20 Years And I’m Still Here

(bonus track) Huff & Puff – Help Me Make It Through The Night (1996)

So there I am, being in the possibility to share this with you. There I was, Oxford Redcliff Infermary (guess who Karma matched up City in Oxford last Wednesday?!) completely paralyzed.

This picture is from the now abandoned hospital I was at, and: Nuffield Ward (website opens in a new window) was where I was laying at. An incredible picture overview here, with so many (yes, GOOD) memories.

20 Oasis – Wonderwall (1995)

It was, and in Holland, not many (sorry to make you puke as British hate the term) Britpop songs entered the charts. It was Whenever I that made me introduce me to Oasis. I didn’t had a football team to root for in England, as (this is genuine true) I always didn’t felt connected to ‘major players’. I didn’t knew why (well, Manc accent I absored due of Liam and Noel Gallagher). Once I read an interview, in which they spoke out about their love for City, I knew: that is my team! And: I didn’t abandon the ship after relegation! Loyalty is such a good feeling.

IMPRESSIVE to tell: in 1999 the playoffs took place at Wembley and City had an UNREAL 2 goals in stoppage time to seal extra time: to then win it and gain promotion. I would never have survived my cancer battle to be honest if that never took place. NEVER GIVE UP was the message given.

And: there it was last Wednesday…

A fim thing by the way, and all who know me I know my spiritual things. Coming to MCR – New Orleans is a ‘twin’ to Manchester. South Carolina Gamecocks fans are very equal to City fan banter nature.

19 Rene Klein – Mr Blue (1993)

Where were you when moment that genuinely is something everyone in Holland can remember. AIDS patient Rene Klijn featured at a TV show and gave AIDS a face by speaking about his experience regarding the illness. He at the end perfomed this amazing song, a Yazoo cover, and the emotion you can feel. People wanted to hear more of his amazing voice, but he thought it was pure “oh, they just say it out of sympathy” – when he finally realized it was genuine, he was too weak to record new songs and passed away.

This song became to become the best sold single in 1994. Choose your own capture, mine I always turn into tears is the: “soldiers taking orders, coz we must defend our borders of our nation: an the other’s side is the same”. And: ain’t it true?

18 Krezip – I Would Stay (2000)

So there I returned home, after my mission impossible (I was given up at first stage). Then came live on TV, the Pinkpop (Easter festival): this song performance… with me being in Holland an easy ‘object’ due of my disabilities (and of course some MCFC ‘fans’ joined in too) to target and bully me, the lyrics are simply mind blowing. Mind: I have many good friends in Holland and cherish memories from with and from them. But I moved away for a reason. I think the lyrics speak volumes and it was originally recorded in 1999.

17 Stilskin – Inside (1994)

Possibly a weird entry in my list? This song has something. It has the “and if so” message: if you believe in – don’t keep it all inside. (I do am happy the tumor is OUTSIDE haha!)

16 Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy (1994)

This might be a trigger: what is the best ever produced dance tune of all time? There are  so many special creations. What makes this tune so unique is that at one moment ‘it stops’ and the piano play begins and you’re completely being lifted. It was the cross road from rave to public eye, while remaining rave scene. Which is why I included this song to my blog 🙂 this tune is mind blowing as it brings several worlds together.

15 Doop – Doop (1994)

“From Holland” (say: cheeese!), one of the best ever pure tunes ever created. “Possbile, possible – everything is possible” . (CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT 2:26!). Few things that makes this one very special. 1) Dutch songs do not enter the UK charts that ofter. 2) the Charleston dance! And as all who know me know I have a strong connection with Carolina too, as well as Louisiana. Again a from child age, with now me getting ‘Cocky’ here (Gamecocks, hehe). It’s a brilliant melody and very uplifting.

14 Joan Osborne – One Of Us (1995)

Changing meloties, but not messages. Another unique song is by Ms Osborn. What if God was one of us, trying to make his way home? Really a caring song from abouve. It makes it your or ir won’t.

13 Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone (1999)

One that kept me going on back then in 1999 was this amazing upbeat dance tune. A fun story here. It has been produced by two Den Haag (Holland) DJs that used to trash each other when teenagers – both having own pirate radio stations ‘and so were competitors’. When seeing each other again years later, they actualy liked each other and went on to create this tune. Now you understand the meaning 😉 “Talk to me, do you thing you’re better off aline”, really cool, 20 years ago.

12 Bronski Beat – Small Town Boy (1984)

Another special song that reached me as a kid: and there are a few more to come. Due of being disabled and being bullied, this actualy reflects a lot. The weird irony I fled Glasgow to London (the train journey in this video: did the same). But I only really saw that ‘given message’ after I went down south. It is a true ‘give hope’ song. Although it is a gay theme song – it is absolutely about all who seek their independence.

11 Kristine W – Feel What You Want (1996)

A truly unique dance tune here as well, a true underground sonds. What makes it so unique? Kristine had never heard house music before – she is from Nevada, a country singer. The emotion ‘you feel’ because she sang it for her stepfather, who suddenly died. The message she wanted to spread on was like my blog now: feel what you want!

10 Beloved – Sweet Harmoney (1992)

Ain’t this a beautfil given message? “Time is running out, let there be no doubt. If we care, like we say we do: not just empty words, for a week or two”. I’ve added a lyrics only video, because the original video contains nudity (… showing the pure nature of our human soul …) and I don’t wish to offend anyone in case offended.

9 Everything But The Girl – Missing (1995)

A very pure and special song is this one, which is definitely created during the night after a few drinks (well, that seems to be the aura, ain’t it!). Have you noticed the London Underground subway logo on the left hand side? That station is on the Northern Line, Balham, South London! You’re facing south and above you see the national railway track – to the west (right hand side) it’s just 4 stops to Victoria.

8 Gloworm – Carry Me Home (1994)

A pecious song to me has been this release. Sang by Alabama natuve Sedric Johnson, I always seemed to recognize the look of the streets. The mystique and vibes. I only recently though “hey, look up that church [which you see a sign featured at one stage]!” – it is recorded in San Diego, CA, and the sweet touch is that the church is located at the Alabama street! (with of course me Louisiana, it’s a southern feel).

7 Toontje Lager – Stiekem Gedanst (1983)

My favourite Dutch song of all time! I always ‘felt lost’ at the final tones when I was a kid (released when I was 2), as the aura is so sweet and caring. I still have it, but because I recently bought the 7″ single it’s now on my wall – can touch it! The lyrics are about a guy who saw a lady dancing and he ‘secretly joined the dancing’ while standing at a corner.

6 Connells – ’74 ’75 (1995)

Ome of the most genuine purest songs of all time is this [from] Raleigh, North Carolina, song. during a 20 year high school reunion they pose to show how they looked back then and where they stand nowadays. I’ve put the 2015 video here as  it’s already 40 years! BUT: these people are of course not music [super]stars, they’ve simply became universal loving one of the biggest cult hits of all time. They deseve their privacy!

5 UB40 – Sing Our Own Song (1986)

Who doesn’t love UB40?! I don’t need many words here: I picked this song as it says it all already :))

4 Moby – Go (1991)

There is the dilemma again: what is the best dance tune ever? The aura of this one is unreal – that of a loner (MIND: I do not know if Moby is that, the whole flow and piano play builds that increidble aura). Of course in Louisinana it is ‘geaux’ hehe!

3 Pet Shop Boys – West End Girl (1984)

Can you imagine, that this has been actually released in 1984?! This unreal song is so advanced gifted coming to synthesizer usage. The flow, the genuine London [mainly] night life vibes is fanastic! The video has great chosen locations as well, which reflechts a lot of how inner city life feels.

1 Guru Josh – Infinity (1989)

Wait: where is number 2?! I simply couldn’t devote it from number one hehe. This song has always been a very important influence to me – as a young child the saxophone sound and impressive rhythem it kept me hypnotized throughout. It was a messenger to me, to come to London, to be there. But that was then, where is now? With N’Awlins of course too the jazzy vibes as well, and why I think.

1 Cher – Belueve (1999)

Legendary from early 1999 comes here. The perfection of autotune the voice of a music legend with modern days dance music – a full swing with a very direct message as well. “Do you believe in life after love? I can hear something inside me say: I really don’t think you’re strong enoguh” – 20 years, and I’m still here!

I hope my story inspires others, and why I wanted to create this festive music themed article. Share it with others who you might feel need the vibes 🙂 and to the haters and bullies: check this picture out 😉