Striving Writer

"I write, therefore I blog." This Tumblr belongs to Striving Writer, who blogs at Writing Under The Shades of Blue and Music and Memories. Please visit if you can spare the time. Thank you and happy reading!

[striving-writer]

I am blown away by the anime/manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

I praise Demon Slayer for its compelling storytelling and character and plot development, particularly with the background stories of certain demon slayers, as well as demons. I am really touched by the tragic backstories of many characters.

[striving-writer]

Weeekly, “After School”

Another contribution from my Kpop-loving colleague. The beauty of the members remind me of another Kpop girl group Momoland, which I first heard in 2017. The MV is as fun and colorful as Momoland’s MVs.

[striving-writer]

Sandy & Junior, "Love Never Fails"

I came upon this classic pop song on YouTube while watching the “Strawberry Kissing” MV. This version by the Brazilian brother-sister pop duo is a cover of the original by American singer-songwriter Kathie Lee Gifford. I first heard about Sandy & Junior through one of the music magazines I own. (They’re even on one of the covers.) How come I didn’t hear this song in 2002? What was I doing then?

[striving-writer]

Delta Goodrem, “I Don’t Care”

A casual browsing of former Westlife member Brian McFadden’s Wikipedia led me to Delta Goodrem. I have heard of her since 2003/4 but I never listened to her until January 2021. This track reminds me of late 1990s and early 2000s pop.

[striving-writer]

Sandi Thom, “I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)”

This is probably one of the best tracks, if not the best track, I’ve ever heard from Spotify’s Discover Weekly. Considering that this folk pop song is a UK track (the artist is Scottish), this is the best UK track I’ve ever heard since Take That’s “Kidz,” which I first heard in 2011. The MV also has a concept similar to the English rock band The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” MV, which I first saw in the summer of 2006.

[striving-writer]

Sabaton, “The Last Stand”

I forget where I first learned about the heroic Stand of the Swiss Guard during the 1527 Sack of Rome. But a comment led me to Sabaton’s “The Last Stand,” which immortalizes the Swiss Guards that perished while protecting the reigning pope from the disgruntled troops of the reigning Holy Roman emperor.

The mutinous Habsburg soldiers, mostly Germans, decided to vent their frustrations over unpaid wages on “the heart of the Holy See”, “the home of Christianity.” So they teamed up with Spanish soldiers and Italian mercenaries to sack and loot Rome.

It could have been an easy pillage and plunder, given their number (20,000 above). However, they were greeted by 5,000 militiamen and 189 Swiss Guards, all of whom put up a fight.

Of the 189 Swiss Guards, around 40 or so escorted the pope to safety while the rest held their ground in the Vatican - and died doing so. It was a pyrrhic victory for the imperial marauders - and forever glory and admiration for the Swiss Guards.

[striving-writer]

Rouge, "Beijo Molhado"

This is the Brazilian/girl group version of the 2001 teen pop-bubblegum dance song “Strawberry Kisses” by Aussie singer Nikki Webster. Wikipedia led me to this version.

[striving-writer]

Powerwolf, “Armata Strigoi”

I discovered this track around the same time I started listening to Sabaton. I find it amazing that the German band uses “dark themes and images of Roman Catholicism, werewolves and vampires” and incorporates them into their music and performances.

[striving-writer]

Nogizaka46, “Boku wa Boku wo Suki ni Naru”

The future of Nogizaka46 lies in the beauty and talent of the 3rd generation members, such as Yamashita Mizuki (the center of this MV), Kubo Shiori, and Yoda Yuki. I love these ladies very much.

[striving-writer]

Nikki Webster, “Strawberry Kisses"

The 2001 teen pop-bubblegum dance song track that led me to find two other tracks in this year-ender best list. I first heard about this song when one of the managers at work played her Spotify playlist of classic hits during lunch time. The chorus caught my ears, so I asked for the song. The rest is now a part of music history of my life.

[striving-writer]

Michael Wong, “Tong Hua”

This song also came on autoplay after the “You Dian Tian” MV on YouTube, and is probably the best C-pop track I’ve heard since F4’s “Can’t Lose You” and “Meteor Rain” in 2003. The title of the song is “Fairy Tail” in English. The song and its accompanying MV break my heart.

[striving-writer]

LiSA, “Homura”

This is probably the most emotional and heart-stirring anime/Jpop song I’ve ever heard. Emotionally powerfully, emotionally charged! A powerful song of resolve only artists such as LiSA could perform.

[striving-writer]

Last Idol, “Break a leg”

The beauties of Last Idol never fail to amaze me. This time, they rock to "Break a leg," which reminds me of the early singles of the WMatsui-era SKE48. I love the concept for this video, which brings into mind the MVs of SKE48's “Banzai Venus” and "AKB48's “Kokoro no Placard.”

[striving-writer]

King & Prince, “Kimi wo Matteru”

I forgot how and where I discovered this track, but it was around the same time I discovered back number’s “Phantom Thief.” I’m impressed that “President Miyuki Shirogane” knows how to sing and dance. Surely, “Vice President Kaguya Shinomiya” gets hearty eyes watching him.

[striving-writer]

Gregorian, “My Immortal”

While listening to some Spotify playlists (of songs from the years between 2000-2004), the band Gregorian came into my mind – and memory. FM stations in the Philippines don’t play Gregorian tracks, and I heard about them only through a few schoolmates (who happened to have diverse tastes in music) and newspapers. I think I had heard their version of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” during my high school and college years. I have lived long enough to enjoy their version of one of my most favorite rock tracks. Gratias Deo!

[striving-writer]

FAKY, “Sayonara My Ex”

I first learned about FAKY way back in 2012 but I wasn’t sold over their music. Over the years, they changed line-up, and the present reincarnation includes a Filipina member. I first learned about “Sayonara My Ex” on Reddit. I think I’m now sold over.

[striving-writer]

Dumpling Soda, "Foodie"

This song also came on autoplay after the “You Dian Tian” MV on YouTube. This is now one of my most favorite Chinese pop tracks. I like the track also because the artist is pretty.