[Music] Songs To Warm You Up

As Karachi gets its so called winter, we see warmer menus, fashion and sometimes even conversations. It is also time to change your playlist and respect the season's wishes. This is just to warm you up, a little bit while you sip on your hot chocolate or mulled wine with a loved one or your imagination.

No, I won't stop loving you. Why should I?
For those of us in long distance relationships and wondering with each leaving if this is worth it. It is. If he/she doesn't agree make them listen to Phil Collins.

Khwab hu tum, tabeer bhi tum, khud se mera vaada bhi tum

Perhaps one of the sexiest Pakistani pop numbers ever produced, Jaana Jaana smells like a date in Islamabad in the 1990s. Still hot, right?

Golden Brown texture like sun, she lays me down with my mind, she runs.

It seems like The Stranglers are smitten by an 'exotic' woman from the warmer climes. Top of the Pops performance for nostalgia. 

Katmandu, I'll soon be seeing you and your strange, bewildering time will hold me down.

Cat Stevens encapsulates the unique air of Katmandu Valley. It is a place where you will lose your sense of time and place and find yourself slowing down to savour it's warmth and unexplained attraction.  Katmandu is an acquired taste that once you acquire is difficult to let go of.

Tumhay koi aur dekhay tu jalta hai dil, bari mushkilon se phir sambhalta hai dil

Kishore da brings the heat in this number. The lust, longing and love for one's lover is burning up my headphones.

'Cause nothing feels right like when you're holding on

WARNING: I will not be held responsible for whatever desires for snuggling and consequent activities may arise from listening to this.

Lemme know what happens, yeah?

RIP my love, George

I am not sure what I should write about George Michael that could possibly explain what an influence he was on my life, or rather what he meant to me. From Last Christmas to Amazing - the crucifix earring and the stubble, the supermodels and the erotic music videos, George Michael defined pop culture,particularly fashion and sexuality for an entire generation. 

He was my first crush. He defined the kind of man I would look for and desire in the years to come. Rugged,older, broken,confident, damaged,sexy and intensely sexual. A man who could be both Father Figure and Fast Love(r). 

Imagine the disappointment of women when he was outed. Some how, that made him even more relatable.Not all of us are brave enough to 'come out'. He struggled with what was expected of him as a gay man. In fact, he once said his life had become tougher since the public declaration of his homosexuality. His big, fat Greek family was important to him and part of the reason for him staying in the closet was that. More than ever before, I loved George Michael for his emotional weakness and blatant sexual 'misdemeanour.'

He easily discarded earlier versions of himself with such rage.From Wham! to a solo artist, burning the infamous Faith jacket in Freedom 90, from straight to gay. He lived many lives in one. Yet, he remained true to his sound. You were more than the music to me. Thank you for being you. RIP George Michael.

[Music] Let's Get It On Valentine's Day

Whether you are single or married, love or hate Valentine's Day, we would all like to get it on on any given day of the week. However, Valentine's Day calls for a special playlist to put you in the mood for that crazy little thing called love...


1. Citizen Cope - Holdin' On
Prepare to have your hearts and other body parts melting to the sound of this unhappy young man,

2. Beyonce - Drunk In Love

Just don't start talking about how hot Beyonce is and you'll be fine in your seduction efforts with this number

3. Strings - Bichra Yaar

For those us in long distance relationships. Play him this on Skype.

4. Scissor Sisters - Might Tell You Tonight

If you are having trouble confessing your love, let Jake Shears do it for you

5. Meghan Trainor & John Legend - Like I'm Gonna Lose You

The 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' of this time right now

Remember, all you need is love. Not necessarily a partner. More lovey-dovey music here.

[Music]: Feel Good Summer

The pop music industry goes into over drive to create summer anthems with the likes of Rihanna, Pitbull, Avicii running back to their studios to create five lines of lyrics and pull out a beat from Calvin Harris or Pharrell Williams' big bag of sampled tunes. However, for me some of the most enduring and endearing summer time music are off the beaten track

But what makes for a good 'summer song'? For me, it should have the following factors:

• sing-a-longability: easy lyrics that you can remember and sing along to
• easy melody: something that can get stuck in your head
• memories: songs that evoke memories of last summer always seem to work this summer

And this does not mean that they have to be pop songs that are burning up the charts. There are the songs you can listen to every summer, year after year.

Weezer - Island In The Sun

Baby animals! Lion cubs, chimps, puppies, bear cubs .... SO CUTE! And that's just the video. The sunny disposition of the song talks of running away and never feeling bad anymore. Easy, breezy summer buddy time.

For those of you in Pakistan or without access to YouTube, click here to watch.

Scissor Sisters - San Luis Obispo

Now summer time, doesn't always have be to happy time. Perhaps, she left you, But now it's time to look ahead and fall in love with San Luis Obispo instead. Because places are so much better than people (primarily because they cannot leave).

For those of you in Pakistan or without access to YouTube, click here to listen.

Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way

Summer is incomplete without some classic disco! Time to retire your 'I Will Survive' karaoke routine and replace it with this 1977 hit instead.

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For those of you in Pakistan or without access to YouTube, click  here to listen.

Estrella - Stay

This sugary single by Malaysian indie band, Estrella feels like reconnecting with an ex that you're not quite over yet. Clearly, I am not talking about myself. Add this to your summer playlist and smile to yourself.

For those of you in Pakistan or without access to YouTube, click  here to watch.

George Michael - Outside

Because it's summer time and sometimes you need to take the party outside. And who better to tell us to do things we should not be doing than George Michael. Possibly NSFW.

For those of you in Pakistan or without access to YouTube, click  here to watch

[Music] 5 World Music Picks Everyone Can Love

Cliched as it may sound, music really has no boundaries. It's good to move to a different beat now and then.

Souad Massi - Ilham

This Algerian song bird has captured my imagination ever since I discovered this song deep in the CityFM89 archives. She is a respite from the painted divas of Arab pop music and her music (much like her) is boho-folk-chic.

Ratu - Teman Tapi Mesra

This is a fun one! Super-hot-now-disbanded-girl-pop-duo from Indonesia, Ratu are singing about how to throw shade at a friend who wants to be more than just a friend. Yes, I understand Bahasa Indonesia and Malaysia.

TTC - Travailler (Orgasmic Remix)

Everything sounds better in French! Especially when they are talking about not wanting to work and sleep instead. Sounds like me, every single day. 

Cheb Khaled - Cest La Vie

Cheb Khaled is back! Not so 'cheb' ie young anymore but still making fun French-Algerian-Rai music. In this one, he talks to an ex, explaining how he does not regret any time spent with her and all that jazz. 

Shahzad Adeel - Afghan Premier League Theme Song

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I first heard this song in a football stadium in Kabul, during an Afghan Premier League quarter final game and it was absolutely electric! 

Got any more world music suggestions? Leave a link in the comments!