It’s been a really looooong time since the last track review. I guess it’s time to do another one again. And this time, the featured band very much deserves to be featured here in my press, just as it has won itself a place in my heart.
If you’ve been keeping up with my posts, you’ll notice I’ve been putting links of songs that inspired me to write a post, like “The song that inspired me.” or maybe “…I was listening to this song when I was writing this.” And if you would have been so kind to have taken your time to just click that underlined word, you’d be sent to YouTube with a song performed by this band:
Up Dharma Down is a Manila-based band that has taken apart and interestingly combined musical boundaries in their songs. Many of their listeners have tried to give their music a tag, but even the four of them attest to the fact that the only way to understand this nameless genre is to press play.
BBC U.K. thru Mark Cole’s radio show and Time Magazine Asia have helped push their music internationally. They have played in regional music festivals, received numerous nominations and garnered recognition for their work from local and international award-giving bodies. With the recognizable charm of the band as part of independent label Terno Recordings, their sound has crossed-over to commercial success.
Their debut album, Fragmented hit #1 and stayed in the charts for weeks from its release in early 2006. The four continue to receive even more approval from critics and musicians all over the globe since launching their sophomore effort, Bipolar, in 2008. Their third album Capacities, which was released last 2012, is continuing to enjoy positive feedback from the public.
A generic goal of putting two and two together has managed to branch out to something promising. The band may never succeed in putting a name to their sound, but everybody knows how their sound may soon give music a new name.
Photo by Chico Limjap
http://updharmadown.com/?page_id=169
And so, for today’s track review, will be from the band’s album Capacities, Indak.
Lyrics:
Tatakbo at gagalaw
Mag-iisip kung dapat bang bumitaw
Kulang na lang, atakihin
Ang pag-hinga’y nabibitin
Ang dahilang alam mo na
Kahit ano pang sabihin nila
Tayong dalawa lamang ang makakaalam
Ngunit ako ngayo’y naguguluhan
Makikinig ba ako
Sa aking isip na dati pa namang magulo?
O iindak na lamang
Sa tibok ng puso mo
At aasahan ko na lamang na
Hindi mo aapakan ang aking mga paa
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasayaw
Habang nanonood siya
Paalis at pabalik
May baong yakap at suklian ng halik
Mag-papaalam at mag-sisisi
Habang papiglas ka ako sayo ay tatabi
Tayong dalawa lamang ang nakaka-alam
Ngunit hindi na matanto kung sino nga ba ang pag-bibigyan ko
Makikinig nga ba sa isipan na alam ang wasto
Ngunit pipigilan ang pag-ibig nya na totoo
Iindak na lamang ba sa tibok ng puso mo
At aasahan ko hindi nya lamang aapakan ang aking mga paa
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya
Habang nalulungkot ka
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya
Habang nalulungkot ka
Ako’y Litong-lito
Tulungan niyo ako
Di ko na alam
Kung sino pang aking pagbibigyan o
Ayoko na ng ganito
Ako ay litong-lito oh woah
lyrics from http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/u/up_dharma_down/
As you may have seen, the song has Filipino lyrics. The song was performed by a bilingual band.
Fortunately for you, I have done my attempt unto translating this wondrous hit performed by UDD, hopefully sending the same message as it does in its own local lyrics. I hope even though things get lost in translation, you will get the gist or the very core of this song. I hope you enjoy today’s bonus!
—
translation:
(I keep) running and moving
Thinking if I should let go
It’s as if I’m about to have a heart attack
and run out of breath
But now that you know (the truth),
it won’t matter what they say
because only the two of us know
yet now I’m confused
Should I listen
to my mind that has always been so confused,
or should i just keep dancing
to the beat of your heart,
And expect that
you won’t step into my foot?
I’ll just close my eyes and keep dancing
as he watches me
I’ll be going and I’ll come back
with hugs and an exchange of kisses
I’ll bid goodbye and then regret it.
As you resist (me), I’ll be right beside you
Only the two of us know
but then I really don’t know whom to consider
Should I really just listen to my mind who knows better
but then I need to ignore his true affections
(or) should I just keep dancing to the beat of your heart
and expect that he won’t even step on my foot
I’ll just close my eyes and enjoy myself
as you’re in misery
I’ll just close my eyes and enjoy myself
as you’re in misery
I’m so confused right now
Please help me
I don’t really know
whom I should give a chance to
I don’t want this anymore
I’m so confused oh woah
—
I fell in love with this song right after hearing it. Its a love song about a person who is so confused on his or her feelings. It’s that feeling of being infatuated – maybe even in-love – where its all so heart-wrenching and mind bending unto making decisions on whom you choose to follow; your heart or your mind? But then in the middle of the song, “I’ll just close my eyes and keep dancing“, it shows the person’s submission to leave the decision making to the other party. The song shows of sadness and struggle. Truly, when you fathom the original lyrics of the song, it just penetrates through you, and it reaches down to your soul, right down to your conscience, weighing in your choices about love. Hey, I really can’t say much on the topic, but do remember that the head is higher than the heart. :)
I personally love this song because it has helped me get through the times I have been confused about my affections as well. I could also say that this song has also put me to peace (and to sleep) at times when I needed it. It sounds so peaceful and serene with the right blend of Armi Millare’s vocals to the instrumentals of the band’s boys. Oh, by the way, this track has two versions, one for the album Capacities and the other (if I’m now mistaken) is a single. Do check it out at YouTube.
I still worry about the translation. I am afraid maybe there is incoherence to the words I have presented. This is because the Filipino language has its own way of expression. But I deserve a pat in the back, its been awhile since I attempted to translate something to English. Haha!
I am proud to say that I have finally crossed out an item in my bucket list, to see Up Dharma Down perform live. And I hope I do get up close and personal with them next time I do watch them.
I truly recommend this band and more of their tracks!
So then, that’s the end of today’s Track Review.
You can know more of the band from their site, http://updharmadown.com/.
Don’t forget to leave a comment on your take on Up Dharma Down and the featured track, Indak. I’ll be waiting! ;)
What's In My Mind... 