A Song a day

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

13th Jun 2015 (逃學去英國 – Pong Nan)

賴床 – Pong Nan

Friday, June 19, 2015

19th Jun 2015 (爸爸今天不歸家 – Pong Nan)

The song for today is “爸爸今天不歸家” by Pong Nan. The song was released in 2006, so it is rather old. The direct English translation of the title is “Dad wouldn’t come home tonight”.

The lyrics of the song are about family issues. The protagonist said: “When I was seven, I wanted to expose your secret, but all she wants was to keep it as a secret. After ten years old, I realised that I don’t feel closely related to you. You never tried to find out how we have been, never listened, only said not to ask. And I start to worry to get close to others. Have you heard the story of my close friend’s family? I don’t know how his dad looks like, so it is just like unwritten history. Those that loves to gamble are so similar to those that like to lie. So many different stories in town, everyone is like this, so how could I mind. Dad wouldn’t be coming home tonight, would I be able to find him at the edge of the sky? The person that pretend to be so busy, so busy that I am not dare to find him. His father is also not coming back home, so every crow in the world at all the same? (this is a Chinese say, that said every crow in the world are as black as the others, to describe that everyone of a type is the same as the others in that type).If someone in the future call me dad, will I be able to fight against this trend? Have you heard of the story of bad friend’s family? Every night he keeps a knife next to his bed, make me scared. Perhaps having a strict father is similar to my situation. Who is the one that make fatherly love meaningless. If this got passed on, could you tell me? D ad wouldn’t be coming home tonight, would I be able to find him at the edge of the sky? The person that band into the door, is so drunk that I don’t want to blame him. His father is also not coming back home, could mother hold up the family? If in the future my son in law calls me dad, I wish you could treasure her. Daddy’s never coming home. Everybody’s going home. When I couldn’t search for my dreams anymore, I made up my mind to build this family. Perhaps I should thanks him for teaching me how to be a father. In the future whoever is telling me to go home, I will tell him not to worry. The love that you lack, already taught me long ago that I need to be responsible. I already stop blaming anyone.” Hope you will like the song.

Related posts:
9th Jan 2015 (賴床 – Pong Nan)

13th May 2014 (晚晚禮拜六 – Pong Nan)

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

13th May 2014 (晚晚禮拜六 – Pong Nan)

爸爸今天不歸家 – Pong Nan

(Only managed to find a live version of this song)

Saturday, June 13, 2015

13th Jun 2015 (逃學去英國 – Pong Nan)

The song for today is “逃學去英國” by Pong Nan. The direct English translation of the title is “Truancy to Britain”.

The lyrics of the song are about the protagonist wanting to escape his current life. The protagonist said: “Sitting in the classroom day dreaming. The ears are listening to the take-off and landing noise of aircraft. Kai Tak (here it is referring to Hong Kong’s old airport) is only a few minute away from the school. It is hard to accept the view of education of being accepting being normal. Blackboard is full of numbers and words that I don’t understand. In my mind, the radio station commander appeared. Planning to fill up a sick leave form at lunch time then bring my passport and air tickets without saying good bye. Spent all the money, but still wanted to say goodbye and leave this place behind. If the school rules are rubbish, truancy to a far place, but hard to reach Britain. Walked into the wall city (referring to Kowloon Wall City, which was close to Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak airport), who wanted to gaze at the runway all because of wishing the dreams to come true. Really wanted to cleanly escape this circle. Boring or tired, just wanted to make a clean cut. Couldn’t act as the prefect kid at school, only wanted to look up to those worked at the radio station. If I don’t have enough money, then I will just get a one way ticket. Leaving behind the school photo and diary to break my destiny. Spent all my money, then will served as a waiter to gain money to rent a place. If the school rules are rubbish, truancy to a far place, but hard to reach Britain. Backpacking, although not comfortable with it, but I still hope that I could create something new. Escaping to this distance place, who could ask me to stay behind. On the way, will there be good scenery or full of dirt, but anything is better than being board here. The edge of sky doesn’t have a shore. Even God couldn’t trap me now. If living is worse than dead, then why still need to think of that haven. I rather risk my life to backpack around.” Hope you will like the song.

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

逃學去英國 – Pong Nan

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

13th May 2014 (晚晚禮拜六 – Pong Nan)

The song that I chose for today is “晚晚禮拜六” by Pong Nan. The direct English translation of the title is “Every night is Saturday”. This song was from 3 years ago. It was a song that Pong aimed to do something different than his usual. It was quite successful, as the song sounds a lot more ‘fun’ than his usual, but personally I didn’t like it too much, as I like his old style much more.

The lyrics of the song are about having fun. It said that Imelda come and visit every Tuesday. That second generation, wear his suit every Sunday. He also put his hand in the pocket, and hides in the corner to stare at the protagonist. Everyone tried their best, it is like as if tomorrow is the brightest day. The last day of the year, then it is the first day of the year. He still remembers that her name is Isetan. If her normal day is not relax enough, then at night order a glass of nice wine to relax more. Tomorrow is like the end of the world, you should try to loosen yourself. Every night is like Saturday, which vegetarian doesn’t eat meat? Every night is like Saturday, your wine have added poison already. That noble is drinking yogurt and eating pop-corn. Brother Sing and Uncle Tin are warming up the champagne for bath. They wear their uniform and told Mary that she is wasting her life. They come here together to play hard like there is no tomorrow. Last day of the year and then the start of the year, he remembers that the husband of the rich lady got Kwan as surname. If you everyday life is so normal, then you need to get excited at night. Tomorrow is like the end of the world, so it is ok to loosen yourself. He scare, his jokes, all like winds that just blowed away. Talk about her stitching skill, or his cigar, he liked them both. From Monday to Sunday, he welcome everyone to treat wine like tea. Tomorrow is like the end of the world, then let loosen ourself. Hope you will like the song.

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

晚晚禮拜六 – Pong Nan

Friday, December 13, 2013

13th Dec 2013 (自知之明 – Pong Nan)

The song that I chose for today is “自知之明” by Pong Nan. The direct English translation of the title is “Self-knowledge”.

The lyrics of the song are about understanding yourself and limitations and then work out what the best you can do. It begins with the protagonist saying that he is not good looking, and doesn’t know how to attract people. He doesn’t know how to use his words to present himself. He knows that he doesn’t have to quality to lie to others, but as a frog, he still wanted a princess to take care of him. He is not funny, and only got a pair of hands. He plays his piano and sing along, making himself beautiful. He doesn’t dream to be an attractive guy, if he being one he feels that he is really pushing it. He never thought of how to rub shudder with others, he just knows how to do his best. He doesn’t like to beg others for kindness, he just wanted to be a person that knows he have got enough. He doesn’t speak well, but there is no need to be nervous as both ugly duckling and swan could both shine. He is not interested to act in front of someone. He never thought of how to rub shudder with others, he just knows how to do his best. He doesn’t like to beg others for kindness he never hated for being himself. Even if there is only one person admiring him, he is happy enough to have that person to admiring him. He knows that there is something missing in him, but all he needed to do is to be a happy man. He never wanted to make other feels good about themselves, so he never tried to cover up anything that he does. He never worries that other will see his true face. If only the piano understand him, it still doesn’t matter because he is happy. He knows that he can’t be perfect, so he will enjoy his simple life. He said he can’t force us to like him or cheer for him, but at least he told us his thought.

I really like the idea behind the lyrics; we just need to be happy and enjoy ourselves, so even if others look down on us, it doesn’t matter. I hope you will like the song.

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

自知之明 – Pong Nan

Sunday, December 1, 2013

30th Nov 2013 (為執著乾杯 – Pong Nan)

The song for today is “為執著乾杯” by Pong Nan. The direct English translation of the title is “Cheers for stubbornness”.

The lyrics of the song are about life. The protagonist said to hold up your wine glass, and let’s cheers. He opened the bottle and let all of us taste the flavour in the bottle. Let it lively feeling naturally flow. This smell, perhaps too strong and haven’t tough you for now. But he never thought of changing the flavour to suit us all, as he believes that outcast could also be great one day and show off its own beauty. So let’s cheers for his stubbornness, because it let him face all the difficulties without backing off. He believes that if he keep going and light up his heart, then he will never regret. Tonight, he wishes he could show his real nature to us. He is not going to dodge the champagne no matter who split it on him. Dancing in the wind, he felt like he is enjoying his life. We never make him feel weak. So let’s cheers for his stubbornness, because it let him face all the difficulties without backing off. He will drink from his glass even if we fill it up with strong alcohol. So let’s pass it to him as he will never excuse it. So let’s cheers for his stubbornness, allow him to load off his fake face and then join back the party. If he keep going and light up his heart, then no one could say that he didn’t deserve it. If we always cheers for stubbornness, it will allow us to face our fears and not get tired. All the good wines are produced through time, so no matter how long the road is, he will not regret. He wishes he could cheers every day. Allowing us to load off our fake self and join the party. If we keep going and light up our heart, then we will never regret. Dedication, if we keep going then we would master it. Hope you will like the song.

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

為執著乾杯 – Pong Nan

Saturday, October 5, 2013

5th Oct 2013 (時候尚早 – Pong Nan)

The song that I chose for today is “時候尚早” by Pong Nan. The direct English translation of the title is “It is still early”.

The lyrics of the song are about growing up. At the beginning, the protagonist wonder why his girlfriend could say that she understand before he even said a word. He felt that she sounds like a kidult. She is only in her twenties, it is impossible for her to understand everything. He have lost interest in everything, when he talk about her he feel sad. The more he thinks about his future, the more he feels that something bad will come up. The clock is still ticking and there are still time. Everything will have its answer, so let not touch it now. You know, it is still early. There are still many ups and downs and unknowns in your life. If you take two more steps, you will know that everything will have an end. It is still early, let’s god sort things out for you and try not to know too early. If something trying to tell you the results, try covering your ears and pretend you didn’t hear it. In your life, there are a number of hands for you to hold. Each question in your life will be solved one by one. Even when you are at your seventies or eighties, there are still many answers that you haven’t found. When you think about the points of existent, why not try out the solution one by one. If you just run in and peeped at the result, you would waste the purpose of releasing the result. Hope you will like the song.

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

時候尚早 – Pong Nan

Monday, September 9, 2013

9th Sep 2013 (六月 – Pong Nan)

The song that I chose for today is “六月” by Pong Nan. This is one of my favourite songs. The direct English translation of the title is “June”. Note that the title “六月” somewhat link to the Chinese phase “六月飛霜”. This phase literally means snowing in June. But this phase really means that something abnormal is happening, usually taken as the ‘sky’ is trying to tell us something. The reason for this meaning is that in China, June is summer, so it is impossible to snow. So this phase is used for impossible situation or something sad had happened.

The lyrics of the song are about life and sadness. It begins telling us that please not be angry that we are born in a sad era, there are no forever goods as time will past, just like snow might suddenly start falling in June. In that case, just enjoy the scenery. Sadness, just happened to be the most beautiful thing, often excited many people as many people will pity you. Your tears are shining, and caught many attention and enjoyment. We shout at the sky, but the sky never responds. Perhaps it thinks human being is just a joke. We wanted to be happy every day, but we are living in a sad world, it is not up to us to choose whether to be happy or not. There are many things that we need to give up and forget. We wanted to stop crying and not worry about anything, but to do that perhaps we need to treat cruelty as a joke first. Then we will never be scare about anything. Hope you will like the song.

13th May 2014 (晚晚禮拜六 – Pong Nan)
13th Dec 2013 (自知之明 – Pong Nan)
30th Nov 2013 (為執著乾杯 – Pong Nan)
5th Oct 2013 (時候尚早 – Pong Nan)
9th Sep 2013 (六月 – Pong Nan)
10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)
6th Jun 2012 (向前走 – Pong Nan)

六月 – Pong Nan

Monday, March 18, 2013

18th Mar 2013 (成長 – Pong Nan)

The song that I chose for today is “成長” by Pong Nan. I personally quite like this song. This song with different lyrics was sung by Candy Lo (圍牆), but as Pong wrote the song, I guess he wanted to fill in his own lyrics to express the feeling that inspired him to write the melody. The direct English translation of the title is “grown up”.

The lyrics of the song are about how our world changes when we grow up. The song start off saying that at the age of four the protagonist and his friend always go out and play in the park. But he realised that at the age of eight, they spent so much time studying that they are getting more distant as they spent less time together. He said that he had tried to trust someone, but at the end he was hurt. Though he said that he will still live his life loyally, the result might not be what he wanted, but at least he would have enjoyed the journey. Growing up might make us more distance and resistant from each other, but because of that, we need to love each other even more. Perhaps knowledge will make us unconcern about our surrounding, but we need to get used to it. If our heart is so distant from each other, perhaps we should give each other a hug to confirm our existent. The protagonist and his friend were naively planning their wedding, but at the end, they see many of their friends divorced. This makes him believe that he shouldn’t worry about the ending, as long as he enjoyed his journey then that would be enough.

I found the message of the song quite meaningful. When we were young, our world was very simple. There were no office politics. But as we grown up, the world seems to get worse, people becoming more selfish, many people just wouldn’t consider others and they just wanted to get the most out of everything without leaving anything for others. So I guess what this song tries to say is that we should let go of these negative feeling, accept the world as we know it and do our own things. When things turn bad, just think of the good time that we had. Hope you will enjoy the song.

成長 – Pong Nan

Sunday, February 10, 2013

10th Feb 2013 (一起去阿拉斯加 – Pong Nan)

The song that I chose for today is “一起去阿拉斯加” by Pong Nan. This is Pong’s newest song. I didn’t used to like Pong’s songs too much, but in recent years, I think he had developed his style. There is this unique sorrow feeling in many of his newer songs, the only singer that I think could match this is Ivana Wong. But different to Ivana, Pong’s sorrow is more realistic, whereas Ivana’s are more like a fantasy. The direct English translation of the title is “Go to Alaska together”.

This song has a great story behind the lyrics, so before I talk about the lyrics I think I should talk about the story first. Pong’s mother passed away due to cancer a few years ago (her death, I think, had created a big scar on Pong’s heart. Because of that he wrote the song “向前走”, in which he tells himself that he needs to move on.) Before his mother passed away, one day his mother took out a photo album full of photos taken when Pong’s parents travelled to Alaska. His mother told Pong that Alaska is a very special place, it is worth to travel with you love one, if she managed to recover, she said she will travel with Pong to Alaska. So to Pong, Alaska is a special, it is not a place that you would go there with anyone but the people that you truly love. His mother also said, if in the case she can’t go with him, she wishes that he could go there with his love one. So after 4 years, Pong recovered from his mother death, and he said he no longer see her death as a scar, but rather a blessing (a blessing that wishes that he could eventually found his love one).

So now onto the lyrics. The lyrics mainly describe the beauty of Alaska. It tell us that there are beautiful mountain there, snow are thick, it was quiet and peaceful. It lacks the busyness of the city. This beautiful seen need to be share with his love one. He believe that there is a person waiting for him to travel to Alaska, he would not be left out. So when he found that special someone, they would travel to Alaska together. Hope you will like the song.