The Songs I Like to Sing Part-1

I have a few handy songs that I like to sing to myself to find the joy and delight of life. They are a few of John Denver, ABBA, and Bangla songs. They all relate to me in some way that I feel enchanted and enter the world of music.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is John Denver’s one of the most popular songs. Over and over, I have heard it and know his lines so well that I like to sing it to myself. It talks about mountains, trees, moonshine, and country roads leading up to his home.

All his memories are centered around Mountain Mama. He sings the lines:

Life is old there, older than the trees

Younger than the mountains

Growing like a breeze

That’s just about how he relates the breeze, mountains, and trees.

The radio reminded him of his home far away and that he should have been home yesterday is so movingly sung by him that it touches one’s heart.

He keeps saying, “Country roads, take me home.” He is afraid he is late for home, and his wife may be mad at him. He wants the country roads to carry him fast to his home.

Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver

"Annie's Song" by John Denver

"Annie’s song" is a romantic one full of love and lust for his wife, Annie. It is an authentic expression of how much he loved his wife. Throughout his life, John had arguments with his wife whenever he used to leave home far away for composing and creating his songs.

All those times he always remembered his wife, and many songs are about their daily lives and quarrels. John, although an immensely popular country singer, was very hurt and sad at the core of his being for not having a happy relationship with his wife. He died in a plane crash all of a sudden.

Annie’s Song by John Denver

"The Name of the Game" by ABBA

ABBA’s “The Name of the Game” refers to a child who is curious and happy to see a man making all the children play games. He is new to town, and the more the little girl watches him, the more she is impressed. She wants to know the name of the game he is making the children play.

The child affirms, “I was not a possible case. No one could reach me. But I can see it in your face, there’s a lot you can teach me.” Clearly, she is excited to see the new man and cannot take her eyes off him. She is sure he can teach her a lot.

Finally, she is convinced, “You give me no choice.” Obviously, she is spellbound by how he is making all the kids play, and she is influenced by the thought he is her only choice.

The Name of the Game by ABBA

"Chiquitita" by ABBA

"Chiquitita" sung by ABBA is about a bird. The bird has broken feathers and wings and is sad. The singer, an ABBA sister, is trying to cheer it up. She sings, “Chiqiuitita, you and I cry. But the sun is still in the sky shining above you.” The singer feels so much for the bird and always says comforting words to it to console it to the end. She even encourages the bird to sing again. She sings, “Try once more like you did before, sing a new song, Chiquitita.”

Chiquitita by ABBA

Bangla Patriotic Song: “My Birthland”

You will not get a country like this

The queen of all countries is

my birthland.

Bangladesh, my country, the green country is my birthland. Although massive deforestation has been done resulting in high rise and industries, she still represents the greenness of the country because much of it is covered by villages and acres and acres of greenness.

A Part of Patriotic Song, Sung by Rosina

“Machine Car” by Runa Laila

Humorous driver,

Drive the machine car

Faster and faster.

You drive left

You drive right

What a telematics business!

Tru tru tra tra

Tra tra tru tru

A popular artiste of the country, Runa Laila sang these lines in her song "Machine Car."

Part of Runa Laila’s Machine Car, Sung by Rosina

"Station’s Railway" by Runa Laila

That station’s railway

Goes according to the clock

Sitting on the platform

I am pondering when it

Will strike noon.

Runa Laila also sang these lines of her “Station’s Railway” song. She is sitting on the platform of the railway station and wondering when it will strike noon. Then she will begin her journey because the railway goes according to the clock.

Part of Station’s Railway by Runa Laila, Sung by Rosina

Conclusion

These are all some of the songs I like to sing from time to time. I feel enriched and happy whenever I sing these songs. I travel back to the times when these songs were sung and imagine myself to be in that moment in time – how I might have been and felt right that time. It’s always a refreshing feeling, full of life and vigor.

© 2023 Rosina S Khan