When I was younger, birthdays were a big deal. Friends would come over, and we’d spend the day getting drunk, free from the pressures of work and responsibilities. Life felt a lot simpler then, and friendships, less complicated. But time and experience have a way of changing how we see things.
These days, I’d rather spend them quietly (or not so quietly) with family—still drinking, of course, as some traditions are sacred—and listening to songs that bring back fond and bittersweet memories.
Here’s my life in 40 tracks:
“All Things Must Pass” – George Harrison
Over the years, I’ve lost loved ones and friends—some to illness, others to injustice. This song helped me come to terms with the impermanence of life. As the lyric goes,c”None of life’s strings can last.”
“Sembreak” – Eraserheads
This ’90s classic always takes me back to my childhood, when I was completely into E-heads. I even used its lyrics for a friendly letter assignment, knowing our teacher wouldn’t read it anyway.
“Step into My Office, Baby” – Belle and Sebastian
I used to listen to this tune on my commute to work while loathing myself for being stuck in a job that I didn’t even like.
“Here’s Where the Story Ends” – The Sundays
It’s funny how one song can unlock so many memories—from lazy summer breaks in Cavite to those misadventures in Manila.
“God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys
Co-written by the late Brian Wilson, this usually comes to mind when someone asks about my favorite song.
“Very Best Years” – The Grays
Before smartphones and social media became a thing, NU107 FM was my nighttime refuge. This track totally captures that NUstalgia.
“Uunahin Ko Kayo” – Noel Cabangon
Seven years have passed since my father passed away, and his memories live on. This poignant cover of a Gary Granada composition was the song played at his funeral.
“Dirty Life and Times” – Warren Zevon
My go-to tune whenever I feel like reflecting on how messy my life has been.
“Lilim” – Jeepney Joyride
I remember when I first met one of my closest friends about 20 years ago. We were both “irreg” political science students who ended up hijacking a class to debate the mode of production in the Philippines. A few months later, I would find myself listening to his playlist—including this track.
“Another Day” – Paul McCartney
When we were kids, weekend mornings meant waking up to my mom playing Paul McCartney songs. Man, I miss those days, and that old house we grew up in!
“Rudy Can’t Fail” – The Clash
I still have a CD of The Clash’s discography that my late friend burned for me. This track was his favorite.
“Because” – Julian Lennon:
I grew up with the original Dave Clark Five version of this classic hit—honestly, I can still hear the Goin’ Bananas cast singing it on TV in the ’90s. But the version that really stayed with me came from a folk singer friend I met in Tayuman almost two decades
ago.
“Pictures of You” – The Cure
Listening to this song is like stepping into a time capsule, taking me back to those good old days at Anthology Bar and Malate.
“Tao” – Paul Galang
It’s one of two songs, along with Gary Granada’s “Pamantasan ng Puso,” I often find myself quoting when it comes to education and getting a diploma.
“Shelter from the Storm” – Bob Dylan
Like Beat poets, Bob Dylan has a way with words that continues to amaze me to this day. This track’s my favorite off my favorite Dylan album, Blood on the Tracks.
“Telepono” – Sugarfree
If there was one thing my college buddies and I never had to argue about, it was our shared love for Sugarfree.
“Under Pressure” – Queen & David Bowie
Our ultimate college karaoke anthem—it brought the house down every single time.
“Bayan-Bayanan” – WUDS
With just enough money for one CD, I walked from Adamson University to Recto Avenue to buy a pirated copy of WUDS’ “Nakalimutan ang Diyos.” Some time later, Bobby Balingit guested on a radio show and chose this track to play. When asked what it was about, he remarked that no government can make its people happy. That was the most punk thing I’d ever heard at that time.
“Speak in English Zone” – Joel Costa Malabanan
I’ve known Doc Joel for just about a decade, and I can’t stress enough how profoundly his music has impacted me.
“Tired of Being Alone” – Al Green
Who says I’ve got no soul? This track was my gateway into soul and R&B.
“Drinking Wine” – Petrified Anthem
Thanks to RJ Underground Radio, I discovered this Pinoy rock classic—one of Howlin’ Dave’s favorite tunes—along with a bunch of other hidden gems.
“Alive” – Pearl Jam
I’ve lost count of how many times my longtime friend from high school and I have had falling outs. In fact, he hasn’t responded to my messages in months. But no matter what happens, we’ll always have Pearl Jam—whether he likes it or not.
“May Panahon” – Bong Ramilo
Pretty much every former “YS tibak” has listened to or sung this song at some point in their life.
“Bored” – Deftones
There was a time in my adolescent years when all I cared about was getting my hands on every Deftones album and any magazine that featured the band.
“Awit sa Bayani” – Tambisan sa Sining
Levy Abad’s heartfelt tribute to fallen comrades who gave their lives in service of the people. I remember the day I found out my labor leader friend had been killed. The news left me in such disbelief that I had to call a few friends just to confirm it was real.
“Sunday Roast” – Courtney Barnett
Coping with the emotional effects of pandemic lockdowns was never easy, but Courtney Barnett helped me pull through.
“Someday” – The Strokes
Ahhh, this one feels like a warm hug from the past. A love letter to my youth, so to speak.
“Rage” – The Jerks
“But I’ll go not gently into the night / Rage against the dying of the light.” Borrowing lines from a Dylan Thomas poem, the song served as a catalyst to my political awakening in college.
“Too Much Too Young” – The Specials
I owe a former colleague a debt of gratitude for introducing me to The Specials and the whole 2-Tone scene. Ever since, laundry days have had the perfect soundtrack—and a whole lot more attitude.
“Butterfly Carnival” – Sandwich
This was the song playing when I first set foot in Mayric’s. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Sabotage” – Beastie Boys
If teenage angst had a theme song, this was mine raw, loud, and chaotic. “Listen all y’all, it’s a sabotage!”
“Mc’ Jo” – Yano
I never worked in fast food, but this reminds me of that one summer job I had at SM Megamall. As Dong Abay perfectly puts it, “Nasayang lang ang oras ko / Nasayang lang pera ng nanay ko.”
“Kahit Na” – Agaw Agimat
Now here’s an alternative rock anthem that helped me get through some tough times, especially when I lost my college scholarship.
“Rosas ng Digma” – Musikang Bayan
Danny Fabella’s iconic love song has aged like a fine wine I’d sip down to the very last drop.
“In the Light” – Led Zeppelin
“And if you feel that you can’t go on / And your will’s sinkin’ low / Just believe, and you can’t go wrong.” Whoa, this one never fails to pull me out of the dark, like being swept into a wave of light and power!
“When You Wake Up Feeling Old” – Wilco
Getting older doesn’t feel so bad with Wilco playing in the background.
“Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac
The older I get, the more this song feels like a metaphor for parenthood, much like Rom Dongeto’s “ Kanlungan .”
“These Days” – Jackson Browne
That final line—‘Don’t confront me with my failures / I had not forgotten them’—says it all for me.
“Still Crazy After All These Years” – Paul Simon
There’s a strange comfort in staying the same, even when the world insists you change.
That’s the feeling this song wraps around me.
“Thank you” – Pale Fountains
Signing off with an underrated gem from the ’80s—a quiet tribute to my family and
friends who’ve always had my back, and to The Pop Blog for being my little creative
home these past few years. See you at 50, hopefully.
Daniel is an avid lover of music and films. While most people his age would spend their leisure time playing online games, he enjoys creating playlists and movie lists. Daniel has also written opinion pieces for various publications. He studied Political Science at Adamson University and is currently an associate at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation. He would never say no to a cold beer!