UNIVERSAL

The 61th Eurovision Song Contest is approaching. That's way the national selection for this competition is the subject that today I would like to touch on. To be honest, I have to say that I am a little bit disappointed. As you know, song which will be representing Poland during the contest in May is Michal Szpak's "Color of Your Life". I like him! And moreover, I do like this song! But... in our national selection few months ago, there was another song which won my heart. This song, called "Universal" and performed by Dorota Osinska would really win the Europeans hearts. Exactly... "would", because the Polish audience didn't notice the huge potential of this track.

Dorota Osinska is an actress and a singer. She has been performing on the stage for more that 15 years already and she has released 3 albums. Moreover, last year she performed as an honour guest in duet with Jose Carreras. Now she is working with a world-famous composer and producer Rick Allison.

But, first of all, we have to appreciate her voice which is very nice, strong and let's say "in tune". Please listen to this song and pay attention to the timbre and scale of her voice. 

I think that this ballad is very pleasant and it grows on you the more you listen to it. This could be a song taken from a stage musical or even from animated Disney film. Unfortunaltely she wasn't the biggest name in this national selection (she was competing with the Polish stars like Margaret or Edyta Górniak) and that's why she wasn't the favourite. However I hope that the Polish audience won't forget about her performance. 

Some people compare Dorota Osinska to the great Belgian singer Lara Fabian and I think they are right because both of them have a beautiful and powerful voice. Furthermore, the author of the song "Universal" Rick Allison is also the author of many Lara Fabian's tracks. When Dorota Osinska was asked what impelled her to take part in the Polish national selection for Eurovision 2016 she responded : It was a spontaneous decision made at last minute. When I heard about Polish selections, Rick Allison with whom I was working, told me that he had a perfect song for that. When I heard it I knew that was IT. 

Meanwhile, I keep my fingers crossed for Michał Szpak and his song "Color of Your Life". I hope he will represent with dignity our country during the 61th Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.

SMAHS HITS

Generally speaking I do not listen to the smahs hits such as Queen's or Guns'n'Roses songs. I like them but from time to time during some party or concert, but usually - as you know - I listen to the alternative or classic music. However, it doesn't mean that I do not appreciate good music! Mostly if I consider something to be valuable, it doesn't matter which kind of music it is.

As a exemple I must mention the British band Coldplay. From time to time I would like to listen to something else, something different, but still "in good taste". This band is for me some kind of "diversion", some change from my favourite, classic music. To my mind, Coldplay is a band which doesn't construct the image through the scandals and it's still faithful to its values. Moreover, Coldplay has very wise songs! Just try to listen to the songs like "Yellow" or "Fix you"! Those tracks are very exceptional and I recommend you to listen to them :)

However my favourite Coldplay's song (and also one of the most popular) is "Viva la Vida". 

As you certainly know, the song's Spanish title "Viva la Vida" is taken from the painting, created by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I think that Live the Life is a accurate translation. When Chris Martin was asked about this painting and also life of Frida Kahlo he said : She went through a lot of pain, of course, and then she started a big painting in her house that said 'Viva la Vida', I just loved the boldness of it. 

It's very interesting that the lyrics contain a lot of Biblical references for exemple pillars of sand are a reference of Biblical parable given by Jesus about the fool who built his house on sand and the wise man who built it on solid rock. Furthermore in this song we can hear "I know Saint Peter won't call my name" which refers to the popular belief of St. Peter guarding the gates of Heaven. 

Music is also very special because of the bells, chorus and orchestral sounds that make this song more sophisticated and even classic. In my opinion, all of those things give this song some air of intelligence, rare in today's most popular music. 

I think that Great Britain can be proud of this fantastic rock band which gives us this amazing and exceptional music :)

RUBIK'S PARADISE

Hi again!

Few days ago I heard very beautiful Polish song which pushed me into writing a post about songs with a deep message. To be honest I can't stand the empty songs without any sense, without any value... Yes, I know, recently I said that for me the music is more important than lyrics, but if I want to listen to the Polish songs, I want them to be valuable.

To my mind one of the most gifted Polish musicians is Piotr Rubik. He is well known composer of symphonic pop music for orchestra, film and theatre. What's interesting is that he studied film score composition in Siena under maestro Ennio Morricone. Moreover, he plays the piano and the cello as well. His opus magnum is called Tu es Petrus and this is the oratorio dedicated to John Paul II which contains Rubik's most popular song Let's them say it's not love (Niech mówią, że to nie jest miłość).
However almost all the songs are written by one of the Polish poets and screenwriters Zbigniew Książek who is the author of the song that I am going to talk about today.

The song called Strażnik Raju talk about a man who visits the paradise in order to talk with an Angel. He want to make sure that he won't be alone in the moment of death and also after it. He ask about the truth and the sense of life as well, but the Angel says to him that even if he responds to him, nothing won't change. For the Angel, it's a waste of time and people should live and not asking over and over...

Strażnik Raju is a part of the album Opisanie świata premiered on november 8th, 2011.
In my opinion, this a is very good song and I would like you to listen to songs of the duet Rubik & Książek because they are worth it.