Greetings to the Afritunes community! I know it's been a minute, but such is life. I'm glad to be participating in the Afritunes weekly event, Week 151, today.

I should have posted my entry of this cover last week when it was suggested as the community's secular song. However, due to situations beyond my control, I wasn't able to go ahead with it.

Instead, I decided to sing it today.

After checking this week's suggestions, I realized I wasn't familiar with the songs and didn't have another one planned. So, I went with the previous secular song suggestion, "African Queen" by 2baba.

While singing this song, I kept asking myself if I should be singing it due to the controversy surrounding 2Face Idibia and his wife. I don't fully understand the situation, but it's disheartening to see marriages fail. It feels like the devil is trying to make marriage seem like a contract that leads to regret.

Marriage is a beautiful institution that should be cherished and nurtured. It's sad to see couples give up on each other, especially when they have been together for a long time. I believe that with commitment, love, and understanding, couples can overcome any obstacle.

That's not why I'm here, though. I hope you enjoy listening to my cover of this song. I plan to participate more often in the Afritunes community, God willing.

I played the instrumental of the song live from YouTube and sang along. You can find the link to it here.

Also, you can find the lyrics of the song here.

Hi friends! Hive Open Mic Week 232 welcomes you back with the reminder of yet another theme, which is ‘The Taste of Betrayal.’ For my entry, I chose to cover the song 'Impossible' by James Arthur, a son that tells a story of love, loss, and betrayal that linger.

Once that trust is gone, it’s very unlikely one will be able to earn it back. visualize a beautiful glassware in your imagination; stretch your memories to the moment when it fell down the table and shattered. No matter how anyone tries to fix that broken glass, it can never be the same again.

In a similar manner, ‘The Taste of Betrayal’ revolves around the feelings of despair generated when everything in a relationship goes south, with James Arthur’s ‘Impossible’ perfectly belonging to that category. The lyrics have well captured the pains and disbelief, which is felt at the particular instance that one’s closest companion breaks a promise, associated with unfairness.

The words to this song are just so relatable, speaking to the honest emotion that follows along in the aftermath of lost love. They speak to how memory can make heartbreak even more painful and can leave a lasting ache. As the words portray a vivid picture of shattered dreams and longing, whoever listens to the song is able to experience an intense connection to the emotions. The pain of remembering now-tainted happy times due to heartbreak resonates deep. The song seems to voice all our thoughts and legitimize the struggle of accepting what's gone.

Those going through a heartbreak can relate to the song's emotional resonance. As the lyrics confront the pain, they bring solace and understanding. They remind us that we are not alone in our grief, that others have walked this same path and emerged scarred but stronger. And maybe, perhaps that is the greatest gift this song gives us-the courage to face our brokenness and the hope to heal.

IMPOSSIBLE LYRICS

Where music meets an amazing community like the Vibes Web3 Music Competition Week 20, magic happens. For my entry, I picked the motivational song “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree. This beautiful song was recorded in 1994. However, the lyrics are relevant in today’s society as people need to be strong and accept themselves no matter what. The first time I heard about the song was on September 1st, 2024 and I immediately decided to sing it.

Learning the Song

This song was not too problematic when it came to memorizing. I began with the chorus then followed by the first verse, second verse, the bridge, outro and other parts that I felt were important. I learned the adlibs at the end of the song when I was in the recording studio. I struggled to get the lyrics of that particular part but still came up with something that sounded similar too. Despite the fact that the song is very simple in terms of its structure, the words are very wise.

Personal Connection

The day I was scheduled to record this cover, I was unhappy, more like an emotional breakdown, and almost canceled the appointment. However, after speaking with a friend about what happened, writing down what transpired, and reflecting on what I was feeling, I felt better and went ahead and recorded the vocals. Moving to the rhythm of Des’ree’s song 'You gotta be' with the lyrics ‘You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser’ comforted and encouraged me.

Every individual faces unique challenges in life, but I have chosen to rise to the occasion, especially when I listen to the lyrics of this song, which has become one of my favorites and gives me strength when I'm tempted to give up.

I find this song to be a perfect example of a song that motivates you to face life's challenges as they arise.

So, this is my take on this song and I do hope that you had as much fun listening to it as I had recording it, and I hope it inspires you in some way.

YOU GOTTA BE - LYRICS

[Verse 1]
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead, release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry
You gotta be

[Chorus]
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

[Verse 2]
Herald what your mother said
Read the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my, eh, eh, eh

[Chorus]
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

[Bridge]
Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
Can't stop it if you tried to
The best part is danger staring you in the face, oh

[Verse 3]
Remember, listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
My oh my, eh, eh, eh

[Chorus]
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Yeah-yeah

[Outro]
Got to be bold
Got to be bad
Got to be wise
Do what others say
Got to be hard
Not too too hard
All I know is love will save the day
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together

Instagram Reel Submission
https://x.com/OssomJessica/status/1836766600562717015

I must admit that it has been quite some time since I posted here in the Hive Open Mic community. It seems that time is flying quicker than it ever has before and there's always something that needs to be done.

This week’s theme is “The Crazy Week” – and God, can I relate! It has been a very busy week for me and I have felt that my schedule has been full. At times, nothing seems more absurd than when there is much on the plate and little time to accomplish it all.

For my contribution this week, I have chosen to sing “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. it is the song about standing for what you want to say even if the process is terrifying. As Sara sings, there can be so many reasons we hold back, stay quiet, or don’t take action – fear of rocking the boat, wanting people to like us, not feeling sure enough of ourselves. But life comes to us as an assignment, an initiation, a call to be strong and be brave.

While listening to the lyrics, I could recall moments in my life where I wished I had been more courageous or a stand. There are times I allowed the concern on how other people will react to be a reason for me to take too long. But very often it turns out that we were wrong and when we were telling the truth, or being ourselves, it is not as terrible as we thought. Most people we care about aren't as judgmental as we think they are. But there's a lot of freedom in not having such fears or inhibitions.

The chorus sung by Sara says “I want to see you be brave. ” I believe we all want to be brave for our selves and the people we love. Be brave and confident and committed to what is required and want it with all your heart. But it can be a process to get there.

It helps me reflect on how many times life expects us to be strong - to stand up for something, to be artists and present ourselves or our art, to be writers and write from the heart rather than from our heads. It showed that in all aspects of everyday life, people can choose courage over comfort or mere contentment.

My prayer for all of us is to be less fearful in each day and week and season and year. Broadcast who you are and what you want, the very essence of your being. When a person decides to be brave, it can be intimidating at first, but once they do it, they will never feel sorry for themselves.

Greetings to the Vibes Web3 music community! I'm happy I could get my entry in for this week before the deadline. Thanks to my PC and MIFI, else it wouldn't have been possible.

The challenge I faced recording this video on my PC was how the audio didn't seem to sync well with the video....Like why was that happening? It wasn't like I did a separate video and audio, or was the issue from manycam on my PC?

It annoyingly frustrating to be honest.

I dropped my phone on my way to school. When I realized I didn't have it and went back to check, someone else had already picked it up. The worst part was they turned it off, making it impossible for me to reach them.

Since I hadn't missed a week of the Vibes competition before, I didn't want to break that record, so I found another way to record and publish my entry.

I chose to sing "Impossible" by James Arthur. This song is very powerful and shows off James Arthur's amazing voice. It talks about love, heartbreak, and staying strong. The lyrics express feelings of vulnerability and the struggle to overcome tough times in a relationship.

For me, singing "Impossible" is not just about hitting the right notes; it's about connecting with the feelings behind the words. Each note lets me share my own experiences with love and loss, which makes it a special experience. I hope my version touches others and brings up similar feelings.

"Impossible"

I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did

And you were strong and I was not
My illusion, my mistake
I was careless, I forgot
I did

And now when all is done
There is nothing to say
You have gone and so effortlessly
You have won
You can go ahead tell them

Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the skyline
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible

Falling out of love is hard
Falling for betrayal is worse
Broken trust and broken hearts
I know, I know

Thinking all you need is there
Building faith on love and words
Empty promises will wear
I know, I know

And now when all is done
There is nothing to say

And if you're done with embarrassing me
On your own you can go ahead tell them

Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the skyline
All we had is gone now
Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
All my scars are open
Tell them what I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible

I remember years ago
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love
I did

Tell them all I know now
Shout it from the roof tops
Write it on the skyline
All we had is gone now

Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken
(Tell them oh) I hoped would be
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible
Impossible, impossible

Vibes! Vibes!! Vibes!!!

Today, I will be speaking, scratch that, I'm already speaking for myself because I really don't know about everyone else. At some point in my life, I became a very 'lazy singer.' I knew I needed to learn various songs and genres, but I got too lazy. I felt extremely lazy and lacked the motivation to learn and score new songs like I should. I felt really bad about it, but when I joined Vibes, I started to regain my motivation.

Although I was still lazy at first, I realized that singing old songs and not learning new ones wouldn't help me grow. Thanks to Vibes, my passion has been reactivated! For this week's theme, 'Disney', I initially had my mind set on singing 'Arabian Night' from Aladdin. However, I changed my mind and decided to sing 'Speechless' from the live-action Aladdin, sung by Naomi Scott. Aladdin is a very popular Disney movie.... It's funny how I only knew 'A whole new world and Arabian Night from the movie Aladdin, not until I checked YouTube a few days ago and found 'Speechless'.

I learned 'Speechless' within three days, recorded it, and I'm glad I did, despite my worries about the vocals and challenges faced while trying to deliver the song and final result. I have a critical ear, which can be tough on me - I criticize myself a lot. But it's helpful to have that self-awareness and drive to improve. I often stress myself out by criticizing my work, but I've developed a 'just do it' attitude to get feedback from others.

If I rely solely on myself, my phlegmatic melancholy temperament makes me overly critical, and I want everything to be perfect. However, I'm learning to balance my self-criticism with a more relaxed approach. This is my entry for this week; I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you!

Speechless Lyrics from "Aladdin" soundtrack)

Here comes a wave
Meant to wash me away
A tide that is taking me under
Swallowing sand
Left with nothing to say
My voice drowned out in the thunder

But I won't cry
And I won't start to crumble
Whenever they try
To shut me or cut me down

I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless

'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless

Written in stone
Every rule, every word
Centuries-old and unbending
"Stay in your place"
"Better seen and not heard"
Well, now that story is ending

'Cause I
I cannot start to crumble
So come on and try
Try to shut me and cut me down

I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless
Speechless

Let the storm in
I cannot be broken
No, I won't live unspoken
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless

Try to lock me in this cage
I won't just lay me down and die
I will take these broken wings
And watch me burn across the sky
Hear the echo saying I...

Won't be silenced
Though you wanna see me tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless
Speechless

'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
All I know is I won't go speechless
Speechless

Today, I want to share my musical interpretation about one of the inspiring contemporary Christian songs, titled “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle and the message that is conveyed in it, as far as I understand it, is about trusting God even in times of suffering.

The song is for anyone who has faced adversities that change our core being, transform us, and make us a new person. Situations when one does not have any power and is not aware of what to do in life. The song tells us that even if the way ahead is obscured, it is still possible to push through as long as we do so in faith.

It’s often said that to have faith means to advance in the dark – one doesn’t know what is in store for them. The song captures the essence of despair and weakness in those moments in the most beautiful way because it is so human. But there is hope in believing in a power greater than our conscious selves – in believing that there is a reality larger than our perception of it.

Thus, instead of having fear when it comes to the unknown, we can transition from the state of being fearful to being fearless – all because of the grace which will lead us even when we don’t have a map. The song embraces faith when storms come and the strength to trust when things are not so certain.

In the present and rather confusing world, one may attempt to do almost everything independently. “Trust in You” is a do not worry message – we do not have to – there is a strength beyond that is always willing to help if only we call upon it. It is a trust that may hold the potential to sustain one during times of trial and seasons of grace.

The song is for those on any of the paths and is a reminder to trust in the arms of the Lord that will not falter. To all who dare require a prompt to enter into the dark with unwavering faith, “Trust in You” will serve as the light at the end of the tunnel. It motivates holding on to faith when there’s uncertainty about the things that are considered to be true.

I had planned to publish my entry earlier, but I fell ill on July 21, just after my birthday, and was so unwell that I couldn't do anything until today. I'm glad I finally found the strength to sing my cover and publish my entry. I hope you enjoy listening!

https://x.com/OssomJessica/status/1817777854311965082

It's week 16 of the Vibes Web3 Music Competition and I am excited because it ends on my birthday which is July 21. Hehe

Well, today I decided to cover the song 'Boundless Love' by women of faith.

Honestly, at first, I thought there would be no theme for the week and had recorded a song already. I wasn't very satisfied with what I recorded though and after seeing the theme, I decided to go for something else that I know relates to the theme.

• The first song you learned the lyrics of.

I grew us knowing my dad as a music lover,he loves to listen to good music and they were majorly gospel, reggae and blues. Most of the old songs I know today were songs I always listen to whenever he plays them.

I choose to sing boundless love because I remember the effect the song always had on me whenever it starts playing.

I still remember how I went to the back to the couch in our living room to cry while the song was play. That happened one very morning like that..I really can't explain it, but I just know back then that whenever the song starts playing I would feel so emotional and start crying...I am sure it was that period I learned the song's lyrics and how to sing it.

Bringing this song back for the competition has been more of a walk down the memory lane for me. That is the beauty of music because it can bring all those precious memories and feelings with just one song. While singing “Boundless Love” for the theme of the week, I am not merely singing the song; I am also reminiscing my childhood and giving you a part of my heart. Music truly has the power to transcend time and connect us to our deepest emotions. I hope my rendition of this meaningful song resonates with the listeners as much as it does with me.

Women Of Faith -Boundless Love Lyrics

If I stand or I should fall
You know me well, You see it all,
My darkest nights, my deepest fears
I cry to You and You will hear
Boundless love, Come carry me
To the place where I at last I'm free
Where I belong and You will be
Where all of You is all of me
Boundless love, Come carry me

In Your fullness, I will rest
I find Your peace beneath the cross
Knowing You, my one desire
Take me now to where You are

Here we stand now in Your name,
You've changed our hearts, We're not the same
Your love has captured all we are
Oh Lamb of God, Sweet Morning Star
Where I belong and You will be
Where all of You is all of me
Boundless love, Come carry me

Greetings to the Vibes Web3 Music Community.

I would like to express my big thank you to the community and judges for choosing me as the first place winner of week 14. I feel so humbled and I am very grateful. It is indeed a privilege to be among great artists in this community. I appreciate the support and encouragement.

For this week, I decided to cover the song titled "Brave" by Sara Bareilles.

This is a powerful song that I believe is about choosing to be strong even when adversity tries to weaken us, especially in our personal relationships.

To me, this song is all about having the courage to be ourselves, opening our ears to listen without prejudice, accepting our failures, supporting others, and not shying away from accepting support from others as well. It's not about shouting and raving, or public demonstrations and protests; it's about compassion and listening, about being kind.

The song motivates me to communicate with people in real life, not just through social media posts.

It inspires me to find courage in being emotionally open and forming closer connections with others.

Looking to the future of my music, I am encouraged by 'Brave' to embrace these themes of courage and authenticity and express them in my music as well.

Once more, I am grateful for the support given by this community. That's it for now until next week.

Brave - Song by Sara Bareilles (Lyrics)

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle 'neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
Everybody's been there, everybody's been stared down
By the enemy
Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing
Bow down to the mighty
But don't run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
Innocence, your history of silence
Won't do you any good
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don't you tell them the truth?
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
See you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you

Hey there, music lovers! Hello my dear friends and welcome to my Week 14 Vibes Web3 Music Competition blog post! I am so excited to share my thoughts on this wonderful tune produced by Sam Feldt called "Better".

As I explored Sam Feldt's discography, I felt like a child in a candy store. Special thanks to @lordbutterfly, who is one of the best hosts I've ever seen. Through him, I got a chance to join the Heartfeldt Discord and meet people who appreciate good music and positive attitudes.

When I clicked on the Spotify link to Sam FeIdt's songs, I knew I was in for a wonderful experience. Coming across "Better," I immediately connected with it.

First off, let me just say thank you to Sam Feldt for joining us as the guest artist and judge this week. We are glad to have you. To my Vibes community team @lordbutterfly, @silentscreamer and @verbal-d – you guys are the best!

Finally, I want to express my appreciation to The Spirit Studios Productions for helping me record my cover and enhancing the audio quality so impressively.

Now, let's discuss the track "Better". This song can make anyone feel embraced when they're having a tough day. It's all about hope and getting back up again, while the lyrics honestly address the hardships we go through. It's as if Sam Feldt is singing, "Sure mate, I understand, life may not always be easy, but it will hurt before it gets better."

The song is like the friend who says it is alright to feel that way and it isn’t unique to you to be feeling like that. It says, ‘It’s okay to be a little bit broke and it’s okay to feel this way’. However, over time, with the necessary encouragement, and the willingness to face our feelings we can not only heal but thrive.

The lyrics are great because they tell you to never give up no matter how difficult everything seems. It's like 'come on, love, you got this!' as if Sam Feldt himself is rooting for us and that voice behind you is enough to power you up.

But that's why I appreciate "Better" – it's a song that encourages the listener to embrace their uniqueness and know that they are not alone in struggling. It is a message that informs the audience that no one is alone in their struggles and that as long as one is brave and has a good heart, things would be fine.

So, here are the lyrics to "Better" by Sam Feldt:

I know your heart's feelin' heavier than most
It's hard to talk when you can't pick up the phone
Feels like it's rainin' no matter where you go
You know who you are, come out from the dark

It's only timin' and time can run away
Oh, all this hiding will never numb the pain
'Cause only cryin' will take the tears away
So don't fall apart

And every time you try to start a fight
When you lay your head at night
Even when your dreams don't make you right
Just know it'll only get better

So come on, love
I know you try to live again, but you don't
It's okay to be a little bit broke
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better

Come on, love
I know you choke on every word that you say
It's okay for you to feel this way
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better

So many questions, but you don't wanna ask
'Cause all the answers, they never seem to last
You know your future don't have to be your past
So don't fall apart

And every time you start to lose a fight
When you lie awake at night
And every time you start to wonder why
Just know it'll only get better

So come on, love
I know you try to live again, but you don't
It's okay to be a little bit broke
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better

Come on, love
I know you choke on every word that you say
It's okay for you to feel this way
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better

Come on, love
I know you try to live again, but you don't
It's okay to be a little bit broke
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better
Come on, love
I know you choke on every word that you say
It's okay for you to feel this way
I know it's gonna hurt before it gets better

_{Disclaimer: I did my best with the lyrics, but might have missed a word or two. Enjoy the music anyway!}

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Espanol

This is Vibes Web3 music competiotion week 13. For week 13, I did a cover of 'Mercy Said No' by CeCe Winans.

This powerful gospel song by CeCe Winans isn't just conveying a message - it's a full-on celebration of the boundless, unrelenting mercy and loving forgiveness of our Almighty God!

Can you just imagine being at your worst and feeling like you are the lowest type of human being that you know? Experiencing such a severe level of guilt, shame, and regret for having erred or sinned in one way or another. For example, having a thought like, “I am in deep mess now; there is no way God could forgive me after committing this sin.

You’re crushed; bowed down; even anticipating the day that God will suddenly say, ‘Right, no more, you’ve gone too far, my grace is sufficient but you’ve exhausted it. ’ And so you gamble and pray a prayer that you cynically really do not have the right to pray.

But then. . . then the most wonderfully, shockingly real thing takes place!” God's infinite mercy doesn't meekly say "no" like you expected. No, it rises up like a wildfire, consuming every last shred of your guilt and shame! The lyrics deliver this extraordinarily uplifting image of God's grace quite literally kicking down the door to your life. It refuses to be constrained or limited in any way!

With a thunderous roar, mercy comes crashing in, overwhelming you with the perfect, all-consuming love of your Heavenly Father. In that sublime moment, you realize nothing could possibly separate you from His compassion and redeeming power. No pit is too deep, and no wrong is too grievous for mercy to leave you behind.

This is the jubilant message at the heart of "Mercy Said No" - that God's capacity to forgive is truly unstoppable and unlimited when you open yourself to it. His grace has no contingencies, fine print, or prerequisites. It simply flows forth infinitely to transform and redeem anyone who accepts it into their heart.

So let this song be a soaring reminder that you are never beyond the remarkable reach of the Lord's unwavering mercy! No matter how flawed, unworthy, or hopeless you feel, take comfort in knowing that God's love will never say no to redeeming your soul.

This week, the Vibes Web3 Music Competition chose a powerful theme: Songs of Pain. As someone who has tried songwriting in the past, I felt inspired to write a song that could capture the raw emotions associated with pain. The result was a song I titled "At All Cost."

I was very happy with what I came up with and I asked two friends, @obaro and @edenmichelle to take a look at it and give me feedback. Still, I received their support and useful tips, but at the same time, I felt that I still needed to do something in some way.

The song still needs a strong hook here and there, and I also need to find an instrumental to sing over and see how it flows. I will keep it in my notebook until I know how best to make it come to life.

Interestingly, the song I wrote shares similarities with the one I chose to sing for this week's competition: As a counterpart to my original song, I turned to Alexandra Burke's moving interpretation of "Hallelujah," which stands out as a prime example of a song that conveys profound emotional pain. For those of you who checked my cover during the Eurovision-themed week, you might know that I sang this song.

Since I couldn't sing my original song, I opted for "Hallelujah" because both songs deal with the pain and confusion of a complicated relationship. They both express a sense of longing and yearning for someone who seems unavailable or uninterested.

In my original lyrics, I mentioned that the person says they want her "at all cost," but fails to make an effort to communicate. This is similar to the conflicting messages in "Hallelujah."

My original song is not a replica of ‘Hallelujah,’ but it symbolizes emotional pain, confusion, and heartbreak.

It is that kind of pain that reaches deep into our gut, the one that causes us to doubt everything we knew about love and makes us feel anxious, shameful and unmasked. It is a pain that most of us have at one point suffered from, a language which crosses all boundaries and demonstrates the frailty of spirit. These songs touch the emotional chords and bring a lump into the throat, a tear into the eye and makes us feel connected to the singer and everyone else who has gone through similar ordeals in life and who has hope of a rebirth.

Although the songs’ texts and tunes differ, the themes and emotions are similar. As I go further with the writing of my own song, it is very reassuring to know that one can fully vent through other artists' songs.

“Hallelujah” has become the temporary channel for the emotions I wished to express in “At All Cost. ” Composing a song that can encompass the depth of feeling is not always a simple task when inspiration seems far away and out of sight.

I can relate to this personally because I’ve written two songs in the past but was unable to continue writing them for quite some time. But the theme of “Songs of Pain” woke up the desire to continue creating music in me, and for this, I am grateful.

And as I move forward on this path, the music will guide my way, and help to understand what it means to be alive and part of this world. Indeed, this is what music is all about – to establish one’s connection with others based on common experiences and emotions.

I thought it is only right to share this touching post and the unique birthday video I made under the Creative Sunday celebration for this blog because they both inspire, both in terms of love and creativity, the fabulousness that went in to making my son’s sixth birthday memorable. By combining pictures, beautiful videography, and appropriate music to create a heartfelt program, I wished others could get ideas and creativity in terms of how to commemorate their children’s childhood.

This post is not just a recap of a birthday celebration that happened; rather, it is a celebration of art, a statement of the great relationship between a parent and a child. In this case, I believe that by having a glimpse at our personal lives, they will inspire everyone to appreciate what they have as well as come up with a better way of making their happy moments more special. Anyway, this is what Creative Sunday is all about – the idea that every day, we are filled with creativity and can bring some small change to the world through our stories.

Nothing can be as fulfilling as watching your child all happy and excited about something. The joy, the happiness, the entire face glowing like a candle on a birthday cake…These are the moments that, as parents, we wait for, and cherish in our hearts forever. The moments that people wish to recall and cherish in their memories for the rest of their lifetimes.

But, that is where the photographic and videographic technologies come in to the rescue. My son having his birthday on June 1st, I took it upon myself to capture his special day on camera and turn it into a memorable movie he can watch when he grows up. Meant to be more than just an application for photo sharing. A brimming birthday picture spectacular!

The birthday celebration started with a song from our family, singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song while his dad brought in extra soft drinks. If you could have seen our little man sitting there like a little king pin, enjoying all the affection. But wait, it cannot be a birthday celebration without a cake, which I had discreetly arranged to be bought at a local bakery later in the day. The plan was to bring it to church the following morning as a surprise for him.

June 2nd came and my anticipation was so high I felt like a little boy who has been waiting for Christmas eve. Not only was it Creative Sunday which is the perfect time to unveil the birthday video I had creating, but it was also our church’s Thanksgiving Sunday. My son looked so handsome in the senator cloth his dad had bought for him.

When we were called up to the altar to share our testimony, I stood tall and proud beside my boy as he thanked God for another year of life, family, and friends. His sweet little voice, so full of gratitude, moved the entire congregation.

After the service, it was time for the grand finale - the cake reveal! As we gathered around to take pictures with our church family, I unveiled the gorgeous creation. You should have heard the gasps and oohs and ahhs. It was a masterpiece! And the look on my son's face? Priceless.

But the blessings didn't stop there. My wonderful neighbor, the one who so generously baked the cake, surprised my boy with yet another specially packaged treat. And as if that was not enough, the husband to my sister decided to offer him cash as a gift.

It is rather ironic how the love just kept piling in. Overwhelmed with joy and with hundreds of memories captured in my camera, I hurriedly went home in order to create the perfect birthday surprise. I chose each photo and each video clip you see in this documentary and I edited them all, syncing with the uplifting song “Undignified” sung by Dunsin.

Finally, it was ready. I sat down at my computer, sighed, typed away, posted it on the Facebook page and waited for the likes and the comments to come pouring in.

Although, I am not usually active on facebook, but I save stuff there so I can always look back and smile.

Finally the most precious gift you could ever wish for? Sit back and watch his reaction to watching the music video for the first time, his big round eyes full of joy and happiness. “Mommy, did you make this for me?” He asked in a very low tone as if he didn’t believe what he was seeing. I was too overwhelmed to say anything so I simply hugged him close against my chest and wished him a happy birthday again.

The birthday video I created depicts the great love that a mother has towards his son and how strong their bond is. A reminder that, no matter how grown up he becomes, the path that life chooses for him will never change the fact I will always see him as my baby boy. And I will always stand or sit in the corner and cheer him up.

So here are my words of the day for you, my sweet darling at 6 years: May your special day be the sunshine to brighten and warm your whole year, full of smiles, happiness, and new discoveries. And May this video be something you can watch time and time again, and reminisce about even, of just how much love there is. Welcome to the world my loving son.

Maybe some day when my son is grown up enough, one day, were he can remember to search for the post that I wrote for him and he will watch this beautiful video. It will make his face light up and his heart happy and full and will remind him of all the love I showered him with when he turned 6 years old. Well, I sure hope this means that no matter how long it takes, that love that he had won’t disappear.
_{All images used are mine}
Fun Fact: I celebrated his 5th Birthday in the Afritunes community with a song hehe for my Afritunes entry hehe.

Hey everyone!

It's Vibes Web3 Music Competition Week 11, and I'm covering 'No Tears Left To Cry' and it's going to be Miley Cyrus's version.

I have listened to the original version a lot of times and the song is just one I can't get tired of.

I was scrolling down YouTube one afternoon, keeping myself busy, or, let me say, entertaining myself with interesting shorts on Youtube, and that was when I saw Miley singing 'No Tear Left To Cry'.

I'm not going to say that Ariana's original version is better that Miley's or that Miley's cover is better than the original.
In my opinion, they are both unique, melodious and interesting to listen to. However, there's something about Miley's cover; maybe it's because I like her, she's an amazing artist or maybe not.

I just know she added a very nice touch to it, I could feel the emotion in the song.

This cover of "No Tears Left to Cry" that Miley performed wasn't recorded in a studio, rather it was a live performance. According to my research, she sang it during her appearance on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in 2018.

I also learned that the Live Lounge is a segment where artists perform their own songs and a cover of another artist's song, isn't that amazing?

You will agree with me that Miley Cyrus's cover of the song was a soulful, acoustic rendition that showcased her unique vocal style. I love Miley's deep voice.

I decided to add that song to the list of songs I want to score after listening to Miley.

In addition to that, seeing that the Vibes Web3 Music community didn't present a theme for this week, I thought that I should put my all into the cover and give it the best shot.

The challenge I faced while recording the song was the range. Not that it was exactly too high for me, but I drank cold water a few minutes before recording and it didn't do my vocal chords any good but I did my best anyway, and I hope you enjoy listening to it.

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