I am from a Chinese-speaking family, and I attended a Chinese school where Chinese, while not the medium of instruction, is the medium of communication outside classes (even for official school matters). There are no English newspapers or magazines at home, and the TV (when it is allowed to be switched on) is always tuned to the Chinese channels. In other words, I have very little exposure as a child to Western music or pop culture. And to a large extent, this holds true today.

"We are the World" is probably one of the very first English pop songs that I know. If I recall correctly, it is always sang together with the song "Heal The World". The melody, the lyrics of "We are the World" and "Heal The World" caught my attention. "Heal the World" is probably the reason by HIStory by Michael Jackson is the very first Western pop CD that I bought by myself for myself. It was a two CD set, and I bought it from the old MPH at Parkway Parade. I can't remember the price now, probably around S$50 (that was back in 1995), and it was a princely sum, given that my pocket money at that time (which covers food and transport) was around S$1 a day. I was studying in a very traditional Chinese school, with a discipline master who frowned upon all things Western (it seems that he considers Western pop culture to be synonymous with all things decadent and degenerate), and I was a very very obedient student - blouse tucked in, skirt ending two inches below knees, plain white shoes, plain watch with blue strap, hair always tied up with a plain black rubberband, bowing in greeting to teachers when I pass them in the corridors. It seemed to be an act of rebellion to be buying such a CD.

It is quite amazing how I had almost clean forgotten about these songs, until an ex-classmate of mine shared this video on FaceBook. And now, listening to this recording, I am transported back to days that are now fading in my memories - days when my world was still full of hope and aspiration and possibility, when dreams were just a step away from being achieved, and all you need is to work hard and you'll get there. And unless you have been under a rock somewhere, you'll know that Michael Jackson, who was undoubtedly talented, but whose life reads like a train wreck that no-one can stop, is dead. And one day, I'll be dead too, and you, my dear reader, will also be dead one day. Is that something to look forward to, or something to dread?