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

Wind.Flower.Snow

風.花.雪 The forecast for tonight and tomorrow (12/22/11-12/23/11) calls for snow. It's been a pretty warm December this season. I think the snow will just turn into rain. What are the chances for a "White Christmas" this year? Just in case there's no snow, let's get into the spirit of the season with Kelly Chen's (陳慧琳) Wind.Flower.Snow (風花雪). This song blew me away when I first heard it. It kicks off with a pretty nice guitar riff then Kelly's voice smoothly flows in: "從認識　才信摯愛有不尋而覓 而你我卻也不遺餘力　每天都珍惜 就算半瞬一秒　全部放進記憶" "After realization, love can't be transcribed onto paper, Effortlessly, we're able to cherish each day, Even every instance, every second, it's all stored in my memory," You can credit the poetic lyrics to Chow Lai-Mau (周禮茂). The fantastic composition was done by Mark Lui (雷頌德). Wind.Flower.Snow (風花雪) is the 2nd song on the Kelly Chen album with the same name. It was released in October, 1996 and it drove me deeper into Kelly Chen's fandom. Apparently a lot of Cantopop listeners liked it as well. It was a chart topper and is on Hong Kong's 1996 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten List (十大勁歌金曲). Even after all these years, I'm still a fan of Kelly. Also, for 15 years, I never really found out what "Wind.Flower.Snow (風花雪)" actually means. With a little research I found out that the original idiom is "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon (風花雪月)." In classic Chinese poetry it's a combination of elements depicting a perfect, beautiful, heaven like scenery. In a more contemporary sense, the idiom is a description of romance. Both classical and contemporary ideas works with the song. Every time I do one of these posts I find out more about Chinese literature and Cantopop. "無吝嗇　情似細雨每天簷前滴 流進你我愛海成潮汐　似生生不息 話語也永不缺　長夜與摯愛的風花雪" "Generously, love is like steady rain, dripping down day by day, Flowing into an amorous sea, creating waves, as if it's alive, living forever, Words can not describe it, Long nights with my love, wind, flower, snow," I can never do the original Cantonese lyrics any justice. In closing, I guess I'm actually wishing everyone a beautiful and romantic Christmas. More or less a "White Christmas" but, not literally a Christmas with wind, flower and snow. 風花雪 orchid117 作曲： 雷頌德    填詞：周禮茂    編曲： 雷頌德 從認識　才信摯愛有不尋而覓 而你我卻也不遺餘力　每天都珍惜 就算半瞬一秒　全部放進記憶 無吝嗇　情似細雨每天簷前滴 流進你我愛海成潮汐　似生生不息 話語也永不缺　長夜與摯愛的風花雪 來一杯清風　共醉躺於天空 你我與天和地互融 拿一朵鮮花　遞到我的手中 我再借向清風相送 尋一顆飄雪　讓你掛於星空 悠悠地用愛照遍天下情夢 求一世歲月　最美(尾)的一分鐘 你我也擁抱一起　飛蹤 曾共釋　如世界到了死亡前夕 而你我也有心而無力 再不急不迫　語縱也不說 長夜與摯愛的　風花雪

No Regrets

执迷不悔 Sometimes as we look back, we see a cascade of rain streaming down a pain of glass, blurring the world we left behind. Even though we came from "back there," we can never recall the exact details as it's always in motion. Memories are malleable liquid dreams. But, once we focus a bit closer, we can see our own reflection looking back at us. It could be sharp or it could be askew. On this particular night, my mirrored-self seem to be washing down the cafe window along with the icy December rain but, my apparition never truly breaks, it's only an abstraction. What does my reflection see? Does it see an older self... substantiation full of regrets? Which side of the pain is ethereal? Which one is misconstrued? It's tough to live with no regrets. Faye Wong (王菲) knows. She tells us in her song No Regrets (执迷不悔) which was released in 1993 on the album with the same name. No Regrets (执迷不悔), the Mandarin version with lyrics written by Faye, is the 2nd track on the A side of the album while, the Cantonese is the last song, the 10th song of the album on the B side. I'm not sure which version I like better. Although, I am a bit partial to the Cantonese version. This is the first Faye Wong album I bought. I love it so much that I ended up double dipping for the CD version about a year later. Back in 1993 Faye Wong was known as Shirley Wong (王靖雯). She changed her name later that year (around late '93 and early '94) and officially become Faye Wong (王菲). With the name change she brought an alternative sound to CantoPop which a lot of people were not ready for but, it was quickly accepted. Faye Wong can be credited for changing the perception of music in Hong Kong. If Faye Wong's name seems familiar to you, you might know her from Wong Kar Wai's (王家衛) movie, Chungking Express (重慶森林). She played the eccentric girl working at the snack bar. Faye Wong won the Stockholm Film Festival award for Best Actress in that role. Hong Kong in the 90's bred a lot of acting and music talents. I believe Wong Kar Wai as a director can be credited for bringing out the best performances from actors. Especially from inexperienced actors at the time, like Faye Wong or Jacky Cheung (張學友). As for singing... It feels like I'm not giving enough credit to Faye when I say that she has talent. She is truly incredible. Her cover of the Cranberries' Dreams, Dream Person (夢中人) is better then the original. The highs and lows in the song that she hits, with such smoothness... There's no way I can do her justice by talking about her. You just go to listen for yourself. Actually, you might have listened to Faye Wong's singing before. If you ever played Final Fantasy 8 or know anyone who has, you might have heard Eyes On Me. Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫), the composer for the music of most of the Final Fantasy games collaborated with Faye Wong in 1999 to record the very first video game song with vocals. Again, I'm talking too much here. Check out both versions of No Regrets (执迷不悔) on the bottom. I'm pretty sure that you will not regret it. 王菲 - 執迷不悔 (國語版, Mandarin) mindmtv 王菲 - 执迷不悔 (粵語版, Cantonese) 1991pengguangyi

執迷不悔 (國語版, Mandarin) 作曲: 袁惟仁   編曲: 唐奕聰   填詞: 王菲 這一次我執著面對　任性地沉醉　我并不在乎 這是錯還是對　就算是深陷　我不顧一切 就算是執迷　我也執迷不悔 別說我應該放棄　應該睜開眼　我用我的心 去看去感覺　你并不是我　又怎么能了解 就算是執迷 (就)讓我執迷不悔 * 我不是你們想的如此完美 我承認有時也會辨不清真偽 并非我不愿意走出迷堆　只是這一次 這次是自己(而)不是誰 # 要我用誰的心去體會　真真切切地感受周圍 就算痛苦　就算是淚　也是屬于我的傷悲 我還能用誰的心去體會　真真切切地感受周圍 就算疲倦　就算是累　也只能執迷(而)不悔

執迷不悔 (粵語版, Cantonese) 作曲: 袁惟仁   編曲: 唐奕聰   填詞: 陳少琪 這次我重頭面對　過去和以後 人如何自欺　再不管這對否 人如何不捨　也放開所有 縱墮入深溝　完全不想悔疚 我決意沉迷下去　放眼迎以後 人尋求自尊　你心中感覺否 人如何長久　卻了解不夠 縱獨自飛走　完全不想悔疚 身邊的聲音祝福我的一切　我已聽厭你說我那樣美麗 若付在舊日子不再可貴　我說我這次　要痛快有我的依歸 今天且忍心一聲再會　不須傷心風中依偎 勉強與你　到底終會　在熱烈後變飛灰 今天且忍心笑笑乾杯　可知一天我會蕩回 你縱會說已早改變　獨自夢下去都不悔

This Winter Is Not That Cold

這個冬天不太冷 Winter is coming! And Jacky doesn't think it'll be that cold. It's because you live in Hong Kong Jacky! Along with a goofy demeanor, Jacky Cheung (張學友) has got the goofiest speaking voice I'd ever heard. Surprisingly, he's one of the most talented vocalists not only in Hong Kong but in the world. Out of the Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王) of 90's CantoPop Jacky is my favorite. He has a wide vocal range which allows him to sing in what seems to be inhumanly possible keys. With this gift, Jacky didn't just settle for pop songs, he delved into different genre of music like the blues (which he did a lot of) and opera. He also did some acting and he has talent in that practice as well. You might remember him in The Swordsman (笑傲江湖) acting along side Sam Hui (許冠傑). He won a Golden Horse Award (金馬獎) for best supporting actor in that role. This was Jacky's second award in acting. His first win was a Golden Elephant Award (金像獎, equivalent of the Oscars) for best supporting actor in Wong Kar Wai's (王家衛) As Tears Go By (旺角卡門). This is pretty impressive since Jacky's main focus was singing. In his career as a vocalist, he'd won tons of music awards. So much that I can't remember most of them. Thanks to wikipedia I don't have to: Jacky Cheung's IFPI Awards (partial list) Jacky Cheung's album This Winter Is Not That Cold (這個冬天不太冷), named after the third track on the album, was released in December of 1994. I remember that winter in Boston being snowy and cold. I guess Jacky meant it metaphorically because the song is about being with someone you love. I guess that works. This Winter Is Not That Cold (這個冬天不太冷) was the first song that Jacky had written lyrics for. It's also written with the beginning of the raving trend in mind and to his credit, the song doesn't suck. As anyone who goes to raves or, as we like to call it here, clubbing, we know that the majority of dance music posses horrible lyrics. I heard a kickass version of This Winter Is Not That Cold (這個冬天不太冷) live at Symphony Hall in Boston when Jacky Cheung did his world tour in 1995. No other remix of the song can compare to that one live performance. I found a version on youtube that kind of comes close but, not really. The embed is down below, right under the embed of the original version of This Winter Is Not That Cold (這個冬天不太冷). 这个冬天不太冷/张学友 qwe76543 張學友 這個冬天不太冷 情緣十載'95友學友臺灣演唱會 臺北 antwcc 作曲：學友    填詞：陳少琪    編曲：楊振龍/王雙駿 從來的冷冬　迷濛也是凍 素素世界太灰太沉 令我夜裡沒有一個夢 碰上你我竟不經意不受控 愛上你氣溫也突然為我驟暖 風也未流動＊ 我與你像幻像　長長夜未冷 燈點點放肆閃得更加燦爛 而全城繁星空中千色煙花透射瀰漫＃ 我與你夢著夢　長長夜未冷 相擁中暖暖身體變得怠慢 永遠也懶放開臂彎 濃濃這冷冬　嚴寒卻未凍 猶如春天不歸來沒有夏季愈愛愈嚴重 紅紅這冷冬　霓虹裡亂碰 看到處處太多笑容 令我共你視野都震動 我與你夢著夢　長長夜未冷 只擔心痛快息間變得有限 劇烈地　熱烈地 熱熱地共你告別平淡 我與你夢著夢　長長夜未冷 只擔心痛快息間變得有限 劇烈地　熱烈地

Come Back Home

歸來吧 At the height of Priscilla Chan's (陳慧嫻) career, she disappeared from the Hong Kong pop industry and there were much controversy about her leave of absence. She ended up attending Boston University and, according to Priscilla she was fulfilling her promise to her parents of furthering her education. You can check out a bit of the story in my post over at Groggy Robot: Retrospective: Thousand Songs of the Setting Sun When she returned to CantoPop in March of 1992 with the release of her album 歸來吧 (Come Back Home), she was welcomed back with open arms. There were a couple of chart toppers in the album. As with the album title, 歸來吧 (Come Back Home) being an analog of her return to Hong Kong, the songs themselves are quite different from what people were used to coming form Priscilla. The lyrics and melodies are much more mature than her previous albums which, also reflects a "grown up" Priscilla and... did her voice change as well? It's more weathered? Definitely not deteriorated but rather, having a much more "seasoned" and "richer" timbre? The title song 歸來吧 (Come Back Home) was also a karaoke hit. Here in the states, we were just being introduced to karaoke and 歸來吧 (Come Back Home) made for a pretty impressive and challenging introduction. For some reason, I keep thinking that the album came out around December and not March. So, to share my false release date of the song 歸來吧 (Come Back Home), I invite you to have a listen with me. 陳慧嫻 - 歸來吧 namezzyzx The beginning of the song seemed to have been cut in this upload. The lip sync seems to be off. I don't remember if the video was originally like this or not. 金曲重溫: 陳慧嫻 歸 來 吧 1992 MrMusical1980 This is the first time I'd seen this video. 作詞：鄭國江    作曲：陳小霞    編曲：趙增熹 月亮下　想到他 默默地　珠淚下 記起多少舊情話 每段往事升起沉下 看流雲　不說話 寂寞吧　苦悶吧 想起當天　月明下 兩人含笑道傻話 * 心裡的他　快歸來吧 這裡才是快樂老家 轉載來自 魔鏡歌詞網 幾番離合再相敘 成功　挫敗　懶管它 悲哀因有他　快樂為有他 跟他受苦也罷 * 他知道否　我在想他 Repeat * 他呀他　那日歸家 心裡的他　快歸來吧 這裡才是快樂老家 Ga Le Ung Ah　Ga Le Ung Ah　這裡才是快樂老家 Ga Le Ung Ah　Ga Le Ung Ah　這裡才是快樂老家 咖 哩 牛 腩 飯 (Curried Beef Brisket on Rice)!

The Days We Spent Together

一起走過的日子 This screen cap is from A Moment of Romance (天若有情) which doesn't include一起走過的日子 in the soundtrack. For some reason I keep thinking it's attached to the movie. The song fits the movie so well. Instead, the song was attached to Lung Fung Restaurant (龍鳳茶樓) and Casino Raiders 2 (至尊無上II永霸天下). When Andy Lau's (劉德華) 一起走過的日子 (The Days We Spent Together) was released in August of 1991, it topped the Hong Kong charts over night and rapidly climbed the charts in Asia. It didn't end there, the song quickly spread throughout America and got a lot of people to sing karaoke. Back then, most people in America didn't know what Karaoke was (is it edible? Like a Carrot?). It started a craze and everyone and their mothers were singing 一起走過的日子. Literally, their mothers. The song featured a traditional Chinese instrument, the 二胡 (erhu). This traditional instrument mixed nicely with a contemporary sound which added a flavor of culture into the 90's Hong Kong Pop scene. The 二胡's (erhu) melancholic strings drew a lot of the older Chinese listeners while Andy Lau's (劉德華) star power drew the younger crowd. Andy was known for his acting abilities and was just beginning to get hot in his singing career. 一起走過的日子 not only fanned the flames of that fire, the song made Andy into more than just an idol. He was named one of the Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王) in Hong Kong. Probably the first of the Heavenly Kings and definitely the most popular of the four. Even til this day, he is a force to be reckon with. 一起走過的日子 also caught the attention of people whom had no interest in Hong Kong Pop Culture and got them listening to CantoPop. Even if you haven't heard of Andy Lau, most likely you've seen a movie that Andy had starred in or involved in someway or another. Have you ever heard of a little movie called The Departed? Matt Damon's role in The Departed is the parallel of Andy's role in the original Hong Kong version, Infernal Affairs (無間道). Where were you when 一起走過的日子 topped the charts? Did we spend those days together? 劉德華 - 一起走過的日子 sake5899's channel I'm trying to come up with a story to link up these two videos. What do you think the connection could be with this video and the one on the bottom? 劉德華 - 一起走過的日子 noname0033's channel This is the video I watched the most. I used to watch my friend's uncle practice this song every morning as I waited for my friend getting ready school. 作詞： 小美    作曲： 胡偉立 如何面對　曾一起走過的日子 現在剩下我獨行　如何讓心聲一一講你知 從來無人明白我　唯一你給我好日子 有你有我有情有生有死有義 多少風波都願闖　只因彼此不死的目光 有你有我有情有天有海有地 不可猜測總有天意　才珍惜相處的日子 道別話亦未多講　只拋低這個傷心的漢子 沉沉睡了　誰分享今生的日子 活著但是沒靈魂　才明白生死之間的意思 情濃完全明白了　才甘心披上孤獨衣 有你有我有情有天有海有地 當天一起不自知　分開方知根本心極痴 有你有我有情有生有死有義 只想解釋當我不智　如今想傾訴講誰知 剩下絕望舊身影　今只得千億傷心的句子 剩下絕望舊身影　今只得千億傷心的句子

Midnight Kiss

午夜的吻別 Seemingly out of nowhere Aaron Kwok (郭富城) stormed the CantoPop scene with his 1991 album 到底有誰能夠告訴我 (If Only Someone Would Tell Me). If ONLY someone would tell us to prepare for the Mandarin invasion. For decades Cantonese lyrics dominated the Hong Kong music industry ever since Sam Hui (許冠傑) popularized it. A lot of us grew up with Cantonese pop culture and we would refuse to listen to Mandarin music or watch movies in Mandarin simply because we don't understand the dialect. Then in the early 90's Mandarin made a come back with artists like Aaron Kwok and Jimmy Lin (林志穎). Even established CantoPop artists such as Leon Lai (黎明), Andy Lau (劉德華) and Jacky Cheung (張學友) would have to produce a Mandarin album every year along with their Cantonese albums in order to stay in the game. Along with the music we grew a comfort to Mandarin and ultimately appreciated the diversity of dialects and languages of not just Chinese pop culture but with Asian pop culture as a whole. We grew out of the island. Do we have Aaron Kwok to thank for this? 午夜的吻別 (Midnight Kiss) was the last song on the A side of the 到底有誰能夠告訴我 (If Only Someone Would Tell Me) album. With a soothing guitar melody and longing lyrics Aaron reminds us that it is tough to leave that special someone after a kiss goodnight. Haters can hate all they want (including myself) but, Aaron earned his place with the 4 Heavenly Kings of CantoPop (四大天王). How many male singers can hit those high notes? Also, how many singers can choreograph their own dance moves? Aaron first started his career as a TVB back up dancer. His biggest influence is Michael Jackson and he aspired to be like him. In his own right, I can safely say that Aaron didn't do too shabby being one of the biggest idols in Hong Kong history. There's no dancing in the video below for 午夜的吻別 (Midnight Kiss). I'll cover that part of Aaron Kwok later but, in the meantime, come reminisce with me. Which goodnight kiss do you remember most? 郭富城 - 午夜的吻别 powerofwe's channel The sound is a little funky because this video is ripped from a karaoke VCD where the left and right channel is separated. Left being instrumental only and right having Aaron's singing. If you know the song you can shut off your right channel and sign along with the music. 作詞：蔣東良 作曲：徐嘉良 編曲：郭小霖 輕輕的說聲 Good night 耳畔穿梭的風 是我深情的夢 人漸漸散去　夜漸漸冷卻 世界剩下我和你 輕輕的說聲 Good night 印在臉龐的吻 是否你也會懂 夜已經沉醉　燈光也熄滅 轉載來自 魔鏡歌詞網 我的心跳動不停 午夜的吻別 就像星星燃燒不睡 捨不得離去　怕自己空虛 把你留在夢裡 午夜的吻別 就像海洋狂熱不定 多盼望明天　愛不會改變 天天送你回家 直到永遠

Lover's Concerto

Kelly Chen 陳慧琳 Lover's Concerto 1998

The butterfly followed its antennae and found the blue flower pattern on her dress. She looked at it curiously wondering what it was doing on her lap. Before she can find an answer, the butterfly fluttered away. She watched it floating towards a new purpose. When the florid pilgrim flew out of site, she turned to me and smiled. At that moment I looked into her eyes and time ran askew. We were able to capture the instance in a floating loop of infinity. All the seasons blended together as the entire spectrum of the rainbow spiraled around us . Nothing else seemed to matter. We were untouchable, we were immortal... so it was... until, a few droplets of rain broke the spell. It's uncanny how such a delicate allurement was able to create such a powerful feeling. Disenchanted but still enamored, I reached for her hand. As our fingers touched, we felt the ozone ionizing. Like a scene from a movie we might have shared, the radio played Lover's Concerto as the smell of rain and the caress of summer's breeze hinted nostalgia. While we were reminiscing about the future, Kelly Chen's haunted voice transmitted from the radio and escaped into the atmosphere, swimming up against the rain. It fought the electrical barrage of the incoming storm. Up and up it went, penetrating through clouds, breaking Earth's gravity well, it reached the freedom of space. While holding onto the promise that "everything will be just as wonderful," the song traveled through void and vacuum, grazing the meadows of nebulae and stars. For what might seemed to be forever, it broadcasted its notes as it echoed through the desert of space and time. Near journey's end, the mathematical equation of harmony still stayed true to itself even when it flirted with the spiral of a galaxy before entering the solar system. It aimed towards a blue planet, surrendering itself to the pull of gravity and, breaking into atmosphere. The song serenaded the clouds as it floated down in a wave like gentle rain. The melody reached a pair of antennae and softly whispered to it, "keep this day in your heart eternally." I like this fan made video more then the official one. Lover's Concerto - Kelly Chen (Fan) Thanks to nalmun for the sweet video. Kelly Chen's Video Kelly Chan Lover's Concerto pireshuang's channel Here is the original from the Toys. A Lover's Concerto - The Toys Be sure to check out FunkSoBrudda's channel. A collection of interesting vintage videos. 歌手：陳慧琳 How gentle is the rain, that falls softly on the meadow. Birds high up on the trees, serenade the clouds with their melodies.* Repeat * Oh! See there beyond the hill, the bright colors of the rainbow. Some magic from above. Made this day for us, just to fall in love. You'll hold me in your arms, and say once again you'll love me. And that your love is true, everything will be just as wonderful. Now, I belong to you, from this day until forever. Just love me tenderly and I'll give to you every part of me. Oh! Don't ever make me cry, through long lonely nights without us. Be always true to me, keep this day in your heart eternally. You hold me in your arms, and say once again you love me. And that your love is true, everything will be just as wonderful.

R.I.P. Ricky Hui (1946-2011)

難忘的許冠英 It's usually cool to be a fan of more than one pop culture. The benefits of having cross cultural fandom is being able to enjoy movies, music, and at the basis, culture in more than one language and perspective. Then there are times when it's tough. Twice the happiness, twice the sadness. With the passing of Joe Frazier and Ricky Hui (許冠英), it's a rough week already and it's only Tuesday! Ricky Hui passed away at age 65 on November 8, 2011 from a heart attack. Ricky is the middle of the Hui Brothers, Michael Hui (許冠文) being the oldest brother and Sam Hui (許冠傑) being the youngest. All three brothers changed the face of Hong Kong pop culture in the 70's and 80's using their talents as prolific writers, musicians and starred in a bunch of movies. Ricky was not in the media spot light as much as Michael and Sam. He said that he was very shy and that is the reason why he doesn't do more movies and sing as much as his other brothers. You might remember him in Jackie Chan's(成龍) Project A (A 計劃續集). It didn't matter if he had a small role or a fleeting cameo, Ricky Hui was a lot of fun to watch and he made a lasting impression in Chinese Cinema and enriched Chinese Pop Culture. 多謝許冠英! The Private Eyes (半斤八兩) Trailer loveasianfilm's Channel More Ricky Hui videos after the "JUMP!"

100 Possibilities

100 樣可能 The good old 90's... 1997 to be exact. When the 4 Kings reigned over Hong Kong pop and Hong Kong itself faced uncertainty as they were being handed back to China. Literally, Hong Kong was facing 100 possibilities at the time. I remember hearing this song on an AM broadcast that was organized by some MIT Asian students. As they gave me a slice of Asian culture every night for an hour. I hope I can give you a slice of Asian culture from time to time on this blog. Mostly 90's Asian culture. I don't know much of the new stuff. I'm an old man. 100 樣可能 (100 Possibilities) was first released on one of Leon Lai's (黎明) EP's in 1997. The CD or cassette tape single (MP3's were still trying to catch on) was appropriately named Leon's... Leon Lai is one of the 4 pop kings (四大天王) in Hong Kong during the 90's. He was criticized for his mediocre singing and acting abilities. I'd always find that a bit harsh. I like his music. He has a classic tone, a melancholy to his voice which gives a retro vibe. He does extremely well with some of his more bluesy songs. I'd always believe that they are sort of a throw back to the 60's and 70's era of Chinese music. There is no mistake that Leon belongs in the pantheon of Hong Kong's pop culture. With a ton of music awards and numerous nominations for his acting, you can say he is good at what he does. Even here in the U.S., you might not recognize his name or face but, if you are remotely interested in Chinese culture, most likely you'd heard his music or watched one of his movies. I'm a little long winded and a lot nostalgic tonight. That MIT radio broadcast which ran during 11pm or was it12am? In any case, it's 12am here and I guess sometimes, with the right trigger, the past can catch up to us. Tonight's trigger is 100 樣可能 (100 Possibilities). So, step through that time tunnel with me into the late 90's and sit back, enjoy the video, the cheesy 90's morph effects and the pretty girl or the pretty Leon. 黎明 - 100 樣可能 Thanks to MrAriesy 歌手：黎明 作曲：劉諾生 填詞：周耀輝 編曲：劉敦 內內外外 從來沒有過記載 愛到要超出一般人人認識的愛 自自在在 能同時向你說愛 卻分開 沒有不應該 在現在 活在後現代 我叫你 蓋上你眼蓋 將身心 超出能承受的感慨 越另外 越是後現代 要去到最遠和最外 讓意識張開 不知怎麼抑制 要超過一切 記得愛得美麗 別理會慣例 轉載來自 魔鏡歌詞網 甚至令到自己 要超過一切的世人 然後 ya-ah-ya-ah.... Say You Say You Love Me 超出親與近 Say You Say You Love Me 超出真與實 Say You Say You Love Me 即刻的愛人 Say You Say You Love Me 超出一百樣可能

Japanese Doll (日本娃娃)

Break Up Song GGR! My friend Macdaniel Macleod: asks a series of daily questions on Facebook. Why? To pity the fools maybe? But that's besides the point. One of his questions were: "Greatest break up song ever! GGR" My answer is after the "JUMP!":