Grab your beers and drink the night away to “Gabi” by Zild Benitez and Juan Karlos Labajo.
Giving an almost “end credits to a movie” type of tune, Juan Karlos and Zild explore friendship and companionship at the backdrop of a solemn night out—wherein the silence that wraps them leads to moments of weakness people may often feel during the calm silence of night outs.
In this edition of the Listening Party, we’ll try to dig deeper into what the song “Gabi” means, examining both its lyrics and the music in its totality. Given the sultry alternative indie the two artists share in common, it completely sets the tone of genuine vulnerability. The lullaby-esque track had shelled out feelings of pure love in its platonic and romantic, even in its seemingly one-sided, form.
Lyrically.
The track opens with various, almost passive questions with no apparent characters answering them. It leaves the response to the listener, almost opening up the dialogue to not just Zild and Juan Karlos, but also to the person who is playing the song on their own.
Tol, ano ba ang nasa isip mo? / Siya pa rin ba? Wala nang nagbago? / Oh, gusto mo bang ating pag-usapan? /Sabihin mo lang, ako’y handang ika’y pakinggan
Right after the first verse, the chorus follows suit. This is where people may notice a sense of glum—almost as if there is hesitance and regret, knowing that another day has passed and they still carry this feeling of pain that is weighing heavy in their heart.
Oh, gabi na naman / Ilabas ang pulutan / Tara’t magwalwalan / Hanggang sa maka-move on / Oh, gabi na naman / Siya pa rin ang laman ng isipan / Oh, gabi na naman / Siya pa rin ang laman ng isipan
The juxtaposition of romantic love finally peered in, though it is evident that it is not the major theme of the song. Juan Karlos and Zild only lightly brush upon the idea of romance, emphasizing instead the importance of having a friend or friends present with whom you can lean on during these times.
Nakakailang bote na, kaibigan / Mabuti na lang, ika’y aking natawagan / Palagi na ‘kong lutang / Nanonood ng mukbang para lang malibang / Natatawa lang ako sa t’wing nagkakagan’to / Nawawala ang angas ko
With the chorus mimicking the feeling of finally letting your walls come down and your vulnerability come through, it was notable that the persona only allowed for this to happen because of the familiar comfort having friends around provided them with.
Musically.
There was a continuous tone throughout “Gabi” that set a comforting ambiance for the song. Monotonous or repetitive aren’t the right words given its subtle negative connotation, but it is noticeable that the tune that was carried out from the beginning to the end of the track was indeed cohesive.
Listening closely, there are strings and very soft percussion that you can observe which lay out almost a cold theme. It’s like the artists intended for this song to be specifically played at night, as you drink with your friends, or maybe as you walk along and only the two artists are there, keeping you company.
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Lyrics courtesy of Genius