FMM: Swim in the Ocean

I've been reviewing my 80s playlists of late, and came across an artist that I'm a fan of, but hasn't been on my Friday Magic Madness feature yet.

Billy Ocean.

Yup, he's an 80s staple with his smooth voice and catchy sounds. 

Just like this 1984 classic.

"Caribbean Queen" has an iconic intro. The type that you listen to the first second and you know what the song is. And yes, we had a cassette tape of this artist, thus, I'm familiar with the song. Even if I was not even a teenager when it was released.

'Nuff said. Time to dive into Billy Ocean.

FMM: Times for a comeback

There's a common thread that connects the songs of the 90s.

Most of the songs in that area - the fast ones, at least - are all ear worm worthy.

Catchy beats, fun lyrics, repetitive portions - this was the formula that made bands like Aqua, Vengaboys, S Club 7 and their ilk so popular.

You can also add Ann Lee to the list.

Her 1988 hit, "Two Times" was all over, it was difficult to escape.

Then again, with a song that brings out the good times, why would you want to?

FMM: It's her turn (around)

Gosh, this is such a shocker.

I've been doing Friday Magic Madness for decades, and it's just today that I discovered that Bonnie Tyler has never been featured!

Sacrilege.

But as they say, better late than never.

So, as a tribute to the iconic Bonnie Tyler, here's the song that she's best known for.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" truly eclipsed many songs it was pitted against, and rightfully so. The song is well-written, beautifully sung, and is so memorable. In fact, it's so memorable that, 43 years later after its release, people still know and sing this song.

Bonnie and this song will never be eclipsed.

FMM: Chic Times

Chic is so famous for their hit song "Le Freak," people forget that they have another song that's as catchy and danceable.

"Good Times" was a hit song from the group that hey released in 1979. It has some similarities with "Le Freak," but overall, this song feels more chill and boppy rather than dance-y.

It's always a good time when you listen to it.

FMM: 'Tis the Sison

No, this isn't a Christmas post.

Not to say that I'm not doing Christmas errands as early as now.

A few weeks ago, when we attended Tita Elvie's birthday bash at the gazebo, her kids treated everyone to a mini-concert. Yes, Tita Elvie's kids are all good singers.

And it was during that mini-concert, one of his sons sang this song:

Gosh! It's been ages since I last heard a Marco Sison song. And that song that he sung turned out to be one of his biggest hits, "Make Believe."

It's the season to add this guy to my playlist.

FMM: Quay Note

I've been to SG many times, but this trip was my first stay in Roberson Quay.

We stayed at Intercontinental Robertson Quay, and it was a quiet and quaint hotel. It's just across the river, so you get very nice views at night. Plus, there's a plethora of food and drink choices, thanks to The Quayside.

While it's off the beaten path, it's still accessible since there are 2 MRT stations near it. There's Clark Quay station which is about a 10 minute walk away, and Fort Caning Station which is relatively nearer. 

The hotel is also near another notable SG place - The Warehouse Hotel. 

Used to go here back in the 2000s where it was still a bar. And while the nature of the business has changed, the structure is still the same.

All this talk of Quays - which, by the way, is pronounced as "keys" - made me think of this David Benoit classic. And that's going to be today's Friday Magic Madness song.

Yes, this Robertson Quay entry is the impetus to "The Key to You." This is a 1988 classic which was such a ubiquitous song in radio stations, particularly City Lites 88.8 and 96.3 WRock.

And that's the quay.

FMM: State the obvious

Today's Friday Magic Madness is an obvious choice.

The Philippines celebrates Independence Day today, so, let's play a song about Independence.

"State of Independence" is a 1982 hit by Donna Summer. People have always considered this song to be a heavyweight song because of the song's back-up choir. It featured legends like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and Lionel Richie! How's that for a back-up?

That's probably why after 44 years, this song is still in a very good state.

FMM: Rawls playing

After writing about fables, the word "imagination" suddenly came to mind. After all, you need a rich and vivid imagination to be able to come up with stories. Much more if you think up of fables.

And since today is Friday Magic Madness day, I'm digging up a song that I've written about more than a year ago. But it's such a nice song, it deserves a repeat.

"Pure Imagination" is a 1976 song from Lou Rawls. As kids, this song would be played a lot on cassette, whether it was at home or in the car.

True to its title, there's something very imaginative and fantastical about this song. It sounds so soothing, thanks to Lou Rawls' voice, and the lyrics were beautifully written.

So, as the song says: Come with me, and let's listen to this song again.

FMM: Double Life

Call this a double play or double feature, but today's Friday Magic Madness song is inspired by yesterday's movie trailer.

The trailer had a catchy music bed, and the song is a remake of this 1978 hit by Billy Joel:

"My Life" is one of his iconic songs, and it's been a while since I've last heard it play. But thanks to this trailer, it's now back in my playlist and I'm listening to it on repeat.

Safe to say, this song has been given a second life.

FMM: What's the Plann?

Since we're in the subject of j3j3m0hwns, this song from 1993 suddenly came to mind.

"Bring dat booty" is a rap song from the Fil-Am group named Mastaplann. 

While this isn't exactly from the j3j3m0hwn era, (it predated it by more than a decade, actually), this song actually captures the vibe of that era. It campy, cheesy and cringey. But it's so campy, cheesy and cringey that it's fun.

Thus, it's fun to go back and randomly listen to songs like this. 

But yes, I'm still glad this era is over.

FMM: In the Nicks of time

What better way to end Double Denim week than this song from Stevie Nicks.

"Blue Denim" is one of my favourite Stevie Nicks songs. While it wasn't as popular or known here in the Philippines, this song has always been on my playlist since its launch in 1994. The sound is quintessential Stevie - a big of country, a bit of rock, but all phenomenal!

Until the next Double Denim week!

FMM: Cell la vie

My taste in music has always been eclectic.

That's because my parents listened to so many different types and genres of music, and we'd listen to those along with them. We could be listening to Richard Clayderman one day, then Village People the next day. One day, we'd listen to jazz, and the next day, we'd listen to synth-pop.

One of the synth-pop groups that I grew up listening to is a group called Soft Cell. They're an English band who had a number of hits in the 80s, the biggest being this song:

"Tainted Love," has the 80s vibe down pat. It must be the synth aspect of it, but this song was and is a joy to listen to. And each time I'm listening to it, I can't help but be transported back to the 80s. 

Interesting trivia is the fact that this song is actually a remake of a 1964 song by Gloria Jones. It was popular back then, but it never reached the same popularity as the Soft Cell version.

I've listened to both, and admittedly, I'm more sold on this version.

FMM: Behind her

Today's Friday Magic Madness song is bittersweet. It's a song that's 20 years old, and the title has a colour which is also the name of a friend who we recently lost.

Hazel is one of the IUJ girls who I met during that time I surprised Mark in Urasa. I was sitting on a bench outside SD2, waiting for Mark, and this group of 3 girls passed by. I overheard one of them ask if the other 2 knew who I was, and what country I was from. That girl turned out to be Hazel.

It was during that same night, at the Karaoke party, that we were formally introduced. After that first meeting, we became friends. Being friends with Hazel was easy because she had a very friendly personality. She was bubbly, accommodating, and she always had a ready smile. 

Whenever she'd see me alone and waiting for Mark's class to finish, she'd stop and take time to chat and keep me company. Whenever we'd go to Yummy Ice Cream or JUSCO in Muikamachi, her presence would always light up that place where we were.

After their IUJ stint and they were back in Manila, we'd still occasionally see each other. Some were planned meetings, like when her daughter was baptised. Some would be accidental, like seeing her in the NEDA building in Ortigas. But no matter how many years have passed, she was still the same bubbly, accommodating and friendly Hazel from IUJ.

It was last Friday when we heard the news that she was in the hospital, and last Wednesday, we heard the sad news that she passed on. It's shocking since she's still young, and it's saddening because we won't be able to experience the friendliness and warmth that was uniquely Hazel.

So, for you, here's Kelly Clarkson's 2005 song which was one of the songs that kept me company during my first few months of living in HKG - "Beyond these Hazel eyes."

Vaya con Dios, Hazel. 

FMM: XS-sive

I've been doing this Friday Magic Madness thing for more than a decade, and I'm actually surprised that there's hasn't been any INXS song featured yet.

They're a rock band from the 80s, and they had a number of massive global hits. Needless to say, they're also a mainstay in TV shows like Video Hit Parade, America's Top 10 and MTV.

One of my most listened to INXS songs is this 1983 hit.

"Original Sin," is their first song that really caught my ear and became an earworm back in the 80s. The lyrics well-written, and the musicality of their performance is just top notch.

They really are originals.

FMM: Sweet like Candi

While browsing through FB reels yesterday, there was a piece of content about a New Yorker throwing a baby shower.

The visuals didn't really interest me, but it was the soundtrack that caught my ear.

The soundtrack? This catchy ditty from 1976.

"Young hearts frun free," is one of Candi Statons hits. Just like many hits from the 70s, this has the trifecta of a catchy beat, great lyrics and an awesome singer. It's one of hose ditties that give that very chill vibe that you can listen to the whole day.

This is one candi that you're allowed to enjoy everyday.

FMM: Beneath me

Being a jazz fan, a large chunk of my 90s life was spent listening to Incognito.

This British acid jazz band was a staple in radio stations during the 90s, and we'd also have their CDs at the office and play it during OT nights.

One of my most listened to songs from this band is this 1996 hit, "Beneath the Surface."

Whenever this song plays, it brings me back to my San Miguel days. That was a very memorable 1 year of my working life, and it gave me a lot of long time friendships that are cherished until now.

So yes, my love for this song is more than surface deep.

FMM: Words of Tradition

If there's one thing that was on my agenda on this trip to Bicol, it was to go to Malinao and hear the Siete Palabras.

We did this when we where kids. As early as 1pm, we'd go to Sts. Joaquim and Anne Parish, and we'd listen to the  last words and wait for the image of Christ to breathe his last. Yes, the image of Jesus Christ actually "dies" at 3pm. And, back then, it was a novel sight for a kid from Manila to see.

I'm glad to have witnessed this again, albeit the scriptures and sharing went a bit overtime and the culmination happened around 3:30pm rather than 3:00pm.

One of the songs that they sang during the 7 last words is an old church song that's been a favourite of mine since childhood. And on today's Good Friday Magic Madness, it's only apt to play this song:

"Pananagutan" is a church hymn that was written sometime between the 60s and the 70s. It was written by a Jesuit preist named Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, and has been part of church hymns ever since. 

It's such a classic song that while listening to it this 2026, it still hits the same way as it did when I'd listen to it as a kid in the 80s.

I'm so glad to have heard this, and witness this tradition, after decades.

FMM: Smooth!

No, this isn't a Santana post. Though that would've been appropriate for a Friday Magic Madness post.

But this is a Friday Magic Madness post.

Someone at the office suddenly played Sade, and my mind went: "Why don't I feature her as often as she should?"

Et voila!

"Smooth Operator" is probably one of her biggest hits. It came out in 1984 and was ubiquitous back then. And even until now.

This song is just so smooth!

FMM: That's crazy

It's kinda wild whenever people refer to 90s songs as "old."

Saw this reel on FB when people were asked to listen to "old songs from the 90s." In my mind, I'm like, "Really? That's already considered old?"

One good thing about watching that video, though, is that it brought back songs and memories from 2 decades back. And this song rom 1999 is what made me excited the most.

"Butterfly" by Crazy Town was such as ubiquitous song back then. It was played all over - radios, parties, discos - wherever you went, you could hear it.

But what makes this song memorable for me is the fact that one of my nephews loved to sing it. I'm not sure if it was Carl or Miguel, but whenever this song came on and they'd play the chorus, he'd sing the part that went "Sugar... baby..."

It's crazy how one song can bring so much awesome memories.

FMM: Madness!

Yes, today's Friday Magic Madness song is about madness. How's that for a coincidence.

"Beauty and Madness" by Fra Lippo Lippi suddenly came to mind because of this youtube reel that keeps popping up on my feed. It's about a music teacher who asks people to guess a song based on a few notes that he plays on his keyboards.

One of the song he plays most often is this Fra Lippo Lippi hit song from 1987. And surprisingly, no one gets it right! Gosh. How can they not know this iconic song.

Madness!