Friday, April 1, 2011

Mamma Mia! - The Final Act: The Winner Takes It All

Note: Do you always read a book's last chapter first? Go and read parts 1 through 4 first, before reading this.

MAMMA MIA! - THE FINAL ACT:

Scene:

Its the night of the India- Pakistan semi finals which Pakistan had lost. It was almost dawn and Waqar Younis and his team are at a bar and its been a while. Waqar is looking at his team and starts singing to the tune of "When all is said and done":

Here's to us one more toast and then we'll pay the bill
Deep inside both of us can feel the autumn chill
Birds of passage, you and me
We fly instinctively
When the summer's over and the dark clouds hide the sun
Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done

In our lives we have walked some strange and lonely treks
Slightly worn but dignified and not too old for sex
We're still striving for the sky
No taste for humble pie
Thanks for all your generous love and thanks for all the fun
Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done

It's so strange when you're down and lying on the floor
How you rise, shake your head, get up and ask for more
Clear-headed and open-eyed
With nothing left untried
Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run
There's no hurry any more when all is said and done

Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run
There's no hurry any more when all is said and done

Scene:

Its the tense start before the Finals match between India and Sri Lanka. Kapil Dev and Arjuna Ranatunga are having a look at the pitch before the toss and analyzing the match thats going to start. They start singing as chorus to the tune of "Voulez Vous":

People everywhere
A sense of expectation hanging in the air
Giving out a spark
Across the room your eyes are glowing in the dark
And here we go again, we know the start, we know the end
Masters of the scene
We've done it all before and now we're back to get some more
You know what I mean

Voulez-vous
Take it now or leave it
Now is all we get
Nothing promised, no regrets
Voulez-vous
Ain't no big decision
You know what to do
La question c'est voulez-vous
Voulez-vous...



Scene:


Harsha Bhogle, Sidhu and Ian chappel in the TV studios are showing pictures of the crowd waiting to get into the Wankhede stadium for the finals clash between India and Sri Lanka. Looking at the surging crowds, who were expecting to catch Sachin Tendulkar's magic, the three of them start singing in a chorus to the tune of "The Piper":

They came from the hills
and they came from
the valleys and the plains
they struggled in the cold
in the heat and the snow
and in the rain
came to hear him play
play their minds away

They came from the south
from the west and the north
and from the east
they waited for the man
like a parish is waiting
for the priest
longed to hear him play
play their minds away

He gave them a dream
he seduced everybody
in the land
the fire in his eyes
and the fear was a weapon
in his hand
so they let him play
play their minds away

We're all following a strange melody
we're all summoned by a tune
we're following the piper
and we dance beneath the moon

We're following the piper
and we dance beneath the moon for him
and we dance beneath the moon

SCENE:

It was after the Finals clash between India and Sri Lanka. A bright moon is shining (or is it the flood lights?), under which a guy is standing with his heads down. Because of the silhouette, its not clear whether its MS Dhoni or Kumar Sangakara. But the song he was singing drifted by clearly and it was to the tune of "The Winner Takes it All":

I don't wanna talk
About things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me, now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say, no more ace to play

The winner takes it all
The loser's standing small
Beside the victory, that's her destiny

The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear

The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain

The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show, always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all

I don't wanna talk if it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologize if it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense, no self-confidence
But you see

The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all

THE END.

(C) Vijayaganesh Sampathkumar, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Mamma Mia! - Part 4: Mamma Mia!

Note: This is a continuation from the previous posts. Don't take the middle path. So read the Part 1 through 3 first, before reading this post.

Scene:
Angelo Mathews is playing against New Zealand in the semi final clash. He looks up at the crowd cheering him and finds a pretty girl in the stands waving a placard carrying the message "Mathews - Marry Me". He stops concentrating on his batting and suddenly starts singing to the tune of "Does your mother know":

You're so hot
Teasing me
So you're blue but I can't
Take a chance on a chick like you
It's something I couldn't do

There's that look
In your eyes
I can read in your face
That your feelings are driving you wild
But girl you're only a child

Well, I could dance with you honey
If you think it's funny
But does your mother know that you're out?
And I could chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
But does your mother know that you're out?

Take it easy
Better slow down girl
That's no way to go
Does your mother know?

Take it easy
Try to cool it girl
Take it nice and slow
Does your mother know?

Scene:
Shoaib Akhtar is waiting for his skipper to give him another chance to play as his final swansong. He meets his captain and begs to be part of the semi final clash against India and starts singing to the tune of "Take a chance on me":

If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, I am gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try

Take a chance on me
That's all I ask of you honey
Take a chance on me


Scene:

Its the television commentary box during the India - Pakistan semi finals match. Manjrekar and Sourav are taking a break after commenting for six overs are so. Slowly Manjrekar looks at his fellow commentator Sourav and with obvious reference to the IPL Auctions of 2011, starts singing to the tune of "The King has lost his crown":

I believe your new girl turned you down
And they say she's pushin' you around
How does it feel, I guess it hurts your pride
Tell me my friend how many nights you've cried

Disaster and disgrace
The king has lost his crown
Suddenly
He's clumsy like a clown
The world is upside down
The king has lost his crown

Was it hard to step down from your throne
And to know tonight you're all alone
Oh what a shame, you really want that girl
She doesn't care, still you just dream of her

Disaster and disgrace
The king has lost his crown
Suddenly
He's clumsy like a clown
The world is upside down
The king has lost his crown


Scene:

The Indian skipper Dhoni, has again selected his pace(??) bowler Nehra for the Semi Final match. It was totally unexpected, even for the bowler. The captain is conveying the news of the selection to the bowler, before the semi final clash with Pakistan. The captain starts singing to the tune of "Mamma Mia"

I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know,
My my, I could never let you go.

I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you we're through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong.
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh

Mamma mia, here I go again...


End of Part 4. The Final Act follows....

(C) Vijayaganesh Sampathkumar, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Mamma Mia! - Part 3: I do I do I do

 Note: This is a continuation from the previous posts. Would you watch a play willingly from half-way through? No, right? So read the Part 1 & 2 first, before reading this post.

Scene:
Its tough being a modern day cricketer, with all the pressures of travel and staying away from the family. Its not for the faint hearted. Unfortunately, an english player finds himself depressed and alone in the night. Poor chap. He is singing to the tune of " If it wasn't for the nights":

I got appointments, work I have to do
Keeping me so busy all the day through
They're the things that keep me from thinking of you
Ahhh baby, I miss you so, I know I'm never gonna make it
Oh, I'm so restless, I don't care what I say
And I lose my temper, ten times a day
Still it's even worse when the night's on its way
It's bad, oh, so bad

Somehow I'd be doing alright if it wasn't for the nights
I'd have courage left to fight if it wasn't for the nights
How I fear the time when shadows start to fall
Sitting here alone and staring at the wall
Even I could see a light if it wasn't for the nights
Somehow I'd be doing alright if it wasn't for the nights

No one to turn to, you know how it is
I was not prepared for something like this
Now I see them clearly, the things that I miss
Ahhh baby, I feel so bad, I know I'm never gonna make it
I got my business to help me through the day
People I must write to, bills I must pay
But everything's so different when night's on its way
It's bad, oh, so bad...

Scene:
Ricky Ponting is sad after loosing the quater finals match to India. Looking at the Indian team, desolate and inconsolable, he starts singing to the tune of "Waterloo"

My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo

My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo

Scene:

Greame Smith is upset that South Africa has lost its quarter-finals clash against Newzealand, unexpectedly after such strong performances in the league stage of the tournament. The South African media is crying for his blood. Inconsolabale, he looks to his team mates and starts singing to the tune of "Knowing me, Knowing You":

No more carefree laughter
Silence ever after
Walking through an empty house, tears in my eyes
Here is where the story ends, this is goodbye

Knowing me, knowing you,
There is nothing we can do
Knowing me, knowing you
We just have to face it, this time we're through
Breaking up is never easy, I know but I have to go
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do

Scene:
The broadcaster of the event ended up with a bonanza in the form of the India - Pakistan semi finals. For this match, they had reportedly increased the advertisement rates from 300 K to 1800 K for a 10 second slot. The executives had a meeting with their clients who wanted to book slots and they were singing to the tune of "I do, I do, I do" :

Love me or leave me,
make your choice but believe me
I love you
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do
I can't conceal it, don't you see,
can't you feel it?
Don't you too?
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

Oh, I've been dreaming through my lonely past
Now I just made it, I found you at last

Oh, no hard feelings between you and me
If we can't make it, but just wait and see

So come on, now let's try it,
I love you, can't deny it
'Cos it's true
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do
So love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me
I love you
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

End of Part 3. Part 4 follows....

(C) Vijayaganesh Sampathkumar. All Rights Reserved.

Mamma Mia! - Part 2: One of us

 Note: This is a continuation from the previous post. Would you watch a movie willingly from half-way through? No, right? So read the Part 1 first, before reading this post.


Scene:
Some cricket fans from Bannerghatta and Jaya Nagar were trying in vain for a ticket to the India - England match, but could not get one. They were instead, beaten up by the policemen, mercilessly. With nothing better to do, they bought the day's newspaper and read the news about the the large number of free tickets given to various moneyed people in their city. They are frustrated and start singing to the tune of "Money Money Money":

I work all night, I work all day,
to pay the bills I have to pay
Ain't it sad
And still there never seems to be
a single penny left for me
That's too bad
In my dreams I have a plan
If I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work at all,
I'd fool around and have a ball...

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich man's world
Aha-ahaaa
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It's a rich man's world

Scene:

Its the day after all the controversies of UDRS during the league match between India and England. There was a party in Mumbai where Top ICC brass and BCCI and other cricket board higher officials were present. Looking at Pawar, ICC's Lorgat is singing during the party, to the tune of "On & On & On":


I was at a party and this fella said to me
"Something bad is happening, I'm sure you do agree
People care for nothing, no respect for human rights
Evil times are coming, we are in for darker nights"
I said, "Who are you to talk about impending doom?"
He got kinda wary as he looked around the room
He said, "I'm a minister, a big shot in the state"
I said, "I just can't believe it, boy I think it's great
Brother can you tell me what is right and what is wrong?"
He said, "Keep on rocking baby, 'til the night is gone"

On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
Keep on rocking baby
'Til the night is gone
On and on and on
'Til the night is gone

Scene:

Kamran Akmal is being plastered by his team mates and management for missing several plum catches in the match against New Zealand. Even the media is speculating that he is indulging in spot fixing. He is not able to comprehend, how he is missing those easy catches. He recalls those balls that he had put down so easily and starts singing to the tune of "Slipping through my fingers":

I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness
and and I have to sit down for a while
the feeling that I'm losing her forever
and without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
that funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
the feeling in it
slipping through my fingers all the time
do I really see what's in her mind
each time I think I'm close to knowing
she keeps on growing
slipping through my fingers all the time


Scene:

Its almost the end of the league phase and Ashwin rues as to why he was not picked in the team for playing most of the league matches. He hopes atleast, he will be picked for the last league match. Piyush Chawla is also loitering around nearby with hope in his eyes. Ashwin and Piyush are singing this duet to the tune of "One of Us": (You figure out, who is singing which line. Its obvious.):

They passed me by, all of those great romances
You were, I felt, robbing me of my rightful chances
My picture clear, everything seemed so easy
And so I dealt you the blow
One of us had to go
Now it's different, I want you to know

One of us is crying
One of us is lying
One of us is lonely
One of us is only
Waiting for a call

I saw myself as a concealed attraction
I felt you kept me away from the heat and the action
Just like a child, stubborn and misconceiving
That's how I started the show
One of us had to go
Now I've changed and I want you to know

One of us is crying
One of us is lying
One of us is lonely
One of us is only
Waiting for a call


End of Part 2. Part 3 follows.....

(C) Vijayaganesh Sampathkumar, 2011. All rights reserved.