May 30, 2007 | In: Entertainment, Music
What’s our answer to Freebird?
It just occurred to me. I’ve always been reading about the tradition of yelling “Freebird!” in rock concerts in the US. To those who aren’t familiar with the topic, Freebird’s a song by legendary Southern US rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. If you’ve watched My Name is Earl and god-forbid Elizabethtown you may have seen references to this anthem.
I have no arguments against this. Freebird’s probably overrated, say, compared to other 70s rock anthems but it’s a nice song. Smooth topped off with an incendiary guitar battle at the end. The song’s been so ingrained in the American rock culture that it’s been an old running “joke” to yell out a request for it. Never mind if the band’s borders more on jazz. Here’s an article about it, The Curse of Freebird.
Now being a Pinoy rock enthusiast, I’ve been wondering what’s going to be our answer to that. Well, I think it has been an established fact that if there’s going to be a definitive Pinoy rock anthem, it’d be Juan de la Cruz’s Himig Natin.
But I’ve been to numerous concerts and I haven’t really heard a particularly shouted out as a requested cover like that Freebird curse/phenomenon in the States. Himig Natin comes up only perhaps when Pepe’s onstage. And that’d be among requests for other JDLC staples. I also play the guitar and among my peers, Himig Natin doesn’t even count as a must-learn tune unlike, perhaps, the opening riff of Sweet Child o’ Mine or Under the Bridge.
Not even the more contemporary anthems like songs by the E-heads. Perhaps we really take each group’s uniqueness and respect their craft, never mind if one band deserves a level of iconicity. More often than not, “requests” shouted over the din would often be the band’s most popular song or an establish classic for a sentimental trip.
But I think I’d prefer that. It can be unnerving for a band to be haunted by some classic tune. It can be a bit disrespectful too. Good thing we do otherwise. I mean it’s okay to request Enveloped Ideas from The Dawn than ask them to sing one that’s not their own. At least that’s my take to it.
Hehe. Leave the Americans to their pranks.
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3 Responses to What’s our answer to Freebird?
benj
May 31st, 2007 at 12:47 am
Slight oversight, it’s Lynyrd Skynyrd.;)
Aside from “Ang Himig Natin”, the following songs could make a strong case.
1. “Beep Beep” by Juan de la Cruz – I’m partial towards this song for the simple reason that rocks out a lot harder than Ang Himig Natin which is definitely on the mellow side.
2. “Iisang Bangka” by The Dawn – I’m really biased but I think this song just appeals to the emotions like nothing else. It’s impossible to not feel empowered after hearing it.
3. “Halik Ni Hudas” by Wolfgang – If I were president, I’ll make this our national anthem! haha
4. ANY ERASERHEADS song. haha – Most bands have covered at least one Eheads song so…
Pinoy bands are hardly sponatenous though. They have a set list and they follow that to a T.
Alex
May 31st, 2007 at 5:31 am
Edited. Damn spelling. Nice picks, Benj. But I think we just don’t really have to “impose” on bands even as a joke.
Says something a lot about Americans too. That image of the large confederate flag behind Skynyrd when they played it live in 77 (I think) was too reminiscent of the South.
Flori
May 31st, 2007 at 9:57 am
Hmmm…. let me put in my 2 centavo worth, having been to my share of gigs.
Rakistas do get spontaneous especially in more “intimate” venues, and
if the crowd are familiar fans (or when they’re already drunk).
Sadly, there is no “Freebird” song that gets requested by the crowd.
It’s a case-to-case basis, depending on the band.
Chicosci plays the first rifts of “Sexy Back” when the crowd asks for it.
Sandwich (which is a very spontaneous band courtesy of Sir Rayms), would play Lovecats or an E-heads song.
Radioactive Sago would play “Baboy ” with a variety of twists.
Twisted Halo played a Backstreet Boys song once for trips.
But a song that has a “Freebird” status? Hmm… difficult.
Like you said, “Himig Natin” is the closest we have, I think.