Gesture: 
AN action performed to convey one’s feelings or intentions.

Action:
THE fact or process of doing something to achieve an aim. 

While these days I can’t help but find Gossip Girl infinitely trashy and pretentious all at once, I think I can speak for an entire generation of viewers, more particularly girls, when I say the only reason I hold onto this show is to stay tuned to the love-hate, “better or worse, tethered to you” relationship between Chuck and Blair.

On a lazy day, still in my pyjamas at 3pm, I have just finished compiling the sequel to my whimsical European travel soundtrack.

The songs brought together in the two playlists are meant provide a form of narration for a reverie and evoke film-like visual imaginings of a round the world (previously Europe and Brazil specific) holiday.

Two years since the inception of the first, I think this sequel sounds a lot more “grown up” and grounded in iconic work than the first. And this time, I found a way for us to go to London without completely deviating from the essence of the soundtrack. 

Here’s to thinking people take an interest in an annotated listing, as we do in celebrity playlists… 

1. “In The Mood” - Ted Heath
The opening song; a classic big band arrangement and household tune. To me, it sounds like flight, like getting the party started. The song is best as Glenn Miller’s but purely because this is what was given on the Jazz - Let’s Dance compilation I bought last year and because it’s barely dissimilar anyway, I have Ted Heath’s rendition. 

2. “Doo-Doo-De-Doop” (A Doodlin’ Song) - Blossom Dearie
Flirty, cute and quirky, the leading lady is involved in a coquettish little game with a dapper, young businessman on her first class flight to Rome. Dizzied by champagne, stumbling from her seat toward his, wearing a petticoated pink dress, satin heels and red lipstick, they laugh and play for the whole 20 hours.

3. “The James Bond Theme” - Danny Davis & His Orchestra
Touch down in Rome. Man behind Wayfarer shades on a mission (perhaps the young “businessman”) zipping past the Trevi Fountain in a vintage, black convertible. Flash. Fancy gala, opposite a leggy Brunette in a racy red couture dress. You know, typical Bond.

4. “El Desierto” - Lhasa
I didn’t use to like this song but I’ve come to appreciate it, especially in the context of this playlist. El Desierto has an equivocal setting. The echoing sounds, the vocal dynamics changing between whispers and cries, the tense drumbeat and rhythmic clanging; it could sound sexy or distressing. I think “restless heat” encapsulates it. 

5. “Santa Maria (del Buen Ayre)” - Gotan Project
No romance soundtrack would be complete without a sensual tango number. Dark, empty dance studio, lit by the yellow street lamp outside the window. Sound familiar? It was used in exactly that sort of scene starring Richard Gere and JLo in Shall We Dance. 

6. “Who Needs Forever” - Astrud Gilberto 
Astrud never fails to provide that insouciantly sexy, cruisy sound required to continue the illicit Tango affair.

7. “L’ombre et la lumière” - Coralie Clement
Just discovered Coralie today, she’s got both Bossa and French in a harmonious, pretty little blend. A perfect transition for the state of transit.

8. “A Ti A Ti” - Gipsy Kings
Hola Barcelona! You can never go wrong with Gipsy Kings. This next track, “A Ti A Ti”, is about fun and discovery, shaking off entanglements from the chapter before and exploring the exotic. 

9. “Barcelona” - Guilia Y Los Tellarini
Theme song from Woody Allen’s Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona, the leading character finds herself/himself in a new set of entanglements amidst the backdrop of Catalan sights and sounds.   

10. “Gorrion” - Juan Serrano
Mischief and Mediterranean heat. Things are getting loco.

11. “In A Shanty Old Town” - Dizzy Gillespie
Time to say goodbye to beautiful, complicated Barcelona. On the road again, appreciating the quaint, seaside quarters of the Mediterranean before heading to the second last leg of the journey.

12. “Sous le Ciel de Paris” - Edith Piaf
The title reminds me of what I said to a friend who recently went to Europe and posted up pictures of her travels there - “it seems like there’s a different sky up there!” This is the theme song from Under The Sky of Paris (1951) by French film director Julien Divivier, based on the large and small events that occur in the lives of several people whose destinies cut across one another. It represents what it is like to actually live and dwell in Paris for some time, connecting with the people and adapting to a certain lifestyle.

13. “C’est Le Printemps (It Might As Well Be Spring)” - Blossom Dearie
Indolent and dreamy, lethargic and bored. The de rigueur, new season disposition is nowhere to be found in this lone traveler. The protagonist is no longer amused with Paris. Without any real companion, she feels lost and beside herself for no apparent reason. Thinking it’s time to pack up and leave.

14. “Moonriver” - Sarah Vaughan
Looking over and walking past the Seine, longing for the love she left behind.  

15. “Here Comes The Sun” - The Beatles
Nothing says “Britain” more than The Beatles. As soon as you hear the first pluck, you know immediately where you are. That iconic pedestrian crossing. A summer in London. Her smile returns. A new chapter chapter begins.

16. “Shine On” - The Kooks
Enjoying a few months of hurrah and adventure in The UK. Heart full and a most unusual perpetually shining sun (dream on, more like it).

17. “Goodbye England” (Covered In Snow) - Laura Marling 
The cold and the rain sets in and before we know, England is covered in snow. The journey ends with her stepping out of a cab in rainboots and wheeling along her suitcase in Heathrow airport.

18. “You Belong To Me” - Carla Bruni
This is by far my favourite version of this song. I admit, I am biased towards Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy simply because she has it all. My first playlist ended with Tori Amos’ version from Mona Lisa Smile. I do think Carla’s sings of a more mature, pensive and significant journey.

And that is The End. Hope you enjoyed!

(Amazing that I’ll devote 3 hours to compiling a playlist, researching and writing up commentary for each song but refuse to begin any Uni homework/assignments.)  

P.S. Oh and if you’re interested that little bit more and would like a copy on CD, feel free to ask me :)