[Music] Theme Song of The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1983) -- Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng

Poster for The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2017)

Yang Xuwen (male) and Li Yitong (female)

Meng Ziyi (female) and Chen Xingxu (male)

Roman Tam

 Jenny Tseng

1. I have watched the first 12 of the 52 episodes of the Chinese TV drama "The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2017)" and am very impressed by the beauty of the camera works.

It is a visual experience.

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes" ("射鵰英雄傳") is a Chinese novel by Louis Cha and this novel has been adapted into movies 6 times and into TV series 7 times.

In terms of TV series, the 1983 production by Hong Kong's TVB is the gold standard by which other TV series are compared.

The 2017 TV series is a remake of the 1983 Hong Kong TVB production.

I have watched the 1983 Hong Kong TV series and like what I have watched so far of this 2017 remake; I will probably finish watching the rest of it.


2. ("The Legend of the Condor Heroes", Wikipedia):

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It is the first part of the Condor Trilogy and is followed by The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. It was first serialised between 1 January 1957 and 19 May 1959 in Hong Kong Commercial Daily. Jin Yong revised the novel twice, first in the 1970s and later in the 2000s. The English title is a mistranslation since both species of the condor, the Andean condor and Californian condor, are not native to China. A more accurate translation is Story of the Eagle Shooting Hero."


3. ("The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2017 TV series)", Wikipedia):

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title and a remake of the 1983 Hong Kong television series based on the same novel. The series was directed by Jeffrey Chiang and starred Yang Xuwen, Li Yitong, Chen Xingxu and Meng Ziyi in the lead roles. It started airing on Dragon TV in mainland China on 9 January 2017, and on TVB Jade in Hong Kong on 8 May 2017."


4. Since it is a remake of the 1983 TV series, the 2017 series also uses the theme song of the 1983 original as its opening and ending theme songs.

The 1983 series is produced for the Cantonese speaking Hong Kong market and the 2017 remake is produced for the Putonghua speaking China market and because the lyrics are written for Cantonese pronunciation, the song will not sound right if sung in Putonghua.

The producers for the 2017 TV series appropriately use an instrumental version of the song as the opening and ending theme songs; but I wish the opening and ending theme songs are longer like the original.


5. The name of the 1983 theme song in Chinese is "鐵血丹心".

"鐵" : Iron.

"血" : Blood.

"丹" : Red.

"心" : Heart.

The phrase "鐵血丹心" symbolizes patriotism and is an allusion to the background of the novel "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" which is set against the conflicts between the Sung dynasty (Chinese), Jin dynasty (Jurchen), and the Mongols.

This song is a duet by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng.


6. The 2017 instrumental version of the song followed by the 1983 Cantonese original:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFMT3tFiYsM

The video is consisted of scenes from the 2017 TV series.


7. The 1983 Cantonese original with pictures from the 1983 TV series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDGu0uYPunc

The lyrics sung in Putonghua with videos from the 2017 TV series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKAfjuMv6qg

Since Cantonese and Putonghua are pronounced differently and the lyrics written for Cantonese, the Putonghua version of the song does not sound right.


8. The 1983 Cantonese original:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAh7nmvcXMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QDjUvbXkoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprlDAOo-xk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfKHpj02RE4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLhtVexM9SA

and many more in YouTube.


9. The 2017 instrumental version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPU8dUHu-T8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkT5B9zstW8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_9ve9C-fdA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBnn9fsQgG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATPzUQ_NDho

and many more in YouTube.


10. Other instrumentals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8mAgfQHPLA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uypb6IulyEs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGD4xAK98Mw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMIFxac0_yY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNSP4f2yZuU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhA01KpdQK4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEltThzXD8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ2eDOgvzqE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q4tSBy7rKw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UerKYkvZsVk

and many more in YouTube.


11. Three other songs from the 2017 TV series:

The Soul of Swords ("剑魂") by Well Lee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiy7PJo2dqA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ce6JGM0MsU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1_cxSau4h8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9PI5zHRQrQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJBWq-vU50A


Whom Have You Loved ("爱过谁") by Shang Wenjie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEhc9A5QhUc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGA9MnjEwzc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPAwmSNHNQQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfs1taBOlyA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5trY_jjcGNY


Under the Heaven ("江湖天下") by Silence Wong:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58xvTOtXqLk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5u-Ns9X78

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq6wYks5Q-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5hMbnKqts0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abmlnsYKjHQ


12. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:

鐵血丹心 -- 羅文 & 甄妮

作曲：顧嘉輝
作詞：鄧偉雄
編曲：顧嘉輝

女：依稀往夢似曾見   心內波瀾現
男：拋開世事斷愁怨
合：相伴到天邊

* 男：逐草四方沙漠蒼茫   那懼雪霜撲面
女：冷風吹   天蒼蒼   籐樹相連

# 男：射鵰引弓塞外奔馳   笑傲此生無厭倦
女：猛風沙   野茫茫   籐樹兩纏綿

@ 男：天蒼蒼   野茫茫   萬般變幻
女：應知愛意是流水   斬不斷理還亂

& 合：身經百劫也在心間   恩義兩難斷

Repeat *, #, @, &, &


13. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:

铁血丹心 -- 罗文 & 甄妮

作曲：顾嘉辉
作词：邓伟雄
编曲：顾嘉辉

女：依稀往梦似曾见   心内波澜现
男：抛开世事断愁怨
合：相伴到天边

* 男：逐草四方沙漠苍茫   那惧雪霜扑面
女：冷风吹   天苍苍   藤树相连

# 男：射雕引弓塞外奔驰   笑傲此生无厌倦
女：猛风沙   野茫茫   藤树两缠绵

@ 男：天苍苍   野茫茫   万般变幻
女：应知爱意是流水   斩不断理还乱

& 合：身经百劫也在心间   恩义两难断

Repeat *, #, @, &, &


14. Names, Words and Phrases:

Chen Xingxu (Traditional Chinese: 陳星旭; Simplified Chinese: 陈星旭).

Dragon TV (Traditional: 東方衛視; Simplified: 东方卫视).

Jeffrey Chiang (Traditional: 蔣家駿; Simplified: 蒋家骏).

Jenny Tseng (Traditional: 甄妮; Simplified: 甄妮).

Jin Dynasty (Traditional: 金朝; Simplified: 金朝).

Jin Yong (Traditional: 金庸; Simplified: 金庸).

Jurchen (Traditional: 女真; Simplified: 女真).

Li Yitong (Traditional: 李一桐; Simplified: 李一桐).

Louis Cha (Traditional: 查良鏞; Simplified: 查良镛).

Meng Ziyi (Traditional: 孟子義; Simplified: 孟子义).

Mongols (Traditional: 蒙古; Simplified: 蒙古).

Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).

Shang Wenjie (Traditional: 尚雯婕; Simplified: 尚雯婕).

Silence Wong (Traditional: 汪蘇瀧; Simplified: 汪苏泷).

Sung Dynasty (Traditional: 宋朝; Simplified: 宋朝).

The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (Traditional: 倚天屠龍記; Simplified: 倚天屠龙记).

The Return of the Condor Heroes (Traditional: 神鵰俠侶; Simplified: 神雕侠侣).

TVB Jade (Traditional: TVB 翡翠台; Simplified: TVB 翡翠台).

Well Lee (Traditional: 李煒; Simplified: 李炜).

Wuxia novel (Traditional: 武俠小說; Simplified: 武侠小说).

Yang Xuwen (Traditional: 楊旭文; Simplified: 杨旭文).


References:

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_the_Condor_Heroes
(accessed 2017-05-31).

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2017 TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_the_Condor_Heroes_(2017_TV_series)
(accessed 2017-05-31).

"射鵰英雄傳 (2017年電視劇)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E5%B0%84%E9%9B%95%E8%8B%B1%E9%9B%84%E4%BC%A0_(2017%E5%B9%B4%E7%94%B5%E8%A7%86%E5%89%A7)
(accessed 2017-05-31).

End.

[Music] Roman Tam -- A Chinese Dream

Candlelight for the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre

 
1. Has reading a book ever brings you to tears?

In my teens, there was a period when I was quite emotional and I remember there were four books that brought me to tears when reading them.

The first book was Lin Yutang's My Country and My People (1935).

I did all my secondary school in Vancouver and I chanced upon Lin's book in the small library of my school when I was in Grade 8.

Like anyone in their teens, there were many psychological tasks one has to master and one of those was to establish one's identity.

Although very appreciative of the multi-culturalism of Canada, I was having difficulties relating my Chinese heritage to my identity.

Reading Lin Yutang's My Country and My People (1935) reinforced that my Chinese heritage was part of my identity.

But in what ways?

That took many years to work out.


2. A Chinese Dream ("中國夢") (1984) by Roman Tam is one song that always brings out the "Chinese feelings" inside me.

The lyrics are nationalistic but not triumphalist.

The lyrics speak to what Chinese hopes China will become.

This song has been sung many times over the years in the Candlelight Vigil for June 4 Massacre held annually at Victoria Park in Hong Kong.

Tears always well-up in my eyes when the lyrics come to:

要中國人人見歡樂
("That every Chinese will see happiness")

笑聲笑面長伴黃河
("Laughter and smiles will long be heard and seen along the Yellow River")

五千年無數中國夢
("Countless Chinese dreams in five thousand years")

內容始終一個
("Are but the same in content")


3. The late Roman Tam singing A Chinese Dream ("中國夢") (1984):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG3m46vnQkc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t4B4Z6Ny_I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX5fOvBr39w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf6Q0x29zCw


Roman Tam singing in Concert for Democracy in China (1989):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K7xMmSwVyQ


Music video by Roman Tam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLavvirGkaY


Roman Tam in concert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0wJVJl9zYI



4. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


中國夢 -- 羅文

作曲：趙文海
編曲：趙文海
作詞：黃霑

我的夢和你的夢   每一個夢源自黃河
五千年無數的渴望   在河中滔滔過
那一個夢澎湃歡樂   那一個夢傾湧苦楚
有幾回唐漢風範   讓同胞不受折磨

* 那天我中國展步   何時睡獅吼響驚世歌
沖天開覓向前路   巨龍揮出自我
要中國人人見歡樂   笑聲笑面長伴黃河
五千年無數中國夢   內容始終一個

Repeat *

要中國人人每一個做 自由樂暢幸福我


5. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


中国梦 -- 罗文

作曲：赵文海
编曲：赵文海
作词：黄霑

我的梦和你的梦   每一个梦源自黄河
五千年无数的渴望   在河中滔滔过
那一个梦澎湃欢乐   那一个梦倾涌苦楚
有几回唐汉风范   让同胞不受折磨

* 那天我中国展步   何时睡狮吼响惊世歌
冲天开觅向前路   巨龙挥出自我
要中国人人见欢乐   笑声笑面长伴黄河
五千年无数中国梦   内容始终一个

Repeat *

要中国人人每一个做   自由乐畅幸福我


6. Names, Words and Phrases:

Candlelight Vigil for June 4 Massacre (Traditional Chinese: 維園六四燭光晚會; Simplified Chinese: 维园六四烛光晚会).

Concert for Democracy in China (Traditional: 民主歌聲獻中華; Simplified: 民主歌声献中华).

Lin Yutang (Traditional: 林語堂; Simplified: 林语堂).

My Country and My People (Traditional: 吾國與吾民; Simplified: 吾国与吾民).

Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).


References:

"Lin Yutang", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Yutang
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"Roman Tam", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Tam
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"林語堂", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%9E%97%E8%AF%AD%E5%A0%82
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"羅文", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%BE%85%E6%96%87
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"吾國與吾民", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E5%90%BE%E5%9B%BD%E4%B8%8E%E5%90%BE%E6%B0%91
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"中國夢 (歌曲)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%A4%A2_%28%E6%AD%8C%E6%9B%B2%29
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"中国梦 （罗文演唱歌曲）", baike.baidu.com,
http://baike.baidu.com/subview/1817221/9342602.htm
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"民主歌聲獻中華", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%B0%91%E4%B8%BB%E6%AD%8C%E8%81%B2%E7%8D%BB%E4%B8%AD%E8%8F%AF
(accessed 2016-05-30).

"維園六四燭光晚會", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%B6%AD%E5%9C%92%E5%85%AD%E5%9B%9B%E7%87%AD%E5%85%89%E6%99%9A%E6%9C%83
(accessed 2016-05-30).

End.

[Music] Roman Tam -- Wandering Merrily in the World

Poster for The New Adventures of Chor Lau Heung (1984)

 Barbara Yung

1. Chinese Quotation of the Day:


曹植 (192 - 232 CE)


<< 蟬賦 >> (節錄)

實澹泊而寡欲兮，獨怡樂而長吟。

聲皦皦而彌厲兮，似貞士之介心。


2. Wandering Merrily in the World ("笑踏河山") is the theme song of the 1984 Hong Kong TVB television drama The New Adventures of Chor Lau Heung ("楚留香之蝙蝠傳奇").

"Chor Lau Heung" is the name of a fictional character in the martial art novels by the author Gu Long (1938 - 1985).

According to Wikipedia, there are 8 novels by Gu Long with Chor Lau Heung as the main character.

I have read all the novels by Gu Long including these eight -- mostly while I was in secondary school in the 1970s.

Also according to Wikipedia, 16 movies, 8 TV series, a computer game, and a musical were adapted from these 8 novels.

The movies and TV series were produced mainly in Taiwan and Hong Kong where Gu Long lived.

To my surprise, the musical was performed by the famous Star Troupe of the Takarazuka Revue of Japan in 2013 in both Taiwan and Japan.

Being a former Japanese colony, Taiwan still has a lot of cultural ties with Japan.


3. Wandering Merrily in the World (1984) has a Taoist sentiment and it is among my favorite songs.

The original singer of this song is Roman Tam.

It is with disappointment that I can find only 1 instance of this song by Roman Tam in YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu_T_9ZIV5w

The quality of this video is not too good.

There used to be many copies of this song in YouTube, but Hong Kong's TVB has been asserting it's copyrights and those copies have disappeared.

I think this asserting of copyrights in YouTube is a bad business move on the part of TVB.

Due to the deteriorating TV environment in Hong Kong, TVB's viewership has been shrinking at an alarming rate.

Allowing old songs to appear in YouTube is one way to maintain presence and remind viewers that TVB is still there.


4. Wandering Merrily in the World (1984) by the lead actress of The New Adventures of Chor Lau Heung, the late Barbara Yung (1959 - 1985):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJigSEfj5qo

Barbara Yung was among my TV idols of that period.


5. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


笑踏河山 -- 羅文

隨緣披髮獨行   未嘗鏡染塵
淡然看世事似浮雲   隨風去無痕

* 何妨花氣襲人   願憑天指引
任由過去事再莫尋   留情意不惹恨

# 對酒狂歌   一劍獨往   何愁露寒侵鬢
人生百感   輕舟掠過   萬里白雪洗我心
啊...啊...啊...
踏河山輕帶笑我獨行   如逝水若行雲

Repeat *, #

踏河山輕帶笑我獨行   如逝水若行雲


6. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


笑踏河山 -- 罗文

随缘披发独行   未尝镜染尘
淡然看世事似浮云   随风去无痕

* 何妨花气袭人   愿凭天指引
任由过去事再莫寻   留情意不惹恨

# 对酒狂歌   一剑独往   何愁露寒侵鬓
人生百感   轻舟掠过   万里白雪洗我心
啊...啊...啊...
踏河山轻带笑我独行   如逝水若行云

Repeat *, #

踏河山轻带笑我独行   如逝水若行云


7. Names, Words and Phrases:

Barbara Yung (Traditional Chinese: 翁美玲; Simplified Chinese: 翁美玲).

Chor Lau Heung (Traditional: 楚留香; Simplified: 楚留香).

Gu Long (Traditional: 古龍; Simplified: 古龙).

Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).

Star Troupe (Traditional: 星組; Simplified: 星组).

Takarazuka Revue (Traditional: 寶塚歌劇團; Simplified: 宝塚歌剧团).


References:

"Wuxia", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuxia
(accessed 2015-11-12).

"曹植", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%9B%B9%E6%A4%8D
(accessed 2015-11-12).

"古龍", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E5%8F%A4%E9%BE%99
(accessed 2015-11-12).

"楚留香", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%A5%9A%E7%95%99%E9%A6%99
(accessed 2015-11-12).

"楚留香之蝙蝠傳奇 (電視劇)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%A5%9A%E7%95%99%E9%A6%99%E4%B9%8B%E8%9D%99%E8%9D%A0%E5%82%B3%E5%A5%87_%28%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87%29
(accessed 2015-11-12).

End.

[Music] Below the Lion Rock – Roman Tam

Lion Rock

 
1. Below the Lion Rock ("獅子山下") (1979) is considered by many to be the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong.

It is originally the theme song of a RTHK TV drama of the same name.

("RTHK" is Radio Television Hong Kong.)

The reason why many considered Below the Lion Rock (1979) to be the unofficial anthem is because not only does the lyrics reflect the values of post Second World War Hong Kong, this song actually has played a part in the formation of Hong Kong self-identity in the 1980s and 1990s.


2. The history of post Second World War Hong Kong can be divide into four periods:

(a) 1945 to 1967:

1945 was the end of the Second World War.

There were two separate riots in Hong Kong in the 1960s.

The 1966 riots had to do with the economy and dissatisfaction over British colonial rule.

The 1967 leftist riots was basically a spill-over from the Cultural Revolution in China.

Economically, the majority of the people of Hong Kong during this period were in the lower class.

(b) 1968 to 1984:

1984 was the year of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in Beijing.

Hong Kong people knew for certain that year that sovereignty will return to China.

The Hong Kong economy was booming during this period and many people moved into the middle class.

(c) 1985 to 1997:

1997 was the year the sovereignty of Hong Kong was returned to China.

The general tenor during this period in Hong Kong was one of anxiety and uncertainty.

The anxiety was caused by the uncertainty over how China will rule over Hong Kong.

There were waves of immigration to western countries.

On the whole, the economy of Hong Kong was doing very well.

(d) 1998 to 2014:

2014 is the year of the Umbrella Revolution.

Between 1997 and 2014, China has basically kept its promise of respecting "One Country, Two Systems".

Many Hong Kong people who has immigrated to other countries has migrated back to Hong Kong.

The one policy since 1997 that has a long term impact on Hong Kong is that China has mandated 150 people will be allowed to "immigrate" to Hong Kong on a daily basis.

The people of Hong Kong has no say on the matter and the Government of Hong Kong does not have the power to screen the "immigrants".

Although still doing well on the surface, Hong Kong during this period faced increasing competition from other Chinese cities.


3. Lion Rock is a landmark in Hong Kong.

It is visible throughout Kowloon peninsula and the north side of Hong Kong Island.

"Below the Lion Rock" is where the majority of Hong Kong people lived.

James Wong wrote the lyrics of this song and the lyrics expressed the values and aspirations of post War Hong Kong.

The singer of this song is Roman Tam.


4. Below the Lion Rock by Roman Tam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxmuQ9A0ru4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twV8deBOMwI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASXwFoKnwLk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErazHn-xBvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKMC4whUKGI


Roman Tam and his student Joey Yung:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_-EPT76hdQ


This is just the music with some old photos of Hong Kong:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYLTWjfcgWs


5. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


獅子山下 -- 羅文

人生中有歡喜
難免亦常有淚
我地大家在獅子山下相遇上
總算是歡笑多於唏噓

人生不免崎嶇
難以絕無掛慮
既是同舟在獅子山下且共濟
拋棄區分求共對

* 放開彼此心中矛盾
理想一起去追
同舟人   誓相隨
無畏更無懼

# 同處海角天邊
攜手踏平崎嶇
我地大家用艱辛努力寫下那
不朽香江名句

Repeat *, #


6. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


狮子山下 -- 罗文

人生中有欢喜
难免亦常有泪
我地大家在狮子山下相遇上
总算是欢笑多于唏嘘

人生不免崎岖
难以绝无挂虑
既是同舟在狮子山下且共济
抛弃区分求共对

* 放开彼此心中矛盾
理想一起去追
同舟人   誓相随
无畏更无惧

# 同处海角天边
携手踏平崎岖
我地大家用艰辛努力写下那
不朽香江名句

Repeat *, #


7. Names, Words and Phrases:

James Wong (Traditional Chinese: 黃霑; Simplified Chinese: 黄霑).

Joey Yung (Traditional: 容祖兒; Simplified: 容祖儿).

Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).

RTHK (Traditional: 香港電台; Simplified: 香港电台).


References:

"Hong Kong 1966 riots", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1966_riots
(accessed 2014-10-08).

"Hong Kong 1967 Leftist riots", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1967_Leftist_riots
(accessed 2014-10-08).

"Sino-British Joint Declaration", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration
(accessed 2014-10-08).

"獅子山下 (歌曲)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%8D%85%E5%AD%90%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B_%28%E6%AD%8C%E6%9B%B2%29
(accessed 2014-10-08).

End.

[Music] An Ode to Genghis Khan -- Jenny Tseng and Roman Tam

Poster for Genghis Khan (1987)

Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng

Charlene Tse

1. Chinese Verse of the Day:

陳子昂 (661 - 702)

登幽州台歌

前不見古人，後不見來者。

念天地之悠悠，獨愴然而涕下。


2. An Ode to Genghis Khan ("問誰領風騷") was the theme song of the 1987 Hong Kong TVB's television drama Genghis Khan and was sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng.

The mid-1980s was when TVB first began to film its productions inside China and Genghis Khan was filmed on location in Inner Mongolia.

Genghis Khan was a major production of TVB; judging from the cast, many of TVB's then actors were involved in this production.

The lead actress of Genghis Khan was Charlene Tse, Miss Hong Kong 1985.

She was at her prettiest in this drama.


3. I am a fan of Jenny Tseng's music.

She has a very good voice and has sung many memorable songs.

But if only one-fifth of the gossips about her in newspaper and magazines over the years are true, this is not a woman you want to get too close to.

The less said about her, the better.


4. The video are stills from the TV Drama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umc67LJKkaY

Both Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng have powerful voices that befit An Ode to Genghis Khan.


5. A music video with Roman Tam and Jenny Tsang:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAkqooM2oF8

The music is great but the video is just so-so and lacked imagination.


6. Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng in a function in 1987:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxvkeKrv-3k

The song starts at the 00:27 minute mark.


7. The video is a compilation from more than one TV dramas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y3k3Cl4iWg


8. This is just the music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwVRssq0bMg


9. Roman Tam and his music student Joey Yung:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IpmQju_Djg

This video is from 2000 when Joey Yung has her first concert.


10. Joey Yung and Hacken Lee in 2004:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl75nlPW3vI

The song starts at the 1:12 minutes mark.


11. Roman Tam passed away in 2002.

Joey Yung sang this duet solo (with Roman's voice from recording) in concert in 2010 in tribute to her teacher:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNyBP67VAec


12. A cover by Priscilla Chan and William So:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGCi9bp_LIM

The song starts at the 1:16 minutes mark.

But do excuse the video quality.


13. A cover by Mimi Chu and Wayne Lai in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-_O7sxOgPw

Mimi Chu started her performing career as a singer but has since concentrated on acting.

Wayne Lai is an actor.

There is an obvious difference between their singing abilities.


14. A cover by Joe Junior and Stephanie Cheng.

The song starts at the 2:00 minutes mark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaUHm04MOzQ

Joe Junior is a "senior" Hong Kong singer.


15. A sidewalk performance in Mongkok District in Hong Kong in November, 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sVn-Hq1G5o

And there are many more videos of this song in YouTube.


16. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


問誰領風騷 -- 羅文 & 甄妮

* 男︰長天飛沙   壯士血在狂號
女︰原野飛花   壯士懷抱冷傲
男︰一代天驕   千秋知我名號
女︰談笑做時勢   問誰領風騷

# 女︰飛奔大漠中
男︰不畏懼冷風似刀
女︰烽煙萬千里
男︰不記心中愛滔滔
女︰柔情藏必內
男︰血肉記春秋
合︰大地留著我的記號

Repeat *, #

 
17. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


问谁领风骚 -- 罗文 & 甄妮

* 男︰长天飞沙   壮士血在狂号
女︰原野飞花   壮士怀抱冷傲
男︰一代天骄   千秋知我名号
女︰谈笑做时势   问谁领风骚

# 女︰飞奔大漠中
男︰不畏惧冷风似刀
女︰烽烟万千里
男︰不记心中爱滔滔
女︰柔情藏必内
男︰血肉记春秋
合︰大地留着我的记号

Repeat *, #
 

18. Names, Words and Phrases:

Charlene Tse (Traditional Chinese: 謝寧; Simplified Chinese: 谢宁).
 
Genghis Khan (Traditional: 成吉思汗; Simplified: 成吉思汗).

Hacken Lee (Traditional: 李克勤; Simplified: 李克勤).

Jenny Tseng (Traditional: 甄妮; Simplified: 甄妮).

Joey Yung (Traditional: 容祖兒; Simplified: 容祖儿).

Mimi Chu (Traditional: 朱咪咪; Simplified: 朱咪咪).

Priscilla Chan (Traditional: 陳慧嫻; Simplified: 陈慧娴).

Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).

Stephanie Cheng (Traditional: 鄭融; Simplified: 郑融).

Wayne Lai (Traditional: 黎耀祥; Simplified: 黎耀祥).

William So (Traditional: 蘇永康; Simplified: 苏永康).


References:

"Genghis Khan", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genghis_Khan
(accessed 2013-04-19).

"陳子昂", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E9%99%B3%E5%AD%90%E6%98%82
(accessed 2013-04-19).

"登幽州台歌", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%99%BB%E5%B9%BD%E5%B7%9E%E5%8F%B0%E6%AD%8C
(accessed 2013-04-19).

"成吉思汗 (無綫電視劇)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%88%90%E5%90%89%E6%80%9D%E6%B1%97_%28%E7%84%A1%E7%B6%AB%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8A%87%29
(accessed 2013-04-19).

End.

[Music] Roman Tam - Through Many Winds and Rains

1. Kenny Rogers famously sang in The Gambler (1978):
          You've got to know when to hold 'em,
          Know when to fold 'em,
          Know when to walk away,
          Know when to run.

What should an artist do when he pass the peak of his singing career?

Should he hold 'em or fold 'em and walk away?

That was the question Roman Tam was facing back in the mid-1980s.

"Through Many Winds and Rains" ("幾許風雨") (1986) is a reflection of Roman Tam's experience after he decided to hold 'em; it became his signature song.


2. Roman Tam was born in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China; his ancestor was from Guangxi Province.

Roman Tam passed away in 2002 from liver cancer.

Two personal details of Roman Tam that might cause some confusion:

(a) Officially, he was listed as born in 1950.

But according to his obituary, Roman Tam was born in 1944.

Given the Chinese practices of his era, the obituary probably gave the correct birth year.

(b) Using "羅文" as his Chinese name, one would expect his English last name to be "Law" or "Loh" or some such.

But Roman's Chinese last name is actually "譚" ("Tam").

 "羅文” is just a Chinese transliteration of "Roman".

Roman Tam went to Hong Kong in the early 1960s.

He held some menial jobs before beginning his singing career in the late 1960s.

Roman Tam caught his break in 1976 by singing the theme song for the Cantonese dubbing of a Japanese TV drama; his career peak around the mid-1980s.

The climb down from the peak was not easy for Roman Tam - many people casted derisions and pigeon-eye at him.

And this experience resulted in a great inspirational song "Through Many Winds and Rains".


3. I like to thank my brother for pointing out to me that "Through Many Winds and Rains" is actually a Cantonese cover of a Korean original.

The original music and lyrics was by Choo Se Ho, the singer was Koo Chang Mo and the song came out in Korea in 1985:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3doU7eKHsM

And twenty years later in 2005:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjL-C9FvXHQ

Beautifully sung!


4. The 1986 Cantonese version by Roman Tam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31wdh95vOvk

His signature song!


5. I believe the video is the original from 1986's TV broadcast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQmiPOe1NqY

But the music is remixed from CD.


6. A new interpretation of the song in 1996 by Roman Tam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TozzJUN3h0

Really nice.


7. Karaoke version by Roman Tam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzZAN4jzpl4


8. A concert version by Roman Tam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrUBbG8Vetc

The video is of very good quality.


9. A cover by Sam Tsang:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5P7OPtB6Ts

And from his album "Hong Kong Legend":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpS6mC3__4g

An interesting arrangement with some Jazz feels.


10. A partial cover by Sammi Cheng in 2001:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNbe-Kd7h5w

Sammi Cheng is known for her off-key singing - so better than I expected.


11. A cover by Eason Chan in 2003:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhUB4N80W1U

As many have noticed in the Comments in YouTube, the Cantonese lyrics have an inspirational element that is lacking in Eason Chan's interpretation of the song.


12. Kenneth Chan is a famous TV host in Hong Kong:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Ih_UKlu2U

This is the first time I hear him sing; not too bad.


13. A cover by Tony Lui:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMeQ6WfKO9g

Although the interpretation is quite off, but nice try.

The venue for the singing is the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong.

"The Avenue of Stars (Chinese: 星光大道), modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry." ("Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong", Wikipedia.)


14. Another performance at the Avenue of Stars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY5oZRPUkgY

I like this version much better.


15. A good cover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoBM_eQWZNs


16. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


幾許風雨 - 羅文

無言輕倚窗邊   凝望雨勢急也亂
似個瘋漢   滿肚鬱結   怒罵著厭倦
徐徐呼出煙圈   回望以往的片段
幾許風雨   我也經過   屹立到目前

* 一生之中誰沒痛苦   得失少不免
看透世態每種風雨   披身打我面
身處高峰   嘗盡雨絲   輕風的加冕
偶爾碰上了急風   步伐末凌亂
心底之中知分寸   得失差一線
披荊斬棘的挑戰   光輝不眷戀

悠然想起當天   無盡冷眼加嘴臉
正似風雨   每每改變   現實盡體驗
無求一生光輝   唯望鬥志不會斷
見慣風雨   見慣改變   盡視作自然

Repeat *

悠然推窗觀天   雲漸散去星再現
雨線飄斷   似我的臉   熱淚聚滿面
然而不死春天   全賴暖意不間斷
似你的臉   叫我溫暖   伴著我步前
似你的臉   叫我溫暖   伴著我步前


17. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


几许风雨 - 罗文

无言轻倚窗边   凝望雨势急也乱
似个疯汉   满肚郁结   怒骂着厌倦
徐徐呼出烟圈   回望以往的片段
几许风雨   我也经过   屹立到目前

* 一生之中谁没痛苦   得失少不免
看透世态每种风雨   披身打我面
身处高峰   尝尽雨丝   轻风的加冕
偶尔碰上了急风 步伐末凌乱
心底之中知分寸   得失差一线
披荆斩棘的挑战   光辉不眷恋

悠然想起当天   无尽冷眼加嘴脸
正似风雨   每每改变   现实尽体验
无求一生光辉   唯望斗志不会断
见惯风雨   见惯改变   尽视作自然

Repeat *

悠然推窗观天   云渐散去星再现
雨线飘断   似我的脸   热泪聚满面
然而不死春天   全赖暖意不间断
似你的脸   叫我温暖   伴着我步前
似你的脸   叫我温暖   伴着我步前


18. Names, Words and Phrases:

Roman Tam (Traditional Chinese: 羅文; Simplified Chinese: 罗文).

Eason Chan (Traditional: 陳奕迅; Simplified: 陈奕迅).

Guangdong (Traditional: 廣東; Simplified: 广东).

Guangxi (Traditional: 廣西; Simplified: 广西).

Guangzhou (Traditional: 廣州; Simplified: 广州).

Kenneth Chan (Traditional: 陳啟泰; Simplified: 陈启泰).

Off-key (Traditional: 走音; Simplified: 走音).

Pigeon-eye (Traditional: 白鴿眼; Simplified: 白鸽眼).

Sam Tsang (Traditional: 曾航生; Simplified: 曾航生).

Sammi Cheng (Traditional: 鄭秀文; Simplified: 郑秀文).

The Avenue of Stars (Traditional: 星光大道; Simplified: 星光大道).

Tony Lui (Traditional: 雷若天; Simplified: 雷若天).


References:

"Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_of_Stars,_Hong_Kong

(accessed 2012-02-28).

"Roman Tam", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Tam
(accessed 2012-02-28).

"羅文", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/%E7%BE%85%E6%96%87
(accessed 2012-02-28).

"羅文", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%BE%85%E6%96%87
(accessed 2012-02-28).

End.