The 10 Best Eraserheads Songs of All-Time
Some might wonder if Eraserheads took their name from the David Lynch movie with a similar name. If so, they should know they’re right. Eraserheads is a Filipino rock band formed at the University of the Philippines Dillman in the late 1980s. Amusingly, the band members realized they weren’t good at playing cover material, which prompted them to start making original material with terrific results. It’s no exaggeration to say that Eraserheads is one of the most successful Filipino acts ever, so much so that its fame has extended beyond its home country. The band is no longer as active as it used to be. Still, it has released plenty of material curious alt-rock fans can check out.
Here is our opinion of the ten best Eraserheads songs ever released:
10. “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong”
This song’s name translates to something close to “Don’t ask about it.” It makes more sense when one realizes it’s about a man fed up with his girlfriend’s questions. Everyone has relationship issues from time to time. It’s the inevitable consequence of people having different thoughts on the same subjects. However, the song’s narrator sounds so frustrated that one can’t help but wonder whether he should be thinking about where his relationship goes from this point.
9. “Toyang”
“Toyang” is one of Eraserheads’ earliest hits. The song’s narrator is in love with the titular person. What makes the song stand out is its wordplay. It might be goofy in places, but it’s surprisingly charming. There’s something likable about a band willing to fool around with “Toyang” sounding like “Too Young” while inserting numerous references.
8. “Minsan”
“Minsan” was never released as a single. Even so, it resonates with numerous listeners. That’s because it’s a song about how the Eraserheads frontman, Ely Buendia, formed his friendship with his bandmates when they were still in school. It’s a beautiful reminder that the memory of friendship will endure even once the people involved have gone their separate ways.
7. “Overdrive”
The car is a powerful symbol of freedom. After all, it lets people travel much further than they can on their feet. Moreover, they can choose where they go, which is different from how they’re limited to the available routes when taking other forms of transportation. This sentiment exists in more than one culture. For proof, look no further than “Overdrive,” which focuses on a narrator who wants to learn how to drive so he can travel everywhere. Funny enough, there’s speculation that the song’s a metaphor for taking drugs. Primarily, that’s because of some of the stranger lyrics found within.
6. “Magasin”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, “Magasin” means “magazine.” That doesn’t say much about the contents. As such, interested individuals should know its narrator reminisces about his ex after seeing her picture in a magazine. It’s based on a true experience. The curious part is that it didn’t involve the band members. Instead, it was the frontman’s cousin who dated someone famous.
5. “With a Smile”
“With a Smile” is another song that’s easy to connect with. It says that the world can be hard and cruel. Even so, people can make it through with a bit of optimism. The message is somewhat sappy. Still, it’s easy to like someone specifically saying these things to cheer up someone they care about.
4. “Ligaya”
“Ligaya” has the distinction of being the lead single from Eraserheads’ debut album. This isn’t the most complicated song ever made. Luckily, it doesn’t need to be because it’s about someone trying to attract the person he’s interested in, even though he doesn’t have much to offer. Supposedly, the frontman took inspiration for the song from when he exchanged glances with a girl while waiting at a bank.
3. “Alapaap”
“Alapaap” attracted a fair amount of controversy in its time. Specifically, it was targeted by Filipino politicians because it was believed to be about marijuana. The band successfully defended the song by claiming it was about a desire for independence rather than getting high. Of course, the frontman would eventually admit that the song was indeed about marijuana. Something that shouldn’t be much of a surprise to anyone who has paid attention to the lyrics.
2. “Pare Ko”
“Pare Ko” is a song in which a broken-hearted man vents to his best friend about his lost relationship. It isn’t a happy song, but it sells itself well. “Pare Ko” is another example of the band’s work that came close to being censored. In its case, that’s because of the narrator’s swearing, which provided his statements with a much-needed sense of authenticity. Luckily, the song avoided that fate, though interested individuals should know there’s also a version with no swearing if they’re curious for whatever reason.
1. “Ang Huling El Bimbo”
Part of this song’s name sounds unflattering in English. However, that isn’t what’s being referenced here because it’s referring to a dance. Regardless, “Ang Huling El Bimbo” encourages people to reach for love lest these opportunities pass beyond them forever. Given this, interested individuals might be able to guess that the song paints a tragic picture. To be precise, the narrator is infatuated with an older girl when he’s young. Nothing comes of it because of the age difference. Over time, they drift apart, as people do. Later, the narrator comes upon that person again. She has a child, but the child’s father isn’t in the picture. Unfortunately, she dies in a car accident before he can reach out, thus eliminating all possibilities for anything that could’ve existed between them. “Ang Huling El Bimbo” is overwhelmingly popular in its home market, thus enabling it to claim the top position on this list.
You can also read:
- Scene Stealers: “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon”
- The 20 Best Songs from 1965
- The 10 Best Wolf Winters Songs of All Time
- The 10 Best Kutless Songs of All-Time
- The 10 Best Manfred Mann Songs of All-Time
