Overcast in darkness by Chris Cornell's "Black Hole Sun" Song Lyrics

September 26, 2025

Sharifu

I know this isn’t exactly how it went down, but here’s how it felt - one minute Chris Cornell was lost to his depression and rapidly after, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington would follow in the same tragic manner. “Black hole sun, black hole sun, won’t you come?“ just makes you feel that hunger for light and love and good, that just never seems to be satiated. When I think of losing these two, those lyrics really resonate with me. Won’t you come [back]?

“Times are gone for honest men, and sometimes far too long for snakes”

— Chris Cornell, Black Hole Sun

What is the relationship between musicians and mental health issues anyways? Do you need a touch of depression to come up with lyrics like this?

More on that later.

First, let’s talk about how these lyrics for Black Hole Sun came about.

HOW CHRIS CORNELL WROTE THE LYRICS FOR BLACK HOLE SUN

“I was in my car driving along at 4am when I wrote that song [in my head]…” starts Chris Cornell in the above interview with Howard Stern. “I raced and tried to keep it revolving in my head… I whistled it into a tape recorder just in case I forgot it”

Howard Stern, baffled, asked “so you heard it in your head almost like you were listening to the radio?” Chris just nodded “exactly.”

That’s one interesting way to come up with a song.

Full “Black Hole Sun” lyrics

Lyrics

In my eyes
Indisposed
In disguises no one knows
Hides the face
Lies the snake
And the sun in my disgrace
Boiling heat
Summer stench
Neath the black, the sky looks dead
Call my name
Through the cream
And I'll hear you scream again

Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain?
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come
Won't you come

Stuttering
Cold and damp
Steal the warm wind, tired friend
Times are gone
For honest men
Sometimes, far too long for snakes
In my shoes
Walking sleep
In my youth, I pray to keep
Heaven send
Hell away
No one sings like you anymore

Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain?
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come

Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain?
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come? (Black hole sun, black hole sun)

Hang my head
Drown my fear
Till you all just disappear

Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain?
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come

Black hole sun
Won't you come
And wash away the rain?
Black hole sun
Won't you come
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come (Black hole sun, black hole sun)
Won't you come
Won't you come

Chris Cornell passed on May 18th, 2017. And Chest Bennington passed on July 20th, 2017, just two months after…

All we know is that they were close friends, and that Chester was deeply affected by Cornell’s passing.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that Bennington’s tragic passing came on Cornell’s birthday, July 20th…

Losing a friend

On Instagram, Chester wrote:

“I dreamt about the Beatles last night. I woke up with Rocky Raccoon playing in my head and a concerned look on my wife’s face. She told me my friend had just passed away. Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept.” IMDb+3Good Things Guy+3Rolling Out+3
“I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family.” Good Things Guy+1
“You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known.” Good Things Guy+1
“I can’t imagine a world without you in it, I pray you find peace in the next life.” IMDb+3News24+3Rolling Out+3

CONFESSION

Music is so beautiful. I don’t think that the people who make the type of music that Chris Cornell made had a choice in their profession - I think they are called to it. I think the lyrics hit them at random moments and they have to get them out, like at 4am while driving, as happened for Cornell. I don’t think he could have done anything else for long.

I mean, just imagine him answering emails in a cubicle - yeah, no way.

At Cornell’s funeral, Chester performed “Hallelujah” - it would be very difficult to not be affected by this loss for Chester and from experience, the few friends I’ve lost to suicide still come to mind from time to time and just leave me with this painful feeling - the kind that makes you hold your breath and push tears away. You wish they could come back, you wish you could’ve said something to help… “black hole sun, won’t you come?”

For Cornell, his pain ended, but for Chester, the pain grew to an unbearable level and in a terrible cycle, he succumbed to it. And what about among the fans? The “Werther” effect states that celebrity suicides can increase the number of suicides that happen among regular folk, some estimates say by 8-18% for 1-2 months. There's a contagion element to this.

In the end you can’t fault anyone for taking that route. It’s just all the more bittersweet when you think of the memories and messages they left us.

Having had thoughts like that myself, I just want to say that it gets better and that sometimes you just need to ride out the feelings and darkness.

There is so much light and beauty in this world. Music is one of those amazing things that make life magical and interesting.

So, if you’re anything like me, and you find yourself listening to a song like “black hole sun” and wondering how something so beautiful can come from someone so troubled - don’t judge.

Just enjoy the gift they left us, pray they found peace, and that you have more courage to face your demons for good…

Lets learn GUITAR together.

What song are you thinking about?

Somewhere Near Marseilles -マルセイユ辺り- by Utada Hikaru- Hiragana Kanji, Romaji and English Lyrics plus Music Video

if you want to understand the japanese version better,

please hover over/click on the words in the Romaji section to see the english meaning of each word!

Give me something strong enough
Give me something strong enough
Maybe I'm afraid of love
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one, ah
I'm in London, you're in Paris
So shall we try to plan a rendezvous vacay?
We can pick a spot with easy access
Maybe somewhere near Marseilles
Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah yeah
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
Give me something strong enough
Give me something strong enough
Maybe I'm afraid of love
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one
In the twilight
In the sunshine
In the twilight
In the sunshine

boku wa(ぼくは) I (male, humble)

Rondon(ロンドン) London

、

kimi wa(きみは) you

Pari(パリ) Paris

kono(この) this

natsu(なつ) summer

gouryuu(ごうりゅう) joining / meeting up

shitai(したい) want to do

ne(ね) right?, isn’t it?

iki(いき) go

yasui(やすい) easy

toko(とこ) place

ga(が) subject marker

ii(いい) good

ne(ね) right?

Maruseiyu(マルセイユ) Marseilles

atari(あたり) around / nearby

Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah yeah
I'm in London, you're in Paris
So shall we try to plan a rendezvous vacay?
We can pick a spot with easy access
Maybe somewhere near Marseilles
Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah yeah
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close

ooshanbyuu(オーシャンビュー) ocean view

no(の) of

heya(へや) room

hitotsu(ひとつ) one

ooshanbyuu(オーシャンビュー) ocean view

yoyaku(よやく) reservation / booking

ooshanbyuu(オーシャンビュー) ocean view

no(の) of

heya(へや) room

hitotsu(ひとつ) one

yoyaku(よやく) reservation / booking

yoyaku(よやく) reservation / booking

I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view

Give me something strong enough
Give me something strong enough
Maybe I'm afraid of love
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one, ah
I'm in London, you're in Paris
So shall we try to plan a rendezvous vacay?
We can pick a spot with easy access
Maybe somewhere near Marseilles
Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah yeah
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
Give me something strong enough
Give me something strong enough
Maybe I'm afraid of love
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one
Say I'm not the only one
Say I'm not the only one, only one
In the twilight
In the sunshine
In the twilight
In the sunshine

I'm in London, you're in Paris.

I want to meet up with you

this summer. I want somewhere

easy to get to,

like Maruseiyu.

Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah yeah
I'm in London, you're in Paris
So shall we try to plan a rendezvous vacay?
We can pick a spot with easy access
Maybe somewhere near Marseilles
Somewhere near Marseilles, yeah yeah
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close

One Ocean View Room

Ocean View Reservation

One Ocean View Room

Reservation

I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
Let's go fast, then go slow
Not too far, not too close
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view
I'm gonna give it to you
I'll get a room with a view

Hatsukoi (初恋; First Love) by Utada Hikaru- Hiragana Kanji, Romaji and English Lyrics plus Music Video

if you want to understand the japanese version better,

please hover over/click on the words in the Romaji section to see the english meaning of each word!

urusai(うるさい) loud / noisy

hodo(ほど) to the extent

ni(に) in / to

takanaru(たかなる) to pound / throb

mune(むね) chest / heart

ga(が) subject

gara(がら) character / style

ni(に) in

mo(も) even

naku(なく) without

sukumu(すくむ) freeze up

ashi(あし) legs / feet

ga(が) subject

ima(いま) now

shizuka(しずか) quiet

ni(に) -ly

hoho(ほほ) cheek

o(を) object

tsutau(つたう) run down / trace

namida(なみだ) tears

ga(が) subject

watashi(わたし) I / me

ni(に) to

shiraseru(しらせる) let (me) know

kore(これ) this

ga(が) (is)

hatsukoi(はつこい) first love

to(と) that (quotative)

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

ningen(にんげん) human

nara(なら) if / as

dareshimo(だれしも) everyone

atarimae(あたりまえ) natural / obvious

ni(に) in / as

koi(こい) romantic love

o(を) object

suru(する) do

monodato(ものだと) that it’s a given

zutto(ずっと) all along

omotte(おもって) thinking

ita(いた) was

dakedo(だけど) but

moshimo(もしも) if by chance

anata(あなた) you

ni(に) to

deawazu(であわず) without meeting

ni(に) and

itara(いたら) if I had been

dareka(だれか) someone

ni(に) by

itsuka(いつか) someday

konna(こんな) such

kimochi(きもち) feeling

ni(に) into

sase(させ) make (causative)

rareta(られた) was made (passive)

to(と) that

wa(は) topic

omoenai(おもえない) can’t think

urusai(うるさい) loud / noisy

hodo(ほど) to the extent

ni(に) in / to

takanaru(たかなる) to pound

mune(むね) chest / heart

ga(が) subject

katte(かって) on its own

ni(に) -

hashiridasu(はしりだす) dash off

ashi(あし) legs / feet

ga(が) subject

ima(いま) now

tashika(たしか) certain

ni(に) -ly

hoho(ほほ) cheek

o(を) object

tsutau(つたう) run down

namida(なみだ) tears

ga(が) subject

watashi(わたし) I / me

ni(に) to

shiraseru(しらせる) let (me) know

kore(これ) this

ga(が) (is)

hatsukoi(はつこい) first love

to(と) that

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

dou(どう) how

shiyou(しよう) to do

mo(も) at all

nai(ない) not

koto(こと) thing

o(を) object

hito(ひと) person / others

no(の) ’s

sei(せい) fault / because

ni(に) on

shite(して) make / put

wa(は) (topic)

ukeire(うけいれ) acceptance

teru(てる) (is) doing

furi(ふり) pretense

o(を) object

shite(して) do

ita(いた) was

nda(んだ) explanatory

zutto(ずっと) the whole time

moshimo(もしも) if by chance

anata(あなた) you

ni(に) to

deawazu(であわず) without meeting

ni(に) and

itara(いたら) if I had been

watashi(わたし) I

wa(は) topic

tada(ただ) just

ikiteita(いきていた) had been living

kamo(かも) maybe

shirenai(しれない) can’t know

umarete(うまれて) born

kita(きた) came / have

imi(いみ) meaning

mo(も) even

shirazu(しらず) without knowing

ni(に) -

kotoba(ことば) words

hitotsu(ひとつ) one

de(で) by

kizutsuku(きずつく) get hurt

youna(ような) like / such that

yowana(よわな/よわい) fragile

watashi(わたし) me

o(を) (object)

sasagetai(ささげたい) want to devote / offer

ima(いま) now

nidoto(にどと) never again

otozurenai(おとずれない) won’t come

kisetsu(きせつ) season

ga(が) subject

owari(おわり) end

o(を) object

tsugeyou(つげよう) about to tell / announce

to(と) to

shite(して) be doing

ita(いた) was

bukiyou(ぶきよう) clumsily

ni(に) -ly

hoshii(ほしい) wanted

mono(もの) things

ga(が) subject

te(て) hand

no(の) ’s

todoku(とどく) reach

toko(とこ) place / spot

ni(に) at

mieru(みえる) look / seem

owazu(おわず) without thinking

ni(に) -

irareru(いられる) can stay (calm)

wake(わけ) reason / way

ga(が) —

nai(ない) none

tadashii(ただしい) correct

no(の) (nominalizer)

ka(か) ?

nante(なんて) such a thing / really

hontou(ほんとう) truth

wa(は) topic

daremo(だれも) no one / everyone (neg.)

shiranai(しらない) doesn’t know

kaze(かぜ) wind

ni(に) in

fukare(ふかれ) blown

furueru(ふるえる) tremble

kozue(こずえ) treetop

ga(が) subject

you(よう) sun / light

no(の) ’s

sasu(さす) shine

kata(かた) direction

e(へ) toward

to(と) and

nobite(のびて) stretch

iku(いく) go / keep

wa(は/わ) (feminine particle)

chiisana(ちいさな) small

koto(こと) things

de(で) with

yorokobi(よろこび) joy

aeba(あえば) if we share

chiisana(ちいさな) small

koto(こと) things

de(で) over

kizutsuki(きずつき) hurts

mo(も) also

shita(した) happened

kuruoshiku(くるおしく) madly / wildly

takanaru(たかなる) to pound

mune(むね) heart

ga(が) subject

yasashiku(やさしく) gently

kata(かた) shoulder

o(を) object

utsu(うつ) strike / patter

ame(あめ) rain

ga(が) subject

ima(いま) now

koraete(こらえて) hold back

mo(も) even

afureru(あふれる) overflow

namida(なみだ) tears

ga(が) subject

watashi(わたし) I / me

ni(に) to

shiraseru(しらせる) let (me) know

kore(これ) this

ga(が) (is)

hatsukoi(はつこい) first love

to(と) that

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

Kanji

うるさいほどに高鳴る胸が
柄にもなく竦む足が今
静かに頬を伝う涙が
私に知らせる　これが初恋と

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

人間なら誰しも
当たり前に恋をするものだと
ずっと思っていた　だけど

もしもあなたに出会わずにいたら
誰かにいつかこんな気持ちに
させられたとは思えない

うるさいほどに高鳴る胸が
勝手に走り出す足が今
確かに頬を伝う涙が
私に知らせる　これが初恋と

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

どうしようもないことを
人のせいにしては
受け入れてるフリをしていたんだ
ずっと

もしもあなたに出会わずにいたら
私はただ生きていたかもしれない
生まれてきた意味も知らずに

言葉一つで傷つくような
ヤワな私を捧げたい今
二度と訪れない季節が
終わりを告げようとしていた
不器用に

欲しいものが
手の届くとこに見える
追わずにいられるわけがない
正しいのかなんて本当は
誰も知らない

風に吹かれ震える梢が
陽の射す方へと伸びていくわ
小さなことで喜び合えば
小さなことで傷つきもした

狂おしく高鳴る胸が
優しく肩を打つ雨が今
こらえても溢れる涙が
私に知らせる　これが初恋と

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

My heart beats so loudly it's annoying
My legs tremble unexpectedly
Tears quietly running down my cheeks
Letting me know this is first love

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

If humans, everyone
Naturally falls in love
I always thought

If I hadn't met you
I wouldn't believe
Someone could make me feel this way

My heart beats so loudly it's annoying
My legs start running on their own
Tears definitely running down my cheeks
Letting me know this is first love

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

Blaming others
For things that can't be helped
I've been pretending to accept it
Always

If I hadn't met you
I might have just existed
Without knowing the meaning of being born

I want to offer
My fragile self who gets hurt by a single word
Now
A season that will never come again
Was trying to come to an end
Clumsily

Things I desire
Seem within reach
There's no way I can stop
No one really knows
If it's right

The trembling treetops
Blown by the wind
Stretch towards the sun
If we can find joy in small things
We can also get hurt by small things

My heart beats madly
The rain gently tapping my shoulder
Tears overflowing even when held back
Letting me know this is first love

I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you

Flavor of Life by Utada Hikaru- Hiragana Kanji, Romaji and English Lyrics plus Music Video

if you want to understand the japanese version better,

please hover over/click on the words in the Romaji section to see the english meaning of each word!

Romaji

arigatou(ありがとう) thank you

,

to(と) and / that (quotative)

kimi(きみ) you

ni(に) to / at

iwareru(いわれる) to be told

to(と) and / when

nandaka(なんだか) kind of / somehow

setsunai(せつない) bittersweet

sayounara(さようなら) goodbye

no(の) of / ’s

ato(あと) after

mo(も) also / even

tokenu(とけぬ) won’t melt

mahou(まほう) magic

awaku(あわく) faintly

horo(ほろ) slightly

nigai(にがい) bitter

The flavor of life

tomodachi(ともだち) friend

demo(でも) even if / but

koibito(こいびと) lover

demo(でも) even if / but

nai(ない) not / none

chuukanchiten(ちゅうかんちてん) midpoint / in-between

de(で) at / in / by

shuukaku(しゅうかく) harvest

no(の) of / ’s

hi(ひ) day

wo(を) object marker

yumemiteru(ゆめみてる) dreaming

aoi(あおい) unripe / green

furu-tsu(ふるつ) fruit

ato(あと) after / remaining

ippo(いっぽ) one step

ga(が) subject marker

fumi(ふみ) step

dase(だせ) put out

nai(ない) not / can’t

sei(せい) because of

de(で) due to / by

jirettai(じれったい) frustrating

no(の) nominalizer

nan(なん) what

notte(のって) you know? (casual)

baby

arigatou(ありがとう) thank you

,

to(と) and / that (quotative)

kimi(きみ) you

ni(に) to / at

iwareru(いわれる) to be told

to(と) and / when

nandaka(なんだか) kind of / somehow

setsunai(せつない) bittersweet

sayounara(さようなら) goodbye

no(の) of / ’s

ato(あと) after

mo(も) also / even

tokenu(とけぬ) won’t melt

mahou(まほう) magic

awaku(あわく) faintly

horo(ほろ) slightly

nigai(にがい) bitter

The flavor of life

amai(あまい) sweet

dake(だけ) only

no(の) of / ’s

sasoi(さそい) invitation

monku(もんく) words / line

ajikke(あじっけ) flavor / taste

no(の) of / ’s

nai(ない) not / without

doku(どく) poison

sonna(そんな) such

mono(もの) thing

ni(に) in / for

wa(は) topic marker

kyoumi(きょうみ) interest

wo(を) object marker

sosorare(そそられ) be enticed

nai(ない) not

omoi(おもい) feelings / thoughts

doori(どおり) as / in line with

ni(に) in / to

ika(いか) go (ik-)

nai(ない) not

toki(とき) when / time

datte(だって) even if

jinsei(じんせい) life

suteta(すてた) thrown away

mon(もの) thing

ja(じゃ) is (copula)

nai(ない) not

tte(って) quoting particle

doushita(どうした) what’s wrong

no(の) [question tone]

?

to(と) and / that (quotative)

kyuu(きゅう) sudden

ni(に) -ly / at

kikareru(きかれる) to be asked

to(と) when

uun(ううん) uh-uh / no

,

nan(なん) what

demo(でも) even / any

nai(ない) nothing / not

sayounara(さようなら) goodbye

no(の) of / ’s

ato(あと) after

ni(に) at / in

kieru(きえる) disappear

egao(えがお) smile

watashi(わたし) I / me

rashiku(らしく) like oneself

nai(ない) not

shinjitai(しんじたい) want to believe

to(と) if / when

negaeba(ねがえば) if you wish

negau(ねがう) to wish

hodo(ほど) to the extent

nandaka(なんだか) kind of / somehow

setsunai(せつない) bittersweet

“

aishiteru(あいしてる) I love you

yo(よ) (emphasis)

”

yori(より) than / rather than

mo(も) even

“

daisuki(だいすき) love you / really like

”

no(の) of

hou(ほう) the side / more

ga(が) subject marker

kimi(きみ) you

rashiin(らしいん) seems like

ja(じゃ) is

nai(ない) not

?
The flavor of life

wasure(わすれ) forget

kakete(かけて) about to

ita(いた) was

hito(ひと) person

no(の) of / ’s

kaori(かおり) scent

wo(を) object marker

totsuzen(とつぜん) suddenly

omoidasu(おもいだす) remember

goro(ごろ) around (time)

furi(ふり) fall (snow)

tsumoru(つもる) pile up

yuki(ゆき) snow

no(の) of / ’s

shiro(しろ) white

sa(さ) -ness / degree

wo(を) object marker

motto(もっと) more

sunao(すなお) honestly / sincerely

ni(に) [adverb marker]

yorokobitai(よろこびたい) want to rejoice

yo(よ) (emphasis)

daiyamondo(だいやもんど) diamond

yori(より) than

mo(も) even

yawarakakute(やわらかくて) soft and…

atataka(あたたか) warm

na(な) [adjectival link]

mirai(みらい) future

te(て) hand

ni(に) in / into

shitai(したい) want to have

yo(よ) (emphasis)

kagiri(かぎり) limit

aru(ある) existing

jikan(じかん) time

wo(を) object marker

kimi(きみ) you

to(と) with

sugoshitai(すごしたい) want to spend (time)

arigatou(ありがとう) thank you

,

to(と) and / that (quotative)

kimi(きみ) you

ni(に) to / at

iwareru(いわれる) to be told

to(と) and / when

nandaka(なんだか) kind of / somehow

setsunai(せつない) bittersweet

sayounara(さようなら) goodbye

no(の) of / ’s

ato(あと) after

mo(も) also / even

tokenu(とけぬ) won’t melt

mahou(まほう) magic

awaku(あわく) faintly

horo(ほろ) slightly

nigai(にがい) bitter

The flavor of life

Kanji

ありがとう、と君に言われると
なんだかせつない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life

友達でも恋人でもない中間地点で
収穫の日を夢見てる
青いフルーツ

あと一歩が踏み出せないせいで
じれったいのなんのってbaby

ありがとう、と君に言われると
なんだかせつない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life

甘いだけの誘い文句
味っけの無いトーク
そんなものには興味をそそられない

思い通りにいかない時だって
人生捨てたもんじゃないって

どうしたの?と急に聞かれると
ううん、なんでもない
さようならの後に消える笑顔
私らしくない

信じたいと願えば願うほど
なんだかせつない
「愛してるよ」よりも
「大好き」の方が
君らしいんじゃない?
The flavor of life

忘れかけていた人の香りを
突然思い出す頃
降りつもる雪の白さをもっと
素直に喜びたいよ

ダイアモンドよりもやわらかくて
あたたかな未来
手にしたいよ
限りある時間を
君と過ごしたい

ありがとう、と君に言われると
なんだかせつない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life

English

"Thank you", when you say that to me
It's somehow painful
"Good bye", even after that
The magic is not broken
It's faintly bittersweet
The flavor of life

At the meddle point between friends and couple
I'm a green fruit longing for the harvest day
Since I cannot take a step forward
Why impatient? Baby

"Thank you", when you say that to me
It's somehow painful
"Good bye", even after that
The magic is not broken
It's faintly bittersweet
The flavor of life

Sweet-only temptation, boring talk
I'm never attracted to such things

Even if things don't go as you like it
It's not as if you've thrown your life away

"What's wrong?" suddenly you ask me
So "I'm okay, nothing much"
"Good Bye", after that
My smile disappears
It's not the way I am

The more I wish to believe
The more painful it is
It's more like you to say
"I really like you" than "I love you"
The flavor of life

When I suddenly remember the flavor of people I've almost forgotten
Thinking of whiteness of snow, I want to become happy with it from my heart

I want to get the future softer and warmer than diamond
I want to spend the limited time only with you

"Thank you", when you say that to me
It's somehow painful
"Good bye", even after that
The magic is not broken
It's faintly bittersweet
The flavor of life

BAD MODE / 宇多田ヒカル「BADモード」羅馬拼音歌詞 by Utada Hikaru- Hiragana Kanji, Romaji and English Lyrics plus Music Video

if you want to understand the japanese version better,

please hover over/click on the words in the Romaji section to see the english meaning of each word!

Romaji

itsumo(いつも) always

yasashikute(やさしくて) kind and…

ii(いい) good

kona(こんな) such a

kimi(きみ) you

ga(が) subject marker

choushi(ちょうし) condition / mood

warusou(わるそう) seems bad

ni(に) in

shiteiru(している) doing / being

nante(なんて) such a thing

ittai(いったい) what on earth

doushite(どうして) why

da(だ) is

,

kamisama(かみさま) God

sorya(そりゃ) that’s

nai(ない) not

ze(ぜ) emphatic

sotto(そっと) gently / quietly

mimamorou(みまもろう) shall we watch over

ka?(か?) ?

sore(それ) that

tomo(とも) or

chokkyuu(ちょっきゅう) straightforward

de(で) with

kiite(きいて) ask

miyou(みよう) try

ka?(か?) ?

kizutsukete(きずつけて) hurt

shimawanai(しまわない) won’t end up

ka?(か?) ?

wakannai(わかんない) don’t know

kedo(けど) but

kimi(きみ) you

no(の) of

koto(こと) things about

zettai(ぜったい) absolutely

mamoritai(まもりたい) want to protect

zekkouchou(ぜっこうちょう) top condition

demo(でも) even if

bad moodo(ばっど もーど) bad mode

demo(でも) even if

kimi(きみ) you

ni(に) to

aitai(あいたい) want to see

I can’t let you go (let you go)
I just want you more in my life

zekkouchou(ぜっこうちょう) top condition

demo(でも) even if

bad moodo(ばっど もーど) bad mode

demo(でも) even if

suki(すき) like / love

do(ど) emphatic / filler

kawaranai(かわらない) doesn’t change

Here’s a diazepam
We can each take half of
Or we can roll one up
However the night flows

Here's a diazepam
We can each take half of
However the night flows

meeru(めーる) mail

mushi(むし) ignore

shite(して) do

netofuri(ねとふり) Netflix

demo(でも) or

mite(みて) watch

pajama(ぱじゃま) pajamas

no(の) of

mama(まま) as is

de(で) in

uubaa iitsu(うーばー いつ) Uber Eats

de(で) with

nanka(なんか) something

tanonde(たのんで) order

ofuro(おふろ) bath

issho(いっしょ) together

ni(に) in

hairou(はいろう) enter (let’s)

ka(か) ?

nando(なんど) how many times

jimon(じもん) self-questioning

jitou(じとう) self-answering

shita?(した?) did

dare(だれ) who

demo(でも) even

konna(こんな) this much

ni(に) in

kowain(こわいん) scary

darou(だろう) probably

ka?(か?) ?

nido(にど) twice / again

to(と) and

anna(あんな) that kind of

omoi(おもい) feeling

wa(は) topic marker

shinai(しない) won’t do

to(と) that

inoru(いのる) pray

shika(しか) only

nai(ない) not / only

ka(か) ?

ima(いま) now

yori(より) than

mo(も) even

ii(いい) good

joukyou(じょうきょう) situation

wo(を) object marker

souzou(そうぞう) imagine

dekinai(できない) can’t do

hi(ひ) day

mo(も) even

watashi(わたし) I

ga(が) subject marker

iru(いる) exist / be

yo(よ) emphatic

I can’t let you go
I just want you more
When you feel low and alone
You’d better let me know

You know I’m bad at explaining
But lately I’ve done some maturing
Won’t you lean on me when you need
Something to lean on

endorooru(えんどるーる) endorphin

no(の) of

saigo(さいご) last

no(の) of

saigo(さいご) last

made(まで) until

mitagaru(みたがる) want to see

kimi(きみ) you

no(の) of

yokogao(よこがお) profile

ga(が) subject marker

shoujiki(しょうじき) honesty / honestly

iu(いう) say

to(と) if / when

boku(ぼく) I (male)

no(の) of

ichiban(いちばん) most

tanoshimi(たのしみ) enjoyment

na(な) adjectival link

toko(とこ) place / part

tanoshimi(たのしみ) enjoyment

na(な) adjectival link

toko(とこ) place / part

Hope I don’t fuck it up
Hope I don’t fuck it up again
Hope I don't, don't fuck it up again

Kanji

いつも優しくていい子な君が
調子悪そうにしているなんて
いったいどうしてだ 神様
そりゃないぜ

そっと見守ろうか?
それとも直球で聞いてみようか?
傷つけてしまわないか?

わかんないけど
君のこと絶対守りたい
絶好調でも bad モードでも
君に会いたい
I can't let you go (let you go)
I just want you more in my life
絶好調でも bad モードでも
好き度変わらない

Here's a diazepam
We can each take half of
Or we can roll one up
However the night flows

Here's a diazepam
We can each take half of
However the night flows

メール無視してネトフリでも観て
パジャマのままで
ウーバーイーツでなんか頼んで
お風呂一緒に入ろうか

何度自問自答した?
誰でもこんなに怖いんだろうか?
二度とあんな思いはしないと祈るしかないか

今よりも良い状況を
想像できない日も私がいるよ
I can't let you go
I just want you more
When you feel low and alone
You'd better let me know

You know I'm bad at explaining
But lately I've done some maturing
Won't you lean on me when you need
Something to lean on

エンドロールの最後の最後まで
観たがる君の横顔が
正直言うと
僕の一番楽しみなとこ
楽しみなとこ

Hope I don't fuck it up
Hope I don't fuck it up again

Hope I don't, don't fuck it up again

English

For a kind, sweetheart like you
To be feeling down for so long
What’s going on?
Hey God, you’re not being fair

Should I give some space?
Should I be direct and ask?
What if I end up hurting you?

I don’t know
But I want to protect you no matter what
Whether you’re at your best or in Bad Mode
I’d like to see you
I can’t let you go
I just want you more in my life
Whether we’re flying high or in Bad Mode
My degree of love for you remains the same

Here’s a Diazepam
We can each take half of
Or we can roll one up
Howevеr the night flows

Here’s a Diazеpam
We can each take half of
However the night flows

How about we ignore texts, watch Netflix
Stay in our pajamas all day, order something on Uber Eats
And take a bath together

How many times did I question myself?
Is it this scary for everyone else too?
I guess all I can do is pray
That things won’t turn out like last time

[Instrumental Bridge]

Even when it’s hard to believe that better days are coming
I’m here for you
I can’t let you go
I just want you more
When you feel low and alone
You’d better let me know

You know I’m bad at explaining
But lately I’ve done some maturing
Won’t you lean on me when you need
Something to lean on

Your profile as you insist on watching
To the very end of the end credits
That’s my favorite part of the show
My favorite part of the show

Hope I don’t fuck it up
Hope I don’t fuck it up again
Hope I don't, don't fuck it up again, oh-oh-oh

7 Parallels to Israel Palestine in Superman 2025

July 17, 2025

sharifu

Video script:

Fiction can help us zoom out and see things in the real world with new eyes.

In our world full world wars, conflicts, possible genocides and ethnic cleansing...

wouldn't be amazing if a hero showed up out of nowhere to save the day. A second coming, or maybe a new coming, but someone to show us the way - someone that everybody would at least hear out...

At least on the big screen, James Gunn has offerred something extremely ... interesting in the least...

And the internet is torn as *beep* about it

While this movie is delivering the most epic tiktok advertising that is sooo on point for trends, some are calling it woke garbage...

Some are seeing parallels to the Israel-Palestine events we've been witnessing for 2 years now...

Some are calling it the best superhero movie they've seen.

Now as with any work of fiction, the parallels you draw to real life events are an interpretation of the viewers, in this case, me and many online. You be the judge of whether these are bang on, or just nonsense.

7 parallels to Israel Palestine in Superman 2025

1. Israel flag vs Boravia flag

2. Boravian leader's resemblance to Israel's leaders

3. Aggressor leader claiming to save invadees

4. The primitive military of the Jurhanpourians

5. Condoning military violence against children

6. Rich tech bros profiting off of war

7. Monkey brained social media posts

Watch the video above for details!

HUNTRIX - What It Sounds Like (Male Cover, Lyrics and Guitar Chords) KPop Demon Hunters

July 10, 2025

Sharifu

Lets learn GUITAR together.

This is my cover of HUNTRIX’s What is sounds like! This movie had me bursting out laughing. And while I rarely do covers, this song actually touched me and made me want to celebrate it - I tried! hehe

LYRICS AND GUITAR CHORDS

[Verse 1]

N.C.

Nothing but the truth now

N.C.

Nothing but the proof of what I am*-**

N.C.

The worst of what I came from, patterns I'm ashamed of

N.C.

Things that even I don't understand

A                           B

 I tried to fix it, I tried to fight it

G#m                                  C#m

   My head was twisted, my heart divided

   A

My lies all collided

  B                     G#m                                  C#m

I don't know why I didn't trust you to be on my side

[Chorus]

A

 I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back

B

  But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass

C#m

 The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony

G#m

   My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like

A

 Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head?

B

I should've let the jagged edges meet the light instead

C#M

Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony

G#M

 The song we couldn't write, this is what it sounds like

[Verse 2]

Bm                    

  We're shattering the silence, we're rising defiant

A

Shouting in the quiet, you're not alone

Bm                  

  We listened to the demons, we let them get between us

A

But none of us are out here on our own

G                  

 So, we were cowards, so, we were liars

F#m                                Bm

   So, we're not heroes, we're still survivors

    G                          A

The dreamers, the fighters, no lying, I'm tired

    F#m                                             G    A

But dive in the fire and I'll be right here by your side

[Chorus]

G                       

 We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back

 Bm

But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass

A

 The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony

F#m

 My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like

G                       

 Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head?

 Bm

Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead

 A

 Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony

 F#m

 Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like

[Bridge]

Bm C#m

This is what it sounds like

             D       A F#m

(Oh, oh, oh) Hey, hey

                           Bm

This is what it sounds like

                C#m  D

(Oh, oh, oh) Hey, hey

A

This is what it sounds like

             F#m

(Oh, oh, oh) Hey, hey

Oh, this is what it—, this is what it—

This is what it sounds like

[Chorus]

G                       

 We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back

 Bm

But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass

A

 The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony

F#m

 My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like

G                       

 Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head?

 Bm

Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead

  A

 Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony

 F#m

 Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like

[Outro]

G                           Em

 My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like

Bm

  Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like

G                         Em

 Truth after all this time, our voices all combined

F#m

When darkness meets the light, this is what it sounds like

Lets learn GUITAR together.

The Ranma 1/2 Nostalgia Cut: The Best of 2024 and 1989 Ranma 1/2 anime in one!

(banner source: Rumiko Takahashi)

Hello dear Ranma fan!

“What a pervert!” as Akane would say lol.

YouTube won’t let me post the “Ranma 1/2 Nostalgia Cut” for copyright reasons - I have posted Season 1 Episode 1 Part 1 and YouTube allowed it, but every time I try to post the next parts, YouTube ends up blocking it and potentially harming my channel, so I’ve decided to just post my cuts here on www.culturetoronto.com/ranma

The Ranma 1/2 (2024) Netflix Nostalgia Cut is a fan made edit of Ranma 1/2 remake animation with that of the original Ranma 1/2 series that aired in 1989. Laugh with me as we watch the most hilarious anime ever made, enjoying both the new and old series' together at the same time.

Season 1 Episode 1

a fresh Ranma inspired Tshirt design with Totoro Panda:

How to play "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on guitar by George Harrison with guitar tab

June 7, 2025

Sharifu

Lets learn GUITAR together.

Not too long ago, an animated film called Kubo and The Two Strings practically revived “While My Guitar Gentle Weeps” with its story that was admittedly inspired by the song. The main character plays guitar and does a great rendition of this song creating what I’ll simply call “origami magic” - clearly from the line “nobody told you how to unfold your love.” This is me trying to learn this one. I would say 14 days is a good amount of time to really get a song performable…

Originally the song gained popularity from the Beatles performing it but it was written by George Harrison.

As far as guitar performances of this song go, perhaps none are as exciting as the one with Prince playing alongside The Beatles. Brace yourself :)

how to play “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” On Guitar

There are many ways to play this, ranging from easy using just chords to complex fingerpicking.

Easy Mode (chords)

Medium Difficulty (chord melody)

HARD MODE (not a lesson)

Lyrics and Tab

View fullsize

Lets learn GUITAR together.

[Verse 1]

I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping

While my guitar gently weeps

I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping

Still, my guitar gently weeps

[Bridge]

I don't know why nobody told you

How to unfold your love

I don't know how someone controlled you

They bought and sold you

[Verse 2]

I look at the world and I notice it's turning

While my guitar gently weeps

With every mistake, we must surely be learning

Still, my guitar gently weeps

[Guitar Solo]

[Bridge]

I don't know how you were diverted

You were perverted, too

I don't know how you were inverted

No one alerted you

The Last of Us Main Theme Simple Guitar Tab

April 25, 2025

Sharifu

Hope this helps you clicker you!

The Last of Us Fingerpicking Simple Guitar Tab

CA$5.00

Purchase

Just saw episode 2 of season 2… I can’t believe they did that to…

Lets learn GUITAR together.

What song are you thinking about?

Sidelined by Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” song lyrics

April 25, 2025

Sharifu

So there I was, making my morning coffee. I popped on some headphones, hit the play button on the right ear muff not knowing what music would come on, as one does, and then proceeded to watch water boil as I came into consciousness. Then came out of nowhere these beautiful lyrics accompanied by great acoustic guitar…

“Would you know my name
If I saw you in Heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in Heaven?”

— Eric Clapton, Tears in Heaven

I was like, “what? Excuse me?” Talk about a loaded statement…. one that I clearly did not have the context of, nor did I really understand.

I imagined friends talking and I thought “of course you’d know your friend’s name in Heaven.”

But it still didn’t make sense…

So I hit Google with a “tears in heaven lyrics meaning” query and damn, when I heard the story, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This might be the saddest song I’ve ever heard - and not in a bad way - in a beautiful way. A way that captures something real and meaningful and personal; this is what songs can only hope to do.

Brace yourself

Full “Tears in Heaven” lyrics

[Verse 1]

Would you know my name

If I saw you in Heaven?

Would it be the same

If I saw you in Heaven?

[Chorus]

I must be strong

And carry on

‘Cause I know I don't belong

Here in Heaven

[Verse 2]

Would you hold my hand

If I saw you in Heaven?

Would you help me stand

If I saw you in Heaven?

[Chorus]

I'll find my way

Through night and day

‘Cause I know I just can't stay

Here in Heaven

[Bridge]

Time can bring you down

Time can bend your knees

Time can break your heart

Have you begging please

Begging please

The song is about Eric Clapton losing his 4 year old son. Ahh, to die so young, now the first verse made sense… Would they even remember you? Would they meet you with the same glee a son meets their father with, years and years later presumably, in heaven?

A single day before the accident that took young Conor Clapton’s life, nzherold.co.nz says that Eric had taken his son out for the first time on his own to the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. There were clowns, elephants… Conor was over the moon and Eric had discovered the joy of being a father. When they got back, Conor bouncing with glee, Eric told his wife Lory…

“From now on, I intend to be a proper father.”

Biographer Philip Norman remarks “That sawdust-scented afternoon showed [Eric] what he’d been missing.

On the tragic day of the incident, and lets be sensitive enough not to lay blame here, a janitor was working on a window in their high-rise apartment and had left it open.

The janitor called out to warn the nanny looking after Conor, but the boy ran past her before the information could register…

Conor was in the habit of leaning against that window to look out.

I just can’t imagine having the best thing in life slip out of your hands so suddenly.

Before the incident, Conor asked his mother ‘Mommy, I want to write to daddy. What should I write?’

After the funeral, Eric Clapton received that letter in the mail.

The letter simply read “I love you, dad.”

CONFESSION

I’ve always found it a touch bland when I see really talented musicians do cover after cover after cover after cover… nothing original.

Songs, for me, are really personal to the artist(s) that write them. Perhaps it’s a skill to write so vaguely that anybody can resonate with a song. But for me, the good stuff is personal.

“Tears in Heaven” is an incredible song. It starts like a puzzle that makes you want to discover the context. And when you do, those lyrics hit like a truck.

The song can make you feel something without the context as well and with that mellow tone, it seems so harmless, casual in a way…

It moved me to share the story with you.

Lets learn GUITAR together.

What song are you thinking about?

How to sing and play guitar at the same time without embarrassment

April 17, 2025

Sharifu

I went on a guitar learning tangent lol... so the guys and gals in our String Theory Live Guitar Club got me thinking about singing and playing at the same time so I wrote a song and have been working on singing it in time for about a week..

1) impossible at our skill level without a metronome in your ear that matches the song (MUST MATCH)

2) often verses and chorus' have different chords (transitions are key if you're ever going to play for anybody else without people saying "what's with the pauses")

3) I struggled to memorize my own lyrics lol... so I printed it out on 1 page MAX (but you need at least 75% memorized)

4) the more comfortable I got with the guitar part, the easier it was to sing

5) recording hardware a major factor... often drowning out my singing voice with my guitar..

CONCLUSION: we can do this... but it's going to take effort.

This is the version of Cheshire Cat I'm not embarrassed by :) 

p.s. starting with a song you memorized already will cut the time like crazy

my GUITAR story…

After connecting, Bob Harris and I came up with a plan for me to reach the next level. Instead of learning 20 songs poorly, what if we could come up with one song that would give me essential skills I was missing. So that's what we did. The song we're going to learn is something we came up with together, and it will take you to the intermediate level because it teaches 10 essential guitar skills. Welcome and get pumped to get better together! 

Together - Bob, me, and you - will learn this song from the beginning and over 6 weeks, we will explore what makes an intermediate guitarist. 

Explore the program (AND A SURPRISE) by clicking here.

About Bob

Bob Harris is an acclaimed acoustic guitarist whose career spans nearly 1,000 albums and recording sessions for major labels including Universal, Atlantic, Mercury, and QVC’s Q Records, as well as numerous independent projects. He has collaborated with some of the industry's most iconic acoustic, bluegrass, and country musicians, including producing and performing on Johnny Cash’s The Great Lost Performance, as well as working with Bob Dylan and many other renowned artists in live performances worldwide.

As the founder of Ampersand Records USA, Bob has been instrumental in producing and performing on a wide range of projects. His illustrious career includes a 15-year tenure with the Vassar Clements Band, where he shared the stage with the legendary fiddle virtuoso.

In 1992, Bob’s extraordinary talent earned him first place in Guitar Player Magazine's International Ultimate Guitar Competition, solidifying his reputation as a world-class guitarist.

Bob’s songwriting achievements include a contract with Tree Publishing Nashville (now Sony Tree) in 1991. He later collaborated with Movieville Music and Great Galen Publishing, writing alongside Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Jerry Foster.

Beyond music, Bob joined forces with comedian and talk show host Lionel of WABC Radio in 1995, touring the New York Tri-State comedy circuit for over 15 years, adding a unique dimension to his multifaceted career.

Today, Bob is the host of one of YouTube's most popular beginner fingerstyle guitar channels, Acoustic Guitar Videos & Lessons, which has garnered over 17 million views. His passion for teaching and inspiring musicians worldwide continues to make a lasting impact on the guitar community.

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From guitar noob to writing songs in 1 year

March 6, 2025

Sharifu

Before connecting with the legendary guitarist, maestro and teacher Bob Harris, I was that guy that had a guitar that he’s never touched in his closet for 10 years.

In looking back at my journey though, there are a few things that I can attribute to my fairly quick progress. One year, relatively speaking, is a short time to be considered an advanced beginner/intermediate guitar player. There is so much more progress to make but I’m at a turning point again. Do I keep going? Have I had enough guitar? Is this worth it?

Don’t freak out. I am addicted to guitar at this point. As I look forward to the potential progress I could make in year 2 of learning guitar, this is what worked for me in very short points:

1. Desire to learn. This part you can’t fake and somehow, from somewhere you need to find a fire to light under your own ass to have some kind of urgency to learn. lol for me, I just got sick of seeing my guitar collect dust and I remembered back to when my dad was alive, that he thought I could learn it - so what the hell was I waiting for? Time to do it for not only myself, but dad too.

2. Willingness to learn alone. It is what it is. As you will see in point 3, a teacher saves you time… years in fact. But even without a teacher, I would’ve kept learning on my own. Yes I would’ve sounded like garbage, but I still would’ve kept going. This is a journey and I’m not quitting until the ring gets thrown into the damn volcano (nerd reference).

3. Find a teacher already. I lucked out. Bob Harris is the best. You can learn with him too here.

4. record yourself. There are a lot of points that really just come back to this one. Record yourself playing until it’s not embarassing to share. It might take 20 takes. Might take 100. But just do it and share it and make it look easy and effortless and beautiful. That’s it. In my case I really enjoy being creative and so I wrote a bunch of songs while learning almost right away from month 1 of seriously learning. It’s just who I am.

   If you listen to anything below can you give me some feedback?

5. Stick to what is exciting. Play songs that excite you. Do courses that you think are delivering a good return on your time investment. Don’t make it homework. Music is something you play, not work.

my story…

After connecting, Bob and I came up with a plan for me to reach the next level. Instead of learning 20 songs poorly, what if we could come up with one song that would give me essential skills I was missing. So that's what we did. The song we're going to learn is something we came up with together, and it will take you to the intermediate level because it teaches 10 essential guitar skills. Welcome and get pumped to get better together! 

Together - Bob, me, and you - will learn this song from the beginning and over 6 weeks, we will explore what makes an intermediate guitarist. 

Explore the program (AND A SURPRISE) by clicking here.

About Bob

Bob Harris is an acclaimed acoustic guitarist whose career spans nearly 1,000 albums and recording sessions for major labels including Universal, Atlantic, Mercury, and QVC’s Q Records, as well as numerous independent projects. He has collaborated with some of the industry's most iconic acoustic, bluegrass, and country musicians, including producing and performing on Johnny Cash’s The Great Lost Performance, as well as working with Bob Dylan and many other renowned artists in live performances worldwide.

As the founder of Ampersand Records USA, Bob has been instrumental in producing and performing on a wide range of projects. His illustrious career includes a 15-year tenure with the Vassar Clements Band, where he shared the stage with the legendary fiddle virtuoso.

In 1992, Bob’s extraordinary talent earned him first place in Guitar Player Magazine's International Ultimate Guitar Competition, solidifying his reputation as a world-class guitarist.

Bob’s songwriting achievements include a contract with Tree Publishing Nashville (now Sony Tree) in 1991. He later collaborated with Movieville Music and Great Galen Publishing, writing alongside Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Jerry Foster.

Beyond music, Bob joined forces with comedian and talk show host Lionel of WABC Radio in 1995, touring the New York Tri-State comedy circuit for over 15 years, adding a unique dimension to his multifaceted career.

Today, Bob is the host of one of YouTube's most popular beginner fingerstyle guitar channels, Acoustic Guitar Videos & Lessons, which has garnered over 17 million views. His passion for teaching and inspiring musicians worldwide continues to make a lasting impact on the guitar community.

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Who is Bob Harris of Acoustic Guitar Video Lessons on YouTube? Fingerpicking for Beginners

by Sharifu

Before I tell you about the great renowned guitarist we're learning with in this 6-week live zoom guitar class, I want to say something about what Bob Harris taught me.

If you're a self-taught guitar beginner or just trying to get to that next level, you're in the right place. I was just like you. I bought a guitar and barely touched it for about 10 years. I finally bought an app subscription, went on YouTube and scoured the web for guitar tabs of my favourite songs from anime, videogames, movies and musicians. I tried to get as far as I could by myself. However, I hit a wall. I couldn't honestly get out of this beginner phase because you don't know what you don't know - I needed a teacher.

Enter Bob Harris. 

About Bob

Bob Harris is an acclaimed acoustic guitarist whose career spans nearly 1,000 albums and recording sessions for major labels including Universal, Atlantic, Mercury, and QVC’s Q Records, as well as numerous independent projects. He has collaborated with some of the industry's most iconic acoustic, bluegrass, and country musicians, including producing and performing on Johnny Cash’s The Great Lost Performance, as well as working with Bob Dylan and many other renowned artists in live performances worldwide.

As the founder of Ampersand Records USA, Bob has been instrumental in producing and performing on a wide range of projects. His illustrious career includes a 15-year tenure with the Vassar Clements Band, where he shared the stage with the legendary fiddle virtuoso.

In 1992, Bob’s extraordinary talent earned him first place in Guitar Player Magazine's International Ultimate Guitar Competition, solidifying his reputation as a world-class guitarist.

Bob’s songwriting achievements include a contract with Tree Publishing Nashville (now Sony Tree) in 1991. He later collaborated with Movieville Music and Great Galen Publishing, writing alongside Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Jerry Foster.

Beyond music, Bob joined forces with comedian and talk show host Lionel of WABC Radio in 1995, touring the New York Tri-State comedy circuit for over 15 years, adding a unique dimension to his multifaceted career.

Today, Bob is the host of one of YouTube's most popular beginner fingerstyle guitar channels, Acoustic Guitar Videos & Lessons, which has garnered over 17 million views. His passion for teaching and inspiring musicians worldwide continues to make a lasting impact on the guitar community.

Back to my story…

After connecting, Bob and I came up with a plan for me to reach the next level. Instead of learning 20 songs poorly, what if we could come up with one song that would give me essential skills I was missing. So that's what we did. The song we're going to learn is something we came up with together, and it will take you to the intermediate level because it teaches 10 essential guitar skills. Welcome and get pumped to get better together! 

Together - Bob, me, and you - will learn this song from the beginning and over 6 weeks, we will explore what makes an intermediate guitarist. 

Explore the program by clicking here.

Explore More

Burn The Musical

www.burnthemusical.com

BURN THE MUSICAL flips the creation story on its head, giving voice to Iblis—the morning star, the so-called villain of humanity's origin story. Through a genre-bending concept album that moves from raw Hip Hop to irresistible boy-band pop, listeners are invited into a world of fire, pride, and defiance where the devil isn’t an adversary, but a mirror that reflects back to us truth we may not be ready to face. Both provocative and wildly entertaining, this is creation as you’ve never heard it before.

Hip Hop and Islam, Part 1

By Khalid Rabbani

Scarborough, Ontario

When you grow up in the East Side of Toronto, Scarborough, In lower middle class and low income neighborhoods, you may tend to gravitate towards an illegal lifestyle. Being from poor Caribbean immigrant families and feeling marginalized from society can push you in a negative direction. Being from the “ hood” my older brother was a respected guy in the streets. Like most younger brothers I looked up to my brother and although he wasn’t leading one of the most positive lives, he was an influence to me in many ways. I remember when he used to give me tapes and by tapes I mean the long fabled Hip Hop cassette tapes for my legendary Walkman (I remember the old ways).

One of my first and most favourite tapes to listen to that I got from my him was Capone and Noreaga 

The War Report (1)

Even now a lot of that Album still brings me back to the love I felt for rap music as a young teen. 

While this project wasn’t what you would call a conscious rap album it was my first experience with Rappers from New York saying Islamic phrases like “Allahu Akbar” and contradicting my religious beliefs at the time.

 At the time there was an East coast and West coast Rap Beef happening between rappers from New York and California. In response to a diss track from Tha Dogg Pound album titled “New York, New York” Ft Snoop Dogg  (2)

Queen’s rap duo Capone and Noreaga teamed up with The Infamous Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi to strike back. Among some dark gritty lyrics, Tragedy Khadafi said “I remain calm study Islam read the Torah world going in flames like Sodom and Gomorrah“ he goes on then to say “La ilaha illallah” Which is an Islamic Arabic phrase meaning “There is No God except God”. I didn’t know what it meant but I was intrigued.

While describing a jail experience in his verse he says 

“my heads throbbing like a tumor it’s one o’clock,

make a salat I catch Jumua lay down my towel slide off my suede pumas.” Here he’s clearly describing a Muslim experience. (All quotes) (3)  

Another Song before my conversion that I remember Islam being referenced in was from a West Coast Rapper Ras Kass called “Nature of The Threat” off of his “Soul on Ice” album which is actually a seven minute plus thesis on how European colonialism is evil. He says “ In the eighth century Muslims conquered Spain, Portugal and France and controlled it for 700 years They never mention this in history class” referring to the Moorish African Muslim conquest of Alhambra and other parts of the south Mediterranean.

He goes on to say 

“Now listen, when you celebrate "Thanksgiving"

What you are actually celebratin'

Is the proclamation of the Pope of Rome

Who later, in league with Queen Isabella

Sent Cardinal Ximenos to Spain

To murder any blacks that resisted Christianity” (4) 

Songs like this would open my eyes to realizing that although I was catholic and descended partially from Spanish people I was more Indian and Afro Caribbean. The major religious kingdoms of west Africa at the time of the trans Atlantic slave trade were Muslims. Could it be that the African parts of us were only Christian because of slavery? Was this way of life forced on us? 

At a time when Muslims are portrayed as being terrorists or a joke (backwards people), it was interesting to see rappers mention Islam in a favourable light. And it went even deeper than that.

In 1968 a black revolutionary spoken word group formed known as “The Last Poets” which consisted of mostly  Muslim converts best known for their song “When the revolution Comes” which was said to be the forerunner of Rap and Hip Hop music. (5)

In those days many African Americans were turning back to their Islamic heritage replacing the names that slavery gave us with names similar to our ancestors like one of the most famous Muslims of our time Malcolm little who become Malcom X then changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz on his return from Hajj in Makkah Saudi Arabia. (6)  

Many rappers, whether Muslim or Nation of Islam (yes, they’re different),  reference the religious  teachings and morals from the top to the underground. 

Rapper Q-Tip From the legendary rap group Tribe Called Quest who any Hip Hop Purist may reference as being Real Hip Hop said:

“I'mma take position and y'all best to take Shahada 

Cause the sh*% that I spit is hot as hellfire, hotter” (7)

While sometimes profane language is used and it’s not proper Islamic etiquette I remember the saying 

“Speak to people only according to their level of knowledge. Would you like for Allah and His Messenger to be denied?” (8)     

American hip-hop artist Busta Rhymes, born Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., is a proud Muslim and attributes much of his success to the way in which his faith has kept him grounded.

In a 2007 interview with Hollywood TV, Rhymes said, "I try to really just understand every aspect about the most high. For me, the most high is Allah... And I live my life by Islam. (9)   

Among today's youth you can hear Islamic language influence Toronto Hip Hop slang. Words like the Arabic words “Wallahi” meaning “By my God (I swear to God)” made popular by the Somalian community in the hood.

As heard in Drake’s lyrics on Draft Day  

“know some Somalis that say we got it wallahi” (10)

I always heard that Raekwon and Ghostface Killah were Muslim but recently I saw Rza and Cappadonna of the arguably greatest rap group ever “Wu Tang” doing Hajj after taking Shahada (11) 

With the recent headlines about Diddy I remember former Bad Boy artist “Loon” also converted to Islam and had an interview on Al Jazeera (12)  

Also from one of most deadly areas of Chicago we see Lil Durk getting more vocal and visual practicing Islam which is a blessing May Allah bring peace to them. Ameen.   

All in all let’s look at what Allah says in Surah Nasr 

“When Allah’s ultimate help comes and the victory is achieved

 and you see the people embracing Allah’s Way in multitudes, 

then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, 

certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance.” (13)

Allah is “The Guide” and “The Most Wise” and while some might view things as black and white from their human imperfection things are not always so simple as that. Regardless of music’s permissibility in Islam Allah can use anything He wants to inspire or guide people to the way of Truth.

May Allah guide us all and forgive our shortcomings. Ameen.

1 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK9R8P1ev0VLddbkcQn5ZTHUFl6i7WnaI&si=ytOfl74UMT0cAeO-

2 Tha Dogg Pound - New York, New York ft. Snoop Doggy Dogg (Lyrics)

3 https://genius.com/Capone-n-noreaga-la-la-lyrics

4 nature of the threat lyrics - Google Search

5 The Last Poets | Music, Poems, Songs, Hip-Hop, & When the Revolution Comes | Britannica

6 Timeline of Malcolm X's Life | American Experience | Official Site | PBS

7 https://genius.com/Q-tip-what-lies-beneath-lyrics

8 Ali on Hadith: Narrate to people only what they can understand

9 https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/famous-muslim-celebrities/

10 Drake – Draft Day Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

11 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C28fNDdubwM/?igsh=Z3Flajg2ajJ5cWRv

12 https://youtu.be/jZFueqQnops?si=8aYneMYpBaA6R-PU

13 Surah An-Nasr - 1-3 - Quran.com

Conspiracies and Eschatology: American Secularism, The Anti-Messiah and The Legacy of Rome

By Khalid Rabbani

Scarborough, Ontario

Since I was a teenager, I’ve been drawn to learning about the Illuminati and symbolism. Since I was raised Catholic in North America, learning about this stuff was a very important step in my journey to becoming Muslim along with my gangster up bringing because it created a sense of counterculture that would help me to accept a religion that was ultimately foreign to me at the time. I learned that things aren’t always as they seem and that political/religious groups are working behind the scenes towards a specific agenda. From what I can tell, and many of the eschatologically inclined will agree, many theories describe American liberty and secularism.

As a Muslim today, I like to see if I can find connections to what I’m learning about in the Quran and sayings of Muhammad (aka hadith). In my search, I found Quranic verses that instruct us to verify the claims of Islam by looking to the former messages sent to the religious scholars of Christianity and Judaism and other even older groups.

For example,

“And We did not send before you messengers except men whom We inspired with revelation. So, ask the people (having the knowledge) of the Message, if you do not know.” 1

And in a “hadith,” or saying of Muhammad:

"Allah did not send any prophet but that he warned his nation of the Anti-Messiah (Ad-Dajjal). He is one-eyed while your Lord is not one-eyed. The word 'Kafir' (unbeliever) is written between his two eyes." 2

It’s interesting to reflect on these words when you analyze the American one-dollar bill. There’s a 13-step pyramid above which is a shining eye illuminated with glory in a triangular capstone. Above the eye, written in Latin, are the words “Annuit Coeptis,” which can be translated as “He favours our undertakings,” and below the pyramid is written “Novus Ordo Seclorum,” which can be translated as “New Secular Order.”

In the old world, society was run by God's laws, whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, etc. The new world set the groundwork for a society made by man’s laws. For example, in 1848, the USA separated church and state. Through the advances in technology and successful war campaigns, America has become the leading example to the world, propagating their secular way of life through media, music, internet, television and force.

As for the pyramids, there are claims that the origins of the Freemasons and Shriners go back to ancient Egypt, where Pharaoh claimed himself to be God in contradiction to the Lord of Moses. So the law of man was the Pharaonic way of living, which was a big pyramid scheme where the rich stay rich and informed, and the poor stay poor and ignorant.

From the Quran:

> And Pharaoh said, "O eminent ones, I have not known you to have a God other than me. Then ignite for me, O Hāmān, [a fire] upon the clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moses. And indeed, I do think he is among the liars." 3

While the Qur’an never explicitly mentions Dajjal, the entire message of the Qur’an can be seen as the antithesis of Dajjal and his message. One major fact made clear is that Allah is not a human being and should not be compared in any way to one.

Hadith on Dajjal: False Messiah preceded by years of treachery. Anas ibn Malik reported:

> The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, preceding the False Messiah will be years of deception, in which the truthful are belied, the liars are believed, the trustworthy are discredited, the treacherous are trusted, and the disgraceful speak.” It was said, “Who are the disgraceful?” The Prophet said, “Little wicked men who speak about the affairs of common people.” 4

Sounds like politicians to me.

On May 1st, 1776, Adam Weishaupt, a professor of law at the University of Ingolstadt, founded the Order of the Illuminati, a secret organization formed to oppose religious influence on society and the abuse of power by the state by fostering a safe space for critique, debate, and free speech. Inspired by the Freemasons and French Enlightenment philosophers, Weishaupt believed that society should no longer be dictated by religious virtues; instead, he wanted to create a state of liberty and moral equality where knowledge was not restricted by religious prejudices. However, religious and political conservatism ruled in Ingolstadt at that time, and the subject matter taught at the Jesuit-controlled university where Weishaupt lectured was strictly monitored.

After initially handpicking his five most talented law students to join, the network rapidly expanded, its members disseminating Weishaupt’s goals of enlightenment with radical teachings, while at the same time creating an elaborate network of informants who reported on the behavior of state and religious figures in an effort to build up a wealth of information that the Illuminati could potentially exploit in their teachings. With the help of prominent German diplomat Baron Adolf Franz Friedrich, Freiherr von Knigge, who helped recruit Freemason lodges to the Illuminati cause, the clandestine group grew to more than 2,000 members throughout Bavaria, France, Hungary, Italy, and Poland, among other places. 5

This plan is what would eventually become what we know today as The United States of America

Now a lot of my initial study of Eschatology was from the Bible and one thing you have to understand is that Biblical verses are written in parables, so we need to break down the symbolism to fully understand. For that we need to go back to the vision of the biblical Prophet Daniel

In Daniel 7 verses 2-4, Daniel says to Belshazzar the King of Babylon 

 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.” 6

The first beast: The Chaldean or Babylonian Empire

As The Expositor’s Bible Commentary explains, “The lion symbol was characteristic of Babylon, especially in Nebuchadnezzar’s time, when the Ishtar Gate entrance was adorned on either side with a long procession of yellow lions on blue-glazed brick, fashioned in high relief” (1985, Vol. 7, pp. 85-86).

The second beast: the Medo-Persian Empire Daniel 7:5 says, “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’” This beast was “raised up on one side,” representing the Persians being greater than the Medes in this federated empire. 

The third beast: the Greco-Macedonian Empire Daniel 7:6 says, “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.” As with the second beast, the third beast is clearly identified by the angel Gabriel. It was Greece, and the “first king” was Alexander the Great. After his untimely death in 323 B.C., 

The fourth beast, dreadful and terrible: the Roman Empire Next in Daniel 7:7 we read, “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.” The devouring teeth of iron and the trampling feet correspond with Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the fourth kingdom being strong as iron, 7

 Also represented in Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Statue (Daniel 2:31-43)

Revelation 12:9:

And the great dragon was cast out—that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out onto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 8

Revelation 17:15:

Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 9

So if we use the Bible to interpret the Bible, “Dragon” means Satan, Beast means Kingdom, empire, or world power, and waters or sea means peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. So out of the Roman Province of Britannia, we get the UK. Interestingly enough, the southwest UK country Wales uses the symbol of a Red Dragon on their flag.

The Book of Revelations 13 begins by telling us 

1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority

3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” 

And then it goes on to say in verse 7

 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. 

Revelation 13:14-15:

14 And he deceives them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and lived.

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause to be killed as many as would not worship the image of the beast. 10

Ask yourself now what is the beast image and what is the image that can speak? Since America is an extension of Britain and Britain is was a colony of Rome, then the beast being Rome and the image being the American way of life is propagated through the image of the beast, known as television or media, because TV is a combination of images and words. And as we can see any nation that does not fall in line with America’s plan ends up getting war waged on them, i.e., if they don’t accept the beast image they’ll be killed or canceled.

If you look at the great seal, you will notice that the direction that the eagle is looking in is the same as the hand where he’s holding an olive branch with 13 leaves, signifying peace, but if your view is in the direction he’s not looking in the hand is holding a bundle of arrows, signifying war. So if you’re looking in his direction it’s peace, but if you’re not looking in his direction, it’s war.

Many believe the symbol of the Great City in The Book of Revelations is New York City of the Empire State but what empire you ask? Answer is Rome. Notice the language of law in North America is Latin the language of the Romans. Hitler tried to revive the empire with the  3rd reich like even the Nazi hand salute is the Roman salute but  America was truly successful.

The Whore of Babylon is introduced to us in

 Revelation 17 3-5 

3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

More symbolism is revealed in verse 15-16 about the nations and Rome

15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

The Ten Horns being the ten kingdoms that emerged from a shattered Roman Empire and verse 18 tells us exactly what the whore of Babylon is

“18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.” 11

For a supposed Christian nation, it’s strange to have a big pagan idol as a national symbol of the greatest city in the USA representing American ideals. The Statue of Liberty is located near Ellis Island, where all the immigrants from the old world used to have to go and register when they entered America in New York.

She is by the waters, literally and figuratively, which we already established means the multitudes of nations, peoples, and languages. The inspiration of the Statue of Liberty is Libertas, the pagan goddess of freedom, particularly among the slaves of Rome. 12

In her right hand, she holds a torch, which is a symbol of Lucifer, a Latin word meaning light bearer or Prometheus. In her left hand, she holds a tablet like Moses, symbolizing law, with the date of America’s Declaration of Independence, again replacing the law of God with the laws of man.

 It was French Freemasons who sent the Statue of Liberty as a gift to their American brothers, and French Masonic sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who designed the work of art. Many people say “new world order” like it’s a secret, but the truth is Democracy, Freedom from God’s law, and self-indulgence is the new religion. 

This is part one in a series of articles that is yet to be published. Please stay tuned, subscribe, and follow me online.

REFERENCES 

1.https://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=16&verse=43

2. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7408

3. https://quran.com/28/38?translations=17,18,19,20,84,101

4. https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2019/11/20/dajjal-false-messiah-years-deceit/

5. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20171127-the-birthplace-of-the-illuminati

6. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%207&version=NIV

7. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/understanding-the-book-of-daniel/daniel-7/

8. https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Revelation%2012%3A9

9. https://biblehub.com/revelation/17-15.htm

10. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2013&version=NIV

11. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2017&version=NIV

12. https://www.statueoflibertytour.com/blog/the-woman-behind-the-statue-of-liberty-who-is-lady-liberty/

Searching for Allah in Toronto

By Khalid Rabbani

Scarborough, Ontario

When I was around seven years old, I began pondering profound questions like, "Where did I come from? Where was I before I was conscious? Where am I going after this life?" Deep questions for a 7 year old, I know. These thoughts led me to understand that one day my parents would leave, and eventually, so would I. By the time I was 10-11 years old, I experienced involuntary astral projection, where I would feel myself float up to the ceiling and come back down. These experiences heightened my awareness of my spiritual self. Maybe it was a dream, maybe it wasn’t. It felt real and the outcomes regarding my spirituality were very real.

I developed an interest in learning about various spiritual traditions, from Hinduism to Mayan prophecies, despite being raised Catholic in an urban street lifestyle. My journey into esoteric teachings and symbolism began when my older brother gave me VHS conspiracy tapes featuring Anthony Hilder and Jordan Maxwell, which piqued my interest in Freemasonry and the Illuminati.

These videos breaking down religious symbolism proved useful later. Comparing the Old and New Testament of the Bible, I noticed contradictions in the core beliefs and teachings when interpreted literally. This led me back to the Ten Commandments, the foundation upon which the Bible is built. The first commandment, "Thou shall worship no gods except God," directed me towards pure monotheism. Despite the contradictions in the Bible's outward story, I felt a connection to my Catholic beliefs about Jesus as the Messiah, leading me towards Messianic Jewish beliefs, where I accepted both the Torah and Jesus.

Around this time, some local drug dealers and gangsters I looked up to converted to Islam, prompting debates about beliefs. I found it difficult to argue against monotheism. Eventually, at age 15-16, I said the Shahada (Muslim testimony of faith) and began learning and practicing Islam. Initially, I learned the outward religious laws and duties, which were fulfilling on their own. As the initial conversion high waned, I started to see my Ruh (soul/higher self) and my Nafs (spirit/lower self) more clearly.

After indulging in a worldly life, I felt out of place and returned to my spiritual studies. Revisiting Hebrew Kabbalah and Hermeticism, I found similarities with Sufism and Islamic traditions, reflecting on the quote, "A messenger was sent to each nation." Noticing the similarities in religious language and spiritual symbolism between Hebrew and Muslim traditions inspired me to connect different world traditions to gain understanding rather than debate who is right or wrong.

The more I learned, the more I realized how much I didn't know. Monotheism, simply put, is the belief that God is One, but different groups have varying interpretations. For instance, in the Quran's Surah Ikhlas, it says:

1. Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One,

2. Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

3. He neither begets nor is born,

4. Nor is there to Him any equivalent."

These simple words have profound meanings, emphasizing divine transcendence. The Creator is perfect and needs nothing, including the need to change. Being eternal, with no beginning or end, it's not befitting of divine perfection to be compared to anything. These teachings reminded me of the second commandment, "Thou shall not make any image of thy creator."

Understanding what the Creator is not helps us seek a connection to the divine through spiritual experiences. Daily rituals such as prayers, remembrance, and meditation (Muraqabah/Merkava) help in this connection. According to Sufis and Kabbalists, invoking God's names and revelation in their original language taps into a mystical energy. Everything, including thoughts, has a vibration. To interact in a higher vibrational plane, it must be accessed through the soul, which is incorporeal.

By following traditions like Salah (prayer), Khushu (focus on God), Wudhu (ritual ablution), Dhikr (remembrance of God), and Muraqabah (meditation), along with adhering to the Halal (permissible) and Haram (not permissible) as stated in the Quran, one can connect to higher realms. The Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation while isolated in a cave meditating.

When clean in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, the electromagnetic energy emitted attracts divine inspiration (Ruach Ha-Kodesh/Holy Spirit) and repels low vibrating negative energy. It's not about supernatural occurrences but feeling inspired and having visions during or after meditations. The feeling of Noor (light) fills you up, and contentment replaces anxiety, as we are both physical and spiritual beings needing attention.

I hope this provides a general idea of what to expect from my work and helps you begin the journey to find Allah with me.

More to come soon.

Play Time's Scar from Chrono Cross - Guitar Tab by Toshiro

Hi there,

I’m trying to learn acoustic guitar so I can play all the songs I enjoyed in anime and videogames growing up. Here’s my journey:

What makes this so hard for me is the use of hammer-ons and pull-offs which I’ve never seen before in my learning guitar journey.

Difficulty: intermediate
Capo:no capo
Author Toshiro 
Lead Guitar: E-A-D-G-B-E
Rhythm Guitar: E-A-D-G-B-E
 
[Lead guitar]
(Melody)
(start after Rhythm finishes intro)
e|-----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----12---12---10------------------------------------------|
G|-9----------------12-11-12-14---12h14p12-11-11--h12p11-9---|
D|-----------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|------------------9-10-12-p10h12p10-9-------------------------------------------|
B|-----12---12---12---------------------12---10----10-h12-p10h12p10-----10---12---|
G|-9--------------------------------------------12--------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------10---12--------------------------------|
G|-12-11-12-----12-------------12-14---12---11h12p11-9------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------12-|
A|----------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|--------------------------------------------------|
B|-12---12h13p12-10---------------------------------|
G|-------------------12--11--9-----11p9-7-7b(9)-----|
D|--------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------|
 
(faster part)
e|---------------------------------------------------------10-----|
B|---12-----10---8h10p8-7-8-7-------12-----10---8h10p8-7-8--------|
G|-9------9-------------------7-9--------9------------------------|
D|--------------------------------9-------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|---------------------------------------------------------10-----|
B|---12-----10---8h10p8-7-8-7-------12-----10---8h10p8-7-8--------|
G|-9------9-------------------7-9--------9------------------------|
D|--------------------------------9-------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-10-12----------------------------------10--------|
B|-----------15p13-12---10---------------------12---|
G|---------------------------12-----11h12-----------|
D|--------------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-12----------------------------------------------------|
B|--------15p13-12---10--------10h12p10------------------|
G|------------------------12--------------11-12p11-9-----|
D|-------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-12----------------------------------10--------|
B|--------15p13-12---10---------------------12---|
G|------------------------12-----11h12-----------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
 
e|-12----------------------------------------------------|
B|--------15p13-12---10--------10h12p10------------------|
G|------------------------12--------------11-12p11-9-----|
D|-------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------|
 
e|-12----------------------------------10--------|
B|--------15p13-12---10---------------------12---|
G|------------------------12-----11h12-----------|
D|-----------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|
 
e|-12-------------------------------------10-12-|
B|--------15p13-12---10--------10h12p10---------|
G|------------------------12--------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------|
 
[Rhythm guitar]
[Intro]
e|---------------------------------------------------------0---|
B|---------3-----3---------3-----3---------3-----3---------3---|
G|-------0-----0---------0-----0---------0-----0---------0-4---|
D|-----4-----4---------4-----4---------4-----4---------4-------|
A|---2---------------2---------------2---------------2---------|
E|-0---------------0---------------0---------------0-----------|
 
(Melody)
e|-----------------------------------------0---------------0-------|
B|---------3-----3---------3-----3-------3-------3-------3-------3-|
G|-------0-----0---------0-----0-------0-------0-------0-------0---|
D|-----4-----4---------4-----4-------4-------4-------4-------4-----|
A|---2---------------2-------------3---------------3---------------|
E|-0---------------0-----------------------------------------------|
 
e|-------------------------2p0---------------0---0-----------0---0---|
B|---------3-----3-------3-----3-------------0---0-----------0---0---|
G|-------0-----0-------0---------0---------2-2---2---------2-2---2---|
D|-----4-----4-------4-------------0-----3-----3---3-----3-----3---3-|
A|---2---------------------------------3---------------3-------------|
E|-0---------------0-----------------1---------------1---------------|
 
e|-------------------------2p0---------------2-----------------------|
B|---------3-----3-------3-----3-------------3---3---------0---------|
G|-------0-----0-------0---------0-----------2-2---2-----0-------0---|
D|-----4-----4-------4-------------0-----5-----------2-4-------2---2-|
A|---2---------------------------------5---5-----------------3-------|
E|-0---------------0-----------------3-------------------------------|
 
e|---------------------------|
B|-0---3---------------------|
G|-0-0---0-----2-------------|
D|-0-------0-4---4-5-4-5-----|
A|-----------------7-5-7-----|
E|---------------------------|
 
 
************************************
 
| h  Hammer-on
| p  Pull-off
 
************************************

by Sharifu