Designed by: Lay Kai En, Ashley (21-O1)
When most of us hear “xinyao”, we think of songs that our parents or even our grandparents sing at karaoke. These songs may seem distant, maybe even foreign. But in the August edition of Sick Beats, the team has decided to recommend some nostalgic 歌曲s to you.
细水长流 – Liang Wern Fook
This song describes the friendships we make during our growing up years, until saying goodbye to each other when we decide to pursue different paths in life. If fate permits, we may meet each other again soon. It was especially relevant in our grandparents/parents era, where without technology, it was difficult to keep in contact with each other, hence relationships were more precious and unforgettable. Listening to this song, you will realise the importance of true friends.
我们这一班 – 颜黎明
Have you guys heard of the 成语 ：小时了了， 大未必佳？ It came from this song, which describes a reality that has passed us. However, the meaning behind this song is an ideal school culture that every kid wishes to have experienced. Many of you will probably relate to this, relating this to early years of primary school. Though the original singer has passed on, this song will not fade from our memory anytime soon.
小幸运 – Hebe Tien
First loves, missed opportunities, unrequited love and even platonic friendships. A short song carries all these themes. This song was part of the soundtrack of the movie, 我的少女时代, a comedy-drama in the setting of a highschool. Despite its sweet melody, the lyrics carry the heavy weight of regret, reminding us that one’s first love may not always come true, but stays in the heart forever.
邂逅 – Eric Moo (巫启贤) & Huang Huizhen
The title of the song, which means 事先没有相约而遇见, directly translates to encounter/meeting by chance. This was one of the OG songs that made 新遥 popular, and was sung by 18 year old, 巫启贤, in the 1980s. The song achieved great heights in the local music industry then, and is the favourite of many Gen Ys now. Maybe you will enjoy this tune too!
童话- Michael Wong (光良)
Released in January of 2005, this song swept the whole of Asia a decade ago. Then, it was foreigners’ favourite song to sing at KTVs. The song depicts a love story mirroring a fairy tale. It presents the sacrifice that the protagonist puts in just to make his significant other happy. Nowadays, to find such a precious gem in a guy, is really worth it to keep leh. This song probably portrayed many ideals of love in our parents’ generation.
Kopi O- Eric Moo
Kopi O is a Cantonese song released in the early 1980s by Eric Moo. It was part of a SBC drama from the heartlander series “The Coffee Shop?”,an eponymous coffee shop, this song was one of the most memorable opening theme songs, with its chorus of “Kopi-O! Kopi-O!”
Step by step- Liang wern fook
This was one of Liang’s most popular songs. Among a series of catchy songs that capture life travails and joy, it was one of the favourite songs at the Sing50 mega concert
想着你的感觉-liang wern fook
Released in 1991, this song is a pop song that can be categorized as xinyao.The original composer was Liang Wern Fook, but was made famous because of Eric Moo The song talks about the emotions and longing felt after breakup and is still played on radio stations today.
等你等到我心痛-singer Jacky cheung and written by 黎沸挥
This song has a catchy tune and is fast paced, talking about how a person waits for his lover’s feelings to change but to no avail. The song describes a sense of loss, employing the Chinese phrase 心痛 as a metaphor for physical and mental pain to make the lyrics more appealing.
All these songs are oldies that we probably come across once in a while, but they were actually incredibly popular in our parents and/or grandparents generations. Do you remember listening to any of them, if not, no harm listening to these songs now! These songs are incredibly important as records about Singaporean history and the local music evolution.
The Origin* 