National Heroes ~ Singing Shady, Happy Hour

Malaysia and Indonesia have very similar national languages, so you’d think that our music'd be similar, right? Wrong! I mean I love home (specifically this part of Borneo, Land of The Headhunters and largest state of Malaysia yo!) but there're very very few Malaysian musicians I care to listen to. The late Sudirman was pretty awesome. Manbai's old stuff is pretty good. HHmmm can't think of anyone else. But ask any of my homies and they'll tell just how much I adore Indonesian music. Especially Dygta, AdaBand, Peter Pan, and my all-time-fave, Sheila On 7. If you've never heard of Sheila On 7 but clicked on the link, I should proli' warn you that even though most of their compositions sing poetic justice with underlying (and sometimes double) meaning, the band uses a lot of humour in their videos (another reason why I love them - they're deep but don't bother to seem deep!).

Why do Malaysian musicians always go on and on about infidelity and broken hearts? Haven’t any of them had broken dreams? Broken homes? Loss of a loved one? Seen the repercussions of drug abuse? Why is (nearly) everything about boy-girl love? And in the rare occasion that it isn’t, why are the lyrics always so bloody literal i.e. I hate you I love you I hate you etc. Blergghh. 

Then I think, don’t be too hard on them (not US okay; I may be Malaysian but I’m not a rockstar!). Yes I have a theory (if you’re not interested or you don’t agree or if I piss you off then go ahead and cuss, I can’t see you anyway). My opinion lah –  with Indonesia as a case study – after all the hardship Indonesia has seen, is it any wonder that their artistes have a more mature approach to poetry and lyrics (compulsory music lessons embedded into their educational system aside)? That they aren’t ashamed to sing of poverty, and that they so love their country they write whole sonnets about going home (where ‘home’ could mean anything from a home no longer in existence, to a state of nation-normalcy; not just ‘balik kampong’!)? In Anne of Green Gables (volume 1), Gilbert (or was it Marilla?) criticizes Anne’s first attempt at getting book-published, chastising her for writing about glorious, fictional, characters – instead of writing about what she truly knows; Avonlea. Eventually she gets to it (after Gilbert nearly dies). Hah. Lesson learnt.

The late Yasmin Ahmad knew this well. What a fine example of a Malaysian she was! Who would have known that a festive wish from an oil  and gas company in the form of a TVC could move a nation to tears?

My fave of all  Yasmin's productions. Original version has voiceover, but I prefer this one.

Yet still, our “stars” continue to *bling* with pedantic prose. Which brings me to the crux of the matter (again, just my opinion lah): MALAYSIA IS ESSENTIALLY A HAPPY NATION. This generation has little to complain about (thank God, rap on wood). Those with real tragedy in their lives aren’t telling. Which is why our words echo shallow next to those of our neighbour's in song; it isn’t our fault we’re lame! (Another epiphany!!) This is what we know. Our tragedies are minor in comparison. Being ditched by his ex is proli’ the worst thing that’s ever happened to a Malaysian singer. Don’t hate him; this was his tragedy.

"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." ~ Rabbi H. Schactel

But Malaysia – can we please stop being so lame and take a leaf out of Yasmin’s book? Why doesn’t anyone sing any happy songs? Think about it – the birth of a child? An inspiring mentor? A significant moment alone? A perfect day? A best friend? An epiphany? And when a few good souls actually make an effort, why doesn’t he/she get more airtime? What glory is there in songs about two-timing jerks? If it did happen to you, why remind yourself? Amputate losers and move on I say!

I'm not dark and mysterious. I have no hidden agendas. I have no tragic past. I suffer from no childhood scars (except the two from the stitches on my chin and knee, but don’t worry I won’t sing about how I fell while playing jadi!). I'm just your average grunge guru who happens to have a penchant for sleeping, reading and writing. That I was, in an ironic twist of fate, pulled by the forces-that-be to be part of the corporate circus (instead of being a perpetually stoned pop-punk songwriter I should have been humph) is proli' why sometimes I get a bit edgy. I’ve never been able to write much poetry from my own experience – the few that I’ve penned were inspired by oldskool soldiers who had real deep, meaningful , sometimes tragic, fears and issues. And though I don’t write as much as I used to; I promise that if you tell me your story and move me enough, I’ll try my best to do your story justice. Whether it’s inspiring, happy or sad. 

So writing on what I know.. I know I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful that ye' Old House is still standing. I'm thankful for good health. I’m thankful I get paid to do something I enjoy.  I'm thankful for Sheila On 7. I’m thankful I’m Malaysian. And I’m thankful that I’m happy.

happy National Day in advance, for 31 August 2010