So I recorded a raw video of me playing a cover of one of the most famous love songs in the Philippine music industry.
But before that, let's get to know more about this song. Who's the songwriter behind this, how this song made its breakthrough, or just simply making this article longer. The real reason is the last one. To be honest.
: Side A (group)
Side A is a Filipino pop band that was formed in 1985, who gained its recognition in the Philippine music industry in the late 1980s through early 2000s. They are most or best known for their hit single "Forevermore".
: Origin and its Early Years
The band has a monicker " Philippines' premiere band", and was recognized as the local version of the band Toto (the band behind the hit song Africa). Side A was founded in 1985 by brothers Naldy and Rodel Gonzalez, together with Kelly Badon, Mar Dizon, Joey Benin, and Pido Lalimarmo. The band soon released its debut album in 1989. It was first managed by a Christian-oriented artist mngt. company named Artistation Inc., which is owned by the late Wyngard Tracy.
: Biography
Side A become more widely known through its major commercial success during the 1990s. In 1993, the band's 3rd album went 3x platinum and they also garnered two Awit Awards, the Philippines equivalent of Grammys in international in the mid-1990s.
The band's first hit single "Eva Marie" made them find their way to achieving an illustrious recording career. "Windows of Our Souls" and "Di Pa Huli" are two of their classic songs that can also be found on the album.
However, after the success of their debut album, Rodel Gonzalez decided to leave the group to join Second Wind. Mar Dizon and Pido Lalimarmo also left the band to form Artstart. Dizon and Lalimarmo didn't leave Artstart until 1994 when Eva Marie Poon, the sister of Richard Poon reunited with Lalimarmo and formed a different band named Take One, while Dizon joined Parliament Syndicate.
With only two members left, Kelly Badon and Joey Benin, they recruited new members Joey Generoso, the new lead vocalist, and Ernie Severino, the new drummer, launching their second album named The White Album. It was released under Vicor Records, earning double and triple platinum records for its sales. One of the songs featured in the album was "Hold On" which seems to be as famous before and now.
Launching their 3rd album and 2nd album under Vicor, it was called The Blue Album which also made history of earning double and triple platinum records on its sales. The album made a cover version of Labuyo's "Tuloy Pa Rin Ako". The song was recorded live in the music hall, one of the well known lounged in Manila. The cover of the album has the same design as their first album in Vicor, The White Album with the classic Side A logo, but this time around it's blue.
The album By Your Side under Warner was launched in 1995 and reached its gold status. They also won two Awit Awards: Best Jazz Performance with vocals for " True Love Can Always Wait", and Best Performance by a Group for "By Your Side". This album (By Your Side) was the only album they internationally released with two additional hit singles: " Forevermore" and "Tell Me" a cover of Joey Albert. This album made them so famous as this commemorated their celebration of 10 years in the music industry.
The band celebrated for their 10th anniversary in the music industry through a concert at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. They did a live recording of the show then released it entitled "Side A Live!".
The album of their 10th Anniversary Concert went triple platinum again. The album contained numerous cover versions of local OPM love songs and even international ones. It includes the song of Janno Gibbs entitled "I Believe in Dreams" which was written by one of the original members of Side A, Joey Benin. They also recorded a version of James Taylor's "Your Smiling Face" by which each of the members in the band could be heard singing individually on their own parts.
The album in their 12th year, in 1997 was released and got a record of certified gold. This featured collaborations of local artists like Sharon Cuneta and some international songwriters. That became a part of their twelfth year as a group.
In September 1998, the band released an album named Ang Ating Awitin, which includes a lively and groovier version of "Manila" by Hotdog.
In the mid-2000s, the band made a compilation of its greatest hits from 1985 to 2001. It was called The Platinum Collection. They made new versions of their old hits.
In 2015, Joey Generoso, the lead vocals announced on leaving the band as he wants to pursue a solo career.
: The man behind Forevermore
Joey Benin joined Side A as the bass player in 1986. He was the youngest of the group when it started. He wrote the song "Eva Marie" the single that was responsible for them became known nationwide as a band.
In 1995, Joey Benin successfully finished writing the song Forevermore. He was asked what was the reason behind it. He said that he was inspired to write the song because of a couple he knew personally. He was able to write it with so much dedication for his loved ones reminding him how lucky and blessed he was as a man.
Apparently, he left Side A permanently years after the hit song to spend more time with his family and also to focus on their business. He was replaced by Ned Esguerra, a former member of Freeverse.
After leaving Side A, he became a full-time haciendero, managing a fish farm and developing organic farmland in Negros Occidental. He still writes music. He also joins a foundation that is helping the less fortunate children to get a good education and find homes.
: So here's my solo piano cover of the song
Honestly, that is the farthest in the song that I could play. There were hard parts on it and it was evident on the video that I made mistakes. Well, I got tired of playing it over and over again so that was it. I had to cut it into twice because I commit mistakes in any way. Will do better next time. Thank you ❤
Shout out to @wrabbiter , my music buddy here in read.cash. Haha
Check out my other piano covers:
Keep playing ❤️.. it makes me feel better hearing you play. Sorry I couldn't read your entire article dahil sa mata ko 😅 ... You inspire me.. And because lodi na kita sa pagplay ng keyboard i thought of buying my son a toy organ pero bago yun naunahan na ako ng kapatid ko gift niya sa anak ko last christmas, pero parang ako pa yung sobrang tuwa 😂😂