The
archetype of the cold-blooded assassin has fascinated people through the ages.
The figure of a man or woman stealthily approaching an unsuspecting target
leaves the audience breathless with anticipation, stirring up feelings of dread
and excitement in equal measure.
Who
is an assassin?
The
Oxford Dictionary’s definition is ‘a person who murders an important person for
political or religious reasons’.
The
name is derived from the Latin assassinus, which is a variation of the Arabic
word hasisi or al-hashishiyun, meaning hashish-eater! The tradition dates back
to the Crusades (11th to 13th centuries AD) when a
certain sect would use hashish before proceeding on murder missions. No doubt
that helped dull the brutality of it all. But that’s just a name; hired killers
have been around from the time man decided to bump off his neighbour. Why, King
Darius of Persia used a hidden blade to finish off King Xerxes I in 5th
Century BC!
Some
famous assassins
Among
the notable ones are:
-John
Wilkes Booth: shot dead US President Abraham Lincoln at a theatre on April 14,
1865. Booth himself was gunned down by federal troops on April 26 the same
year.
-
Nathuram Godse: a divisive figure till date! He shot Mahatma Gandhi in New
Delhi on January 30, 1948.
-
Lee Harvey Oswald: shot dead US President John. F. Kennedy at Dallas on
November 22, 1963. Two days later, while being transferred from a jail cell,
Oswald was shot dead by a Dallas Night Club owner Jack Ruby. Tried and found
guilty of murder, Ruby was sentenced to death but died of cancer in jail in
1967.
-James
Earl Ray: shot Martin Luther King Jr in Memphis, Tennessee on April 23, 1968.
He was apprehended by London Police at Heathrow the same year while trying to
flee under an assumed name.
-
Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, better known as Carlos The Jackal, imprisoned since
1994. Planned some high-profile attacks on political figures in the 1970s and
80s.
-
One of the world’s most infamous assassins is Julio Santana of Brazil, who has
over 500 hits to his credits and has a book written about him called ‘The Name
of Death’ by Klester Cavalcanti.
What’s
the difference between an assassin and a murderer?
A
murderer commits the crime spontaneously or in a premeditated way. He’s usually
motivated by personal feelings of revenge or jealousy or greed over property
disputes.
An
assassin is a paid hitman who acts with careful forethought and planning. His
reasons may be political, religious or even personal. It’s considered
cold-blooded because of the premeditated nature of the crime and because the
assassin may not be acquainted with the target.
The
Female Assassin
She’s
more elusive, more effective and, in the words of Rudyard Kipling, the female
of the species is ‘more deadly than the male’.
Female
killers have been depicted in literature and cinema but they’re a rare breed.
They evoke a greater sense of dread because the trope goes against the grain of
women being nurturers, more refined, the gentler sex. Lady Macbeth, while
contemplating the murder of King Duncan, called upon the powers of darkness to
‘unsex her’.
Over
the years, the female assassin has been portrayed as
-smart
and self-assured
-
physically attractive, so she can lure men in
-
trained in unarmed combat and the use of weapons.
Hollywood
raised her profile through action flicks like Kill Bill, Colombiana, Proud Mary
and The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Interesting
Fact
In
1975, not one but two women tried to kill US President Gerald Ford!
Both
attempts were independent and unconnected.
The
first assassin was a 26 year-old called Lynnette Fromme, a devotee of Charles
Manson. On 5th September 1975 she pulled gun on Ford at a park but
didn’t fire.
17
days later, Sara Jane Moore, a woman with left-wing sympathies and severe mood
swings, fired a revolver at the President outside the St. Francis Hotel in San
Francisco but missed.
Both
women were arrested and found guilty of attempted murder but freed after Ford’s
death.
What
makes assassins so captivating?
People
have such an enduring fascination with assassins that the internet is filled
with queries about them including- believe it or not- ‘Where do I go to become
an assassin’?
One
of the replies is ‘go join a branch of the military.’ I guess they’re referring
to army snipers. Come think of it, James Bond can be considered a Government
assassin.
The
term assassin conjures up images of flashy cars and gadgets, adrenalin-soaked
chases and characters like Beatrix Kiddo (The Bride) from Kill Bill.
But
what if she’s not like that? What if she’s vulnerable and conflicted? What if
she lives an ordinary life? What if she’s one of us?
That’s
my character in Killer Kavita, The Girl With The Poison Touch, a novel just
released by Tara India Research Press under their imprint 4 Hour Books. She’s
an assassin with a heart of gold. Killer Kavita is the moniker she’s given by
the public on account of her propensity to send her targets a poetic warning
declaring the date and time of their death, before eliminating them! Hot on her
trail is a brilliant CBI detective Aarav Singh Rana, whose famed powers of
deduction make him a legend in the Police Force, despite his young age.
Check
out the awesome promo video for Killer Kavita!
The novel is currently available for ordering on Amazon. Here's the link below:
For those of you who missed the last post, do revert back to it. Here's the list of my favourite songs, counting down from 50 to 25, so far.
50. The Rolling Stones, Paint It Black.
49. Coldplay, Hymn for the Weekend.
48. Maroon 5, Won't Go Home Without You.
47. Robert Palmer, Simply Irresistible.
46. Sting, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.
45. Berlin, Take My Breath Away.
44. Amy Winehouse, You Know I'm No Good.
43. A-ha, Take On Me.
42. Santana & Rob Thomas, Smooth.
41. Ed Sheeran, Shape of You
40. Dolly Parton, Jolene.
39. Wham, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.
38. UB40, Don't Break My Heart.
37. Adele, Hello.
36. Magic! No Way No.
35. Taylor Swift, Mean.
34. Billy Joel, For The Longest Time.
33. Wet Wet Wet, Love is All Around.
32.Bryan Adams, Everything I Do (I do it For You).
31. Bon Jovi, In These Arms.
30. Tina Turner, What's Love Got to do with it.
29. Whitney Houston, I Have Nothing.
28. Edith Piaf, La Vie En Rose.
27. Foreigner, I Wanna Know What Love is.
26. Rod Stewart, Maggie May.
25. The Carpenters, Please Mr. Postman.
Now, for the rest!
24. Nazia Hassan: Aap Jaisa Koi.
Anyone who knows me, is well aware of how much I like this Pakistani singer's work. She was amazing, a real superstar who, tragically died young from cancer. Believe it or not, she was just fifteen when Biddu and Feroz Khan discovered her when Khan was looking for something unique for the 'Qurbani' soundtrack. Aap Jaisa Koi entered our world in 1980 and left us all mesmerized. This list of my favourite songs is predominantly for English music. I really ought to do a separate list for Hindi songs but I couldn't resist putting this one in! Here's the video from 'Qurbani', where Zeenat Aman performs it beautifully.
23. R.D. Burman, Mehbooba Mehbooba.
The only other Hindi number in this list. Don't need to say much. The song is loved as much as 'Sholay', providing some much needed oomph and relief amidst all the action. Not taking anything away from Dharamendra and Hema Malini's comic moments, but Mehbooba Mehbooba comes at a point in the movie where it's really required! R.D. Burman's baritone is sensuous, his best singing ever and what to say of Helen and Jalal Aga, except wow?
22. Cliff Richard, Living Doll.
My favourite Cliff number, although they're so many great ones. 'Bachelor Boy', 'Congratulations', 'The Young Ones', 'Travellin' Light'...the list goes on. 'Living Doll' was written by Lionel Bart and a few artistes sang it before Cliff but Cliff and The Shadows popularized it in 1959 in their album, 'Serious Charge', which was a movie, too. 'Living Doll' went to the Top Ten in numerous countries. I'll remember it for another reason. It was the first song I sang with my guitar during the freshers' welcome at St. Stephen's College, Delhi in 1987. It did not go well. They threw an egg on my guitar! I was heartbroken for a while but the song stuck to me! That wasn't a bad thing. Ahem! I still have the same guitar.
21. Bruce Springsteen: Dancing in the Dark.
Do you know that Springsteen wrote this in frustration one night, to meet a deadline? It's a rock hit from his 1984 album, 'Born in the USA'. The story goes, the album's producer wanted one more song before finalizing the list. Springsteen, who'd been working hard, said 'you do it', in annoyance! Nevertheless, he went to his room and composed 'Dancing in the Dark' during the course of the night!
I love the thumping beat and the great lyrics. The video, directed by Brian De Palma (yes, of 'The Untouchables' fame) features Courtney Cox (Monica, of 'Friends'). Unforgettable stuff.
20. Alison Krauss: Ghost in the House.
From the Bluegrass singer's 1999 album 'Forget About It.' Originally recorded by the American country group Shenandoah. Krauss's version is haunting and beautiful. Her voice is angelic. I love her album with Robert Plant, too, but nothing beats this song.
19. Tracy Chapman, Give Me One Reason.
Tracy's 'Fast Car' and 'Baby, Can I Hold You Tonight' are more famous but this one's my favourite. She's naughty, funny and outstanding in it. Besides, the guitar is unmatchable. Check it out on You Tube.
18. Van Morrison, Moondance.
Irish singer Van Morrison was struggling before this. His album 'Moondance' came out in 1970. It was written entirely by him and he's never looked back since. Yes, there are other great song by him: 'Brown Eyed Girl', 'Crazy Love' and all but I find 'Moondance' most enchanting. Love the way he combines Jazz, Pop and other genres in it.
17. Eric Clapton: Change The World.
The phenomenal English musician's tune for the 1996 John Travolta movie, 'Phenomenon'. There's something about this track that leaves an impression. Sure, his other songs are better known: 'Wonderful Tonight', 'Layla', 'Cocaine', 'Tears in Heaven' and so on but isn't that the mark of a great musician? An entire body of great work? So much that listeners are spoilt for choice? Clapton is a genius on the guitar with 'Change the World'. It topped the charts and won 8 awards, including 3 Grammys.
16. Barbra Streisand; Memory
From the 1981 album 'Memories'. Produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and adapted by Trevor Nunn from T.S. Eliot's 'Rhapsody on a Windy Night'. My gosh, Barbra's vocals leave you spellbound. It was used in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End production of 'Cats' and performed by great singers like Elaine Paige and Sarah Brightman. But, I say, Barbra is the best!
15. Roxette: The Look.
This song's chorus: 'Na na na na na...She's got the Look' is instantly recognizable. It's from the Swedish pop duo's 1988 album 'Look Sharp!' Topped the chart in 25 countries. Written by Per Gessle. Sung by him and Marie Friedriksson who, sadly, passed away last year. Roxette had so many great hits: 'It Must've Been Love', 'Fading Like a Flower', 'Dangerous', 'Dressed For Success', 'Things Will Never Be the Same' but it's this one, 'She's Got the Look', that stays with me the longest.
14. Elton John: Something About the Way You Look Tonight.
Another hard choice. I mean, when you've got to pick from 'Sacrifice', 'Nikita', 'Candle in the Wind', 'Crocodile Rock' and the entire 'Lion King' Soundtrack, it's not easy. I love this number from Elton John's eponymous album released in 1997 for its bold execution and grand scale. It's the best selling single in UK history. Billboard was spot on when they described the song as 'a grandly executed ballad'.
13. Dire Straits: Money For Nothing.
From this British rock group's 1985 album 'Brothers In Arms'. Composed by Sting and Mark Knopfler. Knopfler's guitar riff in the beginning and the powerful drums coming in next take this song to another level. It went to No. 1 on the UK charts and they won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. The video is iconic, making early use of computer animation. Won an MTV video award, too. Oh, and the high notes in the background: 'I Want My MTV', that's Sting!
12. Madonna: Like A Virgin
The title track from Madonna's 1984 album. Gosh, what an impact it made. Madonna said she loved the lyrics. 'Said they were 'so geeky, they're cool'. It reached No. 1 on the US Billboards and became her signature song. Topped the charts in many countries. I love all her early work but this one surely stands out.
11. Shirley Bassey: Killing Me Softly
Roberta Flack sang this originally and many singers have covered it, including Frank Sinatra and, more recently, Michael Buble but the Welsh singer Dame Shirley Bassey's version is by far the best. It featured on her album, 'Never Never Never' and I can never tire of listening to it.
10. Guns `n Roses: Sweet Child O' Mine.
We've entered my Top Ten! It's American hard rock group, Guns 'n Roses with Axl Rose as the lead vocalist and the legendary Slash on the guitar. This song is from their 1987 album 'Appetite for Destruction'. One of the few hard rock bands I like. This song won several awards and topped charts all over the world. Written by Axl Rose, Slash and Izzy Stradlin, it refers to Axl Rose's then girlfriend Erin Everly, whom he married later (for a short period). The video features all their girlfriends. Strangely, they say it began as a joke. The band was just fooling around and the song happened.
9. Boney M: Rasputin.
Who doesn't know this song? The opening riff is one of the most famous in music history. This German-Carribean group had so many hit songs at the time. 'Brown Girl in the Ring', 'Daddy Cool', 'Bahama Mama', 'Ribbons of Blue', 'Motherless Child'...a very long list. 'Rasputin' featured on their 1978 album 'Night Flight to Venus' and it became an instant disco hit. Written by Frank Farian, the group's German creator, the song is unique in its use of instruments. The textured rhythm is created by a balalaika, a three-stringed triangular instrument. The extended drums and clapping give the song a folk-like feel. Love it! My only regret is, there are no good videos for 'Rasputin'.
8. ABBA: Take a Chance on Me
Ah. ABBA. My favourite music group ever. I should've done 'My 50 favourite ABBA songs'. It's impossible to pick the best ones because they're are so many. Shall I start? 'Hasta Manana', 'Honey Honey', 'Mama Mia', 'Rock Me', 'Money Money Money', 'The Winner Takes It All', 'Gimme Gimme Gimme', 'I Am the Tiger', 'Voulez Vous', 'One of Us'...see what I mean? The list goes on and on. I've chosen 'Take a Chance on Me', which featured on their fifth studio album, 'ABBA, The Album' released in 1977 because of its catchy beat and lyrics. For the .00001% of people visiting this blog and are unaware of who ABBA is, let me elaborate: They're a Swedish pop group who dominated the music world from the early 70s to early 80s. Their last studio album, 'The Visitors' released in 1983. The group comprised two couples, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Annifrid Lyngstad and Benny Anderson. The girls sang most of the songs. Bjorn wrote nearly all the lyrics. He and Benny composed all the songs. The pressures of fame, et all, took its toll. Both couples broke up and ABBA...well, they never really split, just stopped making music. This year, however, two new ABBA singles are due for release!
Bjorn says he wrote most of 'Take a Chance on Me' while he was out running (as he loves to do every morning). Come to think of it, the 'Take a Chance, Take a Chance, take a take take a chance' does seem to mirror a runner's rhythm!
7. The Beatles: Help!
How can any such list be complete without the Fab Four? 'Help!' is the title track from their fifth studio album released in August 1965. They made a movie by the same name. John Lennon, who wrote the song, said he did it 'because I was commissioned to write it for the movie'. Rather dismissive, na? But I love it. The melodies are so good! As is the case of all the top groups, there are a host of songs to choose from. I love most of The Beatles' work, the early ones, especially. 'Can't Buy Me Love', 'Norwegian Wood', 'Love Me Do', 'Just Seventeen', 'When I'm Sixty-Four'...so many great numbers...
6. Tom Jones: Delilah
This one's a title track from the amazing Welsh singer's 1968 album. Probably his signature tune, although they're so many more. 'Help Yourself', 'Green Green Grass of Home', 'Thunderball', 'What's New Pussycat', 'Love Me Tonight'...many, many more. I love 'Delilah' not just for its catchy tempo and Tom Jones' outstanding vocals but also because it was my son's favourite lullaby when he was young! Ahem! Not sure Mom would approve but I used to sing him 'Delilah' and 'Diamonds are Forever' nearly every night. He loved them both and corrected me if I dropped a note!
5. Elvis Presley: Surrender.
This track is from Elvis's 1961 album 'Something For Everybody'. It's one of the best selling singles of all time, the English version of an Italian ballad: 'Torna a Surriento'. Elvis made it his own with his amazing vocal range. Variety magazine said it would be a runaway click because of the 'vigorous vocalizing that nobody seems to be able to match.' So true. Nobody could match The King! I love many of his other tracks and, after ABBA, the most songs I have on my iPod are Elvis's. 'Are You Lonesome Tonight', 'Wooden Heart', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Loving You' are some of my other hot Elvis favourites.
4. Gary Moore: Still Got the Blues.
The title track from the Irish guitarist 1990 album. Written by Gary Moore. Certified Gold in the US. Went Platinum in many countries. It's one of the most moving numbers I've ever heard. Moore said in a 1992 interview with Q magazine: 'It was just like starting over, the best thing I could've done.' Sadly, Moore died in 2011 ending a brilliant but short career.
3. Michael Jackson: Billie Jean
This one's from Michael's iconic 1982 album 'Thriller'. It was written and composed by him. Was No.1 on the US Billboard for 7 weeks and it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Michael won 2 Grammys for it: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance. There are so many Michael Jackson hits to choose from: 'Beat It', 'Thriller', 'In the Closet', 'Remember the Time', 'Man in the Mirror'. 'Give in to Me'...among others but 'Billie Jean' is special. Michael said he knew it would be a success. 'A musician knows his material'. His producer Quincy Jones wasn't sure of the 29 second long intro but Michael insisted on keeping it. `Said it made him want to dance. I guess that sealed it.
2. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody.
Number two on my list is the boldest, the most genre-blending song of all time. Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' written by Freddie Mercury for the 1975 album 'Night At The Opera'. It consists of several sections without a chorus: Ballad, Opera, Rock and...don't know what else. It went to the top of the charts in many countries. It's the UK's third best selling single of all time and Queen's most famous song. I'm a big fan of the group and love nearly all their work. 'I Want to Break Free', 'Somebody to Love', 'Don't Stop Me Now', 'Another one Bites the Dust', 'Good Old Fashioned Loverboy', 'We Will Rock You'...I can't seem to stop gushing over them, either. Freddie Mercury surely ranks as one of the greatest tenors ever. Queen's producer Roy Thomas Baker said of 'Bohemian Rhapsody': 'It was totally insane but we enjoyed every moment of it.'
1. ABBA: Thank You For the Music:
The No. 1 spot has to go to ABBA. As I said before, I love nearly all their songs, This one is special because of the lyrics and it's hymn-like quality. It's from their fifth studio album, 'ABBA, The Album' I mentioned earlier. Released in 1977, the Swedish group was at its peak. This song is perhaps ABBA's most performed number and it showcases Agnetha's awesome talent. Here's the video:
So, that's my top 50.
But, there were so many great songs I had to leave out and they surely deserve a mention;
- The Sound of Music soundtrack
-My Fair Lady Soundtrack
-La La Land Soundtrack
- Scorpions: Still Loving You
- Pink Floyd: Another Brick in the Wall
-The Bee Gees: Stayin' Alive
-Stevie Wonder: I Just Called to Say I Love You
- CCR's Cotton Fields
- John Denver: Country Roads
-No Doubt: Don't Speak
- Shakin' Stevens' hits like 'Green Door' and 'Monalisa'.
- Aerosmith: Don't Wanna Miss A Thing
- Metallica: Nothing Else Matters
- Extreme: More Than Words
- A long list of Gospel songs
- Bonnie Tyler: Faster Than the Speed of Light
-The Eagles: Hotel California
I'd better stop or the list will go on and on.
Here's a recap of my top 50 favourites, this time from 1-50.
1. ABBA: Thank You for the Music
2. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
3. Michael Jackson: Billie Jean
4. Gary Moore: Still Got the Blues
5. Elvis Presley: Surrender
6. Tom Jones: Delilah
7. The Beatles: Help
8. ABBA: Take a Chance on Me
9. Boney M: Rasputin
10. Guns `N Roses: Sweet Child o' Mine
11. Shirley Bassey: Killing Me Softly
12. Madonna: Like a Virgin
13. Dire Straits: Money For Nothing
14. Elton John: Something About the Way You Look Tonight
15. Roxette: She's Got the Look
16. Barbra Streisand: Memory
17. Eric Clapton: Change the World
18. Van Morrison: Moondance
19. Tracy Chapman: Give Me a Reason
20. Alison Krauss: Ghost in the House
21. Bruce Springsteen: Dancing in the Dark
22. Cliff Richard: Living Doll
23. R.D. Burman: Mehbooba Mehbooba
24. Nazia Hassan: Aap Jaisa Koi
25. The Carpenters: Please Mr. Postman
26. Rod Stewart: Maggie May
27. Foreigner: I Wanna Know What Love Is
28. Edith Piaf: La Vie En Rose
29. Whitney Houston: I Have Nothing
30. Tina Turner: What's Love Got to do with it
31. Bon Jovi: In These Arms
32. Bryan Adams: Everything I Do
33. Wet Wet Wet: Love is All Around
34. Billy Joel: For the Longest Time
35. Taylor Swift: Mean
36. Magic! No Way No
37. Adele: Hello
38. UB40: Don't Break My Heart
39. Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
40. Dolly Parton: Jolene
41. Ed Sheeran: Shape of You
42. Santana & Rob Thomas: Smooth
43. A-ha: Take on Me
44. Amy Winehouse: You Know I'm No Good
45. Berlin: Take My Breath Away
46. Sting: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
47. Robert Palmer: Simply Irresistible
48. Maroon 5: Won't Go Home Without You
49. Coldplay: Hymn For the Weekend
50. The Rolling Stones: Paint It Black.
That's all for now. Thanks for your time, everybody. Hope you enjoyed the list.
On turning 50 on the twentieth of May, I'm taking stock of the things I love. Among others, are my fifty favourite songs! Not precisely in this order, since it's really hard to decide for some of them. And I've had to leave out so many. But, here goes, the countdown from 50 to 1. Let's begin!
50: The Rolling Stones: Paint it Black.
The opening track from The Stones' fourth album Aftermath (1966). Used in Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam movie, Full Metal Jacket (1983). This number has joint songwriting credits for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Can you believe it, Mick Jagger dismissed it as an acid trip? He called it 'like the beginnings of miserable psychedelia'. Well, the lyrics are dark but, gosh, so powerful. The song reached No.1 on both the US Billboards and UK Singles' chart. So, Mr. Jagger, we beg to differ. 'I see a red door and I want to paint it black...' With an intro like that, how can you not fall for it?
49: Coldplay: Hymn For the Weekend.
From their 2015 album, Head Full of Dreams.
This British band has done a lot of great stuff but this number is particularly haunting. And, the video's set in India. Love it. Chris Martin, the band's lead singer and front man (Gwenyth Paltrow's ex) says the song began as 'Drinks on me...' This turned into 'Drink From Me...' It's the idea of having an angelic person in your life. So, they got Beyonce to sing on it. Great stuff. Here's the video:
48: Maroon 5: Won't Go Home Without You.
From the group's second album, 'It Won't Be Soon Before Long', released in November 2007. This band has so many amazing songs: Stutter, Misery, Sugar, Girls Like You, Moves Like Jagger... This one is a break-up song written by Adam Levine. The guitar undertone is based on Sting's 'Every Breath You Take'. I love its plaintive, catchy tune.
47: Robert Palmer: Simply Irresistible
The English Rock singer's signature tune from his 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'.
Earned him a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. The video featured leading supermodels. Check it out:
46: Sting: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.
From Sting & The Police's 1981 album, Ghost in the Machine. Hit No.1 on the UK Charts and No.3 on the US Billboard. Sting wrote it way back in 1976 but kept it on hold because he felt it was too soft! He released it later once The Police became successful. I know 'Every Breath You Take' is more famous. Love that, too, but I've heard it too much. This one's less known and...lovely.
45: Berlin: Take My Breath Away.
This song was written by the American band called Berlin (for some strange reason. Like an Indian band choosing the word 'Karachi' or 'Rawalpindi'! Weird) for Tom Cruise's 1986 smash hit 'Top Gun'. Won an academy award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe, too. The vocals are by Terri Nunn. It peaked at the US Billboard's Top 100 and topped the charts in the UK, Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium. Fantastic song but the band's only well-known hit. The video:
44: Amy Winehouse: You Know I'm No Good.
From Amy's Back To Black album. 2007. What an amazing song by the troubled singer, who later topped herself. Tragic, beautiful and autobiographical. She won 5 Grammy's for the album. Miss you, Amy. Wish she had gone to 'Rehab', though.
43:A-ha: Take on Me
From the Norwegian group's 1984 album 'Hunting High and Low'. A great song and quirky video. One of the best selling singles of all time. A-ha comprises Morten Harket (the lead singer), Magne Furuholmen and Pal Waaktaar. The band had a few more hits at the time: I've Been Losing You and the James Bond song 'The Living Daylights' but 'Take on Me' survives in our lists till today. The video won 6 awards!
42: Santana & Rob Thomas: Smooth
Here's Carlos Santana and the Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas's single featured on Santana's 1999 album 'Supernatural'. Topped the US Billboard's for 12 weeks! As of 2018, it was the song most successful song of all time (the first being Chubby Checker's 'The Twist'). And, a really sweet fact: Rob Thomas confessed he wrote it for his wife!
41: Ed Sheeran: Shape of You.
Ed Sheeran comes in at No. 41 with his worldwide hit 'Shape of You', which was first released as a digital download in Jan 2017. It peaked at No. 1 in a whopping 34 countries! He won Best Pop Solo performance at the 60th Grammy Awards for this. It's foot-tapping distinctive sound comes from the marimba. You know which other famous song used this instrument? ABBA's 'Mama Mia'! Yeah, Benny Andersson used the marimba in stead of his piano for that number. How's that for a bit of pop-history?
40: Dolly Parton: Jolene
I've got the amazing Dolly Parton now with her signature tune, 'Jolene'. Released way back in 1973, it has remained one of her best loved songs along with 'Islands in the Stream' and 'Nine to Five'. It reached No, 1 on the US Billboard Country Songs and went platinum in the UK. She released it again with the capella group Pentatonix and won a Grammy for the Best Country Group Performance. Talk about enduring greatness!
39: Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Released in the UK in May 1984. From the album 'Make It Big'. Wham's first UK and US No.1 hit. Written by George Michael, who said he just wanted to make 'a really energetic pop record'. Did you know it was inspired by a note Andrew Ridgeley wrote for his parents, literally: 'Wake me up before you go.'! Some people might say 'Last Christmas' and 'Careless Whispers' are better songs. I love this because it really sets your feet a-dancing.
38: UB40: Don't Break My Heart
From this UK reggae band's 1985 album 'Baggariddim' with Ali Campbell at the helm. I'm a big fan of most of their songs: 'Can't Help Falling in Love', 'Red Red Wine', 'Impossible Love', 'Just Another Girl', 'Would I lie to you' and others but this one...I love the slow build up, the way the beat kind of creeps up on you. In a good way!
37: Adele: Hello
At a very young age, this English singer has achieved an iconic status because of her enormous talent. 'Hello' is from her 2015 album simply titled '25'. Won a Grammy for Song of the Year. Adele says it's about 'reconnecting with 'everything else and myself'. Reached No. 1 in 34 countries! One of the best selling singles of all time. Debuted at the top of the US Billboard Top 100 charts and stayed there for 10 consecutive weeks. It's a piano ballad that picks up slowly but then...what a take off!
36: Magic! No Way No.
From the Canadian Reggae-Fusion group's 2014 debut album 'Don't Kill the Magic'. It's preceded by the bigger hit 'Rude'. But I like this more. The lead vocalist Nasri Atweh has a goofy, sweet charm and a versatile style. It's a song that stays in your head.
35: Taylor Swift: Mean
What can one say about Taylor Swift. A child prodigy? Almost. She was in her teens when she started churning out hit after hit. She's beautiful, controversial and a genuinely great musician. She has so many hits to her credit but 'Mean' from her 2010 album 'Speak Now' is my favourite. It earned her a Grammy for Best Country Song. Swift said it was a response to people who criticize everything she does. Way to go, girl!
34: Billy Joel: For the Longest Time
From the 1983 album 'An Innocent Man'. Billy Joel is acknowledged as one of the greatest musicians of all time and he's a piano maestro but this song 'For the Longest Time' is unique because it's composed with just a bass guitar and drums. It's a doo-wop number with Joel on the lead and backing vocals and the percussive sounds like finger snaps and hand claps. Check it out.
33: Wet Wet Wet: Love is All Around.
An unforgettable number from the Scottish group written for the 1994 romantic comedy (Hugh Grant's biggest hit) 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. I played it all the time during my Civil Services' probation! The lead singer Marti Pellow is famous for having one of the cutest smiles in showbiz. The band has many hits but this one spent 15 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK Singles charts. Love the video, too.
32: Bryan Adams: Everything I Do (I do it for You)
Perhaps the Canadian singer's most famous song. It's from his 1991 album 'W oaking Up the Neighbours' and was featured on the soundtrack of Kevin Costner's hit movie 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves'. Went to No.1 in 16 countries. Had the longest unbroken run on UK Singles Charts- 16 weeks from July to October 1991. Here's the great video:
31: Bon Jovi: In These Arms.
Oh, I love this American group. 'In These Arms' is from their 1993 album 'Keep the Faith'. They have so many smash hits: 'Livin' on a Prayer', 'Keep the Faith', 'Cats in the Cradle', 'Wanted Dead or Alive', 'Bed of Roses'...the list goes on. The lead singer Jon Bon Jovi is a renowned songwriter, too, and he's written numbers for other artists, too. This one, the opening line: 'If you want commitment, take a look into these eyes...' What more needs to be said?
30: Tina Turner: What's Love Got to do with it.
Tina is such a powerful singer and she has so many hits, it was difficult to pick a favourite. This one's from her 1984 album 'Private Dancer'. It won 3 Grammys and was her first US No. 1 hit. I love the slow build up and naughty (or sad) lyrics. Showcases her versatile range.
29: Whitney Houston: I Have Nothing.
What can one say about Whitney? She ranks among the greatest singers of all time. Her range was incomparable. Very few come close, perhaps Barbara Streisand? But Whitney proved in song after song that she could do anything with that voice! This song is from The Bodyguard soundtrack, her 1993 hit movie with Kevin Costner. All the songs were great but this one's my favourite.
28: Edith Piaf: La Vie En Rose:
My favourite French song! (Not that I know too many). Along with Je Ne Regrette Rien, this is the legendary Edith Piaf's signature chanson. Released in 1947 in her album, Chansons Parisiennes, La Vie En Rose has stood the test of time and been covered my a number of artists, including Louis Armstrong. Two years back Lady Gaga sang it in her Oscar winning movie, A Star Is Born.
27: Foreigner: I Wanna Know What Love Is
The British-American band's moving hit from their 1984 album, Agent Provocateur. It reached No.1 in the UK and US. There's an interesting story associated with the song. Written and composed by Mick Jones, he said he wrote it at 3 a.m. and believes it was 'probably written entirely by a higher force'! Their vocalist Lou Gramm sang the lead part and the band held hands and said The Lord's Prayer before recording the song. No wonder it has such a haunting melody. This number reached the top in many countries including Israel. Their other big hit is 'I've Been Waiting For a Girl Like You.'
26: Rod Stewart: Maggie May
This was the number that launched the Scottish singer's solo career in 1971 from the album 'Every Picture Tells a Story'. And Stewart says it's based on a personal experience, his relationship with an older woman...Great tune, sung by a hugely talented artist. Must watch him unplugged on You Tube.
25:The Carpenters: Please Mr. Postman.
Why not 'Jambalaya' or 'Yesterday Once More' or any other of their big, big hits? I love all Karen and Richard Carpenters' work and this one really gets me going. It topped the Billboards when released in 1975 on their album 'Horizon'. The album went Platinum. Just love the peppy beat. The video, set in Disneyland, is lovely, too. You'll find it on You Tube.
So, I've hit the half way mark! Phew! Will pause now and upload the rest in part two. Hope you all liked the list so far.
Dalhousie is this lovely little hill station 80 kms from Pathankot in Punjab at an altitude of 2030 metres above sea level. Yes, it's named after the Viceroy Lord Dalhousie. Less known and less crowded than the big 3 North Indian hill stations: Shimla, Manali and Mussoorie. It has breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas and we were fortunate to find snow in February this year when we drove up from Chandigarh.
The first picture is of St.John's Church at Gandhi Chowk which dates back to 1863! The next one is of the Youth Hostel in front of the HPTDC hotel we stayed in. See the snow outside our window in the third photo?
Dalhousie has plenty to offer for ardent shoppers. There's the mandatory Tibetan market, plenty of souvenir shops, Kashmiri clothes stores, wine shops and so on. There are a number of restaurants and eating joints, momos by the roadside...suffice it to say, you won't go hungry.
We chose to bed down at the HPTDC hotel because it offers a level of comfort, cleanliness and excellent service that's value for money. A word about these hotels- they always have accommodation for drivers, usually free of cost. The food is basic but served hot. The staff is courteous and helpful. Living in such harsh conditions makes them sensitive to visitors' needs. Besides that, it boils down to good ol' pragmatism; Himachal's economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Whatever the reason, it makes the visitor feel comfortable and welcome.
A view of the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas from our hotel window. Lovely, clear morning.
But look what happened next:
The weather changed, and how! Rain, snow, and howling winds!
We were forced to cut short our stay and return home because more rain and snow were on the way. We had to get back to Chandigarh the day after. So, it was good bye, Dalhousie. But what a great experience. Made in heaven. Gimme snow over sun any day!
That's me in front of the hotel, all wrapped up but happy.
There's much to be said for the Himalayas. They truly are nature's wonders and those of you who can, must visit some of these magnificent hill stations at least once in life. The roads are quite good now although landslides are a very real danger. But what's life without risks, huh? We have just one life and none of us are getting out of it alive!
Watch this space. I'll be covering a few more hill stations soon, lesser known ones like Naldehra and Kalpa. And, perhaps we can revisit my 2014 road trip from Chandigarh to Leh and back?
Go, travel!
Haven't posted anything in a while since this year's been busy.
I’ve had the unique experience over the past two
months of conducting a Departmental Examination. Besides setting question
papers, my office was entrusted with doing everything else from screening the
candidates’ applications, to choosing the venue, safe custody of question
papers, despatching answer sheets and other sundry matters. I employed all
kinds of methods to ensure secrecy from using a decoy safe for important papers
and setting up CCTV at the exam halls. We also had a meeting with the
invigilators a few days before the exam and warned them against helping any
candidate.
“But, Madam,” one invigilator said, “Many of the
candidates are my friends.”
“If the situation arises and you’re tempted to help
your friends, please remember, it’s either your job or theirs," I said, "Which one will
you choose?”
When the invigilators trooped out of my office, my
driver overheard a couple of them conveying the message to their friends over
the phone: “Be careful. No scope for cheating. Things are very strict here;
they’ve even got CCTV at the venue.”
As a result of our efforts, forty candidates opted out
of the exam! That’s India for you.
Exam over, it was back to work as usual. Monsoon time
and one day when it poured heavily, the roof of my sub-office started leaking.
Had to since there’s a hatch that leads to the roof with a metal ladder
attached to it. Needless to say, the hatch never closes properly. When I
stepped out of my room, I found water gushing from the third floor to the
ground floor. The sweeper was trying in vain to wipe it up. I called my officer
in charge of administration, and a small crowd gathered, as we all stared up at
the leaky roof.
“This is ridiculous. Does it happen every time it
rains?” I asked.
“Yes, Madam.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
No response. Everyone gazed at the offending hatch as
if a solution would present itself.
“Maybe you could find a way to close the hatch
properly?”
Everyone brightened. Clearly, the thought hadn’t
struck them. And there they stood, with water falling in buckets, discussing
how to plug it! I returned to my room, fetched an umbrella, and made my way
down the staircase, warning them:
“I’m not going to visit until you solve this problem.”
Only after getting into the car did I realize it
wasn’t the most effective ultimatum. Now, they had every reason to delay the
repairs!
Meetings, seminars and conferences are the
cornerstones of government work. I have a fully equipped conference room but
sometimes, when there are only a few visitors, I choose to meet them in my
office chamber. But this presents certain logistical problems to my staff.
Particularly if the peon is new or nervous. I was expecting six people for a
meeting one morning. The peon came in all flustered and announced that they’d
arrived.
“Okay, send them in,” I said. “But, first, don’t you
think we need more chairs?”
There were only three opposite my desk.
The guy frowned and scratched his head, unable to find
a correlation between the number of chairs and number of future occupants of
the said seats.
I decided to go through it slowly.
“How many chairs do you see?” I asked.
“Three,” he said.
“Very good. Now, tell me, how many people will there
be for the meeting?”
“Six.”
“Plus, our own officers? Shri So and So. Two more
people? And my steno to record the minutes?”
“Yes, Madam,” he said with a satisfied look.
“Great. So, could you bring in some more chairs?”
“Yes, Madam.”
He ducked out of the room and returned soon after with
two chairs. And then some more…and the chairs kept coming and coming. Wooden
chairs, plastic chairs…until there was barely standing space. Talk about
chairing a meeting…
There's so much more to the art of insults than using profanities or the 'F' word. As a writer, I'm always on the look out for good examples of great insults. After all, it's more interesting and challenging to insult someone well than to praise them, don't you agree. Praise is easy and a little dull but cutting into somebody with the perfect quip- ah, that's something else. The masters, who've gone before us, have shown us the way. Here are some great examples of memorable insults!
'If your brains were dynamite, there wouldn't be enough to blow your hat off.' Kurt Vonnegut in Timequake 'I never saw anybody take so long to dress, and with such little result.'
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest 'I'm not saying he's stupid, but his autobiography won't be called: The Man Who Knew Too Much!' Jerry Dennis, English Comedian
'I never forget a face, but in your case I'd be glad to make an exception.' Groucho Marx
The Bard was a great one for killing it with his incredible vocabulary. The following are some of Shakespeare's best insults.
And here are some more!
'Stop worrying about growing old. And think about growing up.' Philip Roth, The Dying Animal
'I misjudged you...You're not a moron. You're only a case of arrested development'. Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises 'The more I read Socrates, the less I wonder why they poisoned him.' Thomas Macaulay
'He had a mind so fine that no idea could violate it.' T. S. Eliot on Henry James
And here's the trailor of the movie, The Importance of Being Earnest. Lots of fun, wit, and...insults!
