Cover The Eraserheads reunion concert is set on December 22, 2022
The Eraserheads reunion concert is set on December 22, 2022
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The clock ticks and Eraserheads' reunion concert is coming closer, make sure you know all the lyrics to these songs
A detailed narrative, catchy riff, and relatable lines make the perfect formula for an Eraserheads hit. Often described as "The Beatles of the Philippines," Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro gave birth to a new generation of young Filipino listeners in the 1990s. The naysayers question them and the fans fawn over them, but however they appeal to the public, there is always one thing that's indisputable—the boys have put their names on the pedestal of original Pinoy music.
In case you missed it: Eraserheads Reunion Concert Set on December 22
"The 1990s was the antithesis of the 1980s, glam and anything flamboyant was out and the kids were craving for something more real and honest," wrote Bong Godinez, the author of the Eraserheads Saga: The Making and Unmaking of a Rock n' Roll Dream. "And that's what the Eraserheads came to offer. Aside from the straightforward lyrics and catchy tunes, the image of Ely, Raimund, Buddy and Marcus wearing T-shirts, jeans and trainers held the young listeners captive. With [their] ruggedness and irreverent attitude, the Eraserheads were a breath of fresh air in the midst of well-groomed balladeers and suave crooners."
Related: "We Can Do Anything": Why Ely Buendia Says It's Important To Support OPM
As their reunion concert draws near, we revisit the making of the band's most iconic songs.
Ang Huling El Bimbo
Oh, the bittersweet aftermath of unrequited love—The song "Ang Huling El Bimbo" is an ode to frontman Ely Buendia's first love; it begins with the lines "Kamukha mo si Paraluman / No'ng tayo ay bata pa" which indicates that the singer is taking a trip down memory lane. As the narrative progresses, the listeners learn that the singer carries the weight of feelings he did not get the chance to admit. Decades of radio silence between the two parties have passed and the storyteller learns of his first love's demise.
In an interview with Wake Up with Jim and Saab, he revealed that Paraluman was his childhood crush who taught him how to dance. "I had a huge crush on this girl who was older; she was the one who taught me the dance, and I think that was the first time I was really in love with a girl. Then, I never saw her again,” revealed Buendia.
Read more: Who is Paraluman that made the iconic Eraserheads song hauntingly beautiful?
Magasin
At some point in our lives, someone strummed the guitar and sang "Magasin" with us. The song is yet another bittersweet story of a man who chanced upon a photo of his past lover on a magazine cover at a Baclaran newsstand. Sources say that in reality, the song was based on Buendia's cousin who used to date Shirley Tesoro, a famous movie actress who played roles in movies like Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy (1989) and Maricris Sioson Story: Japayuki (1993).
Alapaap
Say what you will about "Alapaap", but it truly is the perfect song for anyone who feels so happy he can almost touch the clouds! In the past, this trippy 'Heads track made a buzz after Senator Tito Sotto attempted to ban it in 1995 for allegedly promoting the use of illicit drugs.
A few years later, Buendia asserted that the "meaning depends on the reader" before confirming that "Alapaap" was indeed an allusion to drugs and being high.
Related: 'Blast From The Past': We Look Back at OPM Alternative Rock of the '90s
Julie Tearjerky
It is said that the song "Julie Tearjerky" is about the band's longtime assistant and road manager Julie Pacanas. The track, which topped the charts in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Indonesia, remains a classic Eheads song to date.
More from Tatler: National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab On Hitting The Right Notes Towards His Legacy
Spoliarium
"Spoliarium" has got to be the most controversial song of the 'heads. Many of the band's listeners assume that its story is about teenage star Pepsi Paloma's sexual abuse. In the same interview with Wake Up With Jim and Saab, Buendia reveals the song's true meaning “‘Spoliarium’ is one of those cases where, really, the myth has sort of taken over the facts and I kinda like it. I kinda like the myth. Because the actual meaning of the song is also, again, just really mundane,” he said. “It’s all about getting pissed drunk."
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
