I LOVE MUSIC...

IN THE MIND OF... NIK A RAMLI

'I love MUSIC any kind of MUSIC. I love MUSIC just as long it's groovin'... 

Makes me laugh, makes me smile... sweet, sweet MUSIC. 
Long as it's swinging.

All the joy that it's bringin'... I'm so happy to be in complete harmony... 

So sweet. So sweet... I love, I love, I love, I love, I love MUSIC'. 

(Gable & Huff, 1975)

I have been brought up with all types of MUSIC from pop, jazz to world tunes. It was my loving mother that introduced MUSIC to me. I could remember by the afternoon she would put the LP's on and at times after dinner. Often I used to see her recorded her favourite tracks on to cassette tape, to play in the car. Now MUSIC is part of my life. I would like to share MY TALES and FEELING for MUSIC.

THE TALES

The story begins when I bought my very first world music record in 1975 by Uji Rashid entitled 'KU INGIN SELALU DI SAMPING MU' (I LONG TO BE WITH YOU ALWAYS). As a child and having my own record, I was so excited. Believe me, I would be singing the tunes almost every single day! Yes, those are the days.

I could remember while my mother was in the kitchen cooking, I would sing the complete four songs from the record. As time goes by, what is left now is only the cover sleeve (still in good condition) but not the actual record. It was broken over a fight with one of my siblings! But to my surprised in 1997 I obtained the complete four tracks in a CD format. What more can I ask for? 

THE JOURNEY

MUSIC stopped for a while in my life when my parents, I and one of my sisters moved to The Philippines due to my father's work. My brother and three other sisters were placed in a boarding school. MUSIC was replaced with vacations and other typical days to day lifestyles. Soon we return home and MUSIC started again as my father would drive my mother weekly to her favourite record shop. My siblings would stay in the car. I would be the one to rush out with her to the MUSIC store.

We travelled a lot at that time. My mother would be the one who selected for our playlist in the car. Yes blast from the past songs such as Tina Charles 'DANCE LITTLE LADY DANCE', Nat King Cole 'AUTUM LEAVES' and world music such as Uji Rashid 'SANI' and even Bollywood Soundtrack 'YAADON KI BAARAAT' were the favourite playlist. Believe it or not, I am still listening to the MUSIC mentioned.

THE DANCE FLOOR

As times moved on MUSIC is no longer just at home. 'I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY WHO LOVES ME' by Whitney Houston was one of the first dance tunes that I have danced to in a club. Nothing can stop me now, as I and some friends would go to the clubs almost every weekend! 

I have danced to some fantastic hits such as M People 'ONE NIGHT IN HEAVEN' (it was indeed!), Jody Watley 'LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE' and YES I did dance with the lady herself at her London Jazz Cafe show on stage! That was 'A NIGHT TO REMEMBER' and for the love of MUSIC, I even lost my voice at one time dancing and singing to three of Donna Summer 12"s non stop in a club!

THE COMPANION

I would say that I started a friendship with MUSIC at an early age. MUSIC makes me happy, cry and provides inspiration.

Dance tunes will be my playlist when I feel upbeat. Sentimental tunes example Nina Simone 'WILD IS THE WIND' is one of my favourites when I am down and world music titled 'SELAGI KIAMAT BELUM TIBA' (IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD) by Uji Rashid and 'ANOTHER CHAPTER' by Jody Watley, MUSIC for me to move forward.

An inspirational song, 'A BEAUTIFUL LIFE' by Jody Watley was once used for my, MYSPACE site (2008 - 2010). Because of my love for MUSIC, I had the opportunity to get involved in and experiences a day behind the scenes of live Malaysian TV shows. Many thanks to my companion, Francissca Peter and her manager Bibiana Peter for the thrilling experience. I was so thrilled that Fran presented one of my favourite songs 'DUNIA INI CEPAT' (FAST WORLD) at the show. There are lots of MUSIC that have been dedicated to me, but let me share with you an interesting song by Alan Parsons Project 'OLD AND WISE' that was introduced by my friend, FIONA in 1992. When she played me the song Fiona did say that I would like the music. YES truly... I love the music and the lyrics.

OLD AND WISE

(Eric Woolfson & Alan Parsons)

AS FAR AS MY EYES CAN SEE

THERE ARE SHADOWS APPROACHING ME AND TO THOSE I LEFT BEHIND I WANTED YOU TO KNOW YOU'VE ALWAYS SHARED MY DEEPEST THOUGHTS YOU FOLLOW WHERE I GO

AND OH WHEN I'M OLD AND WISE BITTER WORDS MEAN LITTLE TO ME AUTUMN WINDS WILL BLOW RIGHT THROUGH ME AND SOMEDAY IN THE MIST'S OF TIME WHEN THEY ASKED ME IF I KNEW YOU I'D SMILE AND SAY YOU WERE A FRIEND OF MINE AND THE SADNESS WOULD BE LIFTED FROM MY EYES

OH WHEN I'M OLD AND WISE...

AS FAR AS MY EYES CAN SEE THERE ARE SHADOWS SURROUNDING ME AND TO THOSE I LEAVE BEHIND I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW YOU'VE ALWAYS SHARED MY DARKEST HOURS I'LL MISS YOU WHEN I GO

AND OH, WHEN I'M OLD AND WISE HEAVY WORDS THAT TOSSED AND BLEW ME LIKE AUTUMN WINDS WILL BLOW RIGHT THROUGH ME AND SOMEDAY IN THE MIST OF TIME WHEN THEY ASK YOU IF YOU KNEW ME REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE A FRIEND OF MINE AS THE FINAL CURTAIN FALLS BEFORE MY EYES

OH WHEN I'M OLD AND WISE

AS FAR AS MY EYES CAN SEE...

Dated 8 / 4 / 2008 edited on 6 / 6 / 2008, 22 / 11 / 2010, 27 / 11 / 2010, 26 / 12 / 2010 and 14 / 6 / 2011, 9 / 5 / 2012, 31 / 3 / 2015, 29 / 8 / 2021