A Song a day: 18th May 2013 (給朋友

The song that I chose for today is “給朋友” by Jacky Cheung. This is a song from 2004. I remember I used to listen to this song a lot when I travel to uni every day. It is a song dedicated to his friends who passed away. This song is so touching, I remember when the first time I listen to it I almost cry. The lyrics aren’t anything special, but from the way Jacky sing, you can deeply feel his emotion. The direct English translation of the title is “To friends”.

The song starts off with Jacky’s monologue: “It’s December 2003, and from friends I know that you had passed away. I felt hurt, and I didn’t know how to express this feeling on my face. After work that day, when I was driving home alone, I felt the weather is getting cooler. Ar, it’s already winter.” In to the lyrics, it takes us into the soul of a person that just passed away. The soul felt as if she just woke up from sleep, and she felt very relax. She wishes that people around her to stop crying and stop being sad. The wind starts to blow, she wishes her friends will take care of themselves. If her friends understand her, they would be able to overcome their sadness .She felt that she is now living in a timeless space, she can travel miles in a second and she feel that she can finally take some rest. Her soul is still flying, looking for a green land. She will stay for a while and then will start her new journey. She knows that her friends will wish her well even when she is far far away. Jacky monologue: “On the way home, I didn’t see any one nor car. I felt lonely. I turned on the radio and it is still reporting that you had passed away. I looked out to the sky and it is dark, very dark.” The lyrics repeat, telling us that the soul wanted to stay for a little while before starting her new journey. Although she love her live, but she got to move on. Jacky’s monologue: “The journey back home felt extra-long today. I have finally reached home now, what about you…”. Back to the lyrics, the soul wishes her friend to take care of themselves and hope that they will one day overcome their sadness. She felt that she can finally take some rest.

The lyrics are very long and I hope it will help you to better understand the story behind the song. I really like this song as I found it very touching. Hope you will enjoy it as well.

31st Jan 2013 (我真的受傷了 – Ivana Wong/Jacky Cheung)

17th Jan 2013 (冷靜 – Jacky Cheung)

10th Dec 2012 (過敏世界 – Jacky Cheung)

12th Oct 2012 (葬月 – Jacky Cheung)

25th Jul 2012 (她來聽我的演唱會 – Jacky Cheung)

27th Jun 2012 (日與夜 – Jacky Cheung and Sandy Lam)

19th Mar 2012 (Something only love can do – Jacky Cheung)

給朋友 – Jacky Cheung

1 comment:

AnonymousJuly 7, 2013 at 2:00 AM
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful Cantopop classics online! Just some added background to this song, Jacky Cheung wrote this song to express his sorrow and sadness after the loss of his two closest friends in the Hong Kong entertainment scene, Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui. Notice how in the opening monologue that Jacky mentions a friend's passing in December 2003 - the song is specifically written after Anita's passing at the end of December 2003. I can still remember being so shocked and upset that these two legendary artists, with whom I grew up listening to, passed away! Anyway thanks for the song recommendation!

A Song a day

Saturday, May 18, 2013

18th May 2013 (給朋友 – Jacky Cheung)

1 comment: