Let the Music Play

Which are the tunes that light up your day? That make you laugh and make you cry? Musicians and celebs reveal the soundtrack to their lives.

Chances are you first got into music from the pages of Jingle, the Daily top-20 countdown or maybe it was the scratchy Louis Armstrong record your dad used to play. How times have changed. Tunes get swapped in seconds on the net and on mobile phones. Magazines, television and papers bombard us with “next big things”. Lotsa “Battle of the Bands” break a host of few new bands, and there's that compilation CD your best mate burnt you at Christmas – these days, killer tracks come from everywhere.

    

What hasn't changed is what music means to us. It can help us cry when we need to, jump in the air like banshees, unearth a sweet nostalgic moment from our hazy memories or make us whip off our clothes and prance madly round our bedrooms.

We all have tracks that mean something special to us, so we thought we should share these with you. We asked musicians, rock/pop stars, celebs and many more to nominate the tunes to their lives. There's all sorts  here, proving you can be into every type of music: there's no such thing as a guilty pleasure any more. Some of them you'll know, some will be new to you, some you'll have forgotten about, some will probably enrage you. But there are lots to inspire you.

What is your life's song, and what lyrics from the song tell your story?

The song Happy Birthday. "To you," tells my story because I like doing things for other people. "To you" is all about giving. –Yael Yuzon

Incubus’ Drive. Lyrics: “Whatever tomorrow brings / I’ll be there / With open arms and open eyes yeah…” –Kean Cipriano

Seek And Destroy by Metallica. –Nathan Azarcon                  

My Way ni Frank Sinatra. –Gabby Alipe 

Wow! There are a lot! I can’t really think of just one right now. Possibly, my single Fire. [Smiles]  Parang… Also like fire kasi when you are seeing someone around… parang you’re always denying things to yourself pero at the end of the day you know what’s gonna happen. [Laughs] –Solenn Heussaff

It would be Marcio Local from Brazil, with a song called Soul Do Samba, because he says: "I left everything aside, because I discovered that freedom is the only true opportunity in the world!" –Nyko Maca

Himala by Rivermaya. Ilang beses ko na natikman ang himala sa buhay ko. "Pangarap ko’y makita ang liwanag ng umaga, naglalambing sa iyong mga mata…" Ganyan tayo kamahal ng Diyos. J –Jason Fernandez

Photosynthesis by Frank Turner. Lyrics: “Well I guess I should confess that I am starting to get old / All the latest music fads all passed me by and left me cold / All the kids are talking slang I won't pretend to understand / All my friends are getting married, mortagages and pension plans / And it's obvious my angry adolescent days are done / And I'm happy and I'm settled in the person I've become / But that doesn't mean I'm settled up and sitting out the game / Time may change a lot but some things may stay the same…” –Chris Padilla

Prayer from Sinosikat's 1st album. Chorus: “If you want to gain / You must first face the pain / I know I have to use my brain / Everything will be all right / If you just keep your faith / I know in time it’s all going to be ok…” –Kat Agarrado

As a kid I like Fastball's The Way. I always see it as a positive song. Recently, I heard that the story behind this song is a romanticized version of an old couple who the woman just had a brain surgery and drove to a festival but never made it.  "They won't make it home / But they really don't care / They wanted the highway / They're happy there today…" 

     We always think that our life situation could always be better. By not being there depends our happiness. what we don’t see is that we always can choose to be happy and positive. Perfect moment may not come but life happens every moment. To coin John Lennon, “Life is what happen when your busy making other plans.” –Luke Jickain

Dare You To Move by Switchfoot. "Welcome to the planet, welcome to existence, what happens next? I dare you to move" –Enzo Miguel Villegas

Hang On To Your IQ by Placebo. “We cover that song before and it conveys everything about me. –Pepe Lozano

All You Need Is Love by The Beatles. –John James Uy

Kawawang Koboy by Fred Panopio. “May baril walang bala, may bulsa wala namang pera…” –Dindin Moreno

Bawal Na Gamot by Willie Garte. ‘Yung Chorus mismo. “Pangarap ko’y ‘di naabot dahil sa bawal na gamot.” Hehe. –Buwi Meneses

Typical by Mute Math. “Gotta break the spell of the typical…”  –Paolo Segura

The song Batang-Bata Ka Pa. Lyrics: "Nais ko sanang malaman, ang mali sa katotohanan…" –Nani Naguit

Pearl Jam's Alive. Every line of the song hits me right in the core. –Marc Velasquez

Break On Through by The Doors! Mas me buhay kasi ako ‘pag gabi. Hehe. Lyrics: “You know the day destroys the night / Night divides the day / Tried to run / Tried to hide / Break on through to the other side.” –Karl Vito Cruz

Marvin Gaye’s Let's Get It On and Prince and The New Power Generation’s Sexy M.F. –Diego Mapa, http://www.diegomapa.tumblr.com/

Presently, Dong Abay's Kukote from the Flipino album. Ang ganda ng linya na: "Gaano man kadilim, magliliwanag pa din". Ang ganda ng buong kanta. –Jeje Santos

Blood On Blood by Bon Jovi. It tells the story of great friends and how they stick together. Without my best friends standing by me I wouldn't be able to accomplish any of the things I have. The lyrics: "I'll be there for you till kingdom come, like blood on blood". –David DiMuzio

It’s Somebody To Love. “For I’d write a symphony / I’d tell the violin / It’s time to sink or swim / Watchin’ play for you /  For you I’d be / Running thousand miles just get you where you are / Step to the beat of my heart…” ‘Yung lyrics kasi it’s talking about someone you’re looking for to love you back. Someone who will run the extra mile for you kahit wala ka namang hiningi pero he’ll go out of the way for you. And he’ll love you unconditionally… ‘yung ikaw lang. J I think that would have to be my life-song for this moment. Kind of looking for somebody to love… to love me back also. Ayoko ng one-way lang. Ang hirap! J –Stephanie Dan

Goodbye Friendship, Hello Heartache by Cinematic Sunrise. It's not a song that tells my life story but there is something in it that relates to my experience. J –Ariel Lumanlan

3 Libras by A Perfect Circle. "When I've looked right through, to see you naked and oblivious, and you don't see me…" –Ali Alejandro

Livin On The Edge by Aerosmith. "Livin’ on the edge / You can't help yourself from falling". –Pat Tirano

It would be the song I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing although obviously it's a love song so to speak but it can have a different meaning. For me, every "chance" and "endeavor" in life is a "privilege" and I do want to cherish and do my best every second of it. Lyrics: “I could spend my life in this sweet surrender / I could stay lost in this moment forever / Well, every moment spent with you / Is a moment I treasure…” –Jam Bumanlag

Whenever I hear U2's Beautiful Day, it’s like listening to the song for the first time. So many wonderful, "spot on" lyrics that define my life at one point or another. Do yourself a favor, download the lyrics to this song and sing it out LOUD. You'll be glad you did. –Rovilson Fernandez

I’d take the lyrics from Queen's We Are The Champions that goes: "I've paid my dues / Time after time / I've done my sentence / But committed no crime / And bad mistakes / I've made a few / I've had my share of sand kicked in my face / But I've come through..." –Carl McFly

Superwoman by Alicia Keys. “’Still when I'm a mess / I still put on a vest / With an S on my chest / Oh yes, I'm a Superwoman.” Kasi ang daming downfalls ‘di ba? Pero everytime  na you experience that you always have to pick yourself up. Especially “S”, ako si Sheng! J So no matter what happens, you have to remember to pick youself up. –ShengBelmonte

My life song is Awitin Mula Sa'yo. Though I wrote that song and it would sound really biased, but that song changed my life, that's the reason why Awitin Mula Sa’yo ‘yung title nya kasi when I was writing the song during one of the toughest hardships of life when a lot of my loved ones have passed away and one of them end his life by his own hand, the melody and lyrics of that song came out through my mouth spontaneously and I couldn't help anymore but to write the song. In short, that song doesn't just came from me, but to our Creator and to everyone. Naisip ko nga kung narinig lang sana ng mahal ko sa buhay ‘yung kanta na ‘yun bago n’ya kitilin ‘yung buhay n’ya baka hindi n’ya na siguro itinuloy ‘yun. Siguro magiging kanta ng buhay n’ya na rin ‘yun. –Michael Artita

Dare You To Move by Switchfoot. Sobrang na-touch ako sa lyrics n’ya na: "Welcome to the planet / Welcome to existence..." Tsaka sakto ko s'ya narinig noong nakakilala ako kay God while I'm in the lowest point of my life. –Arnold Artita

Umaaraw, Umuulan by Rivermaya. Dahil dito: “Bukas sisikat ding muli ang araw / Ngunit para lang sa may tiyagang maghintay…” –AkoSiChris

Remember the Name by Fort Minor. “A Hundred Percent reason to remember the name!”

–Dunne Mamhot

Ang Huling El Bimbo by Eraserheads. “Magkahawak ang ating kamay at walang kamalay malay, na tinuruan mo ang puso ko na umibig ng tunay.” –Andres Villaruel

Adam’s Song by Blink 182. “I can't wait till I get home, to pass the time in my room alone.” –Kevin Vega

Hari ng Sablay by Sugarfree. “Daig pa telenovela kung ako ay magdrama, ganyan ba talaga guhit ng aking tadhana.”–Chao Sison

That would be the song Be Yourself by Audioslave. Because this song explains the different scenarios of life. J That there is no perfect moment or maybe a chance it only comes and goes. By the end of it, you are the one who will make your own destiny, fulfilled.  “Even when you've paid enough / Been put upon or been held up / With every single memory of the good or bad, faces of luck / Don't lose any sleep tonight / I'm sure everything will end up alright you may win or lose / But to be yourself is all that you can do / Yeah... To be yourself is all that you can do…” –Jhoranz Lope

Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Kasi lahat ng wish ko natupad at 'yung iba pa na matutupad pa lang. Basta you work hard for everything and pray. Hehe. J –Kyla

The soundtrack of my life would be my song Today. Written by Ms. Tina Belamide. It really suits my life because I am given a reasonable chance of succeeding to be a better person everyday and a great opportunity for continued viability. I'm so blessed and grateful to God  for all that He has done in my life. –Raki Vega

Ikot, hindi dahil ako sumulat ha. Teka... medyo oo nga. J Kasi the time I wrote the song was a time na sobrang down ako na parang naisip ko, “what would someone else say to me that time?” Na 'til now, 'pag medyo mahirap ang sitwasyon, I can say na 'to 'yung kanta para sa akin. –Miro Valera

The Reason by Hoobastank. Because it's the story of my life. –Ruben Caballero 

Not only will I give you the soundtrack of my life but also the secret to life itself. Rivermaya's new album, Buhay. Why? Well you have to get it to find out. J –Japs Sergio

Scars by Papa Roach. Lyrics: "I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. My weakness is that I care too much. And my scars remind me that the past is real. I tear my heart open just to feel". That's how I feel now. –Jay Justiniani

'This Is The Day by the The. 'To 'yung feeling ko after my daughter Skylar was born three weeks ago. –Mike Dizon

John Mayer's Continuum. He talks about life through the most abstract words but you get it immediately plus the emotions behind it. Some of us go through life not knowing the words to describe how we feel, but after listening to this I did.  –Kelvin Uy

Ramble On by Led Zep. Because you just have to. –Nick Azarcon

Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin. –J-Hoon Balbuena

What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. I'm a naturally cheerful and positive guy. –Mcoy Fundales

Breakaway by Kelly Ckarkson. Because I feel like it’s exactly what I want to do. Break away from the common life of a teenager to follow my passion to perform. Also because it shows that I'm strong and despite the problems that I went through I was still able to break from them. J –Cheska Ortega

It would have to be The Long Road by Eddie Vedder and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, from the album Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture Dead Man Walking. It's still the most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard and what I hear in my head when the loud music fades out and life becomes quiet and beautiful. –Yan Yuzon

Popsicle's Abstinence. For a lot of reasons. Haha. –Ebe Dancel

What band or performer would you choose to provide the soundtrack for your life?

Motown, soul and R&B artists of the 50's hanggang 70's. –Gabby Alipe

Metallica! –Nathan Azarcon

Jeffery Cariaso or maybe Zaldy Realubit. –Yael Yuzon

The Beatles. –John James Uy

Michael Jackson. His music has always been in the background of some of the most profane and watershed moments of my life. I probably lost my virginity to one of his songs. –Rovilson Fernandez

Basta gusto ko si Eric Santos kumanta ng This Is The Moment. Hahaha. –Chris Padilla

Michael Buble or Radiohead. –Enzo Miguel Villegas

Daft Punk. J –Paolo Segura

Linkin Park. –Jayson Fernandez

John Lennon – Jose Lozano. Pareho ng bilang at initials! What a coincidence. J Ako siguro ‘yung mas mahirap na version niya. Hehe. –Pepe Lozano

Daft Punk. J –Paolo Segura

I’d love to have a combination orchestra of JK from Jamiroquai over Gamelan and Batucada to do a soundtrack of my life. –Nyko Maca 

APO Hiking Society. –Nani Naguit

Pearl Jam. I really love their music. I can relate to almost all the songs they written. Just perfect. –Marc Velasquez

Erykah Badu! or No Doubt. –Kat Agarrado

Made this imaginary band in my mind called Sunny Side Up's Super Band (SSUS Band). On guitar is Jimmy Page, on drums is Travis Barker, on keyboards is Chris Martin, on bass is Paul McCartney and on vocals just for this song I think it would be LUKE SKYWALKER singing the way for me. I would have tears of joy when that happens. –Luke Jickain

The Doors. –Karl Vito Cruz

Soundtrack artist – Daedelus, AIR, Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis. – Diego Mapa, http://www.diegomapa.tumblr.com/

Kahit sino basta world music. J –Jeje Santos

I would choose John Mayer to provide my soundtrack because when I listen to his songs I feel like he's singing about me. Especially his song My Stupid Mouth. Hahaha. –David DiMuzio

Still... A Perfect Circle. –Ali Alejandro

My choice, AIR should make the soundtrack of my life. –Pat Tirano

If given a chance… [Laughs] this is tough. J Incubus! Guns N’ Roses! And A Perfect Circle! –Jam Bumanlag

My first choice would definitely be U2. It would be an absolute honor! But of course it's just a dream. –Carl McFly

Mr. Gary Valenciano. –Ariel Lumanlan

Original Song by Parokya ni Edgar. –Kilos

Well, maybe if p’wede ‘yung mismong artist ng kanta ‘pag ‘di pwede siguro ‘yung band ko na lang na Soundvent. I’m a fan when it comes to playing the music. I’m so proud to be the vocalist of this band. J –Jhoranz Lopez

Since that soundtrack of my life is for everyone, kahit sinong banda at performer pa ‘yan or kahit simple tao pa ‘yan, as long as he/she would sing that song with respect and love for life's dignity, I'd be very honored for that. –Michael Artita

Gusto ko kasi Metal eh! P’wede ba PANTERA? ‘Di kaya baduy ‘yung kakalabasan nun? Hehehe. –Arnold Artita

What song is/was the soundtrack to the love of your life?

Harana by Eraserheads. “Wag ng malumbay, ang pag-ibig ko ay tunay. Sabihin man ng ‘yung kapitbahay na hindi ako NAGSUSUKLAY.” J –Kean Cipriano

The song that serves as the soundtrack of my love life was done originally by a certain R. Rodriguez. It goes "BEAM means smile. Smile kami ‘pag beam..." –Yael Yuzon

It’s I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star by The Boy Least Likely To. It’s a very simple song about following your heart. There is no really a perfect formula on how things would work in your life. Things may not always happen the way we expect it to be but when we follow our hearts, things always turn out for the best. It’s same with love and life. We are always blinded by the future but we have our hearts as our guide. –Luke Jickain

Seek And Destroy. –Nathan Azarcon

The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra. –Gabby Alipe

We Are The World by Michael Jackson. I love earth. East to West by Casting Crowns. I love my savior. J –Jason Fernandez

Annako. Original song from a band called Weedisneys. My band. J –Pepe Lozano

In high school (the first time we really "experience" love), New Edition's Can You Stand The Rain ruled my Walkman. Now, I imagine myself dancing with my future wife at our future wedding to Tamia and Eric Benet's Spend My Life With You. Beautiful song. –Rovilson Fernandez

I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab For Cutie. J –Paolo Segura

The song I'm vibin’ on now is I Only Have Eyes For You for how love in my life works out! –Nyko Maca

The Beatles' For No One. –Nani Naguit

Magic or Patiently (of Sinosikat?). J –Kat Agarrado

The Way You Look Tonight by Sinatra or If I Fell by The Beatles. –John James Uy

Hoobastank’s Running Away. Ang corny. Hahaha. –Chris Padilla

Summer of Love by 311. –Marc Velasquez

So Nice by Antonio Carlos Jobim. J –Enzo Miguel Villegas

Frailty by Urbandub. \m/ –Karl Vito Cruz

The Cure, The Smiths, Eggstone, Rocketship, Daniel Johnston. –Diego Mapa, http://www.diegomapa.tumblr.com/

Something by the legendary guitarist of The Beatles – George Harrison. ‘Yun na ‘yun e! Sakto na ‘yung pagkasulat n’ya na parang pakiramdam ko ako ‘yung gumawa noong song na ‘yun e! –Arnold Artita

Forget You by Cee-Lo Green. ––Kevin Vega

Aoneko no Torso by Ryuichi Sakamoto from his 1996 album. Classical music! –Jeje Santos

It's the song She by Elvis Costello. That was the time Notting Hill just came out. First time we heard it we said to ourselves, "this was it." –Carl McFly

Hold On To The Nights by Richard Marx because it's not the typical love song. It's about "complicated love" ...and it seems for me love is always complicated. –David DiMuzio

It Is I Couldn't Ask For More by Edwin McCain. –Ali Alejandro

Born To Love You by TOI. –Pat Tirano

Your Love by Alamid. –Michael Artita

Torpedo by Eraserheads. –Dunne Mamhot

What Can I Do by The Corrs. – Andres Villaruel

Gusto Ko Lang Ng Girlfriend by Eevee. –Chao Sison

Perfect Two by Auburn. The song explains how they are so lucky to have each other, when we do all know that there is no perfect two. But the song really had a great impact to me and my girlfriend Maryanne Payuran Tayag. – Jhoranz Lopez

Sum 41. –Ariel Lumanlan

It would be Your Universe by Rico Blanco and it goes: "I don't think that you even realize the joy you make me feel when I'm inside / Your universe / You hold me like I'm the one who's precious / I hate to break it to you / But it's just the other way around / You can thank your stars all you want / But I'll always be the lucky one." –Jam Bumanlag