Early last month The Beatles fandom quietly observed the passing of 50 years since the group’s break-up hit headlines. For that, I recall a documentary that asked international celebrities to name the Beatles song they most like.
As I am working on a tribute project on the Fab Four, I asked friends here in Manila myself.
Three songs stood out, especially in the time of COVID-19: “In My Life,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Let It Be.”
Concert promoter Danee Samonte who brought to Manila controversial drummer Pete Best picked “In My Life” because “it says everything you want to know.” Seasoned lyricist Edith Gallardo described it as “real perfect marriage of lyrics and melody,” vocalist Carl McFly said it reminds him of “those who have come and gone and those who are still here and to come,” and hitmaker Mon Del Rosario thought of people who “encouraged and challenged” him.
Orange and Lemons frontman Clem Castro noted that George Harrison’s “Here Comes The Sun” always cheers him up, commenting, “I wished Lennon and Macca gave him enough room for his own songs.”
Former Eraserheads manager Ann Angala referenced the current situation. “We are going through so much nowadays and hearing it helps big-time.”
Manila Standard sports editor Riera Mallari, himself a recording artist, simply mused, “Guitar intro pa lang, panalo na,” while SPEED (Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors) member Eugene Asis took on the other non-single Harrison classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
McCartney’s bittersweet anthem “Let It Be” proved personal to Rey Valera daughter Clarisse. She recalled it was the first song her dad taught her to play.
Topnotch ‘90s A&R Vic Valenciano, related, “The song’s message is very relevant as most of us pray to Mother Mary for words of wisdom.”
Record producer Reck Cardinales bet on another Macca-on-piano standard, “The Long And Winding Road,” as IndiePinoy founder Nolit Abanilla sided with “The Fool On The Hill” for songwriting style. Paul shines further as Alamid lead guitarist Dex Facelo and retired PBA referee Franco Ilagan, who now busies himself playing in his own music room, voted for “Here, There, And Everywhere.”
Others went for the underrated, like pioneering music critic Edwin Sallan going for Think For Yourself. He reasoned, “I love the fuzz bass intro and its empowering message; the way it encourages people to be independent.”
Two musician-friends thumbed up on John’s “And Your Bird Can Sing,” with first-rate sessionist Carlo Gaa informing it “captured the vibes of the times,” and Hofner bass guitar user Robert Maranan singling it out for its “booming melodic bass lines and high-spirited rhythm guitar lines.”
Another critic, Tony Maghirang, chose early Beatles classic “All My Loving,” saying, “It’s quite upbeat enough to kill the lockdown blues during its three-minute spell.”
Rockers Chris Padilla (Hilera) and Ace Libre (Never The Strangers) interestingly pulled in ballads. Chris hailed Something for its astonishing lyrics, melody, and guitar solo, while Ace likes “And I Love Her” for “how it marries romantic lyricism with melancholic notes to evoke wistfulness.”