More rewritten songs... (by Michelle Chan)

After reading the previous post about rewritten Japanese pop songs, I also want to share with you other rewritten English pop songs, which were also common in 1980s and 1990s in Hong Kong.

I always think that writing Cantonese lyrics is particularly challenging, as Cantonese has nine tones. It is hard for lyricists to fill in the right words into a particular melody to make the song harmonic, otherwise the lyrics sound strange. Here is an example of a Cantonese song that is not harmonic:

Apart from tones, lyricists also need to write meaningful and sensible lyrics and make rhymes. For rewritten songs, lyricists tend to write lyrics that have similar themes as the original song. It is in fact like translating a song in a rhythmic way. So I think writing lyrics for a rewritten song is more challenging than writing lyrics for an original song. But below is a good example. The original song is "Laughter in the Rain" by Neil Sedaka, and the rewritten Cantonese song is 「沙沙的雨」by Anthony Lun (倫永亮) and David Lui (呂方). Both songs are about the happiness of walking in the rain with the singer's lover.

Laughter in the Rain
Strolling along country roads with my baby
It starts to rain, it begins to pour
Without an umbrella we're soaked to the skin
I feel a shiver run up my spine
I feel the warmth of her hand in mine

Oo, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside

After a while we run under a tree
I turn to her and she kisses me
There with the beat of the rain on the leaves
Softly she breathes and I close my eyes
Sharing our love under stormy skies

Oo, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside
I feel the warmth of her hand in mine

Oo, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside
Oo, I hear laughter in the rain
Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Oo, how I love the rainy days
And the happy way I feel inside
(repeat and fade)

沙沙的雨
＊合︰HU　沙沙的雨裡有我
聽你再笑我　未及舊時傻
HU　沙沙的雨扑你我
當天想再過　你知道麼

倫︰誰在敲窗　仿佛小雨輕輕的
聲線親匿　多年舊相識
呂︰曾陪伴一起　風中飄晚空飛
感覺輕灑　街頭像野馬
倫︰原來從前人曾經不羈

重唱　＊

呂︰懷念當初　當心中有小風波
跟你一起　瘋狂地高歌
倫︰流淚一刻　彼此裝雨沾濕c
今晚歡喜　竟重遇到你
呂︰連忙來逢迎難得一起

重唱　＊,＊

呂︰誰在敲窗　仿佛小雨輕輕的
聲線親匿　多年舊相識
倫︰曾陪伴一起　風中飄晚空飛
感覺輕灑　街頭像野馬
合︰原來從前人曾經不羈

重唱　＊,＊,＊


There are many Cantonese songs that are rewritten from English or Japanese songs. But that doesn't mean that Chinese songs are inferior. An English song called "Take Me to Your Heart" by Michael Learns to Rock is in fact rewritten from Jacky Cheung's (張學友) 「吻別」! Chinese songs can also be popular in Western countries. Below are the lyrics:

吻別

前塵往事成雲煙　消散在彼此眼前
就連說過了再見　也看不見你有些哀怨
給我的一切　你不過是在敷衍
你笑的越無邪　我就會愛你愛得更狂野

＊總在剎那間　有一些了解　說過的話不可能會實現
　就在一轉眼　發現你的臉　已經陌生不會再像從前
　我的世界開始下雪　冷得讓我無法多愛一天
　冷得連隱藏的遺憾　都那麼的明顯

＃我和你吻別　在無人的街　讓風痴笑我不能拒絕
　我和你吻別　在狂亂的夜　我的心　等著迎接傷悲

想要給你的思念　就像風箏斷了線
飛不進你的世界　也溫暖不了你的視線
我已經看見　一齣悲劇正上演
劇終沒有喜悅　我仍然躲在你的夢裡面

Take Me To Your Heart

Hiding from the rain and snow
Trying to forget but I won't let go
Looking at a crowded street
Listening to my own heart beat

So many people all around the world
Tell me where do I find someone like you girl

(Chorus)
Take me to your heart take me to your soul
Give me your hand before I'm old
Show me what love is - haven't got a clue
Show me that wonders can be true

They say nothing lasts forever
We're only here today
Love is now or never

Bring me far away

Take me to your heart take me to your soul
Give me your hand and hold me
Show me what love is - be my guiding star
It's easy take me to your heart

Standing on a mountain high
Looking at the moon through a clear blue sky
I should go and see some friends
But they don't really comprehend

Don't need too much talking without saying anything
All I need is someone who makes me wanna sing
(Chorus)

It was said that music is the common language of human. No matter in what language the songs are sung, good music can be appreciated by people with different languages. So rewritten songs is a medium for people with different languages to share local music.