Daniel’s musical inclinations were apparent at an early age. His first instruments were organ and ‘ukulele, then he graduated to classical guitar and piano, electric guitar, bass, drums, and eventually, voice. He dreamt big and followed his aspirations. This led him to study composing, arranging and film scoring at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, he began his professional career as the leader, keyboardist, composer, and producer for Kilauea, a contemporary jazz group he formed in 1990. By 1997, Kilauea had released six chart-topping albums, two of which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s jazz charts.
As momentum of the smooth-jazz genre waned, Daniel set his sights on starting an independent record label. He longed for artistic freedom, a rare privilege in the music industry. His interests in photography and graphic design complimented the built-in responsibilities of marketing and production. In 1998 he launched Daniel Ho Creations. It began as a vanity effort and consisted of his solo piano and Hawaiian slack key guitar recordings. Slowly, the releases grew into collaborative projects that featured Hawaiian hymns, hula, ‘ukulele, and slack key guitar music. To date, Daniel Ho Creations has released over fifty acoustic and Hawaiian-themed CDs by many of Hawai‘i’s most respected artists, who are first and foremost, friends. Daniel has received numerous Hawaiian music industry accolades including three Na Hoku Hanohano awards and eight Hawai‘i Music Awards.
In recent years, Daniel has been able to remain true to his craft and focus on what he loves most: the music. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter who has shared his music as a soloist throughout the U.S., Tasmania, Germany, and Japan. He has been featured with the Honolulu Symphony; toured as a keyboardist and guitarist for Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Peabo Bryson; guest-lectured at Stanford University; and authored instructional books on ‘ukulele and slack key guitar.
Daniel is a Yamaha guitar artist and plays Koaloha ‘ukuleles.
Side by Side
Daniel Ho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Selalu sendiri
Dan terasa hati
Apakah kita tak sehaluan lagi
Berat bagiku
Berat bagiku
Melepaskanmu
Untuk melalui semua ini
Pabila kenangan kita mengusik
Jiwa dan hati
Kala malam tidurku tak lena
Mengenangkanmu
Apakah salahku
Kau buatku begini
Selalu sendiri
Tinggal sendiri
Cinta yang ku pinta
Kau balas dengan dusta
Berat bagiku uuuu
Melepaskanmu
Bukan mudah untuk ku melalui semua ini
Pabila kenangan kita mengusik jiwa dan hati
Kala malam tidurku tak lena mengenangkanmu
Ku cuba pertahankan
Separuh jiwaku hilang ikut terbang
Bersamamu
Episod cinta hitam ku kini berulang kembali
Berulang kembali menguasai diriku ini
Ouh Tuhan
Ku mahu yang terbaik
Terbaik buatku
Insan kerdil ini
Ouh tuhan
Lontarkan kehilangan ini
Wujudkan dia
Dia terakhir buatku
Melepaskanmu
Bukan mudah bagiku untuk melalui semua ini
Pabila kenangan kita mengusik jiwa dan hati
Kala malam tidur ku tak lena
Mengenangkanmu
Ku cuba pertahankan
Separuh jiwaku hilang ikut terbang
Bersamamu
Episod cinta hitam ku kini berulang kembali
Berulang kembali menguasai diriku ini
Ouh tuhan
Ku mahu yang terbaik
Terbaik buat diriku
Insan kerdil ini
Ouh tuhan
Lontarkan kehilangan ini
Wujudkan dia
Dia terakhir
Buatku
Buat dirinya
The lyrics to Daniel Ho's song "Side by Side" speak about a sense of distance and loneliness in a relationship. The singer wonders why they always feel distant from each other, always alone and with a heavy heart. It seems that they are no longer on the same page, and this burden weighs heavily on the singer. The difficult decision to let go is not easy for them, as they are reminded of the memories they shared. The sleepless nights are filled with thoughts of the other person. The singer questions if they have done something wrong to be left feeling this way, always alone and abandoned. The love they asked for is met with lies, which adds to the heaviness that they carry. They try to hold on, but now half of their soul is lost and has flown away with the other person. The dark episode of love repeats itself, taking over the singer once again. They pray to God for the best, for what is best for their small existence. They ask God to release them from this loss and bring someone to complete them, someone who will be the last for them. The struggle to let go continues, as the memories haunt their soul and heart, while they try to hold on to what is left of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Mengapakah kita selalu berjauh hati
Why do we always feel distant in our hearts
Selalu sendiri
Always feeling alone
Dan terasa hati
And the heart feels heavy
Apakah kita tak sehaluan lagi
Have we lost our common ground
Berat bagiku
It weighs heavily on me
Berat bagiku
It weighs heavily on me
Melepaskanmu
Letting you go
Bukan mudah bagiku
It's not easy for me
Untuk melalui semua ini
To go through all of this
Pabila kenangan kita mengusik
When our memories haunt
Jiwa dan hati
My soul and heart
Kala malam tidurku tak lena
When sleepless nights arrive
Mengenangkanmu
Thinking of you
Apakah salahku
Is it my fault
Kau buatku begini
You made me like this
Selalu sendiri
Always feeling alone
Tinggal sendiri
Staying by myself
Cinta yang ku pinta
The love that I ask for
Kau balas dengan dusta
You respond with lies
Berat bagiku uuuu
It weighs heavily on me
Melepaskanmu
Letting you go
Bukan mudah untuk ku melalui semua ini
It's not easy for me to go through all of this
Pabila kenangan kita mengusik jiwa dan hati
When our memories haunt my soul and heart
Kala malam tidurku tak lena mengenangkanmu
When sleepless nights arrive, thinking of you
Ku cuba pertahankan
I try to hold on
Separuh jiwaku hilang ikut terbang
Half of my soul has flown away
Bersamamu
With you
Episod cinta hitam ku kini berulang kembali
The episode of dark love repeats again
Berulang kembali menguasai diriku ini
Repeating, taking control over me
Ouh Tuhan
Oh God
Ku mahu yang terbaik
I want the best
Terbaik buatku
The best for me
Insan kerdil ini
This small soul
Ouh tuhan
Oh God
Lontarkan kehilangan ini
Throw away this loss
Wujudkan dia
Bring her into existence
Dia terakhir buatku
She is the last for me
Melepaskanmu
Letting you go
Bukan mudah bagiku untuk melalui semua ini
It's not easy for me to go through all of this
Pabila kenangan kita mengusik jiwa dan hati
When our memories haunt my soul and heart
Kala malam tidur ku tak lena
When sleepless nights arrive
Mengenangkanmu
Thinking of you
Ku cuba pertahankan
I try to hold on
Separuh jiwaku hilang ikut terbang
Half of my soul has flown away
Bersamamu
With you
Episod cinta hitam ku kini berulang kembali
The episode of dark love repeats again
Berulang kembali menguasai diriku ini
Repeating, taking control over me
Ouh tuhan
Oh God
Ku mahu yang terbaik
I want the best
Terbaik buat diriku
The best for me
Insan kerdil ini
This small soul
Ouh tuhan
Oh God
Lontarkan kehilangan ini
Throw away this loss
Wujudkan dia
Bring her into existence
Dia terakhir
She is the last
Buatku
For me
Buat dirinya
For herself
Writer(s): Michael Mcalary, Oliver Duncan
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peaceful Breathing - Meditation and Mindfulness
I studied in Hawaii during the Summer 2001 and my uncle had tickets to see you. I didn't know you Dnaiel but enjoyed the concert so much and bought your album at that time. It really marked my summer and till this day, I still enjoy your music. 19 years later! Keep it up! And I remember this song too (living in paradise), thank you for your music 😍
Greg Cimmarrusti
Musical genius . . . really enjoyed this, thank you!
Kimo T.
Mahalo nui loa Daniel Ho and Randy Jacob for the beautiful performance! Randy, you rock on percussion and Daniel, YOU da MAN!!! You are such a brilliant and amazing artist!!! Super talented with your singer-song writer, composing, and playing skills on both guitar and ukulele!!! Mahalo for your beautiful music!!!
Daniel Ho
Thank you so much, Kimo! It was a fun Breakfast Session at NAMM, but too early in the morning. ;)
B String
One of a kind, love it
Daniel Ho
G String Thank you so much!
C
I come here over & over to find you and drift away in your music..first heard you at Napili Wed nite Slack String Show about 7-8 Yrs ago. Such gifts you bring to all of us, Thank You🌺🎶💕
Ankur Sengupta
More people need to watch this! Really good stuff!!!
Daniel Ho
Ankur Sengupta Thank you Ankur!
Cindy Bremer
wow