barriers

When I heard one of my favourite songs of the year, Medina's Kun for mig ("Only for me" in Danish) was being remade into an english version to be released in the english speaking world, I was excited that the Danish singer would get recognition she deserves outside of Scandinavia, but I was saddened that a song I found to be perfect the way it is had to be changed just because of a language barrier, for the most part.

I've always loved listening to music in other languages, even if I couldn't understand a word of what they were saying, and what I've come to realize is that many people around the world still listen to songs in english and are the same way. In dominant english language cultures though (at least the two I've lived in), it's a longshot to see a song in another language do well. I find this a testament to our inability and disinterest as a culture to look outside of our own culture and explore something new. It makes you feel quite lazy when you realize that so many people around the world speak english (and other languages) with ease, and I think a lot of it stems from their openness to music and films from other cultures.

Anyways, here's the english version and the danish version of Medina's single: