MOST FAMOUS LYRICS: ENGLISH & TAMIL

MOST FAMOUS LYRICS: ENGLISH

https://englishlive.ef.com/blog/vocabulary/culture/10-most-famous-english-song-lyrics-ever-and-their-meaning/

Surf's Up: Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, 1971

A diamond necklace played the pawn

Hand in hand some drummed along, oh

To a handsome mannered baton

A blind class aristocracy

Back through the opera glass you see

The pit and the pendulum drawn

Columnated ruins domino

Canvass the town and brush the backdrop

Are you sleeping?

Hung velvet overtaken me

Dim chandelier awaken me

To a song dissolved in the dawn

The music hall a costly bow

The music all is lost for now

To a muted trumpeter swan

Columnated ruins domino

Canvass the town and brush the backdrop

Are you sleeping, Brother John?

Dove nested towers the hour was

Strike the street quicksilver moon

Carriage across the fog

Two-Step to lamp lights cellar tune

The laughs come hard in Auld Lang Syne

The glass was raised, the fired-roast

The fullness of the wine, the dim last toasting

While at port adieu or die

A choke of grief heart hardened I

Beyond belief a broken man too tough to cry

Surf's Up

Aboard a tidal wave

Come about hard and join

The young and often spring you gave

I heard the word

Wonderful thing

A children's song

Child, child, child, child, child

A child is the father of the man

Child, child, child, child, child

A child is the father of the man

A children's song

Have you listened as they played

Their song is love

And the children know the way

That's why the child is the father to the man

Child, child, child, child, child

Child, child, child, child, child

Na na na na na na na na

Child, child, child, child, child

That's why the child is the father to the man

Child, child, child, child, child

Masters Of War: Bob Dylan. 1962-63

Come you masters of war

You that build the big guns

You that build the death planes

You that build all the bombs

You that hide behind walls

You that hide behind desks

I just want you to know

I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'

But build to destroy

You play with my world

Like it's your little toy

You put a gun in my hand

And you hide from my eyes

And you turn and run farther

When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old

You lie and deceive

A world war can be won

You want me to believe

But I see through your eyes

And I see through your brain

Like I see through the water

That runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers

For the others to fire

Then you set back and watch

When the death count gets higher

You hide in your mansion'

As young people's blood

Flows out of their bodies

And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear

That can ever be hurled

Fear to bring children

Into the world

For threatening my baby

Unborn and unnamed

You ain't worth the blood

That runs in your veins

How much do I know

To talk out of turn

You might say that I'm young

You might say I'm unlearned

But there's one thing I know

Though I'm younger than you

That even Jesus would never

Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question

Is your money that good

Will it buy you forgiveness

Do you think that it could

I think you will find

When your death takes its toll

All the money you made

Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die

And your death'll come soon

I will follow your casket

In the pale afternoon

And I'll watch while you're lowered

Down to your deathbed

And I'll stand over your grave

'Til I'm sure that you're dead

Hey Jude: The Beatles, 1968

Hey, Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her into your heart

Then you can start to make it better

Hey, Jude, don't be afraid

You were made to go out and get her

The minute you let her under your skin

Then you begin to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain,

Hey, Jude, refrain

Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

For well you know that it's a fool

Who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah

Hey, Jude, don't let me down

You have found her, now go and get her

Remember to let her into your heart

Then you can start to make it better

So let it out and let it in,

Hey, Jude, begin

You're waiting for someone to perform with

And don't you know that it's just you,

Hey, Jude, you'll do

The movement you need is on your shoulder

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah yeah

Hey, Jude, don't make it bad

Take a sad song and make it better

Remember to let her under your skin

Then you'll begin to make it better, better, better, better, better... oh!

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (Jude)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (yeah, yeah, yeah)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (don't make it bad, Jude)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (take a sad song and make it better)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (oh, Jude)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (Jude, hey, Jude, whoa)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude (ooh)

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude

Nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah nah,

Hey, Jude [fade out]

 

I Still Miss Someone: Johnny Cash and Ron Cash, 1958

At my door the leaves are falling

A cold wild wind has come

Sweethearts walk by together

And I still miss someone

I go out on a party

And look for a little fun

But I find a darkened corner

Because I still miss someone

Oh, no I never got over those blue eyes

I see them every where

I miss those arms that held me

When all the love was there

I wonder if she's sorry

For leavin' what we'd begun

There's someone for me somewhere

And I still miss someone

 

Suicide Is Painless: Michael Altman, 1970

Through early morning fog I see

Visions of the things to be

The pains that are withheld for me

I realize and I can see

That suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

And I can take or leave it if I please

That game of life is hard to play

I'm gonna lose it anyway

The losing card I'll someday lay

So this is all I have to say

Suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

And I can take or leave it if I please

The sword of time will pierce our skin

It doesn't hurt when it begins

But as it works its way on in

The pain grows stronger, watch it grin

Suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

And I can take or leave it if I please

A brave man once requested me

To answer questions that are key

"Is it to be or not to be?"

And I replied, "Oh, why ask me?"

Suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

And I can take or leave it if I...

Suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

And I can take or leave it if I please

Suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

And you can do the same thing if you please.

 

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out: Johnny Marr + Morrissey, 1992

Take me out tonight

Where theres music and theres people

And they're young and alive

Driving in your car

I never never want to go home

Because I haven't got one

Anymore

Take me out tonight

Because I want to see people and I

Want to see life

Driving in your car

Oh, please don't drop me home

Because its not my home, its their

Home, and I'm welcome no more

And if a double-decker bus

Crashes into us

To die by your side

Is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten-ton truck

Kills the both of us

To die by your side

Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight

Take me anywhere, I don't care

I don't care, I don't care

And in the darkened underpass

I thought oh god, my chance has come at last

(but then a strange fear gripped me and I

Just couldn't ask)

Take me out tonight

Oh, take me anywhere, I don't care

I don't care, I don't care

Driving in your car

I never never want to go home

Because I haven't got one, da ...

Oh, I haven't got one

And if a double-decker bus

Crashes into us

To die by your side

Is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten-ton truck

Kills the both of us

To die by your side

Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

Oh, there is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes...

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light that never goes out

There is a light

 

It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine): REM, 1987

That's great! It starts with an earthquake

Birds and snakes, an aeroplane

and Lenny Bruce is not afraid

Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn

World serves its own needs, don't mis-serve your own needs

Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no strength

The ladder starts to clatter with fear of height, down height

Wire in a fire, representing seven games

In a government for hire and a combat site

Left of west and coming in a hurry

With the furies breathing down your neck

Team by team reporters baffled, trump, tethered crop

Look at that low plane! Fine, then

Uh oh, overflow, population, Common Food

But it'll do. Save yourself, serve yourself

World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed

Tell me with the rapture and the reverent in the right, right

You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light

Feeling pretty psyched

It's the end of the world as we know it

It's the end of the world as we know it

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

Six o'clock. TV hour

Don't get caught in foreign tower

Slash and burn, return

Listen to yourself churn

Lock him in uniform and book burning, bloodletting

Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate

Light a candle, light a votive

Step down, step down

Watch a heel crush, crush

Uh oh, this means no fear; cavalier

Renegade and steer clear!

A tournament, a tournament

A tournament of lies

Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives

And I decline

It's the end of the world as we know it

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's time I had some time alone)

I feel fine

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's time I had some time alone)

The other night I tripped a nice

Continental drift divide

Mountains sit in a line

Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev

Lenny Bruce, and Lester Bangs

Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly beans, boom!

You symbiotic, patriotic, slam, but neck, right? (Right!)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

It's the end of the world as we know it

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it

(It's time I had some time alone)

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's time I had some time alone)

 

Old Man: Neil Young, 1972

Old man look at my life,

I'm a lot like you were.

Old man look at my life,

I'm a lot like you were.

Old man look at my life,

Twenty four

and there's so much more

Live alone in a paradise

That makes me think of two.

Love lost, such a cost,

Give me things

that don't get lost.

Like a coin that won't get tossed

Rolling home to you.

Old man take a look at my life

I'm a lot like you

I need someone to love me

the whole day through

Ah, one look in my eyes

and you can tell that's true.

Lullabies, look in your eyes,

Run around the same old town.

Doesn't mean that much to me

To mean that much to you.

I've been first and last

Look at how the time goes past.

But I'm all alone at last.

Rolling home to you.

Old man take a look at my life

I'm a lot like you

I need someone to love me

the whole day through

Ah, one look in my eyes

and you can tell that's true.

Old man look at my life,

I'm a lot like you were.

Old man look at my life,

I'm a lot like you were.

 

Big Yellow Taxi: Joni Mitchell, 1970

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

With a pink hotel, a boutique

And a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

They took all the trees

Put 'em in a tree museum

Then they charged the people

A dollar and a half just to see 'em

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

Hey, farmer, farmer

Put away that DDT now

Give me spots on my apples

But leave me the birds and the bees

Please!

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

Late last night I heard the screen door slam

And a big yellow taxi took away my old man

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

I said

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

They paved paradise

Put up a parking lot

 

Mah Nà Mah Nà: Piero Umiliani, 1968; The Muppets, 1969

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do do-do do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do-doodle Do do do-doo do!

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do do-do do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do-doodle Do do do-doo do!

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do do-do do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do-doodle Do do do-doo do!

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do do-do do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do-doodle Do do do-doo do!

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do do-do do

Mah Nà Mah Nà

Do doo be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do be-do-do-doodle Do do do-doo do!

Hello?

Just a second

It's for you

Mah Nà Mah Nà!

The question is, what is a mah nà mah nà?

The question is, who cares?

 

Most Famous Lyrics: Tamil

http://buzz.iloveindia.com/list-of-top-50-tamil-songs-of-all-time.html

 Vairamuthu: Pudhu Vellai Mazhai, Roja, 1992

Pudhu vellai mazhai, ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa, udal nanaigindradhu

Ingu sollaadha idam kooda kulirgindradhu

Manam soodaana idam thedi alaigindradhu

Pudhu vellai mazhai, ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa, udal nanaigindradhu

Ingu sollaadha idam kooda kulirgindradhu

Manam soodaana idam thedi alaigindradhu

Nadhiye Nee Aaanaal, Karai Naane

Siru Paravai Nee Aanaal, Un Vaanam Naane

Pudhu vellai mazhai, ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa, udal nanaigindradhu

Penn Illaadha Oorile, Adi Aann Poo Ketpadhaillai

Penn Illaadha Oorile, Kodi Thaan Poo Pooppadhillai

Un Pudavai Mundhaanai Saaindhadhil

Indha Bhoomi Poo Poothadhu

Idhu Kamban Paadaadha Sindhanai

Undhan Kaadhodu Yaar Sonnadhu ?

Pudhu vellai mazhai, ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa, udal nanaigindradhu

Ingu sollaadha idam kooda kulirgindradhu

Manam soodaana idam thedi alaigindradhu

Pudhu vellai mazhai, ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa, udal nanaigindradhu

Nee Anaikindra Velaiyil, Uyir Poo Dhiddukkendru Malarum

Nee Vedukkendru Odinaal, Uyir Poo Sarugaaga Ularum

Iru Kaigal Theendaadha Penmaiyai, Un Kangal Pandhaadudho

Malar Manjam Seraadha Penn Nilaa

Endhan Maarbodu Vandhaadudho?

Pudhu vellai mazhai, ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa, udal nanaigindradhu

Ingu sollaadha idam kooda kulirgindradhu

Manam soodaana idam thedi alaigindradhu

Nadhiye Nee Aaanaal, Karai Naane

Siru Paravai Nee Aanaal, Un Vaanam Naane

Pudhu vellai mazhai ingu pozhigindradhu

Indha kollai nilaa udal nanaigindradhu

 

Vairamuthu: Paadariyen Padippariyen, Sindhu Bhairavi, 1985

Paadariyen padippariyen pallikkoodandhaanariyen

Yedariyen ezhuththariyen ezhuththuvaga naanariyen)(3)

Yettula ezhudhavilla ezhudhivechchu pazhakkamilla

E(i)lakkanam padikkavilla thalaganamum enakku illa

Paadariyen padippariyen pallikkoodandhaanariyen

Yedariyen ezhuththariyen ezhuththuvaga naanariyen

Arththaththa vittupputtaa adhukkoru baavamilla

Pazhagina bhaashayila padippadhu paavamilla

Ennamo raagam ennannamo thaalam

Thalaiya aattum puriyaadha koottam

Ellaame sangeedhandhaan….ahaaaaa

Ellaame sangeedhandhaan

Saththaththil porandha sangadhidhaan

Sadjamamenbadhum dhaivadhamenbadhum

Panja parambaraikkappurandhaan

Paadariyen padippariyen pallikkoodandhaanariyen

Yedariyen ezhuththariyen ezhuththuvaga naanariyen

Kavala yedhumilla rasikkiraen mettukudi

Cherikkum seravenum adhukkum paattu padi

Ennaye paaru eththana peru

Thangame neeyum thamizh paattum paadu

Sonnadhu thappaa thappaaa….ahaaaa…

Sonnadhu thappaa thappaa

Raagaththil pudusu ennudhappaa

(Ammiyarachchava kummiyadichchava

Naattupporaththula sonnadhappaa) (2)

Paadariyen padippariyen pallikkoodandhaanariyen

Yedariyen ezhuththariyen ezhuththuvaga naanariyen

Yettula ezhudhavilla ezhudhivechchu pazhakkamilla

E(i)lakkanam padikkavilla thalaganamum enakku illa

Paadariyen padippariyen pallikkoodandhaanariyen

Yedariyen ezhuththariyen ezhuththuvaga naanariyen

Ma pathama

Paadariyen padippariyen

Sa ri ga ma pa tha ma

Paadariyen padippariyen

Pa tha ni sa nit ha ma ga sa ri

Paadariyen padippariyen

Sa sa riga sa ri ga ma ga sa pa tha ma

Ma ma pa tha ma pa tha nit ha ma pa tha ni

Pa tha ni sa ri ga sa nit ha ma pa tha ni sa ni tha

Pa tha nit ha ma pa ma tha ga ma pa tha ma ga ma gas a

Sa sa sa sa sa sa sa ri ga pa ga pa sa ri tha

Ma ma ma ma ma ma pa tha ni sa ri sa rig a ma ga

Sa sa ri rig a ga ma ma pa pa that ha ni ni sa

Rig a sa sa ni sa ni ni nit ha

Ma pa tha nit ha nit ha pa ma

Ga ma gas a rig a ma pa tha ma pa

Tha ma pa tha ni sa ri pa ma ga ri ma tha

Mari mari ninne muralitha nee manasuna thayaraalu (2)

Mai mari nine…. Mari mari nine…..

 

Vaali: Janani Janani, Thai Mookambikai, 1982

Janani janani jagam nee agam nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Oru maan maruvum siru poondhiraiyum

Sadai vaar kuzhalum vidai vaaganamum

Konda naayaganin kulir dhegaththile

Ninra naayagiye ida paagaththile

Jagan mogini nee simma vaagini nee

Jagan mogini nee simma vaagini nee

Janani janani jagam nee agam nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Chathur vedhangalum panja boodhangalum

Shanmaarggangalum saptha theerththangalum

Ashta yogangalum nava yaagangalum

Thozhum poongazhale malai maamagale

Alai maamagal nee kalai maamagal nee

Alai maamagal nee kalai maamagal nee

Janani janani jagam nee agam nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Swarna regaiyudan svayamaagi vandha

Linga roopiniye mookambigaiye (2)

Pala thoththirangal dharma saaththirangal

Panindhethuvazhum mani neththirangal (2)

Sakthi peedamum nee sarva motchamum nee

Sakthi peedamum nee sarva motchamum nee

Sakthi peedamum nee sarva motchamum nee

Janani janani jagam nee agam nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

Jagath kaarani nee paripoorani nee

 

Vaali: Mandram Vantha, Mouna Ragam, 1986

Mandram vantha thendralukku

Manjam vara nenjam illaiyo

Anbe en anbe

Thottavudan suttathenna kattazhagu

Vatta nilavo kanne en kanne

Poobaalame koodathennum vaanam undo soll (Mandram….

Thaamarai mele neerththuli pol

Thalaivanum thalaviyum vaazhvathenna

Nanbargal pole vaazhvatharukku

Maalaiyum melamum thevaiyenna

Sonthagale illamal bantha paasam kollamal

Poove un vaazhkaithaan enna… sol (Mandram….

Medaiyai pole vaazhkai alla

Naadagam aanathum vilagi sella

Odaiyai pole uravum alla

Paadhaigal maariye payanam sella

Vinnodu thaan oolavum velli vanna

Nilaavum - ennodu nee vanthal enna…. Vaa (Mandram….

 

Vairamuthu: Uyire Uyire, Bombay, 1995

Uyire Uyire Vandhu Ennodu Kalandhuvidu

Uyire Uyire Ennai Unnodu Kalandhuvidu

Ninaive Ninaive Endhan Nenjodu Kalandhuvidu

Nilave Nilave Indha Vinnodu Kalandhuvidu

Kaadhal Irundhaal Endhan Kannodu Kalandhuvidu

Kaalam Thaduthaal Ennai Mannodu Kalandhuvidu

Uyire Uyire Vandhu Ennodu Kalandhuvidu

Uyire Uyire Ennai Unnodu Kalandhuvidu

Ninaive Ninaive Endhan Nenjodu Kalandhuvidu

En Suvaasak Kaatru Varum Paadhai Paarthu

Uyirthaangi Naaniruppen

Malarkonda Penmai Vaaraadhu Ponaal

Malai Meedhu Theekkulippen

En Uyir Pogum Ponaalum Thuyarillai Penne

Adharkaagavaa Paadinen

Varum Edhirkaalam Un Meedhu Pazhipodum Penne

Adharkaagaththaan Vaadinen

Mudhalaa Mudivaa Adhai Un Kaiyil Koduthuvitten

Uyire Uyire Inru Unnodu Kalandhuvitten

Urave Urave Inru En Vaasal Kadandhuvitten

Ninaive Ninaive Undhan Nenjodu Niraindhuvitten

Kanave Kanave Undhan Kannodu Karaindhuvitten

Kaadhal Irundhaal Endhan Kannodu Kalandhuvidu

Kaalam Thaduthaal Ennai Mannodu Kalandhuvidu

Uyire Uyire Vandhu Ennodu Kalandhuvidu

Ninaive Ninaive Endhan Nenjodu Kalandhuvidu

Oor Paarvai Paarthe Uyir Thandha Penmai

Vaaraamal Poividumaa

Oru Kannil Konjam Vali Vandha Podhu

Maru Kannum Thoongidumaa

Naan Karumpaarai Pala Thaandi Veraaga Vandhen

Kannaalan Mugam Paarkkave

En Kadungaaval Pala Thaandi Kaatraaga Vandhen

Kannaa Un Kural Ketkave

Adadaa Adadaa Indru Kanneerum Thiththikkinradhe

Uyire Uyire Vandhu Ennodu Kalandhuvidu

Uyire Uyire Ennai Unnodu Kalandhuvidu

Ninaive Ninaive Endhan Nenjodu Kalandhuvidu

Nilave Nilave Indha Vinnodu Kalandhuvidu

Mazhaipol Mazhaipol Vandhu Mannodu Vizhundhuvitten

Manampol Manampol Undhan Oonodu Uraindhuvitten

Uyire Uyire Inru Unnodu Kalandhuvitten

Ninaive Ninaive Undhan Nenjodu Niraindhuvitten

 

Vairamuthu: Thillana Thillana, Muthu, 1995

Oh…oh…oh….oh…

Thillaana thillaana nee thithikindra thenaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana

Thillaana thillaana nee thithikindra thenaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana

Hoo… manja kaatu maina ennai konji

Konji ponaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana

Oh…oh…oh…oh….

Kannu vachathum neethaanaa vedi

Kanni vachathum nee thaanaa

Kattil pottu naan kappam

Katta kaaman sonnanaa

Thillaana thillaana naan thithikindra thenaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana

Oh… manja kaatu maina ennai konji

Konji ponaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana

Pattikaatu muthu neeyo padikkaatha medhai

Thottu thottu pesathaane thudithaale raadhai

Kallam kabadamillai naanoo ariyaatha pedhai

Makkal manam thaane enthan vazhukkatha paadhai

Koduthaala naan vanthen eduthaala vendama

Aduthaalu paaraamal thaduthala vendama

Mudi konda un maarbil mugam saaikka vendaama

Mudi pottu nam sontham mudivaaga vendama

Thadaiyethum illaamal thanithaala vendama

Thillaana thillaana nee thithikindra thenaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana..

Oh…manja kaatu maina ennai konji konji ponaa

Thikku thikku nenjil thillaana

Oh…oh….oh…oh…

Kannu vachathum nee thaanaa vedi

Kanni vachathum nee thaanaa

Kattil pottu nee kappam

Katta kaaman sonnanaa

Thikku thikku nenjil …

Thikku thikku nenjil …

Sivappaana aangal inge sila kodi undu

Karuppaana ennai kandu kan vaithadhenna

Kadal vannam vaanin vannam karu vannam thaane

Kadal vaanam kaanumpothu unaikanden naane

Mannodu seraamal nadakkindren unnale

Maruthaani poosamal sivakkindren unnale

Suttuvizhi kandaale sokkuthadi thannaale

Sikkupatta elpole nokkupatten unnale

Kattuthari kalai nanum kattupatten unnale (Thillanana…

 

Vaali: Kannan Oru Kaikuzhandhai, Bhadrakali, 1976

Female: Kannan Oru Kaikuzhandhai

Kangal Sollum Poonkavidhai

Kannam Sindhum Thenamudhai

Kondu Sellum En Manadhai (2)

Kaiyirandil Naaneduththu

Paaduginren Aaraaro

Maivizhiye Thaalelo

Maadhavane Thaalelo

Kannan Oru Kaikuzhandhai

Kangal Sollum Poonkavidhai

Kannam Sindhum Thenamudhai

Kondu Sellum En Manadhai

Male: Un Madiyil Naanuranga

Kannirendum Thaan Mayanga

Enna Thavam Seidheno

Ennavendru Solveno

Female: Un Madiyil Naanuranga

Kannirendum Thaan Mayanga

Enna Thavam Seidheno

Ennavenru Solveno

Male: Yezhpirappum Inaindhirukkum

Sondham Indha Sondhamammaa

Vaazhvirukkum Naal Varaikkum

Thanjam Undhan Nenjamammaa

Female: Annamidum Kaigalile

Aadivarum Pillaiyidhu

Unnarugil Naanirundhaal

Aanandhaththin Ellai Adhu

Male: Gaayathri Mandhiraththai

Uchcharikkum Bakthanammaa

Ketkum Varam Kidaikkum Varai

Kannurakkam Marandhadhammaa

Female: Manjal Kondu Neeraadi

Maikuzhalil Poochchoodi

Male: Vanji Magal Varumpothu

Aasai Varum Oru Kodi) (2)

Female: Kattazhaku Kangaluku

Mai Eduththu Ezhuthattuma

Kangal Pada Koodumendru

Pottu Ondru Vaikkattuma

Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai

Kangal Sollum Poonkavithai

Male: Kannam Sindhum Thenamudhai

Kondu Sellum En Manadhai

Female: Kaiyirandil Naaneduththu

Paaduginren Aaraaro

Male: Maivizhiye Thaalelo

Female: Maadhavane Thaalelo Aaraariro

Male: Aaraariro

Female: Aaraariro

Male: Aaraariro

Female: Aaraariro

 

Vaali: Mukkaalaa Mukaablaa, Kadhalan, 1994

Mukkaalaa Mukaablaa Laila Oh laila

Mukaablaa Sokkamalaa Laila Oh Laila

Lovukku kaavalaa, badhal nee sollu kaadhala

Pollaadha kaavala, sindoora poovilaa

Villaingalai veezhthum vennilaa

Mukkaalaa Mukaablaa Laila Oh laila

Mukaablaa Sokkamalaa Laila Oh Laila

Jurassic parkkilindru, sugamaana jodigal

Jazz music paadi varudhu

Picasso oviyandhan, puriyaamalennodu

Texasil naadi varudhu

Cowbayin kaN pattadhum, playboyin kai thottadhum

Undaana sexaanadhu, onraaga mixaanadhu

Jazz music peNNaanadhu, strawberry kaNNaanadhu

Love story kondaaduthu dhikkeri thalladuthu

Nam kaadhal yaarume ezhudhaadha paadale

Mukkaalaa Mukaablaa Laila Oh laila

Mukaablaa Sokkamalaa Laila Oh Laila

Thuppaakki thookki vandhu kuri vaitthu thakkkinal

Thottaavil kaadhal vizhumaa

Semmeengal maattuginra valai kondu veesinaal

PeNmeengal kaiyil varumaa

Boogambam vandhaalenna Boologam vendhaalenna

Aagaayam rendagumaa ennaaLum thundaaguma

Vaadi en vaNNakkiLi meenaippol thuLLikkudhi

Seivan nam kaadhal vidhi kaalam nam aaNaippadi

Sandhosham enrume salikkaadha paadala

Mukkaalaa Mukaablaa Laila Oh laila

Mukaablaa Sokkamalaa Laila Oh Laila

 

Vaali: Inji Idupalagi, Thevar Magan, 1992

Male: Inji Iduppazhagi Manja Sivappazhagi

Kallach Sirippazhagi

Marakka Manam Kooduthillaiye

Marakkuma Maaman Ennam

Mayakkuthe Panjavarnam

Madiyile Oonjal Poda Maane Vaa

Inji Iduppazhagi Manja Sivappazhagi

Kallach Sirippazhagi

Marakka Manam Kooduthillaiye

Female: Thannanth Thanichirukka Thaththalichchu Thanirukka

Un Ninaippil Naan Parichchen Thaamaraiye

Male: Punnai Vanaththinile Pedaik Kuyil Koovayile

Unnudaiya Vethanaiyai Nan Arinjen

Female: Un Kazhuththil Malaiyida

Unnirandu Thola Thoda

Enna Thavam Senjenoiya Mama

Male: Vannakkili Kaiyaith Thoda

Chinna Chinna Kolamida

Ullamattum Un Vazhiye Naane

Ullamattum Un Vazhiye Naane

Female: Inji Iduppazhaga Manja Sivappazhaga

Kallach Sirippazhaga

Marakka Manam Kooduthillaiye

Male: Inji Iduppazhagi Manja sivappazhagi

Kallach sirippazhagi

Marakka Manam Kooduthillaiye

Female: Adikkira Kaththaik Kelu

Asaiyura Naththai Kelu

Nadakkira Aththai Kelu

Neethana Naan

Male: Inji Iduppazhagi Manja sivappazhagi

Kallach sirippazhagi

Marakka Manam Kooduthillaiye…aah

 

Vairamuthu: Yenna Solla Pogirai, Kandukondaen Kandukondaen, 2000

Illai Illai Solla Oru Kanam Podhum

Illai Enra Sollai Thaanguvadhenraal

Innum Innum Enakkor Jenmam Vendum

Enna Solla Pogiraai

Sandhana Thenralai Jannalgal Dhandithal Niyaayamaa

Kaadhalin Kelvikku Kangalin Badhil Enna Mounamaa Mounamaa

Anbae Endhan Kaadhal Solla Nodi Onru Podhume

Adhai Naanum Meyppikkathaane Pudhu Aayul Vendume

Illai Illai Solla Oru Kanam Podhum

Illai Enra Sollai Thaanguvadhenraal

Innum Innum Enakkor Jenmam Vendum

Enna Solla Pogiraai.. Enna Solla Pogiraai

Sandhana Thenralai Jannalgal Dhandithal Niyaayamaa

Kaadhalin Kelvikku Kangalin Badhil Enna Mounamaa Mounamaa

Anbae Endhan Kaadhal Solla Nodi Onru Podhume

Adhai Naanum Meyppikkathaane Pudhu Aayul Vendume

Illai Illai Solla Oru Kanam Podhum

Illai Enra Sollai Thaanguvadhenraal

Innum Innum Enakkor Jenmam Vendum

Enna Solla Pogiraai.. Enna Solla Pogiraai

Idhayam Oru Kannaadi Unadhu Bimbam Vizhundhadhadi

Idhudhaan Un Sondham Idhayam Sonnadhadi

Kannaadi Bimbam Katta Kayir Onrum Illaiyadi

Kannaadi Oonjal Bimbam Aadudhadi

Nee Onru Solladi Penne Illai Ninru Kolladi Kanne

Endhan Vaazhkkaiye Undhan Vizhivilimbil

Ennai Thuraththaadhe Uyir Karaiyeraadhe

Illai Illai Solla Oru Kanam Podhum

Illai Enra Sollai Thaanguvadhenraal

Innum Innum Enakkor Jenmam Vendum

Enna Solla Pogiraai.. Enna Solla Pogiraai

Sandhana Thenralai Jannalgal Dhandithal Niyaayamaa

Kaadhalin Kelvikku Kangalin Badhilenna Mounamaa Mounamaa

Vidiyal Vandha Pinnaalum Vidiyaadha Iravu edhu

Poovaasam Veesum Undhan Koondhaladi

Ivvulagam Irunda Pinnum Irulaadha Baagam Edhu

Kadhir Vandhu Paayum Undhan Kangaladi

Pala Ulaga Azhagigal Koodi Unn Paadham Kazhuvalaam Vaadi

En Thalir Malare Innum Thayakkamenna

Ennai Puriyaadhaa Idhu Vaazhvaa Saavaa

Enna Solla Pogiraai

Enna Solla Pogiraai

Enna Solla Pogiraai

Enna Solla Pogiraai Niyaayamaa

Enna Solla Pogiraai

Enna Solla Pogiraai Mounamaa Mounamaa

Enna Solla Pogiraai

ENGLISH AND TAMIL LYRICISTS

Just so you know how vela [jobless] I am…..

Is it to be or not to be? / And I replied, 'Oh, why ask me?' [Michael Altman]

I decided to compare the 10 most popular lyrics in English and Tamil. Of course, I googled and began with what seemed a simple set of keywords: 10 most popular English lyrics. I got a whole bunch of pertinent lists. I chose the first link on the page. It had the lyrics, copied and pasted into my file, no problem, all done quickly.

The parallel keywords for Tamil lyrics - 10 most popular Tamil film lyrics - came up with links to themed compilations of best songs by decades, singers and composers, not a list of songs through the decades across singers and composers. It was only when I tried 10 most popular Tamil film songs of all time lyrics that I could even get to a suitable list. I chose the first link that came up. Of the 50 top listed, I chose the first 10 and then googled the lyrics for each song, a slightly more onerous process. No, not the most scientific method and I would certainly not accept it from any of my doctoral students. True, not a totally random data set, given Google’s algorithm for popularity but sufficient unto the day. And this is for fun, not a dissertation or even a journal article, only for my blog so I can do it anyway I want, I reassured myself.

But I find a darkened corner/ Because I still miss someone [Johnny Cash and Ron Cash]

Lyricists are not given their due, we all know, but I was given a jarring reminder of the many ways in which they are overlooked. While the site for the English lyrics contained an attribution to the lyricist, the Tamil links didn’t. They may credit the movie, composer and singers, sometimes even the actors, but not the lyricist. Even the pages with the lyrics didn’t. How insulting is that, that you care to transcribe the lyric, even transliterate in English script, but don’t care to acknowledge the person whose creative output this is? Wikipedia was much more helpful, once I got to the movie page and looked under the Music section, though this detail was not always included in the Intro section, where other credits maybe listed.

 

Enna Solla Pogiraai (What are you going to say?) [Vairamuthu]

I had the same questions that many of are probably raring to ask: Which era? Which songs? Do I know or remember these songs? Does it include my favourites? [The list of songs is in the blog entry titled Most Famous Lyrics: English & Tamil. Feel free to jump to it now but come back and finish reading this post😊]

Yielding to habits of tedious research routine built over years as an academic, I immediately categorized the lists and analyzed them for ‘demographic data.’ The distribution across both languages is pretty tight, encompassing mostly two decades, 1960-79 for English and the 1980s and 1990s for Tamil. More specifically,

1960s - 4 English, 0 Tamil

1970s - 4 English, 1 Tamil

1980s - 1 English, 3 Tamil

1990s – 1 English, 5 Tamil

2000s – 0 English, 1 Tamil

Marakka Manam Kooduthillaiye (I cannot forget) [Vaali]

The English list is full of what are obviously classics of Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Joni Mitchell, not to mention the then-14-year old Mike Altman. Vaali and Vairamuthu are the only featured lyricists in the Tamil list, nary a one by my favourite Kannadasan. Very disappointing but on second thoughts not unexpected, given the eras covered.

Is it that Tamil song fans seem to have a much shorter memory than listeners of English songs? More likely attributable to Google’s algorithm. The internet is not my generation’s go-to for music, which would feed the algorithm to influence lists reaching back to the 1950s and 1960s. And I am not sure enough of us will change our habits for Kannadasan to take his rightful place in lists such as these. Sigh!

A second reason could be that the list is a reflection of the popularity of the composer, and this is still a list of songs that are highly regarded and not lyrics that are prized. So, the major credit goes to Ilayaraja and AR Rehman rather than to Vaali or Vairamuthu. Don’t diehard Ilayaraja fans swamp the internet now? After all, even a pure classicist like Sanjay Subrahmanyam has created a whole ragabased on a phrase from an Ilayaraja song.

Kondu Sellum En Manadhai (Will capture my heart) [Vaali]

What about the lyrics themselves? Do they deserve the accolades and recognition of Top 10?

Bob Dylan definitely deserves the Nobel Literature prize. Masters Of War stands head and shoulders above any of the Tamil ones listed, not only for its relevance now with the Ukraine war (or should it be the Russia war since it is the aggressor?) It has everything a lyric should have. The meters are brilliant; no more analysis since this is not a treatise! The juxtaposition of building death machines and hiding from their devastation in the first verse is just the opening salvo. The horrific imagery of young blood flowing to no purpose in Verse 4 echoed in the last two lines of the next verse is indelible. A literary allusion loop of betrayal by Judas in verse 3 is closed four verses later All the money you made / Will never buy back your soul. The poetic device of anaphora, lines beginning with the same phrase, is most effectively used: 5 out of 7 lines in the first verse begin You that build … and You that hide… followed through in verse 3 with I see through. Alliteration such as … my baby/Unborn and Unnamed’ is used sparingly and deals a hammerblow of grief. There isn’t an emotion this lyric doesn’t touch on but the overwhelming beauty is in the restraint of the poetry despite its portrayal of violence. The ultimate irony!

Paadariyen Padippariyen by Vairamuthu probably makes the most judicious use of poetic devices, a lot but not overwhelming, unlike most of the others in this list. Lots of alliteration especially with ‘p,’ beginning with the first line of the chorus Paadariyen padippariyen pallikkoodandhaanariyen. Don’t miss the assonance with the vowel sound ‘a’ as in Pazhagina bhaashayila padippadhu paavamilla. Juxtaposition of familiar terms in music almost takes the sting out of the line in Ennamo raagam ennannamo thaalam (Some raga, all kinds of rhythmic cycles). The sly social commentary in Thalaiya aattum puriyaadha koottam [(They) will shake their heads (in appreciation), this crowd that doesn’t understand) is what lifts this lyric from the mundane to the classic while setting the tone for the movie, a reminder that songs in this list are placed in direct relevance to films.

 

The question is, what is a mah nà mah nà? [Piero Umiliani, The Muppets]

Most of the English lyrics are blank verse or free verse, with different meters for the verses and choruses. The Tamil lyrics have a more defined meter that carry through the verses and choruses. Tamil is an evenly stressed language, which make it easier to maintain a rhythm, whereas English has syllabic and sentence stress making rhythm much more difficult; remember the sing-song way we read English poems? And that is all I am going to say about the technicality of it!

 

Remember to let her into your heart / Then you can start to make it better (The Beatles)

On the whole, I prefer the English lyrics to the Tamil ones on these lists. And it is not because I am an English teacher or an anglophile. It is just that they are more ... lyrical and have a greater variety and more subtle use of poetic devices. All of these 20 were meant to sung, not recited, I get that. But the English lyricists seem to have a greater value for their ideas and images in their lyrics. The Tamil ones were written for the music, the lyrics were expected to be easily set to tunes. So they use poetic devices that slide easily into tunes but don’t employ the ‘more is less’ philosophy. Which isn’t to say that Tamil film songs don’t have brilliant lyrics, just not all the ones in this list, which doesn’t include Kannadasan.

BOOKWORMS AND LIBRARIES

 “Harry — I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!”

And she sprinted away, up the stairs. …

“But why’s she got to go to the library?”

“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”

 And if you can’t place this quotation, don’t read any further!

Talking about libraries, a la https://sureshsubrahmanyan.blog/2022/03/13/booked-for-life/, we too in Chennai in the 70s and 80s were graced with the British Council and USIS. Yes, the cool air was most welcome but so were the hours of leisure, of selecting and checking out books.

We could only check out four books at the time from the BC, and that was not sufficient to keep us going for any length of time. We could borrow cards from others who were not such avid readers but the staff knew me personally and there was no way I could take on another identity. Ms. Sivagami was in fact the sister of my chemistry prof. I dreaded to think of the tales she would carry back of any such shenanigans and the ensuing ‘shelling’: You have sullied the name of our respected institution! On special occasions, such as drama competitions, I did appeal to the better nature of Ms. Sivagami but had to carefully lay the ground for my unusual request.

So we spent hours in the library reading. It was a pleasure to be surrounded by books which had seen a lot of wear and tear but were carefully maintained. Copying down copious notes on literary criticism which I could never recall during the exams. Whispered conversations with friends from other colleges I would see only at the BC library. Sharing stories about which novel we were discussing in our respective classes. Getting tips on exact dates  of when favoured or needed book would be returned for a convenient checkout.

Library visits once through the week was just about doable and as far as possible combined with another event such as a play or film on the premises. However, these weekdays dropins were usually a rushed affair since the closing time was 7.00 pm and we didn’t get off from college till the co-curricular debates or play rehearsals got done at 5.30 or 6.00. Saturdays would see us bright and early in the library, after a heavy brunch to keep us going for the day.

In the main library room, the tables were too high and the paired chairs too straight-backed for comfort. Sitting on the low stools provided in the racks was a convenient when browsing the shelves. But to actually sit and read for hours required me to be there early enough to stake a claim to a chair in the corner facing the wall to afford privacy, stealthily tucking my feet under me, out of sight of the staff and not distracted by non-readers who came in to escape the heat and humidity.

A major attraction was the anteroom, revealed only to diehard readers. It was a crowded room with a couple of desks piled high with books and paper, usually unoccupied since the staff was busy in the main library hall. It was furnished with a couple of chairs along the wall, much more comfortable and private than the main room. There they were, rows and rows of Samuel French playscripts. Slim editions on fragile paper which was already yellowing. The Mouse Trap – my first introduction to Agatha Christie the playwright, familiar to me only through her Poirot and Miss Marple novels. My first dramatized version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Conan Doyle wrote plays? I never would have known, except for the French collection. 

A couple of months before the intercollegiate or intracollegiate drama competitions, I would spend hours combing through the French collection for suitable one-act plays. The helpful staff would sneakily hold them for our second reader. Once she and I had narrowed it down to the top two or three, we were allowed to check them for a final decision by the larger panel back in the college, a very special privilege indeed.

Years later, when I recalled a particular anthology of one-act plays for a school production, I went back to the library. I was very disappointed that the book was not on the shelf, had, in fact, been withdrawn. Most of the old guard had retired and I wasn’t sure how my weird request for publications details of an ancient book would be received but the newer staff was just as friendly and helpful and dug out the anthology from the anteroom where it had been consigned to a Discard pile. The staff smiled indulgently when I jumped on it with mewling cries of pleasure, eventually donating it to my school library.

It was the film events at the USIS which were a great attraction for me, not the library. The staff was as polite but the book collection left much to be desired and the layout was not conducive to reading. I should also probably confess that my literary tastes ran more to British than American literature, The Razor’s Edge and Kingsley Amis rather than The Bluest Eye and Norman Mailer.

I wonder if I should go back and check out Herman Wouk’s Winds of War before I watch the series now? But even just gaining entrance into the library now is such a pain…