light in equal measures; many of her songs have you wanting to move around your room singing into a pretend microphone whilst some leave you brooding and questioning.
India
India has one of the most vibrant and upbeat cultures in the world and this is often celebrated in their music and films. The colourful fashion, fearless cuisine and vibrant festivities all come across so well in this song I’ve chosen. I find that the use of upbeat, jungle style drumbeats, chanting Indian vocals and traditional Middle Eastern instruments represent everything positive about India as a nation.
This song is from Karan Johar’s masterpiece of a film ‘My Name is Khan’ and composed by the musical trio ‘Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.’ In this particular video you get to see some clips from the film accompanied by the music which I feel really works for this particular one in capturing the essence of the vibrancy of India. If you watch this film, get ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions as the film takes a darker turn.
So, those are my first five favourite songs from around the world, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and they give you some musical and travel inspiration! Click Here for Part II and five more incredible songs.
What did you think to this selection of songs? There will be another five in a future post – let me know if you liked this blog post idea!
Featured image by Kamran Bakhtiari
