The Rhythm is going to get you? (WIP)

Feb 12th. I awake to strains of Gloria Estefan's "...O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah "

"Hmm.. perky." I smiled to myself and snuggled further under the sheets, expecting the familiar tune to pick me up from the lingering fuzziness of a strange dream involving the 'ex'. As I closed my eyes and hummed along, a strange thing happened...
"At night when you turn off all the lights,
There's no place that you can hide
Oh no, the rhythm is gonna get'cha "

the words leapt out at me...
"In bed, throw the covers on your head
You pretend like you are dead
But I know it "

and remnants of my dream leach into my conciousness...
"The rhythm is gonna get'cha
No way, you can fight it every day
But no matter what you say
You know it
The rhythm is gonna get'cha
No clue, of what's happening to you
And before this night is through
Ooh baby, The rhythm is gon.."

I wince and leap for the dial.

By now I am fully awake. The realisation that such an upbeat catchy tune disguised such lame and twisted lyrics, both shocked and amused me. Of the zillion times I have heard this song played over the air, I have never 'heard' the lyrics, save of course for the unforgettable chorus.

In the hours to come, there was an incursion of Gloria Estefan songs on the airwaves of three radio stations in three different countries; a Brisbane station in Au, BBC radio 2 in UK and Class 95 in Sg. The radio is an evil, evil machine. Come February, radio stations all over the world conspire to prey on the suppressed memories of those feeling a tad fragile. My best friend in the mornings, suddenly tranforms into an insidious contraption belting out mini missiles that lock onto the intended target; relentless and single-minded in pursuit. They seek you out wherever you are, whatever you are doing. There is nowhere to hide. Intuitively they hit where its most tender; vulnerable spaces you had not even discovered nor expected. And slowly each penetrates, blow by blow, line by line - the words register and conjure.

Lyrics that I have been oblivious to all this while, drown out the familiar tune, "...I realize you're seein' someone new..."; like an intrusive narration, living in my head, "...I've finally found, The courage to stand my ground." I can hear every word, "...I don't wanna lose you now ", replay every poignant moment, "...But if you want me I'll be around, forever...". Pure evil.

I resolve to TAO my way out of this. Its all in the mind. As I attempt to tame it, more questions roll in my head. Why am I having all these thoughts? Why are my sense suddenly heightened? How did Gloria Estefan read my mind? etc...

Eventually, the words of a good friend parted the tumult. When all others tried to encourage me by reminding me that time will heal etc, she merely said "but it happens to everybody, and they learn to get over it." Soon more voices flood my head, I begin to recall snippets of conversations with friends, my head is abuzz with TAO.

The lyricist are not evil telepathics, they are human. The lyrics exist because someone understands the myriad of human emotions, fears, regrets. They have either experienced it or empathise with the complex quandaries faced; of bitter sweet hope, strength and weakness. Of pain and love, of deprivation and excessiveness, of strength and weakness, thesis and anti-thesis.

I am perhaps experiencing Synthesis, the awareness of the existence of both. A culmination of my mind and body becoming aware to what has happened and attuning itself to accept, actively. There must be a reason why my senses are heightened, in this time and place. (Yes, even to pop culture and has-beens like gloria estefan). It is the mystery of culture and the delicacy of living; a human existence. A tangible echoing existence. "It happens to everyone" - enjoy the rhythm of life; Layer upon layer of human flavour. Let not the words get in the way.

Words Get In The Way
(Gloria Estefan)
I realize you're seein' someone new, I don't believe she knows you like I do
Your temperamental moody side, the one you always try to hide from me
But I know when you have something on your mind
You've been tryin' to tell me for the longest time
And before you break my heart in two
There's something I've been trying to say to you

Chorus:
But the words get in the way, there's so much I want to say
But it's locked deep inside, and if you look in my eyes
We might fall in love again
Won't even start to cry, and before we say goodbye
I tried(try) to say I love you, but the words got(get) in the way

Your heart has always been an open door
But baby I don't even know you anymore
And despite the fact it's hurting me, I know the time has come to set you free


Don't Wanna Lose You
(Gloria Estefan)
Sometimes it's hard to make things clear
Or know when to face the truth
And I know that the moment is here
I'll open my heart and show you inside
My love has no pride
I feel with you I've got nothing to hide
So open your eyes and see who I am
And not who you want for me to be
I am only myself, myself
I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now or ever
'Cause baby I've finally found
The courage to stand my ground
But if you want me
I'll be around, forever
We all make mistakes, we all lose our way
But we stood the test of time and I hope
That's the way it will stay
It's all up to you, to tell me to go
'Cause it won't be me to walk away
When you're all that I know
And I know that
I don't wanna lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
I don't wanna lose you now or ever
'Cause baby I've finally found
The courage to stand my ground
But if you want me
I'll be around, forever