Secret Origins of: The Sea Laughs

滄海一聲笑 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) is a beloved song in Hong Kong and I believe, in most of China. Actually, where ever the movie and the novel, 笑傲江湖 (The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) had touched. Written by (金庸) Jin Yong (aka Louis Cha), 笑傲江湖(The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) was first serialized in 1967 in a Hong Kong newspaper, 明報 (Ming Pao). The serial ran from April to October and then later the story was collected into a novel. The novel got so popular that it was adapted into many movies and TV serials. The 2 most well known are the 1991 笑傲江湖 (The Swordsman) starring 許冠傑 (Sam Hui) and the 1992 笑傲江湖-之-東方不敗 (Swordsman II - Invincible East) starring 李連杰 (Jet Li). The song, 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs), first appeared in the first of the two movies mentioned above, 笑傲江湖 (The Swordsman). Both the lyrics and the composition were penned by 黃霑 (James Wong), a prolific writer and artist. The song is about departure, looking at the big picture and basically being able to achieve a state of divinity. Which reflects the heroes in the story who are trying to retire from the drama and pettiness represented by the different sects, clans and government. 笑傲江湖 (The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) was written as an allegory for the real world super powers whom were in conflict with each other during the late 60's. Not much has changed. As for the conception of 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs), 黃霑 (James Wong) felt that Chinese holiday music is missing. For example, Christmas has Joy to the World. Where's the Chinese version of Joy to the World? He took 5 of the 7 notes from Joy to the World (he didn't use "Fa" and "Di"), added his own lyrics and 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) was written. Actually, he copied some of 毛澤東 (Chairman Mao Zedon) writings for the lyrics. So, it's not entirely original. I wonder if the Chairman would like the song? For those of you who understand Cantonese, check out the the video below. I couldn't a version with english subtitles. The origins of 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) starts at 4:14. I recommend watching the entire 10:15. As always, the late Maestro, 黃霑 (James Wong) is highly entertaining. 黄霑 - 沧海一声笑 (粤语) fhlew 许冠杰 沧海一声笑 (Album Version) happyfreepeter HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 滄海一聲笑 (the Sea Laughs) might not be accepted as a holiday song in the Chinese culture but, it's on my Chinese New Year play list. 黃霑 (James Wong)'s explanation on how the song came to be should give it that credit. The lyrics and two more versions of 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) are after the "JUMP!"

Happy Chinese New Year!

新年快樂! 恭喜發財! Wishing everyone a wealthy, healthy, bountiful year of the Dragon! 許冠傑 - 財神到 comaco You didn't think I would leave you without a bit of trivia now did you? 許冠傑 (Sam Hui) thought that Chinese New Year was missing a Holiday Song. Christmas has songs like Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town but, where's the Holiday Song for Chinese New Year? So he wrote 財神到 in 1977. The late great Hong Kong song writer 黃霑 (James Wong) thought the same but that's a story for another post. 作曲: 許冠傑 財神到！財神到！好心得好報！ 財神話！財神話！搵錢依正路！ 財神到！財神到！好走快兩步， 得到佢睇起你，你有前途， 闔府慶新喜氣盈盈，齊賀你多福蔭壯健強勁， 又祝你今年慶獲榮陞，朝晚多多歡笑錦繡前程。 願夫婦恩愛體貼入微，成日有吉星照百事無忌， 共親友相見講話投機，充滿新春喜氣歡暢揚眉。 賀所有鴛侶花結並頭（結並頭）， 還望各位工友百業成就（有成就）， 大家冇爭鬥快樂無憂（樂無憂）， 聽隻歌輕鬆，拋卻恨愁