ZOOM celebrates mothers | Features Local
Celebrate the Motherland even in the most difficult of times.
That’s the Mother’s Day message in song to all nationals of this country from veteran singer/songwriter/musician Zoom (Michael Salloum).
Salloum, best known for his days of donning big wigs, platform shoes and bell-bottom pants as Soca Elvis, is calling on Trinbagonians home and abroad to show their appreciation to this land and all it has given them with the release of “In Times Like These”. He sings:
Jubilation, Celebration, Trinidadian
And Tobagonian
Raise your hand now, Celebration, Trinidadian
Tobagonian
Salloum says in the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the people of T&T should be thankful for the small blessings they continue to enjoy. “In Times Like These” was written by calypso legend David Rudder and produced by Patrick Johnson.
“The song is a two-meaning kind of thing, celebrating our country as our motherland and I thought it was fitting it be released on Mother’s Day. Trinidad and Tobago has given us the opportunity to make it work for us by putting our heads together,” Salloum told Kitcharee on Thursday.
The chutney soca crossover act said working with Rudder was “an absolute honour” adding that he views the veteran Belmont-born singer/composer as a “prophet of calypso”.
Coping with Covid restrictions
Salloum said with live audience performance arts grinding to a halt he has had to rely on his family for support throughout the near two-month Government imposed stay-at-home order.
“I’ve been coping pretty well except for the first two to three weeks into the lockdown. I was a bit mentally stressed like everyone else wondering how I would get an income to survive and pay bills. As an entertainer a lot of my income has been cut, but luckily I come from a family background of salespeople so I was able to survive without having to depend on music,” he related.
The Woodbrook-born singer said he was heartened to see several of his peers stage virtual concerts and recently resurrected his Soca Elvis persona for a couple of shows to help uplift the people of the nation.
“I love all the concerts I’ve seen so far from my peers as it keeps us active. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been doing Facebook Live shows mostly on Sundays and then posting them on YouTube under the name Soca Elvis mini concert, so check that out,” he said.
Salloum saluted all mothers putting in “double shifts” to keep their families safe and comfortable during the pandemic, remembering the tireless loving role of his mother in his life.
“My mom passed away in 2013 and she was the world to me. I was only ten when my dad died.
She was the best cook ever and a great piano player so I guess my music talent came from her.
“Moms most of all at this time have to work a double shift making sure the kids keep their studies up at home plus they have to clean, cook, entertain and keep the house in order. So to all the moms all over the world I would like to say God bless you and things are going to normalise very soon,” he concluded.
Michael Salloum
“In Times Like These” lyrics
Chorus
In times like these
Do we laugh or just cry
Do we sit down and ponder
Or reach for the sky
We have achieved
So we must celebrate
Raise your hand people
If you think we great
Jubilation, Celebration, Trinidadian
And Tobago
Raise your hand now, Celebration, Trinidadian
Tobagonian
Verse 1
Is forward ever no looking back
Some saw the fall of the Union Jack
And the raising of the red, white and black
The leader saying no turning back
Chorus
Verse 2
We’ve built a land but problems are clear
Work to be done let’s shoulder the wheel
We’ve got to face tomorrow no fear
Come join with me and show how you feel
Chorus
Verse 3
Now as we grow the problems grow too
Question, move as one or depend on the few?
Crucial stage in society
Fall or rise is all up to we
Chorus