AN ASIAN AMERICAN ZINE
ON CHINESE MUSIC & MELODIES BY: ANNIE JIAYING WU
Foreword
歌⽶ highlights and showcases some songs and artist listened to
by the larger Chinese American community, whether old or young in age, music transcends borders and remind many immigrants and their children of their roots and where they came from. -It's waking up to my mom blasting Cantonese songs for me... Growing up, my mother love singing and listening to music whenever she cooks, cleans, or relaxed. As I grew up, I found an appreciation and love in listening to some of her favorite Chinese songs —humming and dancing to these beats in the shower, when I’m in the car, or when I’m studying. Now that I'm older, I realize these ethnic songs are more than just tunes, but a refined medium for cultural connection and remembrance no matter where you are. I created this zine to explore stories and the meaning others hold to their favorite Chinese song. This zine is split into two parts, where I interviewed both the younger and the older generations about their favorite melodies and why. I wanted to compare and contrast music tastes throughout generations and individuals. I am excited to share their mini-stories with you. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their little token of happiness of songs to this. Let's dive right in!
⼀起⾛过的⽇⼦ Andy Lau
"The song describes how quickly life passes by and how you should experience it to the fullest or live with the regret. While there are American songs that convey the same meaning, this one really drives home the idea because my parents aged with the song and I grew up hearing it in my household. The traditional instruments used, the lyrics, the fact that it’s “aiya he was so good looking!” 59-year old Andy Lau singing all combine to give me a sense of nostalgia and regret for a past i’ve never experienced and my parents don’t seem to ever forget, and especially when I see my mom/aunts/uncles pour their heart into this song on karaoke night." "It’s a bit like going home! At my dad’s get-togethers with his friends, I’d always have to play the keyboard for the adults to sing, but the Chinese songs they sang would always have this same relaxed beat. All I had to do was use that same rhythm setting on the keyboard and play whatever chord the song was in, so I would never change much between songs. They don’t meet up anymore, but whenever I hear Chinese music with that same beat, I always think about those parties! When I hear American music, I associate the song with when I first heard it or the person who recommended it so me, but there’s not really a unifying factor that makes me hear a new song and think “oh! i’ve missed this.”
無⼼害你 Sussana Kwan
"This song is from my grandma's favorite TV Drama Series. It's one of my most memorable Chinese songs because I would remember watching the show with her and this song would play at the beginning of each episode. "I don't understand Chinese (Cantonese) as well as the songs I usually listen to in English, but Chinese music does make me think of my grandparents and how they love Chinese music."
不能说的秘密 Jay Chou
"I feel relaxed and chill when I'm listening to this song. Can't relate to it, but the lyrics are really well written." "It makes me feel at home, since I'm ethnically Chinese. Though I am still lacking in the Chinese language, I still feel a sense of culture & belonging to their music. "
Forever Love Leehom Wang
"This song makes me think of my mom. It makes me feel nostalgia back to my childhood days. It makes me feel warm and joyful. "Chinese music is more related to family in my opinion, American music comes from my own identity other than from my parents or family members."
致親愛的⾃⼰ 梅朵 (Mei Duo)
"I really like the melodies of the song. I don't get tired of listening to it. The lyrics speak to me to cherish life and that time is short. Try to change yourself and have a better mentality. Let yourself live happily."
我的中国⼼ 张明敏 ） (Zhāng Míng Mǐn
"Because I am Chinese, I love my motherland. And I hope that my motherland will become stronger and stronger!" "I am Chinese, no matter when and where, I have the heart of the motherland!"
念亲恩 陈百强
）
(Chén Bǎi Qiáng
"The rhythm of the song is beautiful. The meaning of the lyrics deeply reminds young people to learn to appreciate the kindness of parenting and to become a competent person when you grow up."
朋友別哭 呂⽅ (Lǚ Fāng)
"This is one of my favorite songs because it reminds me that the genuine love of friends and family can encourage each of us on the road of life."