This song always triggers the melancholic cells in my system. It digs the deepest part of my thoughts. Fate can be mischievous. No matter how badly we want it, it still eludes our way. Grasp it tight, it slips in our hand.
Music Video –> here
i think. i do. i feel. i share.
est. 2006
i think. i do. i feel. i share. 
If I’m not mistaken… this is an adaptation of an original Korean (or Taiwanese… or Japanese) song. I pretty sure I heard the original version of it long ago. 😛
Oh now I remember! It’s entitled “First Love” by Utada Hikaru. The stanzas sound alike… but it becomes rip off-ISHly similar when it gets to the chorus part.
I am trying to look for the credits written in Toni’s album for this particular track. I wonder if they somehow acknowledged the original musical work or if some person took full credit to writing the song. Being a songwriter myself, I frown upon composers who believe that a musical work can be considered “original” regardless if it has been derived from another person’s work.
Oh… here are the credits to the song: Composer/Writer – Christian Martinez. Huh?! For those not aware, Christian Martinez is the same composer of (mostly) novelty songs such as “Totoy Bibbo”, “Don Romantico” and “Chickboy (from Agent X44)”.
Come on man! You cannot and should NOT take credit for something like this! Yeah… the songs a success alright but c’mon man! Making a profit out through plagiarism?!!! Some people may say it isn’t EXACTLY alike but who are we fooling?!
Arrrggghhh… things like these piss me off. They really do… to the highest heavens! Star Records was the recording outfit that released it… coming off a similar infraction with “PINOY AKO” by Orange & Lemons which was an exact rip off of “Chandelier” by The Care.
What has become of our songwriters?! I don’t mind getting inspiration from other songs so as long as you credit and acknowledge them accordingly.
F*ck talaga! Sorry… I’m ranting already. Now I gotta go to bed pissed off and all! Hay!
Chuckie, everything you just said is an eye-opener for me. I never thought that this song is just another case of plagiarism. So it’s not Christian Martinez who composed the song. My oh my! Yeah, I remember “Pinoy Ako”. Sometime ago, there was this circulating email concerning the similarity of Pinoy ako and the Chandelier. From the first note to the last note, they are the same. Obviously, the original song is the Chandelier, which was popularized years and years ago.
Being a composer yourself, you must be fuming now, Chuck. LOL! Chill…LOL!
By the way, I learned that (with the help of my dashboard/blog stats) this particular post is featured in http://www.tonigonzaga.org/. Oh no, Chuck. Toni has read about your comment. LOL!
Really? Hmmm… so it’s there eh? You know, I have nothing against Toni or any particular singer whose job is to render a musical work to the best of their abilities. No doubt Toni rendered the song beautifully. It’s just so sad that she was given a song that isn’t exactly “original” as stated in the inlay credits of her album. Toni has no fault in this. Just merely an instrument used by deceiving individuals. It would’ve even been forgivable had they said that the song was INSPIRED by Utada Hikaru’s, “First Love”, since their stanza’s melodies are not exactly alike note for note. It would be impossible for anyone to believe that the composer has never listened to Utada Hikaru’s FIRST LOVE since they all sound too freakishly similar.
Based on the Copyright Act of 1976:
Section 101, says: “A derivative work is a work based upon one or more preexisting works, such as a translation, musical arrangement, dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version, sound recording, art reproduction, abridgment, condensation, or any other form in which a work may be recast, transformed, or adapted. A work consisting of editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications which, as a whole, represent an original work of authorship, is a “derivative work”.” The Copyright Act of 1976, Section 106: “(…) (T)he owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following: (…) (2) to prepare derivative works based upon the copyrighted work;”
Therefore, “unauthorized” derivative works like music (songs) are an act of infringement.
If Christian Martinez, being the composer, has sought authorization from the original songwriter from which his song was derived from, then he is free from any copyright violation… provided also that he acknowledges the original creator.
Pilipinas eh… lahat nakakalusot. Pinoy… basta’t makakalusot, lulusot. Lintek talaga.
We Belong (Toni G.) – First Love (Utada H.)
Pinoy Ako (Orange & Lemons) – Chandelier ( The Care)
Ay ay ay Pag ibig (Ara Mina) – My All (Mariah C.)
~hehehe (“,)*
this is christian martinez,sorry mejo dun ko talaga nakuha we belong kay utada pero madami din ao nagawa no ok like
pamela,totoy bibbo,don romantico,simpleng tao(gloc 9)kung akin ang mundo(eric santos,abs cbn summer ID(araw natin to)
catch me i’m falling (toni g)supah papalicious,ang ganda ko,sayaw kikay(hotbabes)lucky me themes ni makisig,kering keri rejoice,crazy love kim chiu,mundo ng komiks kamikazee,chickboy vhong,cute ang ina mo makisig,tito tita,alam mo na yan Wrr theme,dalagang pinay,colgate chiki chiki chik,wag kang makulit,ngiti ka lang (princess sarah)
madami pa diko lang matandaan.
habol ko lang matuwa mga tao.
tnx po
Christian Martinez you should be ashamed of yourself. You could have at least credited Utada Hikaru. You’re lucky you weren’t sued.
I know my comment would mean nothing since it is already 2017 but I feel horrible hearing the song of Toni Gonzaga, It is and will always be a total rip off of Hikkichan’s First love. You know hikki poured her heart and soul for this song, including it on her debut single. As a Filipino Japanese, I feel that this is very much insulting to fans who appreciates her effort in making music. Fortunately for the composer of we belong (I dont know if I can even consider him one) he didnt receive any complaints or a lawsuit from Hikki. I just hope this guy Michael, should learn to respect other people’s effort in making music. I like Toni btw, but she probably knows that the song is also a rip off, why include it in her album as well.
If only she somehow tried connecting with Hikki’s group, she would have probably given the go from Hikki herself. Hikki is very much generous when it comes to composing/giving out songs to other artists like Leah Dizon (A Filipino-American Gravure turned singer here in Japan.) Hikki even expressed her sadness upon knowing that her song was translated to English and used by Disney on Ice, saying she could have translated everything in English by herself if she was notified and it will be done for free.
I remember some Japanese songs being translated to Filipino like Koi ni Ochite (Fall in love) to Sapat na Dahilan, Beautiful name to Bawat Bata by APO, Manatsu no Kajitsu to Isang Tanong Isang Sagot. (Which I believe the right has been granted to the Filipino Singers) So the question is, why did the composer or the recording company tried asking permission.
Its disappointing, yeah…good thing they were not sued by Toshiba-EMI. Anyway, its already 2017, Many years already passed and Hikki just released her comeback album after a long hiatus. I just also hope Filipinos to be more creative in music because I know composers there in the country are very much talented.