A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. This one has my favorite character and one of my favorite artists! Lyrics are in italics.
Also, I've been thinking. I've heard that some people like to imagine the characters speaking along to the story, and some authors like to pick voices for their OC's. So I did the same. I like to think of Portugal's English voice as being Christine Marie Cabanos and her Japanese voice as Sanae Kobayashi.
Disclaimer: All I own are my OC's.
Global Melody
Canada Round 1
"So, who's first?" Anabella asked, glancing over at a sheet of paper that her American sort-of-brother had somehow acquired.
"Let's see… Mattie's up first!"
"Oh, I hope his music's as good as his codfish! Wait, it's not Justin Bieber, is it? I hate Justin Bieber," she growled.
"Not likely; Matt hates him too," Alfred assured.
"Celine Dion, then? She's… decent, I'll admit. And I know Switzerland likes her; she helped him win Eurovision that one year."
"We won't know until he starts," Arthur slurred. He'd gotten himself into a sitting position with his arms folded on the table, and he was no longer muttering gibberish.
"Matthew Williams, you're up first!" Portugal called. She just barely saw the semi-transparent figure of one of her favorite trade partners run up onto the stage and grab the microphone. As soon as he touched it, his invisibility factor broke, making him visible to everyone. "Does this happen every time he does that?" she asked. During last year's Halloween party at America's house, he had filled in as the MC, and everyone was able to see him just fine.
America nodded. "When he really wants attention, he'll get it," he said with a shrug.
"Now, before you start, let's go over the rules one more time: Rule #1, only artists from your home. Rule #2, repeat performances and duets are allowed for those of you who really like to sing or prefer not to do it alone. That's all. You may begin," England instructed.
"Thank you," Canada said with a small bow. He pressed a few buttons on the machine and the music started up. America furrowed his brow; he knew this song from somewhere. It wasn't until his brother sang the first words that he knew where he'd heard it before.
You can't take me
Yeah!
"Bryan Adams is Canadian?" he asked. Portugal nodded.
"I'm surprised you didn't know that," she said. She turned her focus back to the stage. Matthew certainly looked confident as he continued to sing.
Gotta fight another fight
I gotta run another night
Get it out
Check it out
I'm on my way and I don't feel right
I gotta get me back
I can't be beat and that's a fact
It's OK
I'll find a way
You ain't gonna take me down no way
Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it
Don't push me
I'll fight it
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up, no
If you can't catch a wave then you're never gonna ride it
You can't come uninvited
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up, no
You can't take me
I'm free
Anabella was humming along to the melody, obviously enjoying herself. Alfred was tapping his fingers on the table with a big grin on his face. Arthur, on the other hand, seemed to have passed out. Ana sighed when she noticed: even though Matthew was once one of his colonies, he'd always favored Al. Why couldn't he pay attention to the other brother for once?
Why did it all go wrong?
I wanna know what's going on
And what's this holding me?
I'm not where I'm supposed to be
I gotta fight another fight
I gotta fight with all my might
I'm getting out, so check it out
You're in my way
Yeah, you better watch out
Oh, come on!
Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it
Don't push me
I'll fight it
Never gonna give in
never gonna give it up, no
If you can't catch a wave then you're never gonna ride it
You can't come uninvited
Never gonna give in
never gonna give it up, no
You can't take me
I'm free!
Oh yeah, I'm free!
When the song ended, the Canadian bowed as the room erupted with applause. Portugal whistled and commented "That was wonderful, Matt!"
"That was so cool! I knew I had the right idea when I asked for your help with the soundtrack for Spirit!" America agreed.
Suddenly, Britain lifted his head from its position on the table. Had he really been listening? "It was an incredible performance. Very different from what I'd originally anticipated. I'm really proud, honestly."
Matthew was beaming with pride. "Thank you so much! This really means a lot!" he replied.
"Matthew Williams, everyone!" Another round of applause followed him off the stage back into the crowd. "Well, then, who's up next?" Portugal asked.
"Let's see… oh, Kiku."
"This is gonna be fun…"
Few fun facts: Celine Dion won Eurovision for Switzerland back in 1988. It was the second time that Switzerland was able to win the contest, the first time being the contest's debut in 1956. It was also the last time that a song sung in French won.
Bryan Adams was a Canadian singer, and he sang most (if not all) of the songs in the Dreamworks Movie 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'. You Can't Take Me is my second favorite; my personal favorite is Get Off Of My Back.
Also, Anabella was at the Halloween party as Mariza, a popular fado singer in Portugal. Fado is a genre of music that originated in Portugal, characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a characteristic sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia. Fado can be about anything, but must follow a certain structure.
Next Chapter: Japan sings 'Disappearance of Hatsune Miku'! This'll be fun!