{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox song | name = Alapaap | cover = | alt = | type = | artist = Eraserheads | album = Circus | released = November 4, 1994 | recorded = 1994 | studio = | venue = | genre = {{hlist|Pinoy rock|psychedelic rock|grunge}} | length = 4:23 | label = * Musiko Records * BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. | writer = Ely Buendia | producer = Robin Rivera | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }}
"'''Alapaap'''" ({{literal|High Clouds}}) is a song by the Philippine alternative rock band Eraserheads from their second album ''Circus'' (1994).
==Music and lyrics== Along with other Philippine rock songs at the time such as "Iskolar ng Bayan" by Yano and "Laklak" by Teeth, "Alapaap" became a subject of controversy due to its suggestive lyrics, which Senator Tito Sotto saw as promoting drug use. Sotto, who was a member of the Citizens' Drug Watch, called for the song to be banned from radio in August 1995.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bersola |first1=Christine |title=Play it again, Sen. (Manila Standard, August, 26, 1995) |url=http://www.schizo-archives.com/eraserheads/press/press_1995-8-26_ManilaStandard.jpg |website=Schizo Archives |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref> The band responded with a letter to the senator stating that it was a misinterpretation and that the song was their "ode to freedom", not drug abuse. "That is freedom of expression," stated writer Ely Buendia. "''Gusto ko lang kumawala sa problema sa mundo, gusto ko lang lumaya'' (I just wanted to get out of the world's problems, I wanted to be free)." They also personally met with the senator, vowing to join the Junior DrugWatch for an anti-drug campaign.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Labog |first1=Juliet M. |title=Eraserheads: 'Alapaap' ode to freedom, not to drugs (Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 25, 1995) |url=http://www.schizo-archives.com/eraserheads/press/press_1995-8-25_PhilDailyInquirer.jpg |website=Schizo Archives |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref>
In a 2012 ''Esquire'' article, Buendia confirmed that the song did allude to drug use but at the same time maintained that it can also be interpreted otherwise. He also acknowledged its similarity to the Pale Fountains song "Reach".<ref name="Romulo">{{Cite web |last=Romulo |first=Erwin |title=Ely Buendia on Existence, Loneliness, and the Songs That Matter |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/profiles/ely-buendia-a1553-20170509-lfrm5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519223708/https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/profiles/ely-buendia-a1553-20170509-lfrm5 |archive-date=2022-05-19 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Esquire}}</ref>
The opening melody of the song was later sampled by Francis M. for his song "Whole Lotta Lovin'" from the 1998 album ''The Oddventures of Mr. Cool''.
==Covers== * 6cyclemind covered the song twice: with then-vocalist Ney Dimaculangan for the first Eraserheads tribute album ''Ultraelectromagneticjam!: The Music of the Eraserheads'', released in 2005; and with vocalist Tutti Caringal and Eunice Jorge of Gracenote on guest vocals for the second Eraserheads tribute album ''The Reunion: An Eraserheads Tribute Album'', released in 2012. * Yeng Constantino & Harana covered the song for the 2017 film ''Dear Other Self''. * Leanne and Naara covered the song in 2019 as part of the third Eraserheads tribute album ''Pop Machine the Album''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bodegon-Hikino |first1=Kara |title=Leanne and Naara, Munimuni share their takes on Eraserheads classics - listen |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/leanne-and-naara-munimuni-share-their-takes-of-eraserheads-classics-listen |website=Bandwagon Asia |date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=11 August 2024}}</ref> * Dilaw covered the song for the 2023 film ''Firefly''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dilaw performs 'Firefly' theme song 'Alapaap' |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/885204/dilaw-performs-firefly-theme-song-alapaap/story/ |website=GMA News |date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=11 August 2024}}</ref>
===In popular culture=== In 2008, comedian Michael V. and a few cast members from the Philippine late night show ''Bubble Gang'' (known as the "Eraseyourheads") made a parody cover of the song entitled "Hala Pack Up" (English: Oh No, Pack Up). The song's lyrics tell the story of a fan who goes to a concert of a famous band only to be disappointment when the concert had to be cut short, referencing the band's first reunion concert that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir2XFSf1RIw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/ir2XFSf1RIw |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Eraseyourheads - Hala Pack Up|website=YouTube |date=October 24, 2008 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Live performances== The band opened their first reunion concert in 2008 with “Alapaap”.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Eraserheads}}
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Category:Eraserheads songs Category:1994 songs Category:1994 singles Category:Songs written by Ely Buendia Category:Obscenity controversies in music Category:Songs in Tagalog Category:Songs about cannabis