Wednesday, October 2, 2013

勇敢很好

It has been months since my last update. It's not because I don't want to blog but there has been a lack of Chinese songs which caught my eye. The most difficult part of having a blog is not starting it - but rather having sufficient content to sustain it.

I have been on two minds about this blog; to continue to discontinue. Blogging is leisure to me and a personal record of my thoughts at a certain stage of my life. It is always good to be able to look back and see how much I have grown (or not...). 

If you check out my profile, you will realise I have another blog, themoodkitchen. If you like baking/cooking or is looking for simple food recipes to try, do drop by for some inspiration. 

That said, now that I have culminated several songs, it's time to kick-start this blog again.

A befitting starter post is 杨丞琳, Yang Chen Ling, Rainie's new song in her latest album, 天使之翼 (Angel Wings). 勇敢很好 is one intriguing song - if you have watched the MV, you would know.

***
当真相 不再只是当初 单纯的想像
太多话 从梦想沦落成嚣张的谎话
希望总是伴随失望
只好远望幸福 雪上加霜

想隐藏 挣扎怀疑信仰 烙印下的伤
想抵抗 妥协苦涩荒凉 再勇敢一趟
前往 爱与恨的流浪 狂妄倔强
不怕原谅 谁能和我一样

就大声喊叫 会勇敢很好
让我哭又让我闹 让我能领悟煎熬
想舍就去舍掉 想抱就去抱牢
让我听到我心跳 让我看清我的需要

不怕别人笑 会勇敢很好
让心学会去思考 强求爱有多可笑
傻瓜才会计较 谁付出多或少
谁去讨谁就输掉 谁不要谁就能得到 
勇敢的好

勇敢的好 勇敢很好
***

勇敢很好 can be loosely translated as "Good Courage". That's not saying we need to be heros - it's not about saving another's life or doing some heroic act. Courage comes in the simplest forms - having the courage to change, to move on and to do something you have never done before.

This song is about having the courage to admit the misgivings of a relationship and letting go when love has come to an end.

"爱的时候 勇敢爱  | 不爱的时候 勇敢让对方自由。。。"

Written by 陈启乐(Color's 可乐), the lyrics are refreshing.

***
当真相 不再只是当初 单纯的想像
太多话 从梦想沦落成嚣张的谎话
希望总是伴随失望
只好远望幸福 雪上加霜

When the truth is no longer what it was before - the simple imaginary
Too many words - dreams crashing into lies
Hope is always accompanied by disappointment
I can only view happiness from afar - compounded wounds

想隐藏 挣扎怀疑信仰 烙印下的伤
想抵抗 妥协苦涩荒凉 再勇敢一趟
前往 爱与恨的流浪 狂妄倔强
不怕原谅 谁能和我一样

Wanting to hide the burnt wounds from the struggles, doubt and trust
Wanting to resist the bitterness and desolateness of compromise. To be brave again.
Going towards the presumptuousness and stubbornness of drifting between love and hate
Unafraid to forgive, who can be like me

就大声喊叫 会勇敢很好
让我哭又让我闹 让我能领悟煎熬
想舍就去舍掉 想抱就去抱牢
让我听到我心跳 让我看清我的需要

Just shout it out loud, it's good to be brave
Let me cry, let me make a din, let me realise torment
If you want to abandon, abandon. If you want to retain, retain
Let me listen to my heart beat, let me see what I need

不怕别人笑 会勇敢很好
让心学会去思考 强求爱有多可笑
傻瓜才会计较 谁付出多或少
谁去讨谁就输掉 谁不要谁就能得到 
勇敢的好

Unafraid of people's mockery, bravery is good
Let the heart learn to mull over how laughable it is to force love
Only fools will fuss over who contributed more or less
Whoever disputes will lose, those who don't, gets it all
The goodness of being brave
***

The scenario is as follows - a couple who have weathered many storms/up-downs. Despite it all, he is unable to trust her completely but she is willing to forgive him for that. She tells herself: if I truly love him, I will be brave enough to pursue it. To love is to accept - the good and the bad. People's opinions don't matter. That said, even though she loves him, he no longer feels the same way about her. Therefore, the only thing she can do now to be brave enough to let him be free.

There is no shame in having loved - the courage to love without abandon, the courage to be one against the world, the courage to fight for what you believe in and the courage to let go. 

Courage comes from within and it is liberating to be brave. 

勇敢的好 勇敢很好


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

忘了我

就到这里 我们不再有以后
一阵风 翻起回忆汹涌
深呼吸不敢让痛楚泄露
想大方微笑假装很洒脱 忍不住颤抖

分开后 都别拼命去追究
是什么错 那么错 不堪回首
就让你临别前 挥一挥手
像送给我 最完美告别作 我只是观众

忘了我 曾把你 拥在我心窝
忘了我 曾给你 拥有的所有
忘了我 曾是你的宇宙
不眠不休 无怨无尤

忘了我 多难过 多不能接受
忘了我 只要 你好过 就足够
忘了我 忘了我们的梦
当你想起我 我已不是我

多年后 也许还能再重逢
你会送我 笑一抹 同样温柔
没有谁放不开谁的手
我的遗憾 也不能是借口 都已陌生了

我把彻夜的痛 痛成了自由
在没有你的时空

忘了我 忘了我们的梦
当你想起我 我已不是我

忘了我 \ Forget me is 杨宗纬's latest offering in his 2013 album,《初.爱》. Whilst I think 杨宗纬 is a great singer, this song was a tad too bland for me despite one of my favourite singers, 韦礼安 being the composer. I still remember how 杨宗纬  shone in 那个男人 even thought that was a rather flat song too. Wished he was able to channel that charm here as well.

Putting that aside, a few lines of notable mentions;

没有谁放不开谁的手 我的遗憾 也不能是借口 都已陌生了\ No one can't ever not let go of another's hand. My regrets are but an excuse as all is remote now. Despite talk on how love is eternal, there is never (or rarely) cases where one is unable to let go of another. Once relationships have come to a close, there is little point in pining. On a more realistic note, any supposed regret is but a cover as everything is now foreign (once you have gotten over it). Imagine yourself in a scenario where your friend asks if you still miss your ex. Will it feel somewhat heartless if you admit that you have gotten over him/her? As humans I guess we would prefer to portray ourselves in a good light.


我把彻夜的痛 痛成了自由 \ Internalising the pain and transforming that into freedom/liberation


忘了我 忘了我们的梦 当你想起我 我已不是我 \ Forget me, forget us. When you think of me, I am no longer me. People change or evolve? (indicates that people improve for the better) and that's what we should aim to do; to be a better me.



Tuesday, April 16, 2013

就这样吗

你不说话我自己解答
这种沉默有抱歉的想法
你想走吧

怕就只怕没用的嘴巴
这个时候不开口留你啊
内心狂乱挣扎

我们岌岌 可危的篱笆
拆不掉等着哪天倒塌
祈求完美的家却败给距离关卡
我们的爱长不大

我们任由爱化成沙 微小的可怕
在手心中慢慢地落下
原来再见一霎 还是无法
说出内心的话

我们单纯的去爱吧 没那么复杂
以为你懂我也真太傻
爱停止发芽 来不及开满遍地鲜花
都已腐化

我们任由回忆秒杀 将泪痕记下
把分手的说法理论化
沿着彼此步伐了无牵挂
这是最好的吗

绝对不会被你恨吧 也没那么差
曾经爱过的也不是假
想重新出发 却害怕我们不够伟大
我们就这样吧

想重新出发 却害怕我们不够伟大
我们就这样吗


就这样吗 loosely translated as "Let it be", is a ballad by local pairing By2. I found this song to be rather intriguing and will do a brief translation of this whole song this time round.


你不说话我自己解答 这种沉默有抱歉的想法 你想走吧 \ You don't have to say anything for I know. This silence, this apologetic thinking. Leave if you want to.

怕就只怕没用的嘴巴 这个时候不开口留你啊 内心狂乱挣扎 \ Afraid its due to this useless mouth of mine. Could have stopped you from leaving there and then. Internal turmoil.

我们岌岌 可危的篱笆 拆不掉等着哪天倒塌 \ We a precarious fence, awaiting for the day when it collapses

祈求完美的家却败给距离关卡 我们的爱长不大 \ The hope for a lovely ending was lost against the distance barrier. Our love cannot grow.

我们任由爱化成沙 微小的可怕 在手心中慢慢地落下\ Our freedom to love has crumbled into sand, so small that it's scary, slipping away from our hands

原来再见一霎 还是无法 说出内心的话 \ At the moment of farewell, it was still impossible to say what we really feel

我们单纯的去爱吧 没那么复杂 以为你懂我也真太傻 \ Let's have an innocent notion of love; it's not that complicated. I thought you understood me but I was too naïve.

爱停止发芽 来不及开满遍地鲜花 都已腐化 \ Love is something that needs to be nurtured. Stopping short of referring to it as a growing plant, this phrase paints a vivid picture of how that might look like. A love that has stopped sprouting; it never got to bloom into flowers, has decomposed.

我们任由回忆秒杀 将泪痕记下  \ Allow the memories to cut through for a second and remember those tear tracks

把分手的说法理论化 沿着彼此步伐了无牵挂 这是最好的吗\ Rationalise the reason for breaking up and continue on our individual pathways without care. Is this for the best?

绝对不会被你恨吧 也没那么差 曾经爱过的也不是假\ Surely you won't hate me for I wasn't that bad. The love we once had wasn't fake

想重新出发 却害怕我们不够伟大 我们就这样吧 \ Wishing for a new start but there's fear that we aren't that strong. Let's just let it be.




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

愛你

愛你 by newcomer Kimberley Chen, 陈芳语 is in her début album, 《Kimberley首张同名专辑》. Given her achievements at such a young age, she is not exactly a "newcomer".

This song was released back in April 2012 and I particularly enjoy her acoustic version.

我闭上眼睛 贴着你心跳呼吸
而此刻地球 只剩我们而已
你微笑的唇型 总勾着我的心
每一秒初吻 我每一秒都想要吻你

就这样 爱你 爱你 爱你 随时都要一起
我喜欢 爱你 外套 味道 还有你的怀里
把我们 衣服 钮扣 互扣 那就不用分离
美好爱情 我就爱这样贴近 因为你

有时没生气 故意闹脾气
你的紧张在意 让我觉得安心
从你某个角度 我总看见自己
到底你懂我 或其时我本来就像你

想变成你的氧气 溜进你身体里
好好看看在你心里 你有多麽宝贝 我爱你

A sweet love song that deviates from my usual entries on ballads but I am sure there are portions in which we can all relate to; making you go aww without the goosebumps.


Catch her acoustic live rendition her. Her husky vocals somewhat remind me of a rock singer. It will be interesting to see what her next offerings will be (fingers crossed for a tear-jerking ballad)



Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/13983828

Thursday, April 4, 2013

(cover) 人质

人质 is by 天后, Ah Mei, 张惠妹. Loosely translated as "Hostage", this ballad was also covered by other singers like 杨宗纬. Out of them all, I particularly enjoy 韦礼安's version (yes, I'm biased). If my memories don't fail me, he also sang this song for a singing competition/PK segment in a show back in 2008(?)

Catch his live rendition of this at his concert.


Monday, April 1, 2013

(cover) 踮起腳尖愛

踮起腳尖愛 is a lovely song by 洪佩瑜 written by local musician Tanya Chua, 蔡健雅 and local lyricist, 小寒. Posting two versions by 韦礼安, one live performance and the other, a shorter radio live version.




舞鞋 穿了洞 裂了缝 
预备迎接一个梦
OK绷 遮住痛 
要把苍白都填充
勇气惶恐 
我要用哪一种
面对他 
一百零一分笑容

等待 的时空 有点重 
重得时针走不动
无影踪 他始终 
不曾降临生命中
我好想懂 谁放我手心里捧
幸福啊 依然长长的人龙

想踮起脚尖找寻爱 
远远的存在
我来不及 说声嗨 
影子就从人海晕开
才踮起脚尖的期待 
只怕被亏待
我勾不着还 微笑忍耐
等你回过头来

哪天 扑了空 折了衷 
祈祷终于起作用
一阵风 吹来梦 
却又败在难沟通
我终于懂 怎么人们的脸孔
想到爱 寂寞眼眶就转红

Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/10562780

Sunday, March 24, 2013

(cover) 说了再见\她说\你不知道的事\离开我\慢慢等

The whole topic of covers gets me all excited as I came across several fantastic ones but never got a chance to share. This is likely to be new feature in this blog beyond the usual new song offerings.

A-lin is singer who is rather under-rated in my view. She has a great voice and her nominations in Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards/ 金曲奖 as Best female singer award/最佳女歌手奖 is a way of affirming her capabilities.

In 2011, she covered a total of 5 songs in 7 odd minutes which are the songs of those nominated in the Best male singer award. This includes;

说了再见\ 周杰伦 (Jay Chou)
她说\林俊杰 (JJ Lin Jun Jie)
你不知道的事\王力宏 (Wang Lee Hom)
离开我\齐秦
慢慢等\韦礼安 (Wei Li An, William/Weibird)


听见了吗? + 不想去远方

I have heard of Crowd Lu for some time now but I never really got around listening to his music. My impression of him is strong, well namely because his image is striking/memorable (in a good way) and his indie offerings are refreshing. As I tend to be biased towards ballads, I never got to explore his works beyond those I hear occasionally on the radio.

Incidentally, I chanced upon a few of his covers (as per covered in previous postings) and was blown away by his vocals. His performances are solid and engaging and he is definitely someone whom you would want to see sing live with a backup band and him on his guitar.

Digging through his songs, I found two that I really liked, 听见了吗?  in his 2009 album <<七天>> and 不想去远方 in <<慢灵魂>> released in 2011. 

听见了吗?

我只想看着你 用任何距离
非常安静 飘过一片云
你的关心 变成灰色墙壁
我没能力 抵挡攻击

该如何告诉你 我的心情
我还想陪着你 任何天气
我还盼望 可以传达给你
唱给你听 在秋天里

那你听见了吗 我不安的心脏
听见了吗 要送给你的花
我所有能量 只能让这首歌与你分享

听见了吗 你在想着谁吧
听见了吗 我拥有的快乐 悲伤
不用回答 你听见了吗

不用回答 给我一个微笑

Loosely translated as "Can you hear me?", this is a sweet confession song. Love can be simple; it is the feelings you have that really counts.

Rather than the traditional MV version I usually post, catch Crowd Lu's live rendition of it. He is one singer who sounds much better live.


不想去远方

经过云的时候 我吞下一大口
你有没有感同身受 和我一样在天空

我的黑色行李 装太多不愿意
如果可以让我学会瞬间转移

我要用我的念力
把地球变成一颗微小星星
不用费力气就可以
跨越海洋找到你

别带我去远方 我不想去远方
我只想待在家 陪你说说话
然后一些生命 就这样平安的消耗
暂时没有 想到其他的愿望

Another soothing song which I guess we can relate to in one way or another. If only physical distances can be shrunk with will-power.

Catch the live version and skip to 0:43 for the full song.



(cover) 很好

Another lovely cover by Crowd Lu, 卢广仲, is Stefanie Sun, 孙燕姿's 很好. Released by in 2000, this song is in her début album, 孙燕姿同名专辑.

One of her lesser-known works, it is an endearing piece to listen to anytime, anyday.




Thursday, March 21, 2013

(cover) 恋人未满

Covers are always interesting to me because a song can be interpreted in many ways; more ballad-ish or rock-ish. They also show-off a singer's talent and versatility. My favourite covers tend to be acoustic versions and today I will share with you a classic song by S.H.E, 恋人未满 and covering this song is 卢广仲, Crowd Lu.


恋人未满 is S.H.E's hit début song/album which made them  household names and one the top girl groups in the industry. This acoustic cover by Crowd Lu is really nice, despite the slips in lyrics here and there. A different feel for a song recorded more than 10 years ago (2001). I really liked how he interacted with the audience and how they sang along with him. Crowd Lu has a charming stage presence and I'm sure you will find yourself smiling and singing along with him. 

Skip the first three minutes and start at 03:00 for his rendition of this 家喻户晓 song.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

逞强

有点烦
是有点烦
我习惯沉默对峙呐喊
驾驶盤
随他去转
免得说我刁蛮
有点难
真的好难
我们得独立同时委婉
多脆弱才算适度的勇敢
聪明人对爱很柔软
内心很强悍
现在懂是否已太晚
是逞强或坚强
委屈都自己扛
我以为那是
一种退让
是一种善良
我站在你身旁
冷静得像堵墙
把泪水都抵挡
遮住自己伤口的真相
最後谁有心思体谅
我的趾高气扬
是逞强或坚强
越隐藏
越恐惶
越是防不胜防
越设防
越逃亡
沦为沉默羔羊
为何不能够好好爱一场
公平著不需要谁投降
多希望有人会体谅
我的不愿投降
是逞强或坚强

Lovely song by local artists 插班生 \ The freshman. As my thoughts for this song are neatly reflected on a penned piece on their blog, I would direct you to here (refer to song number 3). Listen to it here (YouTube link as I can't seem to find the same video via blogger YouTube search)


Credits: Music Baidu
http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/341374684.html

Monday, March 11, 2013

填空

曾经倔强是对的
偶尔脆弱也练习
直到眼看遭遇捉弄
很莫明 对自己怀疑

心底安静地可以
紧跟呼吸的不息
挣扎了 选择了 然后归零
期待幸福回音

可不可以 交出自己全放弃
可不可以 别再要多清醒
脑中的空白空洞了空心
再填空 还比较容易

我可以了 关于没过去
也可以了 生命再 变成 填空题
再填空 我会填上自己

再填空 答案是 我自己

The title of this song, 填空, leaves plenty of room for imagination. Loosely translated as, "fill in", it indicates a white space and a potential to fill it with anything you desire. This song is about recovery from a failed relationship and encourages one to focus their energies on themselves once again.

直到眼看遭遇捉弄 \ 很莫明 对自己怀疑; It's feels almost incredulous to be teased at but that makes you feel doubtful of yourself

挣扎了 选择了 然后归零; After you struggle, come to turns with your decision, let everything return to ground zero

可不可以 交出自己全放弃; Can I surrender myself and give up on everything I have now. When things seem too dim, its perhaps more liberating to start anew.

可不可以 别再要多清醒; Can I don't have that much clarity. I guess sometimes, deep down we all what the truth is like but we don't want to face that ugly truth,

脑中的空白空洞了空心 \ 再填空 还比较容易; With an emptied head and heart, it is easier to fill them up with new things

我可以了 关于没过去; I can deal with having a lack of a past

也可以了 生命再 变成 填空题; And can deal with my life returning to a new empty slate

再填空 我会填上自己 \ 答案是 我自己; Filling up that space with a renewed focus on me

A soothing and refreshing song by new singer 家家, this song is bound to stick around in my playlist for some time.



Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/33465742

Thursday, March 7, 2013

修炼爱情

凭什么要失望
藏眼泪到心脏
往事不会说谎别跟他为难
我们两人之间不需要这样
我想

修炼爱情的心酸
学会放好以前的渴望
我们那些信仰 要忘记多难
远距离的欣赏 近距离的迷惘
谁说太阳会找到月亮
别人有的爱
我们不可能模仿

修炼爱情的悲欢
我们这些努力不简单
快乐炼成泪水 是一种勇敢
几年前的幻想 几年后的原谅
为一张脸去养一身伤
别讲想念我 我会受不了这样

记忆它真嚣张
路灯把痛点亮
情人一起看过多少次月亮
他在天空看过多少次遗忘
多少心慌

笑着说爱让人疯狂
哭着说爱让人紧张
忘不了那个人就投降

JJ Lin's 10th anniversary album <<因你 而在Stories Untold>> is due to be out on 13 March. But before the official release, we can already have a chance to listen to two song offerings, 修炼爱情  and  因你而在. The latter, a chirpy upbeat tune dedicated to JJ's fans did not leave a big impression so I am giving that a miss to talk about 修炼爱情, loosely translated into Practice of Love.

I have always enjoyed majority of JJ's works (mainly ballads) because he's a great composer and he sings well. Some of such memorable ballads range from 翅膀 to 学不会,  不存在的情人 . This latest offering, Practice of Love, isn't as "ballad-ish" and carries a more encouraging and positive tone. Frankly, I have been sitting on this post for more than a week since the lyrics aren't so clear-cut and I am trying to understand the story-line (if there is one). Watching the MV didn't help much since it was a animated story and its contents were not easy to relate to. Some of lyrics (chorus and bridge) stood out and I would be selectively covering this song.

修炼爱情的心酸 \ 修炼爱情的悲欢; Love ain't easy and the practice of love is one long arduous journey. It brings along happiness and sadness and I love the contrast/irony of the term 悲欢.

学会放好以前的渴望 \ 我们那些信仰 要忘记多难; Expectations are something we all have and it is never easy learning to let them go.

远距离的欣赏 近距离的迷惘 \ 谁说太阳会找到月亮; Appreciation from far, perplexity when near. It is always good to see other couples happily in love but when experienced first-hand, you may not have the same sweet pleasant relationship.

几年前的幻想 几年后的原谅 \ 为一张脸去养一身伤; The years before spent fantasying about love, the years after and the forgiveness. All the injuries incurred for a lone person.

笑着说爱让人疯狂 \ 哭着说爱让人紧张; Laughingly saying that love makes one go crazy, cryingly saying that love makes people nervous.

忘不了那个人就投降; Admit defeat if you can't forget that person.



Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/34201134

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Better me

远处海港传来阵阵船笛
我一直飘零到被你拣起
如今望着反映窗户玻璃
有个我陌生又熟悉

喔 I can Smile a little more
Sing a little more
Feel a little more
全因为你

说好了要为幸福 一天天地练习
练习 Laugh a little more
Love myself a little more
要学会更加善待我自己
为你我变成了 Better me

什么距离都不算是真的分离
想念和默契能代替一切言语
有一天生命会老去
还好谢谢有你

在你眼中 I see the better in me
Coz I can Smile a little more
Sing a little more
Feel a little more
全因为你

说好了要为幸福 一天天地练习
练习 Laugh a little more
Love myself a little more
要学会更加善待我自己
为你我变成了 Better me

就是那么神奇
从前的错都有意义
教我抛开所有猜疑 也许
我也美丽 值得一个奇迹

喔 我的眼泪会坠落
绝不是因为懦弱
而是感谢天让我遇见你
不然今天就不能 如此地有勇气

Now I promise to you
And I can swear to you
为你我 一定加倍 爱护我自己
做一个值得你 骄傲的 Better me
一个值得你 爱的Better me

I chanced upon this song on the radio recently, 薛凯琪's Better Me. Released in May 2012 and written by talented local lyricist 小寒, I found myself listening and humming to this song on repeat as I work.

A big attributing factor to the longevity of this song is the way Fiona Sit sings. The slight American accent whenever she sings in English adds a tinge of spice to this otherwise bland song. The concept of this song is about relationships and how one can be empowered by another to be a Better Me.

As they always say, it is difficult to meet the Right one but when you do, it's the beginning of something transformational and beautiful.


Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/14845471

Monday, January 14, 2013

围城

The last song I will introduce from A-lin's album is entitled 围城. Based on my interpretation, I will loosely translate that as "fortress".

终于只让一个人关怀
关起门来 还有什么意外
好像一辈子 一切都已安排
这完美生活 美好得好应该

终于成为他终身最爱
被围绕也同样被依赖
余下梦想锁在门外
承诺像牢固的城堡
里面不自由
流浪在外却不自在

走进来 闯进来 逃进来 躲进来
在诺言里发展未来
留下来 停下来 这日子 过下来
进不来的想像不来
看门外 想进来 看窗外 想离开
难怪那么多人选择徘徊

最容易满足的人
才会忘了问精不精彩

站在阳台看不变风景
谁在路上 对这阳台朝拜
不好意思说 用自由换自在
也别想过去 忐忑得好痛快

远离孤独的人山人海
满足得没什么要期待
好像赢了人生决赛
在围城里张灯结彩
好像终于能
对全世界有个交代

只有懂幸福的人
才懂得进退一样精彩
一样精彩

This song about relationships is written by none other than a very talented lyricist, 林夕. Rather than attempting to encapsulate what this song is about in a single sentence, I would bring you through the song by verse. But before I do so, I would like to set some groundwork so you would know roughly what to expect/the central theme of this song.

This song reminded me of an old Sunday Times Life section by Sumiko Tan where she writes on how "Marriage is Freedom". She seeks to explain why so; "now that I’m tied to someone, I feel strangely, ironically, free."  Do take a look at this interesting article here.

The song begins as our lead (could be either genders but for simplicity, I would say female) has finally started a stable relationship, one without surprises. It seems as though everything else thereafter has been arranged for; her expected perfect life is about to begin. She is finally the love of his life; there is a mutual reliance on each other. Leaving behind her dreams, she is "locked in", figuratively (a nicer term would be committed) into this relationship fortress bounded by promises made. Those who are inside may not be free but those lingering outside are not at ease.

These forms the first two verses of the song and perhaps the most meaningful takeaway here is its last line which goes; 里面不自由, 流浪在外却不自在. Isn't it somewhat ironic that those who aren't in relationships are always not at ease, yearning to be in relationships; yet those who are already in relationships want to have to have freedom and the feeling of being single. (The former scenario has been explained succinctly in Sumiko Tan's article.) Indeed, there is this fine line that needs to be balanced.

This irony is reflected in the subsequent chorus too. Those outside the relationship fortress cannot imagine how it is like inside. Those who are in, want it out; those who are out, want to be in. It is no wonder most people choose to linger around around the two realms. To me, all these are akin to the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side". Some people transit from being single to attached to single (cue vicious cycle) because they always feel that there is a next best alternative.

Jumping a verse, our lead has left the "sea of singles". She is satisfied but does not hold any further expectations. It feels like she has won the race out of single-hood and she is celebrating in her fortress. She has finally proven to the world that she has done it; she is no longer single. With the Chinese New Year coming up, there are probably many singles or couples who will face the golden question from their relatives; "when are you getting married?" or "are you attached?". If our lead is encounters this situation, she can proudly declare a big yes. Is getting into a relationship/getting married then a social responsibility expected of us or do we do so because we want to?

The song ends with a realisation; those who really know what true blissfulness is are probably the only ones who know that both realms (single or attached) are equally rewarding and satisfying. Put simply, you have the control to make the best (or worst) out of your own circumstances.



Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/33465904

Sunday, January 13, 2013

幸福了 然后呢

彻夜 难眠
是谁变了
我流泪 愤怒和尖锐
是因为忐忑

你不能理所当然了你的资格
我需要更多安全感
才能平衡

黑暗中沉睡着是你的轮廓
却碰不到你的灵魂
这一张小小的双人床 让我迷路了
每天就好像背对背的列车
只在深夜里汇合
幸福了 然后呢
爱情用什么再确认

你不是也记得多久没有说爱我
嘘~

誓言 谎言 我都听着
爱再深 放久了会冷
会产生裂痕

那时候 你是把我在手心捧着
而现在 你忘了为我
擦去泪痕

你是不是也记得多久没有说爱我

I have to admit, when I first heard this song, I was all too crazy about it. It is not a usual ballad offering I would expect from A-lin but I was pleasantly surprised and got hooked on this after a couple of spins.

This song has a pop-rock feel, especially towards the end as she repeats, 你是不是也记得多久没有说爱我; do you also remember how long you haven't said you love me. As discussed in previous postings, the central theme in this album is what happens after the supposed happily-ever-afters and this song captures what all that is about.


Before I end this post, I would like to promote A-lin's upcoming concert, 天生歌姬A-Lin 2013【Feel-Lin巡迴演唱會】in Taiwan, 小巨蛋 on the 9th of March 2013. Being an avid fan, I would really love to be there to hear her sing live, time permitting. Nevertheless, you can check out more details on her concert here; http://shop.dmarketnet.net/application/UTK02/UTK0201_.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=D091NN05


Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/31626150

好朋友的祝福

The next song from A-lin's album《幸福了 然后呢》 which I would like to introduce is 好朋友的祝福, loosely translated as "blessings to my good friend".

你的烟最后戒掉了吗
这些年过得还算幸福吗
这咖啡的甜度 照旧是你爱的
重逢的我们 一切却都变了

你问我还常常加班吗
那口气还是一样的温暖
时间总是教人 把好的都记得
当初为什么 没好好再见呢

那年我失去最好朋友和我最爱的人
你们相爱 我和悲伤共生共存
而爱从不由人 对错不会永恒
但当时我只懂憎恨

好想鼓起勇气 陪你聊聊美满的人生
你的快乐 我凭什感觉残忍
眼眶就算苦涩 心也该放下了
好朋友我祝福你们

This is a more radio-friendly ballad with lyrics that aren't too difficult to understand. However, with the release of the MV, I realised that it could be interpreted in two ways. The beginning of the chorus goes, "in that very year, I lost both my best friend and the person I loved the most". I though that our leading lady meant that she lost her lover, who was of course, the person she loved the most and him being not just a lover but also her best friend. Cue, Colbie Caillat's Lucky.

Another way to interpret this song (aka MV version), was that she lost her best friend to her ex, meaning which she and her best friend fell in the love with the same guy at the same time and she decided not to be the third wheeler. This brings the meaning of this song to different level (even sadder really) just because hey, it's horrible to lose both your best friend and your lover at the same time.

The most poignant parts of this song for me were in the chorus; 而爱从不由人, 对错不会永恒. 但当时我只懂憎恨 and the very last chorus at the end of the song. For the former, it basically means that love cannot be controlled, there is no permanent right or wrong, during then, I could only hate. Hating your best friend and/or your lover at that point in time is understandable. You may have thought that it was wrong of them to behave this way, etc. but whichever the case, they are both important people to you and that should be cherished.

That brings us to the last bit of the song. Our lead really wants to bring up her courage to talk to her best friend, find out how she's doing in her (love-filled) life. How can she feel that her friend's happiness is being cruel (to her)? Even if she is feeling bitter, she should learn to let go. Eventually, she gives her blessings.

Perhaps the most meaningful takeaway from this song is really 爱从不由人, 对错不会永恒. Nothing is permanent, especially with regards to the rights and wrongs in love.



Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/33465954

温柔累了

<<幸福了 然后呢>> was released on the 30th of December last year and I have to say, I always look forward to A-lin's latest albums. She is a fabulous singer with strong emotive vocals and her ballads are simply keepers for your playlist. 

曾经以为最美丽的爱情,
停留在「从此以后过着幸福快乐的日子」
但是幸福了 然后呢
我们的故事 是不是才要开始
日复一日的寻常生活裡
我们都渴望 爱情再确认

Quoted from her album description, this prose captures this album's theme of  "What's next after the happily-ever-after". We are all familiar with fairy tales which end with "And they lived happily ever after..." The biggest irony of that statement is the "..." segment. The story continues and we find ourselves slipping back into the daily nuances of mundane life and as time passes by, the feeling of love disappears. Or on a more positive note, rather than saying it disappears, it is very much toned down or neglected and we find ourselves needing to re-affirm that affection.

The first song from her album that I will be covering in this post is entitled, 温柔累了and is my personal favourite.


听 你的朋友说你的抉择
我微笑得像晓得
从哪里开始的
你不说心事了
我不说希望了
不求就不会失落

爱 嚼到慢慢变淡的时候
一回忆渗出苦涩
想呐喊为什么 
你会这不懂
我会这多感受
拥抱还是泪流

我累了 假装接受人都有秘密的
我累了 假装习惯了被忽略的不快乐
当你吼著生活不是浪漫的
凝望却没辩驳
但心里有些什 死了

我曾经多享受
这幸福的不自由
原来爱虚幻 美在有梦

我累了 无力再争执谁给谁负荷
我累了 无力去证明比你爱得更深刻
所有独立坚强都不是性格
而是一种温柔 想扮好体谅你的角色


A wonderful song is impossible without a fantastic lyricist and 姚若龙 has proven his writing chops once again with his insights into what I call the "Afters of the supposedly happily-ever-afters". The song begins with our leading lady hearing about a decision made by his other half from his friends. This line hints something; if they are as close as before/usual, why would she hear of such decisions from his friends and not from him personally.

Whilst we mull over that, our suspicions are confirmed; since a forgotten time, he has stopped sharing his inner feelings/thoughts, our lady has stopped hoping, because high hopes lead to greater disappointment. 姚若龙 subsequently parallels love with chewing gum; the longer you chew it, the more bland and tasteless it becomes. I thought that was pretty apt; some people continue chewing tasteless gum out of habit. Is staying together a mere sign of habit then?

By now, our lady is frustrated; why is he so insensitive and why is she so emotional? Men always say women are too sensitive and conversely, women say men are tactless.

In the chorus, our lady admits that she is tired; she has had enough of pretending that she is alright with the neglect she gets. Her partner rebuts by insisting that life is not all romantic. She stares blankly, not refuting but something in her heart has just died away. It is true that despite how much we enjoy the "happily-ever-story", it is just not realistic. But then and again, who doesn't hope for fairy tales to come true.

She used to enjoy this fortune feeling of being committed in a relationship aka cue lack of freedom. But it finally dawns upon her that love is but a dream and beauty lies in having that dream.

The song comes to an end with a twist in the chorus; she is tired of determining who has given the other a greater burden or who loves the other party more. All those independence and strength are but a façade; it was a gesture out of love towards him that she is playing the role of someone who understood.

Unknowingly, I ended up loosely translating this song with snippets of my own thoughts thrown in. This has only made me appreciate this well-penned song even more.





Credits: Music Baidu
http://music.baidu.com/song/33465886