The Return of eLf ideas

ideas of an eLven being in Canada

Monday, November 06, 2006

There's no need to be afraid

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Christmas season is coming once again. In the Philippines, I'm sure that the spirit of the holidays can already be felt everywhere, especially in the malls--where Christmas decors and carols fill the air.

Here in Canada where I am, no much fanfare in the malls; the only reminder that Christmas is here is the fact that Winter snow had begun to fall once again several days ago. The streets and the roofs of houses are immaculate white once again.

Lovely?

Yes, of course, especially to someone like me who grew up in a tropical country, where Winter and snow are usually seen (not felt) only in movies and on postcards and other holiday greeting cards.

In reality, Winter snow is nice to behold only when you're indoors (where it's warm), through the windows--especially when you're solitary and when staring at the sight outside makes you feel like you're staring at a Christmas greeting card.

As a longtime enthusiast of New Wave music, I usually regard Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as my favorite Christmas song.

Trivially, many people thought that the British collaborative group Band Aid only followed what USA for Africa ("We Are the World") did. However, the fact is, Band-aid was the forerunner of collaborative musical projects intended for charity, usually released during Christmas season. Yes, USA for Africa was the one that imitated what Band-aid undertook. In fact, USA for Africa even consulted and invited Sir Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats (one of the brains behind Band Aid) to get involved in their project, to which the latter happily obliged.

Anyway, who did it first no longer matter in the end. What's important is that big collaborative groups like Band Aid and USA for Africa set a trend in music recording--in which members of various bands, including solo artists, get together to record a song for a cause.

Most of the songs below are examples of such collaborative musical projects. Although, a few are not intended for Christmas or charity--like England United's and Pulp's. Nevertheless, I always associate all of these songs with the holidays. Also, a few below are results of my researches about songs similar to "Do They Know It's Christmas?", like "Nackt im Wind" and "Do They Know It's Halloween?"

Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Northern Lights - "Tears Are Not Enough"
USA for Africa - "We Are the World"
North American Hallowe'en Prevention, Inc. - "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?"
England United - "(How Does It Feel to Be) On Top of The World?"
Pulp - "Bad Cover Version"
Band Aid 20 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Band für Afrika - "Nackt im Wind ('Naked in the Wind')"
Captain Sensible (of The Damned) - "One Christmas Catalogue"
The Pogues - "Fairytale in New York"
Carter USM - "Christmas Shoppers Paradise"
Carter USM - "Lonely This Christmas"
The Farm - "Altogether Now"
The Lightning Seeds - "Three Lions"
Hear 'n Aid - "Stars"
Chanteurs Sans Frontieres - "Ethiopie"
Forente Artister - "Sammen for livet"
Nanna - "Afrika"
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Feel free to download MP3s of these songs from my Multiply site.

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