Most Filipinos love music. Growing up during the 1980s and 1990s has led me to believe that foreign songs that were big hits here in the Philippines were also great hits in their countries of origin too. But sadly, with the advent of the Internet, I know now that is not the case. Filipino tastes are different. A massive hit here could very well be a flop or a less popular filler song in an album over there.
In this post, I am going to pick my top 5 of favorite forgotten foreign songs that were smash hits here in the Philippines.
5. "Terminal" by Rupert Holmes (1974)
"Terminal" is the debut single of British-American singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes. Although it was not a hit in the US, "Terminal" is popular in the Philippines as it is still played during the late night hours by radio stations. It is a sentimental, sad song about a man remembering his days of infidelity while dying of cancer.
4. "Life Dance” by Sonia Belolo (1985)
I cannot believe there isn't some reliable Internet information about Sonia Belolo, the composer of this wonderful disco dance music from France! Made during the time of Euro disco fever of the '80s. Life Dance is a crazy kind of repetitive synthesizer music but fun to listen to. There’s a kind of happy vibe to it that music today really lacks.
3. "Nevermind" by COLORS (1985)
This wonderfully catchy dance song came from Italy from a one-hit wonder pop group called COLORS. It was also made during the time of Euro disco fever of the '80s when European pop groups were dishing out dance hits. Your parties and celebrations in the Philippines during the 1980s were not complete if your stereo wasn't blaring out this disco song.
2. "Upside Down" by Two Minds Crack (1986)
"Upside Down" by Two Minds Crack, an obscure new wave Welsh rock group, was a hit in other counries, especially here in the Philippines where it was a favorite and still played today on oldie and soft rock stations. I originally thought this nice love ballad, well-liked by teenagers, was sung by Fra Lippo Lippi because they sound alike.
1. "All My Life" by America (1979)
America is a very famous but underrated American folk rock duo. I can not believe this song didn't make it to the top of the charts in the U.S. but it was a big hit in Asia. It is a very beautiful sentimental love song that is not actually using the word "love" in the entirety of its lyrics. It is so good that it can bring tears to your eyes remembering your loved ones in the past. Like "Terminal", it is still popular in the Philippines as it is still played during the late night hours by FM radio stations.
So what were your favorite foreign music hits that were not successes in their country of origin?