YOU INTO MUSIC AND LYRICS?

I don't know why I'm suddenly in this lovey dovey mood and since I'm feeling all mushy and romantic, I thought I should write about one of my all-time favourite romantic comedies. Seriously, I can't believe that I actually haven't written about this movie.

I never really liked romantic comedies. I mean, I watch a lot of them but they are never really my favourite genre. Most of them are predictable and boring, and I usually watch these movies when I just need to watch something light to release stress. Most of the times, I'd prefer comedies rather than romantic/love comedies. I used to be a romantic person, but as I grow older, I think I am in some ways tired of fantasizing about fairy tales and all those 'true love lasts forever' stories.

In romantic comedies, the hero and heroine always ends up happily together and I think that's why I can't stand romantic comedies (or rom-com); because I know that in reality, there is no such thing. But I'll tell you why I like Music & Lyrics. It is witty, with brilliant music and song lyrics. So the predictable story line is pardoned.

An ex-pop band star, Alex, who, in order to rebuild his career needs to write a song in order to collaborate with popular teen star, Cora. Problem is, he doesn't write songs and he need to find a lyricist. He met Sophie, who came to water his plants and happens to be great with rhythmic writing. So, developed a 'relationship' and some beautiful words and songs were 'generated'.

The theme song of the movie is one of my all time favourite and I'm sure many of you would know this song Way Back Into Love. I love how the lyrics to this song are illustrative of the lead characters' progression in the movie. It tells their story - their past and their present, what they want and feel. Some Chinese singers had cover this track and it is sad that not many know where this song originated from. I think if you understand how the lyrics of this song came about, you'll actually appreciate the meaning more.

Using the lyrics, I'm going to talk about the movie.

"I've been living with a shadow overhead,

I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed..."

Alex has always been living under the shadow of his band mate, Colin, who is more successful than him. In trying to escape his 'failure', Alex lives in the past, satisfied with his fan base which consists of women who once adore him during the 1980s. 

Sophie has been under a shadow of, I'd say, herself. I think in some ways, she keeps running away from certain things because she is afraid and insecure. To a certain extent, I can relate to how the characters feel. I mean, I believe that everyone has their own 'shadow' overhead, something in the past that belittles them, a fear of something that stop them from doing something. It could be because of insecurity or a bad experience. Personally, I do have this cloud or shadow above my head, I think more because of insecurities, that kept me from doing a lot of things.

"I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away, 

Just in case I ever need them again someday, 

I've been setting aside time, 

To clear a little space in the corners of my mind"

Alex is hiding his dreams and hopes after being able to compete with Colin's success. He gives himself an excuse to live in the past.

"I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine, 

I've been searching but I just don't see the signs, 

I know that it's out there, 

There's got to be something for my soul somewhere"

This verse I relate to the most when it comes to my personal love relationship. Like I always say, I'm a really idealistic person and I've always wanted that someone to be the only one. At some point in life, like the lyrics go, I just don't see the signs of that someone anymore, even though sometimes I choose to believe that there is someone out there for me. I think why I have been always single, because I'm afraid of getting hurt and taking that step forward. I keep waiting and waiting for the one person that I think is the right one and maybe there isn't a right one. I don't want to accept someone and then find that we have to break up. People tell me if you don't try you don't know, but I just can't try before I am sure. I don't know why. I don't need him to be perfect, but just someone that I can accept despite the flaws. Is it wrong to dream? But this verse keeps me believing.

"I've been looking for someone to shed some light 

Not somebody just to get me through the night I could use some directions

And I'm open to your suggestions"

Exactly what I need (in fact I think everyone would want) in a relationship - someone that helps us improve as a person, someone who accepts us for our weaknesses but then drives us to improve and not just someone you go to bed with at night. I think a good partner doesn't intimidate us; he completes you and tells you things you don't know about yourself - good or bad, giving you the confidence you need, and making you a better person. Alex and Sophie in the movie had gave each other directions, helping each other become the better person that they could be.

Of course, if we look at the song overall, it is basically about love and how our past relationship kept us from proceeding and accepting new love. But what is wonderful is, the lyrics are also indirectly telling us the story of its characters, Alex and Sophie. The song and the movie tells of how two people help each other move on in life and not dwell in the past.

Alex has always been stuck in believing that he is just an ex-pop star and not worthy of a new music career while Sophie is intimidated by her mean lecturer, whom she loved but had used her as 'material' for his book. Because of what her lecturer had wrote about her, she always feel insecure about herself, believing that she is nobody. In the end, both of them had stepped out from their 'shadows' and found a way back into love.

I love music and the fact that this movie is a combination of movie and music makes me love it even more. The songs in the movie are fantastic. Besides Way Back into Love there are other great tunes in the movie by Haley Bennett such as Buddha's Delight and Entering Bootytown which are more fun. Hugh Grant also sang another two beautiful and meaningful songs in the movie, Love Autopsy and Don't Write Me Off Just Yet.

One of my favourite lines from the movie is: 

"A melody is like seeing someone for the first time, the physical attraction, sex...but then, as you get to know the person, that's the lyrics, they're story, who they are underneath. It's the combination of the two that makes it magic" - Sophie

I think this line is basically the essence of the whole movie and one that is so true, isn't it? Sophie and Alex are each representation of one element and together, they are magic. Way Back into Love has a beautiful melody (everyone I know love this song) and its lyrics is also beautiful.

Music & Lyrics do not depend on lame disgusting jokes. Its humour is witty, so if you like those crazy goofy jokes, don't expect any in this one really. Overall, it is really a simple love comedy, but somehow, it managed to capture my heart. I've watched it many times and I still love it every time I watch it. However, some of my friends, sadly do not share the same feelings when watching it. My best friend fell asleep every time she watch it, maybe because there are no subtitles and even if there are subtitles, I don't think the subtitles can capture the beautiful meaning behind the script and lyrics. 

Till today, that friend of mine still haven't manage to completely watch Music & Lyrics. Another best buddy of mine, who loved the song, said that it was good but not exceptionally great, like she expected (I think I sold the movie too much and thus she had extremely high expectations, only to be let down).

I don't expect the boys to like this movie though, unless you are those really soft-hearted, sweet dudes who actually enjoy romantic comedy (like my brother). But for the sake of 'teman-ing' (accompanying) your girlfriends, this movie is really not bad.

To me, this movie is like a classic and it's so underrated in my opinion. No doubt my all time favourite romantic comedy.