katharina and brenda lee :on music random musings

At six years of age the melody was the only thing i remember of the goan song . I used to hear it repeatedly in a tape recorder and at that time didnt have even a concept of where this goa was . For a small town child it was a far away land . And at that age the fast and jolly melody and the word katherina repeatedly meant only that it was a happy song about katherina . In sharp contrast was another song about Mommy (that word is universal for mother )which through its slower tempo and choice of chords progressions and tone evoked even in a six year old boy that its a sad song about someones mother .

Years passed . These days i go through not only melody but the lyrics and even music videos , the biography of the singer and the history of the song etc . I am surprised that when you analyse the music from latin american music to old western music not only the moods conveyed are the same but even the themes are similar in lyrics across the globe . Frankly i was surprised since the general concept of "western " is fast music with no head and tail of the lyrics .

Frank sinatra songs Strangers in the night is a description of two people who goes on from being strangers to being a couple forever . His another song My way shows the confidence as well as sweet arrogance of living life on ones own terms . Reading the biography of Frank sinatra adds an extra dimension to these songs which also reflected his offline persona ..

Another singer of yore was Brenda lee who at 4 feet 9 inches was an amazing singer . Her song "All alone am I "shows in all melody as well as lyrics the feelings of a woman just out of love . And her Rockin around a christmas tree shows how the lyrics and the human voice can work wonders celebrating a universal festival . The guitar like slur in that song vocals is too good .

Without going further back in western music lets go down to south america the land of latin music . Recently when i tried google translate of my favorite latin american bachata music solo por en beso . I wasnt surprised to find the obvious . Its description of a kiss and love . The tempo and mood makes it obvious . But what i couldnt fathom was the mention of "religion " even there . I was surprised to find the ever dividing religiosity even in latin america which is predominantly a catholic country unlike ours with numerous religions and castes . Again i understood the themes are similar across the globe .It is even mentioned as an impediment of love even in a latin american romantic song .

I had sleepless night in the bus listening to the lambada song in college bus excursion .For a fan of pop music that was first time i was listening latin music . I saw the music video years later and saw only the mini skirts and gyrating hips . But recently i realised the message is racial harmony in the music video . The hips are still gyrating so for the moralistic please dont see the video.

Still dont know what katherina did in the original goan song but go west or southwest across the globe music is enchanting and messages are the same .

And i would say music is better than any of contemporary religion .. It enchants , unites and gives harmonious messages .. Heal the world .. Make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race... Michael Jackson .. Heal the world ..