Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Besides me, did anyone else in Liverpool, New York, listen to freestyle in the mid-80's? Somebody else probably did. My guess is that they were not in my high school.
Back in the day. That's how I describe those days. I was the new kid who just transferred from somewhere in West Africa. Nigeria, specifically. People would ask me why I wasn't black. I was different to begin with. It didn't help that I didn't listen to bands like Van Halen. Or Def Leppard. Or Meatloaf. To this day, I am not sure what that Meatloaf song is the boys sing, then the girls, then the boys again. Whatever.
I was into Freestyle. I listened to Show Me by the Covergirls. And Point of No Return by Expose. But it wasn't until I started buying my own 12-inches (oh the irony) that I really started listening to some amazing stuff. Full Circle by Company B. Come Into My Arms by Judy Torres. Summertime, Summertime by Nocera. I Won't Stop Loving You by C-Bank. Like A Child by Noel. Why Did You Have To Change on Me by Cynthia. Boy, I've Been Told by Sa-fire. I would comb the inner city record stores for some of the most amazing music. The only 17-year old Filipino in the store. I'm sure some people did a double-take.
I still love hearing these songs on the dance floor. Once in a while, I'll be on some dance floor where the DJ will take a chance and play a freestyle song. Almost certainly, I will be one of a handful of people dancing. I didn't care then. I don't care now. As I type this, I am jamming to one of my favorites. Judy Torres. Considered by some to be the Queen. Me included.
I don't miss much from my high school years. But this type of music, yes. This discovery of it. The freedom I felt listening to it. I miss that. Later.
Back in the day. That's how I describe those days. I was the new kid who just transferred from somewhere in West Africa. Nigeria, specifically. People would ask me why I wasn't black. I was different to begin with. It didn't help that I didn't listen to bands like Van Halen. Or Def Leppard. Or Meatloaf. To this day, I am not sure what that Meatloaf song is the boys sing, then the girls, then the boys again. Whatever.
I was into Freestyle. I listened to Show Me by the Covergirls. And Point of No Return by Expose. But it wasn't until I started buying my own 12-inches (oh the irony) that I really started listening to some amazing stuff. Full Circle by Company B. Come Into My Arms by Judy Torres. Summertime, Summertime by Nocera. I Won't Stop Loving You by C-Bank. Like A Child by Noel. Why Did You Have To Change on Me by Cynthia. Boy, I've Been Told by Sa-fire. I would comb the inner city record stores for some of the most amazing music. The only 17-year old Filipino in the store. I'm sure some people did a double-take.
I still love hearing these songs on the dance floor. Once in a while, I'll be on some dance floor where the DJ will take a chance and play a freestyle song. Almost certainly, I will be one of a handful of people dancing. I didn't care then. I don't care now. As I type this, I am jamming to one of my favorites. Judy Torres. Considered by some to be the Queen. Me included.
I don't miss much from my high school years. But this type of music, yes. This discovery of it. The freedom I felt listening to it. I miss that. Later.
