I have never been too much of a lyrics or songs person. Good lyrics only marginally increase my enjoyment of good music, while bad lyrics often hinder it. When I do listen to songs, I like it when I don't understand the lyrics at all (i.e. preferably Italian/Gregorian/Tagalog). They could be singing about what they had for breakfast, for all I know or care. When I do understand the lyrics, I am liable to conduct practical criticism on them. This is especially true for me for Western pop music, which is why I almost never voluntarily listen to it, because I find the lyrics generally painful to hear (unless they are recommended by a few trusted friends who know what sort of lyrics I like).
Now, what about Chinese pop music? I would venture to say that Chinese pop lyrics can be even sillier than Western pop. You know, the cotton-candy variety that is either hopelessly naive or ridiculously forlorn. But interestingly, I actually know and listen to more Chinese music than I do Western pop.
You see, I grew up with Chinese pop. Radio 93.3 was always playing in the background at home because Mom was Chinese-educated. We spoke Mandarin at home and watched Chinese programs on TV. D was always strumming some Chinese number on his guitar in the next room. So while I grew up with a reading diet heavily slanted towards Western literature and philosophy, I imbibed Chinese pop music and television like a passive smoker. I did not (and still do not) actively seek it out, but it has become an inextricable part of the culture that molded me.
Which was why, when a trusted friend suggested it, I happily agreed and went along with her and a couple of other serious fans to the Mayday 五月天 - 离开地球表面 ("JUMP") 演唱会 last weekend.
Yes, yes, I did, with all 7100 people at the Expo, the median age of which was 16.5, and stood clapping and stomping on my feet for almost 3 hours straight. Heh.
I think I kinda missed going for Chinese pop concerts. Used to do that from time to time in Hong Kong. In fact I had a standing instruction for my secretary there to book tickets for me through the year whenever concerts came up - the standard fare was Andy Lau, Sandy Lam and Jackie Cheung. I went for some of those, which were quite entertaining. The most memorable one was Leslie's before he died - the rapport he had with the audience was incredible. Towards the end of my life in Hong Kong, I was going for mainly Taiwan gigs, who came to Hong Kong often, as I enjoyed their witty bantering on stage a lot (it helped of course that I could understand them, as opposed to only 70% for Cantonese concerts).
I think Chinese music keeps me in touch with a side of myself that is not often vocalized or presented to the world.
So ya, I am 中文派 like that. :)
Now, what about Chinese pop music? I would venture to say that Chinese pop lyrics can be even sillier than Western pop. You know, the cotton-candy variety that is either hopelessly naive or ridiculously forlorn. But interestingly, I actually know and listen to more Chinese music than I do Western pop.
You see, I grew up with Chinese pop. Radio 93.3 was always playing in the background at home because Mom was Chinese-educated. We spoke Mandarin at home and watched Chinese programs on TV. D was always strumming some Chinese number on his guitar in the next room. So while I grew up with a reading diet heavily slanted towards Western literature and philosophy, I imbibed Chinese pop music and television like a passive smoker. I did not (and still do not) actively seek it out, but it has become an inextricable part of the culture that molded me.
Which was why, when a trusted friend suggested it, I happily agreed and went along with her and a couple of other serious fans to the Mayday 五月天 - 离开地球表面 ("JUMP") 演唱会 last weekend.
Yes, yes, I did, with all 7100 people at the Expo, the median age of which was 16.5, and stood clapping and stomping on my feet for almost 3 hours straight. Heh.I think I kinda missed going for Chinese pop concerts. Used to do that from time to time in Hong Kong. In fact I had a standing instruction for my secretary there to book tickets for me through the year whenever concerts came up - the standard fare was Andy Lau, Sandy Lam and Jackie Cheung. I went for some of those, which were quite entertaining. The most memorable one was Leslie's before he died - the rapport he had with the audience was incredible. Towards the end of my life in Hong Kong, I was going for mainly Taiwan gigs, who came to Hong Kong often, as I enjoyed their witty bantering on stage a lot (it helped of course that I could understand them, as opposed to only 70% for Cantonese concerts).
I think Chinese music keeps me in touch with a side of myself that is not often vocalized or presented to the world.
So ya, I am 中文派 like that. :)
