No Bravery

Hey friends,

Inspired by the comment left on my last post, I checked out James Blunt website to see what his other fans had to say. I checked out in particular Goodbye My Lover posts, and it seems like I am not the only one who has had a meaningful reawakening of my loved one because of this song. Someone’s marriage was saved, someone went ahead and proposed to his girlfriend and so many other cases just because of this one song. I was really surprised to see someone say that to them Goodbye My Lover is a great song to dedicate to someone who may have passed away. I just never thought of the song in that way, but it’s very much possible. I also liked another guy’s comment who said that he thought it was Blunt who left his girlfriend, and towards the end he realizes that it was the girl who left him. There are loads of stories and speculation as to who the girl was in his life. Someone even said that his girlfriend was expecting a baby when she least expected it, and because of the complications left Blunt. I wouldn’t necessarily believe that, but it’s interesting to see all sorts of stories circulating in regards to who his lover is.

Having said that, I am here to share another Blunt song called No Bravery. I was not drawn into this song, but after having watched the documentary on Blunt (it’s on the DVD!)he talks about how he served in the army in Kosovo, and he had his guitar with him there to keep himself busy when not fighting. It was there he composed the song No Bravery, which basically talks about how the lives of the children, mothers and fathers have been ruined because of someone who came and ruined their lives. He doesn’t make any specific reference to anyone, but it could be anyone ranging from the world leaders, to the president of the opposing country, to the enemy soldiers.

It’s a very appropriate song in today’s world, because we have countries like Iraq and Afghanistan that have been ripped apart by foreign forces, and have ripped apart families and all. We all know who to blame, but the beauty of Blunt’s song is that he leaves a huge room open for different interpretations.

The point being, lives are ruined in war, and war is pointless!

No Bravery

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he’s been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

Houses burnt beyond repair.
The smell of death is in the air.
A woman weeping in despair says,
He has been here.
Tracer lighting up the sky.
It’s another families’ turn to die.
A child afraid to even cry out says,
He has been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
But no one asks the question why,
He has been here.
Old men kneel and accept their fate.
Wives and daughters cut and raped.
A generation drenched in hate.
Yes, he has been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.
— James Blunt

Everytime I hear this song, my heart goes to people who have been afflicted with extreme sadness because of war.

Mansur

Published in:  on March 29, 2006 at 5:34 pm Comments (10)

Billy

Hey friends,

Another great song called Billy by none other than James Blunt. This one is actually becoming a fast favorite of mine (actually all of them are favorite, but there are some I listen to more than others) Billy could be anyone, and I am not sure if Blunt knows someone named Billy, but when I listen to this song, I can picture myself in Billy’s place. It’s as if I can substitute my own name in place of Billy.

In essence, I am someone who knows I have done something wrong, for which I am paying the price today. The damage is done. Sorrow is my soulmate. Billy’s story is that he was sleeping with another and is labeled a cheat, but I think I can insert my own story in there. In fact, anyone who feels they have done something wrong which they wish they could undo, this song is for them.

All is not in despair as Blunt gives some hope: “old doors are closed but he’s always open,” signifying a future of hope, a redeemed future, a chance to start anew in life.

Billy

Billy’s leaving today (don’t know where he’s going).
Holds his head in disgrace (he can’t escape the truth).
He knows the price that he’s paid.
He admits that it’s too late to admit that he’s afraid.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
Old doors are closed but he’s always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Oh Billy.

Billy’s leaving today (don’t know where he’s going).
He’s got lines on his face (they tell the story of his pain).
He accepts it’s his fate.
He admits it took too long to admit that he was wrong.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
Old doors are closed but he’s always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Oh Billy.

Once he was a lover sleeping with another.
Now he’s just known as a cheat.
And he wish he’d had a mirror; looked a little clearer.
Seen into the eyes of the weak.
Tomorrow comes. Sorrow becomes his soul mate.
The damage is done. The prodigal son is too late.
Old doors are closed but he’s always open,
To relive time in his mind.
Oh Billy.

— James Blunt

Mansur

Published in:  on March 27, 2006 at 8:42 pm Comments (5)

Cry

Hey friends,

Another great song called Cry by none other than James Blunt. The more I listen to his CD the more I realize how many connections I have to his songs. This song talks about friendship and how important it is to have that “special” someone in your life with whom you can lend emotional support to, and in return get emotional support from your friend.

Human relationships is one of the more important thing in this world; you cannot live all alone. We are made to have relationships with other people, and a true, genuine friendship in this world is very hard to find, which is why I am thankful to a certain friend. This song is for you for you have always been there for me during my more trying times.

Cry

I have seen peace. I have seen pain,
Resting on the shoulders of your name.
Do you see the truth through all their lies?
Do you see the world through troubled eyes?
And if you want to talk about it anymore,
Lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder,
I’m a friend.

I have seen birth. I have seen death.
Lived to see a lover’s final breath.
Do you see my guilt? Should I feel fright?
Is the fire of hesitation burning bright?
And if you want to talk about it once again,
On you I depend. I’ll cry on your shoulder.
You’re a friend.

You and I have been through many things.
I’ll hold on to your heart.
I wouldn’t cry for anything,
But don’t go tearing your life apart.

I have seen fear. I have seen faith.
Seen the look of anger on your face.
And if you want to talk about what will be,
Come and sit with me, and cry on my shoulder,
I’m a friend.
And if you want to talk about it anymore,
Lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder,
I’m a friend.

— James Blunt

My friend, you know who you are. Thanks.

Mansur

Published in:  on March 24, 2006 at 3:41 pm Comments (5)

You’re Beautiful

Hey friends,

Another extremely meaningful song by my favorite James Blunt. Honestly, his words, the way he sings make it feel so personal. I can relate to him, especially to some lines in this song. Heartbreaks and failed relationships are universal but Blunt captures it perfectly. Like I have said before there is so much passion, honesty and sincerity in his voice. Enjoy this song.

You’re Beautiful

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I’m sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won’t lose no sleep on that,
‘Cause I’ve got a plan.

You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.
You’re beautiful, it’s true.
I saw you face in a crowded place,
And I don’t know what to do,
‘Cause I’ll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
F***ing high,
And I don’t think that I’ll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.
You’re beautiful, it’s true.
I saw you face in a crowded place,
And I don’t know what to do,
‘Cause I’ll never be with you.
You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.
You’re beautiful, it’s true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it’s time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.
—–

Check out the last four lines. So deep and so meaningful, and sad to say it’s also the truth that I can not be with the girl I would like to be with.

Mansur

Published in:  on March 23, 2006 at 5:08 am Comments (5)

Weekend Plans

Hey friends,

Saudi Arabia has been debating on whether to have a Friday/ Saturday weekend as opposed to the present Thursday/Friday weekend. The main reason cited for changing over to the Fri/Sat weekened is for economic reasons since the rest of the world has a Sat/Sun weekend, Saudi Arabia could gain one extra working day on Thursday if it had Saturday off. Currently Saudi Arabia, along with several other Middle Eastern countries, take Thur/Fri off, which means they work on Sat/ Sun which is a weekend in the rest of the world. So, in effect, there are only three days which are effective working days between the Middle East and the West: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

In my home country, the Islamic Repblic of Pakistan, we have Sundays off! It’s aradical step for a Muslim country to take a Sunday, and have Friday as a working day. People get a break on Friday to do perform their Friday prayers, and then get back to work. So in effect, Saturday and Sunday is the official weekend. If Pakistan can do it, so can other Muslim countries.

Sure, there will be some opposition. Saturday is the Jewish official day off, Sunday is the Christian’s official day off, so why should the Muslims take a day off on these two days? I think we need to look at the bigger picture. If the economy of Saudi Arabia can improve by gaining an extra working day in sync with the rest of the world, then it would be beneficial.

On a more personal note, I would love for a Fri/ Sat weekend. Every Friday evening, I get depressed, and one reason is that I hate to get up Saturday mornings. If I knew I had a day off on Saturday, I would be ecstatic. I know some companies here in Dubai take Fri/Sat off. I hope Saudi Arabia comes up with a definite change of plans regarding its weekend plans as it is about to join the WTO.

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=79404&d=19&m=3&y=2006

Mansur

Published in:  on March 19, 2006 at 3:19 am Comments (3)