Love Goes Full Circle in “Rocketman”

Sir Elton John had one of the best biopics ever made (or at least, it was a better biopic than “Bohemian Rhapsody” which was for Queen frontman Freddie Mercury). Aside from the historical realignment made on BohRhap, another thing that let it down for me was the presentation of the songs.

“Rocketman” did better for as for me, it was aware of what it was. A musical biopic featuring the songs made by the power duo of Elton John and Bernie Taupin to celebrate the trials and the redemption that Reggie Dwight had overcome to be Sir Elton John.

Elton John's "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from umusic.ca

There are two songs that perfectly highlight the greatness of this film. There was a clear story, complete with the conflict, and ultimately, the resolution, as presented by the songs “I Want Love” and “I’m Gonna Love Me Again”.

“I Want Love” was a ballad release din 2001 from the album “Songs from the West Coast”. A music video was released to accompany the single featuring a lip-synching Robert Downey, Jr. in a one long shot.

The song was used in the film in a very effective manner. Right from the start, the viewers were made aware of the challenges that young Reggie had in his family, comprising his father, mother, and a grandmother.

“I Want Love” speaks about a long-standing longing for love. In the song, love was described as something that is of “a different kind”, something “that don’t mean a thing”, and on his “own terms”. Considering these vague descriptions about the love that he is longing for, I think it would be safe to say that these were like shots in a dartboard.

"I Want Love" album art from wikipedia.org

A vague description was given probably because the writer was unsure whether having his chance at love would even be possible. In the film, it was masterfully presented as parts of the song were given to the mother, the father, the grandmother, and Reggie as if that was their best shot at explaining why love on the family had been elusive.

Fear not though, for Reggie or Sir Elton John would figure it out eventually in the film and in real life. As the song “I’m Still Standing”, another song about redemption, the song “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” starts to play, completing the 360-degree turn of the film’s arc about love that was addressed by “I Want Love”.

“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” was written originally for the biopic. From the title, it could be inferred that the love that he had been longing for could only be satisfied by the love coming from within, from himself. The song which spoke about embracing the imperfections and visible and non-visible flaws, also told us that loving oneself is a decision that one must be inclined to achieve.

The line “Unbound by any ties that break or bend; I’m free, don’t you know?” reiterates that loving yourself first can lead you to being free, by not relying on somebody else’s love for you hold on.

Folks, let’s love us again.

 

 

10 Elton John Songs Playing On Repeat

As I've written a few posts ago, I just watched the Sir Elton John biopic, "Rocket Man" due to the lengthy lockdown we have been having due to the Coronavirus scare.

Not only was I given the chance of viewing the film, I also had the chance of being introduced to other Elton John songs I haven't really given any attention before. 

Here are other Elton John and Bernie Taupin masterpieces I've completely been under the influence of during the past few days. 

1. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

I first heard this song on Elton John's Live Aid performance with George Michael, and again on the Music for Montserrat concert. 

2. Tiny Dancer

3. Crocodile Rock

4. The Bitch Is Back

5. I Want Love

6. Saturday's Night Alright (For Fighting) 

7. I'm Gonna Love Me Again

8. Rocket Man

9. We All Fall In Love Sometimes

10. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

Taking the First Step

It has been four months since the first lockdown in Manila. With that, I've yet to have my hair cut until today. After weeks of debating with myself regarding whether or not I should have my hair cut, I finally decided to do it today.

With the new normal due to the pandemic, it'd be very surprising to still see barbershop scenarios like these. (From Facebook.com)

It wasn't easy. Since I was a kid, I wanted a longer hairstyle, one that I could slip onto the back of my ears, one that could hide my ears. School regulations didn't allow me to try having that. So when I graduated, I saw that as a chance to sport that long hairstyle, except that I had lost my silky smooth straight hair I used to have when I was a kid. Also, the Coronavirus scare was not ready to leave us yet.

My curly wavy hairstyle got me through my licensure exam last year. Now, it got me through the first four months of the Coronavirus lockdown. 

Not like last year, I was motivated and eager to do what I had to do because I knew I wouldn't ace my licensure exam without doing the essentials.

However, things were different during the past four months. I procrastinated and used the pandemic era as a reason to not strive the same. way I did last year. I was neglecting my side hustles, my writing, and further development in my profession.

For some reason, I thought that cutting my hair would be the first step in beating down this procrastinating season I've been having. Cutting my hair would mean I would no longer be accepting mediocrity in my outside appearance. Lousy hairstyles sometimes could reflect a lousy lifestyle in any aspect. 

Just as I am now back on track with my hair, I hope to also be back on track with regards to my eagerness and drive for further improvement in my professional career, passion, and character. 

It's a work in progress, but it will never start without taking that first step.

MOVIE REVIEW: Rocketman

Due to the extensive community quarantine, we have been having, I finally had the chance to watch "Rocketman", the Elton John biopic, on a Saturday night. 

"Rocketman" movie poster starring Taron Egerton as Sir Elton John from Forbes.com

After "Bohemian Rhapsody", the Freddie Mercury biopic, received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, came another biopic of a music legend. This time it was the biopic of Sir Elton John, a world-renowned musician responsible for hits such as "Your Song", "Skyline Pigeon", and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" among many other songs that he and composer Bernie Taupin have contributed to the music industry for more than half of a century.

The film was not exactly what I expected it would be. It was more of a (A) musical film rather than a (B) film filled with musical numbers. I don't know how to better distinguish the two other than explaining what differentiates A from B.

Take for example the movie "Sing Street". This movie featured an up-and-coming band in the era of the New Wave trying to make their entry in the music scene. The musical numbers were stitched into the narrative and the band was shown playing their instruments that accompanied the songs. To cut it short, there were no multiple narratives in one song number, no characters were dancing to the songs as if they were in a musical play. That would be B.

Otherwise, it would be A, which was what "Rocketman" was. And I thought it helped in telling a complicated story easier and it also helped to squeeze in storylines in the time allotted for the movie.

What differs "Rocketman" from "Bohemian Rhapsody" was the timeline considered for the main characters, Elton John and Freddie Mercury respectively. "Bohemian Rhapsody" opted to have the Live Aid performance as the conclusion of the film. That made it hard to squeeze in 15 years, more or less, worth of backstory to cover the rise of Queen. This also created the solution of stating a false story with regards to the timeline of Freddie Mercury's illness, just to make up for a good comeback story of the band via Live Aid.

As for "Rocketman", it had a good set up for the conclusion right from the start. We already knew Elton John was seeking the help of a support group, making the conflict present already in the beginning. What we didn't know were his reasons for reaching out to the support group. And these reasons were presented afterward. It was also a good choice not to make the conclusion in any way linked to Elton John's Live Aid performance, which was also one of the best performances from the event.

As for the accuracy of the movie's events, I couldn't react to the matter because I haven't checked about it. Although I have been listening to Elton John since I was a kid, I had not been into the details of his life outside his music.

With regard to the acting, Taron Egerton made a very good job of playing Elton John. What made viewers convinced that he was playing Elton John was the acting primarily. The looks and outside appearance were just confirmations that he was indeed Reggie Dwight.

With all these biopic films being made, especially with the rumors for the David Bowie one, I'd really be expecting a Live Aid documentary/film someday. Tall order though.

On an additional note, it was really inspiring to see the songwriting relationship between Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was amazing to know that the song's words and music were written separately but were still a perfect fit when bound together. 

The best day of the week to watch this film? How about Saturday night? Why so? 

"Saturday's night alright for fighting, get a little action in!" 

Rocking with The Beatles After the Break-up

I have listened to The Beatles since I was a six-year-old boy. Over the years, I have listened to every little thing that has been connected to The Beatles. I have been an avid listener for more than half of my lifetime.

Still, take this with a grain of salt. I'm just basing this writing on my observations as a fan who lived not on the era of the Beatlemania, but rather on the era of the Internet, YouTube and social media.

So, here are some of those whom I think are very lucky, or even blessed, to have the chance of playing, recording, or performing with all former Beatles after the group broke up in 1970. There could be more, but here are three of those I have noticed.

1. Elton John

Sir Elton recorded a single with John Lennon in 1974. The single was called "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" and peaked at number 1. Lennon and Sir Elton played the song with other Beatles hits on a Thanksgiving concert that Sir Elton had in Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974.

Vinyl copy of the concert's live recording with Elton John (left) and John Lennon (right) from discogs.com

Elton John played with two ex-Beatles at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala in 1987. George Harrison played "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Here Comes the Sun" alongside Sir Elton John (piano), Phil Collins (drums), Ringo Starr (drums), and Eric Clapton (guitar) among many other performers. Ringo Starr sang "With a Little Help from my Friends", accompanied by all performers, at the end of the concert, which was a very fitting end for a benefit concert such as that.

George Harrison (left) and Elton John (right) at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala from gettyimages.it

Ringo Starr (left) and George Harrison from pinterest.com

Elton John performed at the 1997 Music for Montserrat wherein Paul Mccartney was also a performer. Elton John joined Paul McCartney for a stanza in the Beatles hit "Hey Jude".

From left to right: Sting, Elton John, Mark Knofler, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton at the Music for Montserrat benefit concert from eltonjohnspics.blogspot.com

2. Ray Cooper

Ray Cooper has been a percussionist for different musical acts. He has played for Elton John, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and all-star bands playing at benefit concerts. With that, he was also at the Thanksgiving concert in MSG where John Lennon and Elton John had performed "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night."

Ray Cooper also played percussions for George Harrison for his 1991 tour in Japan. Cooper was also present in the 2002 Concert for George held at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate Harrison's passing in 2001. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were both performers in the Concert for George. 

Ray Cooper at the Concert for George from concertforgeorge.com

Ray Cooper was also at the Music for Montserrat benefit concert and played percussions.

3. Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton was probably the luckiest in this list. He was able to record a song with the Beatles in 1968 via White Album's "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" and that only made his friendship and connection with the group even more solid.

Clapton was in a one-time band with John Lennon, The Dirty Mac. He was also at Lennon's 1969 concert performance in Toronto, Canada.

From left to right: Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono, and John Lennon performing in 1969 from YouTube.com

Clapton, being very dear friends with George Harrison, was in almost all concerts that Harrison was a part of. When Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh, Clapton was one of the performers. Harrison's performances for a Carl Perkins special during the mid-'80s also had him and Clapton playing with Carl Perkins. The pair was also a part of the 1987 Prince's Trust Rock Gala. Additionally, all three aforementioned concerts also had Ringo Starr playing the drums. 

George Harrison (left) and Eric Clapton (right) playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from guitarworld.com

From left to right: Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Dhani Harrison at the Concert for George from dallasnews.com

Clapton was also the one who encouraged Harrison to tour Japan in the early '90s. They went on to do the tour and released an album consisting of the live recordings of the tour.

Clapton performed on the Music for Montserrat with Paul McCartney in 1997. He played some of the guitar licks in the Beatle's "The End" which McCartney played as part of the Abbey Road Medley. The two also performed the song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with McCartney on piano and Clapton on guitar as a tribute to George Harrison after his passing in 2001.

Eric Clapton (left) and Paul McCartney (right) at the Conceert for George from societyofrock.com

The Art of Saying “Sorry”

“Sorry” seems to be the hardest word, as depicted in the Elton John song. But on what grounds? On what basis? Is it really hard to say “sorry”? Will I ever stop from referencing songs?

The common logic about saying "sorry" is that the one who says it is automatically guilty of doing something offensive to the other party. The first one to stay “sorry” admits his or her guilt over any issue. Although it may be wrong to think of that, it may also be not wrong to do so.

Since we were young, we have already been thought of apologizing for the wrong and awful things that we did to or have caused others.

However, thinking deeper about the matter, saying you are sorry to the other party just manifests the existing humility and courage within. Saying you are sorry to the other party means that you are humble enough to acknowledge that something wrong, or awful has happened. It does not automatically mean you are guilty of the crime, it means you are guilty of feeling bad for what has happened. Still, anyone can be humble enough to take the blame. Not everyone will be courageous enough to be responsible for the matter.

We should be sorry for getting things without borrowing them, for having access to secure and valued things (or whatever) without having the appropriate permissions to do so. We should be sorry for invading the things we have no jurisdiction of.

We should be sorry for being late and wasting the time of the other party, for being reckless and inconsiderate of others’ efforts and limits.

We should be sorry and be responsible for the consequences of actions that we have control over. We must not blame anyone (or anything) else. Think of a "common good" resolution to the problem, instead of an escape plan.

We should be sorry for causing disappointments and dismays, to our friends and colleagues, to lovers, and mostly, to our mothers and fathers. Man up and change.

Clearly, saying “sorry” states that the speaker himself is disappointed and unhappy with the way things have occurred. It embodies the initial desire to change the unfortunate turn of events into something that is desirable and pleasing to the offended and/or disappointed party.

Saying “sorry” does not need a clarification or a clearance that it is you who committed the deed. It only needs you to man up and have the desire for making things better for the benefit of all.

“Sorry” will always be the hardest word but not until it is said from the bottom of your sorry heart.