Angående det tidigare inlägget om Across The Universe så tänkte jag att jag ska lägga upp en cover på denna fina sång. Det är Rufus Wainwright som har gjort denna version (som faktiskt är riktigt bra för att vara en cover). Jag brukar föredra orginalartisternas versioner, men Rufus är duktig och har verkligen inte förstört låten. Han är för övrigt mycket duktig på att göra covers i allmänhet. Alla har väl hört Rufus gudomliga (om än uttjatade) version av Leonard Cohens Hallelujah?

Här är i alla fall ännu en fin version av Across The Universe. Text och musik: John Lennon och Paul McCartney. Artist: Rufis Wainwright.

Varsågoda!

Detta är en fantastisk låt av Beatles som alla människor borde höra. Den ger mig verkligen hopp vid alla tillfällen. Helt otroligt mysig melodi. Och texten är lysande! Lennon var en poet snarare än en musiker, trots att han har gjort en del riktigt härlig musik. Den här låten är verkligen att rekommendera för!

O Tó era um rapaz muito afavél, amigo, meigo, respeitador. Sempre com um jeito delicado.. Sempre disposto a rir, o quanto ele gostava de rir comigo… Uma altura fomos a Pearl Jam, eu o K.way (que esta aqui na foto a direita) e o Tó. Grande concerto!! curtimos à brava…  Ele adorava musica, entao como eu sabia disso, uns meses atras convidei-o para vir a casa do Tony para tocar na minha bateria…! e aqui está ele, sentado ao “comando”. Penso que foi a ultima vez que estive com o Tó. E quis o destino que registasse com a minha maquina fotografica. Amigo descansa em paz.

Nem gosto de morangos,

mas sei que Strawberrys fields forever…

E Across the Universe também.

Sometimes there are movies that because of high expectations, don’t quite live up to the hype, therefore people and critics shrug it off as a failure. There are also some movies that people just pan or shrug off based on it’s cast or premise. Although there are some occassions where I’ve had such thoughts, I like to give every movie a chance. There are times when I regret it but there are times when there is a true gem that most people just don’t care for without even seeing it, or they just don’t like it for the reasons I’ve mentioned.

My list is compiled of movies that “failed” due to high expectations as well as those that most think are truly horrible. I love all of these movies and I don’t feel ashamed for doing so.

Here are my top 10 most underrated movies of the decade.

10. Australia

Baz Luhrman | 2008

I guess that after the greatness of Moulin Rouge! there were high expectations for Lurhrman’s next project (mine were definitely like that). When it was announced that he would do an epic romance, I guess people thought that he was going to try to bring back the sub-genre, when in fact it was just an homage to those movies. Most people didn’t see it as the latter, which is why they hated it. However, there were a few of us who saw it for what it was and we loved it. The romance is great, the cinematography is amazing, the score fits the story, and the performances are great. Yes, the script had problems, but they can be easily forgiven thanks to the rest of the production.

9. The Fall

Tarsem | 2008

This movie originally played in the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 and it was panned, with most critics calling it an inferior copy of anther festival darling from that year, Pan’s Labyrinth. Two year later, it was released independently to bad reviews. There were a few critics like Roger Ebert who actually saw it for what it was, a visual treat supported by a small story. It is a gorgeous movie filled with  remarkable images and featuring great performances by Lee Pace and Catinka Untaru. It may not have a very deep and thought provoking story, but the story confined with the magnificent production makes for a great experience.

8. Across the Universe

Julie Taymor | 2007

Most people who dislike this mostly complain about how “misused” the songs by The Beatles were, about how little story there is to support those historic lyrics. I guess their love for the songs did not allow them to see the beautiful production, the great direction, the great performances, the good arrangements of the songs. They missed out on all the fun.

7. Knowing

Alex Proyas | 2009

Nicolas Cage had not had a good decade. For every Lord of War ,The Weatherman, and Adaptation there are two National Treasures, one Next, one Bangkok Dangerous, one Ghost Rider, and one The Wicker Man. So I guess that when this came out the presence of Cage made most people dismiss it as another one of his attempts to become an action star so late in his career. However, the movie is not just Nicolas Cage. It was directed by one of the most interesting directors out there, the script, despite it’s huge flaws, had some interesting ideas that Proyas takes the most advatage of, and it also features Cage’s best performances since 2005 when he had both Lord of War and The Weatherman

6. Memoirs of a Geisha

Rob Marshall | 2005

The book on which this is based is amazing, so there is no way that the movie was going to live up to it. Despite that, I believe Rob Marshall did a great job in translating the story visually into the screen it is one of the best produced movies of the decade. Yes, the script is rather bad, but the behind-the-scenes people and the actors rise above the material. Should you expect a fast-paced movie? No, you should expect a slow-burning experience and take everything in to enjoy the great ending.

5. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zizzou

Wes Anderson | 2004

It may not be Wes Anderson’s best, but I’d say that it is his most interesting, visually, and it has some really funny moments, as well as plenty of heart felt ones. Plus, it sports Bill Murray’s best post-Lost in Translation performance, Angelica Houston, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, and a song by Sigur Ros. What more can you ask for?

4. Monster-in-Law

Robert Luketic | 2005

Does it have the most original story? No. Is It well written and directed? No. So why do I think it is underrated? Well, it is because of the actresses. Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez have great chemistry together, and that alone makes almost every joke work. Plus, there is the always-reliable Wanda Sykes and the always reliable assistant ready with a one liner for every situation.

3. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Garth Jennings | 2005

Based on the books by Douglas Adams, I think the movies does a great job of translating the humor, which is not the humor that most people are used to. I does not have jokes that give you belly laughs, but the kind of humor that makes you go, “that’s funny.” Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, and Sam Rockwell are perfectly cast and make everything work.

2. Speed Racer

The Wachowskis | 2008

“It looks like a videogame and it has no story” was the biggest complaint I heard about this movie. This was never supposed to be the next Matrix, it was supposed to be a movie for the whole family to enjoy. And that was what we got. It has a simple good vs. evil, family always sticks together story, combined with great, groundbreaking visual effects, and good performances to boot.

1. The Fountain

Darren Aronofsky | 2005

I guess the main reason why most people don’t like it is because of it’s non-linear narrative. I loved it from the first time I saw it, and has only gotten better with repeat viewings. Hugh Jackman gives what is his best performance to date, and Rachel Weiz is also quite good. Some parts are off-putting and you do wonder what part is actually happening, but that is only part of the beauty of it. This is definitely one of the best movies of the decade.

There are my 10 most underrated movies of the decade. Feel free to offer your opinion in the comments section.

(Across The Universe (Download Here

By

The Beatles

Words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva

Dear Mr. Hewson,

Well, I imagine that you’re happy to hear that President Obama made serious mention of Aung San Suu Kyi, urging the leaders of Burma to release her (and other political prisoners) while speaking in Singapore. I think it’s a pretty impressive move, myself. I know that you and the boys have always been big advocates of her, and her release from house arrest (though I admit that the masks you’re using on the U2 360 tour do freak me out a bit!).

What I wonder is whether even someone with President Obama’s political clout can make a difference in this sort of situation. I suppose that simply speaking the words in such a forum would actually occasion many to think about it, and consider it, but I’m not entirely sure peer pressure is going to be able to move the seemingly immovable force that is a military government. I confess that I don’t know a great amount about the Burmese government, but I can imagine that if they’ve kept someone like Suu Kyi under house arrest for fourteen years, it’s going to take a lot to get them to release her. People like Suu Kyi, who can actually make a difference (especially those who have proved it as she has) are kept locked up for a reason, of course — not only do they pose a threat, they are a threat, to current powers. And well, they certainly can’t stand for that. Oh, political maneuvering, how I loathe thee!

And then, of course, there’s the perception of the US using its western influence to try and move the immovable, and I think other governments must take offense to that. It’s like my father says: everyone’s trying to prove something, and I would imagine that smaller countries and governments (like the Burmese one) are always trying to prove something to their bigger, scarier peers.

I guess, though, that President Obama (who I always feel tempted to call just plain old “Obama”) throwing even his verbal weight behind Suu Kyi and her fellow political prisoners might perhaps help other countries to see the light on the matter, and that’s positive. It’s certainly got media all over the world paying attention, that’s for sure.

I don’t think it’s looking particularly good for Aung San Suu Kyi right now, and after doing a little bit of poking around online to find out more about it, it doesn’t look like the situation will change much. In all of your research and wisdom and activism, I’m sure you’ve got some pretty strong opinions on that matter, though. Do drop by the next time you’re flying over the frigid Atlantic Ocean — we’ll chat about it and see how worked up we can get.

I’d love to get worked up about it now, but my brain hurts too much. It’s been a long day.

Do take care, and expect another letter next week.

Cheers and much love,

Sara

pools of sorrow/ waves of joy/ are drifting through my opened mind/ possessing and caressing me – “across the universe,” beatles

Via hsay whut? — pools of sorrow/ waves of joy/ are drifting….

Across The Universe

Words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
// <![CDATA[//

The Beatles

Apart from the title song, the most celebrated tune on Let it Be is John’s masterful ‘Across the Universe.’ This is one of those quintessential Beatles tunes that really gets to the heart of what made them special… the combination of simple melody, inspired production and enlightened lyrics.

It’s ironic that John repeats the phrase “nothing’s gonna change my world” when this song is a perfect example of how he and The Beatles changed everybody else’s world through their music.

Like many great songs, ‘Across the Universe’ has been covered by a host of artists over the years, including a couple of my favorites. I featured Fiona Apple’s version (from the Pleasantville soundtrack) back in March. Rufus Wainwright recorded his version for the I Am Sam soundtrack (which is made up entirely of Beatles covers). And of course the film Across the Universe contains a version of the song performed by lead actor Jim Sturgess.

Here’s some Asian dude on YouTube covering the song… he’s damn good and covers everybody from Green Day to Taylor Swift on his channel.

Nothing can match the original, of course, so I’ll let John take it from here.

After the repairs that Mr. Scott effected to the navigation system of the Doghouse of Justice, I had hoped to be able to navigate it as expertly as I did the original version which was, sadly, destroyed by dinosaurs last year.  However, it appears that something in the circuitry still is not working properly.  It has returned me to the correct place, but nowhere near the correct time …

Detecting some activity in a nearby building, I sneak inside, hoping to find someone who can tell me when I am; but I inadvertently crash some sort of royal gala, drawing the ire of one individual and the admiration of another.

Later, the Princess invites me to tea, where I innocently suggest we go for walkies, not realizing that the Princess has never been out on her own before.

In the plaza, we meet a friendly gentleman who buys the Princess her first ice cream cone. Sadly, I do not get any.

Afterwards, the gentleman suggests we go scooting. I never knew that humans engaged in this behavior — this will make a fascinating addition to the anthropology course I teach at the university!

Unfortunately I soon realize that i misinterpreted the type of scooting that was intended, once again illustrating the difficulties inherent in trying to understand an alien culture. This is a completely different activity from what I expected, less fun and, once the Princess takes the handlebars, much more dangerous.

We soon arrive at a local attraction, a large wall engraving that is evidently worshiped by the locals as some sort of greedy and vengeful god.

Unfortunately, like Cassandra, my predictions go unheeded.

After dropping our friend off at the local emergency room, the Princess and I return to the piazza for more ice cream, where we say our goodbyes.

Then, suddenly, from out of nowhere, a bizarre visitor appears!

Who is this strange character? How does he know my name? And where did he find a DeLorean? I will find the answer to these questions — because I am Dennis the Vizsla, and I never give up.

De tan buenos, genios y leyendas, Los Beatles a veces caen re gordos. Han pasado décadas y siguen estando en todos lados, continúan sacando discos con las mismas canciones de siempre pero en 5 mil versiones diferentes y por más que pasa el tiempo, la mejor canción del año siempre es Yesterday. No por nada Lennon se echó a media población mundial encima cuando afirmó que Los Beatles eran más famosos que Jesucristo. Y sí, por eso desde siempre han sido protagonistas de cientos de historias, existen películas que cuentan su vida desde todos los ángulos, covers de sus temas en todos los idiomas, un espectáculo de Circ Du Soleil inspirado en sus canciones y hasta en el radio existe, desde hace años, una hora dedicada al cuarteto de Liverpool. Pero es justo cuando ves el trabajo de Julie Taymor que recuerdas por qué John, Paul, Ringo y George son y seguirán siendo unas eminencias musicales.

La directora, que más bien se especiliza en escenografías de teatro, tuvo la grandiosa idea de crear un largometraje inspirado en el extenso repertorio de esta banda. Al contrario de lo que sucede con muchos películas en las que la música se convierte en el fondo o complemento, en esta cinta es el principal motor. Across the Universe no se trata de otra biografía del grupo, y su guión no descubre el hilo negro, de hecho es una tipica historia ambientada en los 60 que retrata la nostalgia de una éopca empañada por la guerra, pero suavizada por el idealismo del movimiento hippie. ¿A quién no le hubiera gustado estar ahí? Aunque pareciera éste un recurso muy choteado, no podría ser de otra manera y el tema principal, como lo dije, no es el guión sino su majestad la música y al mismo tiempo se trata de un caramelo visual.

Julie, la directora, tomó 33 temas de Los Beatles y con ellos nombró a los personajes, les dio un a vida, un lugar y una motivación. Jude, un obrero de Inglaterra viaja a Nueva York para encontrarse con todos los ideales de aquel tiempo: La guerra, el amor, las drogas… Lo que sucede ahí es lo que a muchos nos hubiera gustado hacer alguna vez: vivir en una comuna, no trabajar, protestar por la libertad y promulgar el amor y la paz.

La película abre con una escena de Jude cantando entre la bruma cerca del mar las primeras estrofas de Girl: “Is there anybody going to listen to my story…” A lo primero que me remitió fue a Ewan McGregor en la primera escenea de Moulin Rouge, el parecido con la voz de Jim Sturgess es impresionante (la de éste último un poco más refinada y entonada). Pero no se preocupen, las pelis no se parecen en nada. Es más bien como si estuvieras viendo un videoclip gigante de los Beatles con colores brillantes, camionetas floreadas y viajes psicodélicos. Y aunque para muchos se trata de un guión mediocre, cada aspecto estuvo perfectamente bien cuidado y documentado.

Así, muchos personajes de la película están basados y rinden homenaje a figuras características de los años 60, empezando por The Quarry Men, el grupo que fue la base de la fundación de The Beatles tocando en el Cavern Club de Liverpool, donde Jude baila con su novia. Los personajes de Sadie y Jojo están inspirados en Janis Joplin y Jimi Hendrix, respectivamente. El Dr. Robert y su grupo experimentan con el LSD y viajan en un autobús estrafalario desde California, exactamente igual que el grupo de gente llamado The Merry Pranksters (los Alegres Bromistas) que en los 60 predicaba la experiencia psicodélica por todo el país. De igual modo, el concierto que Sadie y su banda dan al final de la película en lo alto de un edificio es una alegoría del famoso concierto en la azotea de The Beatles, su última actuación en directo antes de la disolución del grupo, y que hasta la fecha ha servido de inspiración para gran cantidad de videos musicales de muchas bandas.

También aparecen unos Hare Krishna danzando en una escena y cantando el estribillo “Jai guru Deva, om” de la canción Across the universe.

Sin duda se trata de un experimento arriesgado, pero para todos aquellos que se jactan de ser melómanos y nostalgicos sesenteros, esta es una cinta obligada.

***De antemano me disculpo: Bono tiene una pequeña aparición en la película, pero nada de cuidado.

                              Como ya ocurrió con el post de Jeff Buckley, ayer me pasó lo mismo, misma serie (Flashforward) y al terminar el episodio volvió a aparecer una canción, este vez original de los Beatles y adaptada por Rufus Wainwright, ha sido la única canción de los Beatles que me impacto al oírla por que sin saber que dice la letra, se me quedó en la cabeza mientras la escuchaba por casa cuando tocaba limpieza, sinceramente un tema que me trae muchos recuerdos buenos de una etapa hermosa de mi vida.

RUFUS WAINRIGHT

Cantautor canadiense hijo de músicos folks, su juventud fue muy dura debido a su condición sexual y su violación cuando solo tenía 13 años, A pesar de todo Rufus salió adelante y ha publicado de una manera soberbia hasta seis álbumes y dos EP. Además de conseguir varios premios y participar en bandas sonoras de importantes películas. Rufus Wainwright (1998), Poses (2001), Want One (2003), Waiting for a Want (EP, 2004), Want Two (2004), Alright Already ( EP, 2005), Release the Starts (2007) y Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (2007)

Versión por Rufus Wainright & Moby & Sean Lennon

Video oficial aqui

 LETRA DE RUFUS WAINRIGHT – ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

Words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai guru deva

 LETRA TRADUCIDA RUFUS WAINRIGHT – ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

Las palabras surgen a raudales como
Una lluvia infinita en un vaso de papel
Se deslizan al pasar
Desaparecen a través del universo
Charcos de tristeza, olas de alegría flotan en mi cabeza
Poseyéndome y acariciándome

Jai Guru De Va Om
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Nada cambiará mi mundo

Imágenes de luces rotas con
Las que me bailabas antes como un millón de ojos
Que me llaman y me llaman a través del universo
Pensamientos serpenteando como
un viento sin descanso en un buzón
Tambaleándose ciegamente en su camino a través del universo

Jai Guru De Va Om
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Nada cambiará mi mundo

Sonidos de risas y sombras de la vida
llamando a traves de mis oidos
Incitándome e invitándome
Un amor imperecedero y sin límites
Brilla a mí alrededor como un millón de soles
Llamándome y llamándome a través del universo

Jai Guru De Va Om
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Nada cambiará mi mundo

I enjoy musicals, specially if they’re made out of beautiful people (not in the physical sense), singing beautiful songs full of great emotions and spirit. Across the Universe is one of that kind, it shows a different era in our planet and also a different reality.

Yesterday we got the 11th of the 11th mixed with the 11th (2 + 0 + 0 + 9), some people believe it was a great date, important for the evolution of consciousness, I think it was very important and I don’t feel rejuvenated or completely new, but rather in peace and a little more lighter than the days before which were full of ups and downs. It’s a learning path, it’s my spirit in a human body, trying to understand more of life and being in touch with heart, mind and body.

Life’s enjoyable!

Buscando por spotify, me llamó la atención que no encontré ninguna de las dos versiones que estaba buscando de la canción “Across the Universe”, de los Beatles, versionada por Fiona Apple. Ninguna de las dos está en spotify, pero hay decenas de versiones diferentes de la misma canción: más de 40 versiones diferentes!

Mi escasez de tiempo por lo menos, todavía, me permite escuchar música. Hoy os dejo una de las canciones que más que agrada escuchar en cualquier momento: Across de Universe de los Beatles:

Y os pongo la letra primero en inglés y luego en español, por cierto, una letra preciosa:

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
That call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.
Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing
Through my open views inviting and inciting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
million suns, it calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.

Y la letra en español:

Las palabras surgen a raudales como una lluvia infinita en un vaso de papel
Se deslizan al pasar
Desaparecen a través del universo
Charcos de tristeza, olas de alegría flotan en mi mente abierta
Poseyéndome y acariciándome
Jai Guru De Va Om
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Imágenes de luz encima bañando ante mí como un millón de ojos
Que me llaman y me llaman a través del universo
Pensamientos serpenteando como un viento inquieto en un buzón
Tambaleándose ciegamente en su camino a través del universo
Jai Guru De Va Om
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Sonidos de risas y sombras de tierra resuman en mi vista abierta
Incitándome e invitándome
Un amor imperecedero y sin límites brilla a mí alrededor como un millón de soles
Llamándome y llamándome a través del universo
Jai Guru De Va Om
Nada cambiará mi mundo
Nada cambiará mi mundo.

At this early moment in my blog’s history I should probably go ahead and confess that I am actually almost as new a fan of the Beatles as I am a novice player of the guitar.  Of course, growing up in any English speaking culture means that it’s impossible not to be at least somewhat familiar with The Beatles, but I somehow avoided the “Beatles phase” that so many people seem to go through either in high school or college.

A few years ago, I decided it was time to finally figure out what the big deal was about these mysterious Beatles I had heard so much about, so I started working my way through the catalog in somewhat chronological order.  The only problem was that when I hit Abbey Road I was so blown away that I kind of got stuck on it and never got to Let it Be.

And boy was I missing out. “Across the Universe” is a beautiful piece of music.  Lyrically, this might be one of the best songs The Beatles ever produced and a fine example of John Lennon at the peak of his powers.

The first verse establishes a contrast between the universal (“they slip away across the universe”) and the personal (“waves of joy are drifting through my open mind/ Possessing and caressing me”) that will remain a theme throughout the song.  It also uses beautiful water imagery to mirror the fluidity of Lennon’s thoughts (“Words are flowing out like endless rain”).

All of this leads to the chorus, which only consists of a simple Sanskrit phrase (“Jai Guru Deva, Om”) and a repetition of the line “Nothing’s gonna change my world”.  A quick survey of the interwebs taught me that the Sanskrit phrase loosely translates to “I give thanks to the heavenly teacher, om,” but the literal meaning seems secondary to the serenity that the phrase establishes – a serenity that makes the chorus’s second line seem like a statement of acceptance and tranquility rather than one of lament or defiance.

The second and third verses follow in this tranquil strain.  Like the first verse, they continue to explore the paradox of balancing the individual psyche and its thoughts that  “meander like a restless wind inside a letter box” with finding joy in a universal “undying love which shines around [him] like a/Million suns.”  These verses also establish an interesting paradox by expressing a kind of meta-physical one-ness with the universe through very sensual imagery: the second verse focuses on visual imagery (“Images of broken light”) while the third utilizes sound  (“Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing”).

Of course, for an English PhD. like myself, analyzing the lyrics was the easy part.  Learning the guitar part took a little more work.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too bad and actually ended up reaffirming the value of this process for my guitar playing.  One of the reasons that I’m doing this is to force myself to learn more difficult skills rather than just sticking to songs that I can play easily.  “Across the Universe” was just the kind of song that I would usually have avoided for the simple reason that it contains my nemesis: barre-chords.

The barre chords in “Across the Universe,” though, aren’t too bad.  There are only a few of them and they are usually based on the “Em” shape, which is probably the easiest one to learn.  So, I spent the last few days forcing my hands to do something that’s contrary to everything the human hand has evolved to do and, eventually, getting them to cooperate.  I still don’t hit those chords perfectly each and every time but I get to them often enough (and fast enough) now that I actually look forward to the challenge they present in the song rather than dreading the moment when the music would previously have come to a crashing halt.

Other than the barre-chords, though, this song is relatively simple – after a brief introduction (which to me sounds a lot like the beginning of “Nowhere Man”, and that wasn’t too hard to learn with the help of a metronome) the song is really just strumming chords.

Despite (or perhaps because of) this simplicity, though, the music works with the lyrics beautifully.  Most of the chord changes happen in the verses and, from time to time, these verses briefly change time signatures, which took some getting used to (try counting the beat when he sings the line “across the universe” the first time and you’ll hear what I’m talking about).  The many chords and changing time signatures combine to reflect the paradoxes that are so important to the verses’ lyrical themes since the resulting rhythm feels simultaneously steady and unsettled.  It also helps to establish a contrast with the chorus, which consists of a steady rhythm and only a couple of very basic chord changes – thus musically reflecting the simple tranquility of the chorus’s lyrics.

All in all, this is a beautiful song and one that I’m glad to have added to my repertoire.

Now, I’m off to start practicing “Act Naturally”…

Lyrics to “Across the Universe”

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai guru de va om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
That call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.

Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing
Through my open views inviting and inciting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
Million suns, it calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.

I think it’s rather fitting that the day before Remembrance Day should also be the same day that I start writing my blog posts about conflict, politics, and all things related thereto.

These posts will be written as letters to a friend of mine who is currently in training in the Canadian military, and in whom I have an enormous amount of faith — he’s extremely well read and (at least in my opinion) has chosen a life in the military for the right reasons. These Tuesday posts will be my regular ode to the things he inspires me to investigate (even though he doesn’t know it), and the things I think we’d talk of if he was able to sit, nightly, at my kitchen table with our intoxicant of choice.

…I suppose I should email him and let him know he can be expecting a letter from me, once a week.

This week is a little bit special, of course, since it’s not only the beginning of these posts, it’s also concerning a day during which we honour and remember those fallen and fighting.

Dear GW,

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, and I’ve got a problem: everywhere I look, I seem to see a lack of remembering. I wonder, of course, if it’s my perception of the matter or if it’s actually happening. I do know one thing, though: I am a victim of the virus that is un-remembering. I am sad to admit this, but I haven’t truly taken pause as I should have on Remembrance Day in quite some time. Four years ago when I was on my semester in Harlow, I wrote a journal entry that expresses what I feel about the whole day perfectly: we do the whole ceremonial thing, and there’s a whole load of pomp and circumstance, but how many people are actually remembering? How many people actually have any sense of what they should be remembering? And how much of this ceremonial stuff is just the left-overs from antiquated ceremonies that celebrate antiquated battles? And maybe it’s just me, but I do wonder at the ease with which we seem to “remember” the Great Wars, in contrast with the trouble we seem to have honouring those men and women who’ve dedicated themselves in more recent conflicts, and currently: can we re-write the book with them in it, as they should be?

I appreciate that asking some of those questions seems disrespectful, but I don’t in the least mean it to be. My grandfather is a WWII veteran, and I was raised with a real sense of what he and his fellow soldiers gave for their country. I have heard him speak of his time at war, and I am in awe every time. I have the greatest respect for him and for anyone who has dedicated their time and effort so completely to their country (that includes you). I suppose it is difficult for me to think on the grizzly actualities of war and reconcile them with the bunch of grade sixes I heard sing of giving peace a chance, this morning. I find this troubling, because normally I am so optimistic and involved in anything hopeful and joyous, but I find myself thinking of my grandfather and how he came to talk to my class when I was in grade four about the things he did at war, and I remember feeling — even at that age — that he was being made to be a spectacle: “look at this man — he’s seen real war!”

Maybe I’m remiss. Maybe I’m feeling like this is the case in the world and it’s actually not that bad. Maybe people do know and care more than I give them credit for.

I sure as Hell hope so.

Much love,

Sara

In the coming weeks, and perhaps as a regular feature, I have decided that I will write a post every Monday that is written in the form of a letter to Mr. Paul Hewson (better known as Bono, of course). The letters will mostly be about things to do with him, U2, or things related thereto, though there is also the chance that they will be random and hilarious.

There’s likely to be lots of sarcasm involved, and it’s all in good fun.

Here goes!

Dear Mr. Hewson,

Did you know that the lead singer of  the Canadian band F*cked Up thinks you’re reprehensible as a person and that you make terrible music (and that he’s quoted as saying so in at least four different places)?

Well, I think that he’s reprehensible and makes terrible music (well, that’s not entirely true — I don’t know enough about him to say that. He probably doesn’t know enough about you to say that, either, but not knowing enough never really does stop people from saying things, does it?)

In any case, that has little to do with the fact that he and his bandmates (and others) have decided to remake “Do they know it’s Christmas?” in an indie sort of way. No, really, it’s true! I read it on Gigwise this morning over my Rice Krispies. I’m not sure why they decided to bring you up in the article, when there were a bunch of other people involved in the original to begin with. Then again, maybe it was to attract attention to the remake; which would make sense, seeing more people recognize your name than they do his. As he says, of course, it’s about awareness of the issues. Oh, right! He’d have you on the track if you wanted on. Do you? I’m not entirely sure you classify as “indie”, but ya know, he could overlook that.

I think that it’s great that someone’s bringing attention to a different group of charities (one of the charities the money is going to draws attention to missing aboriginal women in Canada), and though I likely won’t particularly like it, myself, there are a lot of people who will, I’m sure. Far be it for me to criticise people who are trying to do good in the world — there are not enough of them.

I do, however, have two issues with what I read this morning: 1. the use of the word reprehensible (a little too harsh, really); and 2. this (taken from the ChartAttack coverage of the story):

The song has been criticized as “self-righteous” by people like Morrissey and its view of Africa has been called “patronizing” by international development organizations.

“There’s a kind of cavalier colonialism to the original, like the west has to go in and help this poor Third World country,” Abraham told Vulture. “But the charities that we’re trying to help are exactly a product of this colonial history. People who have been subjugated and oppressed for so many years are going missing. So there’s an irony to using the song.”

Do you really want to use a song that people think is “self-righteous” and that you think has “tasteless lyrics”?

I think this guy needs a lesson in good PR, really. You might wanna give him a shout and let him know that he should think before he calls the song from which he’s trying to make money for other, worthy people “tasteless”. Oh, and perhaps let him know that he is riding on the success of the original (which is the point of remaking a song), so he should think twice before condemning it.

Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry Mr. Hewson — I’ve gone off on quite the rant, haven’t I?

Thank you for your time. I know you’re a very busy man, what with your actually getting things done in the world and all.

Cheers and much love,

Sara

Vi no site da SPFW e curti a dica.

O longa tem o roteiro de Matt Greenhalgh ( de “Control” – sobre Ian Curtis, do Joy Division), que adaptou do livro “Image this: growing up with my brother “, conta a adolescência de um dos maiores ícones do rock.

Ainda não tem previsão de estréia em SP, mas temos como ver no Youtube o trailer:

Mas se você quiser assistir um filme com muita música e que inclusive foi indicado ao Oscar pelo seu figurino lisérgico, ah, e com Beatles, claro, corra para locadora e assista Across the Universe: