By Nse Ikpe-Etim
I tossed and turned as I dreaded the morning that would come. The heat was unbearable; I had run the generator for two days nonstop and the engine was crying for a break. The harsh glow from my computer forced my eyes open and as I jumped to look at my bedside clock, I realized it was time for a shower. My impending trip lingered on my mind. I had to be at the airport in less than two hours. I dreaded the traffic so I jumped into the bath tub and had a quick wash. I made my usual morning call to my husband, we said our prayers and I hit the road.
Many thoughts ran through my head as we drove through crowded Lagos streets. The driver opted not to play music so I hummed away to ‘Fall at your feet‘ by Crowded House. This flight to Malawi was my chance to grab some much deserved down time and I hoped I didn’t get a chatty neighbour. And so I readied my IPOD, put in my earphones and tuned out the world. Teddy Pendergrass’ ‘It don’t hurt now‘ had just come on when I felt a tap on my arm. Obviously irritated, I took out my earphones and prepared to give this intruder a telling off.
He said ‘I love that song, it got me through a rough ride and now I am healed‘. We got talking and for the next several hours compared notes. He spoke about Al Green‘s How can you mend a broken heart, Michael Jackson‘s ‘Gone too soon‘, James Ingram‘s ‘Just once‘, Teddy Pendergrass’s ‘The whole town’s laughing at me, Lionel Richie‘s ‘Lady’, Simon & Garfunkel‘s ‘Bridge‘ over troubled waters and so much more. My IPOD was easily forgotten.
Nigeria is fiercely diverse but in all our diversity, we share one unifying passion…MUSIC. These days it’s songs by the likes of 2Face, Banky W, Ice Prince, Wizkid, Waje or whoever else is the current fad. Back then Harry Mosco ruled the airwaves, Chris Okotie did too, also Orits Wiliki and Nico Mbarga, bless his soul. Music transcends language, sociopolitical and economic barriers. Music heals, inspires and teaches. Some of my favorite songs are classics, because back then the artistes wanted every musical note and lyric to count. Whatever your musical inclination, all that matters is that you live, breathe and love MUSIC
(c) Star Music
