Thug Life Songs

For the past week, I’ve been listening to Thug Life songs on loop.

Not surprising, considering how good the songs are and I know I’m not alone!

But for me, it feels a little extra special. It’s actually a big deal. Here’s why:

One, after a long, long time, I’m actually listening to music again.

There was a time, I would always be listening to music, When I am walking, travelling, working and eating. It was always there.

But in the past few years? Nothing. I barely listened to any songs at all.

Worse, I didn’t even like the new songs  that came out.

I’d started to wonder—have I lost the ability to enjoy music?

Had I become too mechanical?

Two, I’m listening to an entire movie album. All the songs.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I liked every song from one album. 

A few other reflections:

This whole thing reminded me of an old aphorism:

Nature abhors a vacuum. No one is truly indispensable. Life finds a way to fill the gaps.

For a long time, Mani Ratnam collaborated with Vairamuthu.

But post-#MeToo, Mani stopped working with him.

I used to wonder,how will the magic continue?

Who could ever fill those shoes?

(Not always the case, though. Director Shankar, for instance, hasn’t quite found his rhythm since Sujatha passed—especially when it comes to screenplay and dialogue. I also feel that, other than Anand and maybe Thani Oruvan, most didn’t fully leverage the Suba duo the way they could’ve.)

But I have to say,the lyrics in Thug Life are just… wonderful.

And I’m more of a lyrics guy than a music or voice person.

Speaking of voices the performance of Chinmayi in audio launch.

As I said, I usually can’t distinguish between voices or appreciate the finer nuances.

But even to someone like me, the difference between Dhee’s and Chinmayi’s versions of the same song is like day and night.

Beyond the music, I’m genuinely amazed by the promotional efforts from Kamal and Mani.

Whether the movie is a success or not, I respect the sheer commitment and the love they show for the craft.

(And that’s what really triggered these thoughts on how incredibly blessed these people are to have fallen in love with their craft, and to keep doing what they love, decade after decade.)