Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Music Monday; Seven beautiful seconds.

I first heard the song I'm playing today back in 1994 when it was an international hit and I'm not sure quite what is is about this song but it has really got under my skin - in a positive way. It has a quite a repetitive beat and lyrics which is nothing new in a song obviously but I never get tired listening to it. Vocally, there are no highs or lows it's just very melodic and easy to listen to and it's just slipped under my skin and every time I hear it I want to hear it over and over again.

I think sometimes videos add to the addictiveness and potency of a song but whilst looking for this song on You Tube I realised that I'd never actually seen the accompanying video. But actually it is quite an interesting one made simply in black and white and just concentrating on the faces of the two singers who have a sort of quiet passion about them; visually and harmonically I think this song works really well as a duet; it adds to the subtle strength of this song. As the video progresses the faces of the singers are interspersed with faces of adults and children from many different backgrounds, some superimposed on top of each other, and as I watched it it actually brought tears to my eyes - there's a brief section where there's a violin solo which maybe more than other instruments can produced a very melancholic sound - it was at this point the montage of black and white faces reminded me of all those dreadful photographs of The Holocaust.

As for the lyrics - I don't even understand half of them as they are French but the few I do understand have always been enough to realise what this song is about; it's about the first 7 seconds of a child's life before they are exposed to the violence and horrors of our world.

This song is by Neneh Cherry and Youssou N'Dour and is called Seven Seconds. I find it a very beautiful and moving song. I hope you like it too.


Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




6 comments:

  1. I would have to loved to hear this song again . Unfortunately I cannot reach the switch to turn on the speakers (: . You are tagged Mrs T .Do take it up .

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  2. Oh the tag's bound to tickle your philosophical bone .

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  3. Ah Mrs G, I enjoy a tag and I've not done one for a while so I will endeavour to do this next week (when the young masters have returned to school)

    Ps ; I have 2 of my own tags planned and I shall be nominating you in one of them!

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  4. Great choice. I've considered "Buffalo Stance" for a M.M. post. I wasn't sure many people would remember Neneh Cherry. I should have guessed you would! :) I remember this song but never really paid attention to the lyrics. I'm glad you picked it!

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  5. Yes, there's something about this song that really grips me; I've got to admit I prefer it to Buffalo Stance - although it's a different type of song altogether and I do like a little be bop from time to time as you know!

    You have a very diverse taste in music Mr I - Buffalo would you class Buffalo stance as pure Rap? Does that mean you like to "get down"?!

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  6. Like??? I love to get down. :) Not sure I'd call "Buffalo Stance" pure rap. It's more fusion R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, dance music in my mind. Good driving music... If you're driving fast that is! :)

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