The soundtrack of Beirut

This is a selection of songs that has a special memory function for me over here, many of them are songs I listened to a lot in the beginning, and which I have attached an extra feeling for. I have not got lost in the trance syndrome that is specially spread in this country. I was told when I arrived to Lebanon – just wait, you will like it in the end. But I have still not….

Concerning The Ufo Sighting Near Highland, Il - Sufjan Stevens
“When the revenant came down. We couldn't imagine what it was. In the spirit of three stars. The alien thing that took its form. Then to Lebanon. Oh, God. The flashing at night, the sirens grow and grow. Oh, history involved itself. Mysterious shade that took its form. Or what it was, incarnation. Three stars. Delivering signs and dusting from their eyes.”

Lemontree – Fool’s garden
This is a song I’ve not heard since I was a child before I arrived to Lebanon, it is a song that is frequently played, and it is a big hit on karaoke and radio. It always creates a very good atmosphere, people sing for full throat when it comes on in Moloko, the pub where we go to sing karaoke.

The road to freedom – Chris De Burgh

The first months I was here and got to know our good friend Elie, he played this song all the time, specially when the dark had set in and we drove on our way back home and took a little sighteeing in Beirut. This song brings me back to many memories of my first impressions of Beirut, and how I thought my life would be here in Lebanon.

Leaving on a jetplane – John Denver
This song is specially attached to the prepatory course before my departure to Lebanon where there were many tensed and eager emotions in me. And this song has been with me as a special friend on my journey. This is a song I think I will never get sick of.

Rat Race – Bob Marley
I never believed that I would ever become a reggae fan, those of you who know me from home know that I don’t listen that much to this type of music. But over here it has been played quite a lot of reggae music, where both Camilla and Elie are big reggae fans. And I have grown in my taste of music.

Regy – Arabisk song
This was the first arabic song I could recognize, there are not many of those, and all off course contain the words habibi and Hebak/ik. I remember when we went on a mission with save the children, this song was played many times in the bus, in the big excitement for the kids, where they danced and sang for us. So when I hear this song now, I get excited because I can actually recognize it and follow the song. Arabic song are specially popular in the nightlife of Beirut and when the clock passes 00 it is good to know some Arabic moves and lyrics (at least to hum a little bit).

Jack Johnson
This is Camillas cartrack nr one when we are out driving, and also mine. I memorize the time when we took a trip to Jbeil for the beach, and when we drove south from Tripoli to Beirut, tired after a long day out on mission, while we hum loud to Jack Johnsons velvet voice.

I build this garden for us – Lenny Kravitz
“In this garden. They'll be no war. No racial prejudice. You'll be my brother. Of any color.
You'll just be okay with us. We'll live each day in peace. In hope that we will one day reach
The rest of the world. When they are ready to be teached”