When we look at the images of Earth spinning in space and (thanks to the Internet) listen to its peculiar song which sounds a bit like the wind blowing, we are overwhelmed by the feeling of complete peace and timelessness. However, unlike this space scene, the Earth on ‘the ground level’ is completely opposite – resonating with noise, speed, movement, sirens, buzzing, whistles, talks, cries, laughter, meows, barks, tweets and varied music on almost every corner of your city, no matter where you live. Did it ever occur to you what the harmony of the world sounded like, the day you were born or conceived? Can you imagine all the meaningless and important things that were happening at that moment in all the different parts of the world?
Here is one possibility: On September 3rd, 1973, at 6:28 pm and 32 seconds, a bluebottle fly capable of 14,670 wing beats a minute landed on Rue St Vincent, Montmartre. At the same moment, on a restaurant terrace nearby, the wind magically made two glasses dance on the tablecloth unnoticed by anyone. Meanwhile, in a flat on the 5th-floor, 28 Avenue Trudaine, Paris 9, returning from his best friend’s funeral, Eugène Colère erased his name from his address book. At the same moment, a sperm with one X chromosome, belonging to Raphaël Poulain, made a dash for an egg of his wife Amandine. Nine months later, Amélie Poulain was born – the girl with an uncommon feeling of absolute harmony, with a great urge to help others (which is something that can make our everyday lives absolutely marvelous).
Countless similar events take place with every shift of day and night, and on this June 21st – the first day of summer and the International day of music, we are recalling the Miraculous destiny of Amelie Poulain with the Comptine d’un autre ete (The nursery rhyme of another summer). A ‘tender melancholy with a smile’ is maybe the best description of this Yan Tiersen’s composition, and the common feeling that turns back to us with the arrival of every September when the scent of the summer ending is almost palpable.
The changing of the seasons, sun rising, a stick, a stone, glass, grass, water drops, bare feet, sand… when was the last time you’ve stopped and enjoyed these regular but wonderful things around us? One of the most beautiful songs that celebrate life and bring us back to nature at least for a few minutes, is Aquas de Marco.
Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote the song in 1972 and later recorded it again with Elis Regina (Tom & Elis album) which is maybe the most beautiful interpretation of all. However, we decided today to present the charming Natali and Carlos duo along with their sweet video which depicts the lyrics of the song just in the right way.
Regardless of your preferences – the Yan Tiersen’s summer breeze or the spring rain from the Waters of March – the best way to start the summer is by listening to the songs and melodies that are suitable for daydreaming or the ones that make you sing from the bottom of your heart.