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Earth Hour happens on Saturday, March 28 beginning 8:30pm. For a full 60 minutes, lights are switched off to promote low carbon footprint and sustainable consumption — or in the words of World Wild Fund, which is spearheading Earth Hour in the country, “to promote meaningful climate solutions.”
There is a big WWF party happening at the Quezon City Memorial Park from 7-10pm, but if you just want to spend the hour of darkness at home, well, this is for you: 9 songs about the dark. Hopefully, these songs will flick open the light switch in your brain, get you thinking about the environment, or life, or you-know-what. Enjoy!
1. “Turn Your Lights Down Low” by Bob Marley featuring Lauren Hill. Set the mood with this steady reggae/RnB track. You can also dedicate this to mother nature, say this whole earth hour shebang is you giving her some good loving.
2. “Darkness Fell” by Wolfgang. Ah, this classic Wolfgang rock ballad is perfect for the occasion, isn’t it? A girl wakes up from a dream about a king without a castle or a throne but whom she loved. She wanted to go back but alas, only “darkness fell upon her.”
3. “I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Deathcab for Cutie. This sweet 10-year-old song from American indie darlings Deathcab for Cutie is about death and relationships. It’s sweet, it’s soft, and it’s nice for a quiet Saturday night in the dark.
4. “O Ilaw, Gabing Madilim” (Philippine folk song). Because what’s a playlist about darkness without this? Besides, with just vocals and guitars, it sounds like the perfect follow-up song to Deathcab’s.
5. “Magkayakap sa Dilim” by APO Hiking Society. Another OPM favorite, this romantic little hit pretty much sums up the best thing to do in the dark.
6. “Don’t be Afraid of the Dark” by Robert Cray. This title track of blues musician Robert Cray’s 1988 album brings the tempo up a notch but maintains rather nicely the flirty ambiance.
7. “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen. Sprinsteen’s 1984 song will completely change the rhythm and the mood of the playlist thus far. Despite the upbeat form, the lyrics will make you want to think and rethink your current station and position in life: “You sit around getting older, there’s a joke here somewhere and it’s on me.”
8. “Dark Fantasy” by Kanye West. Enough of the hugot — put on a little attitude and play this 2010 Kanye song. This should enliven the room and make you feel like you were in some awesome party. Enjoy!
9. “Liwanag sa Dilim” by Rivermaya. At this point, you’re somewhere halfway through the hour. The playlist is almost done. You may be getting bored, you may be getting antsy but…listen to Rico Blanco and believe: “Harapin mong magiting ang bagong awitin, ikaw ang liwanag sa dilim!” Party pa more!
And because you did as Rico said, a bonus track: “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. It’s not about darkness but silence may just be tantamount to it. Besides, the first line says it all: “Hello darkness my old friend.”
