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5th March 2011
Jay Chou TCM Ringtone... o_O
There *is* a very good reason for my being missing so long from this blog - school.Whenever finals time comes around (and that's four times a year) I go half insane. Then there are the endless tests in-between finals (midterms, quizzes, case studies)... so eventually something cracks, like my sanity.The mp3 attached is a an edited version of Jay Chou's song 本草綱目 (The Compedium of Materia Medica*) that I created when I was going crazy over my case study. So yes, this was a product of Obsession and Frustration. It's also ultimate dorkiness. Thank goodness for my obsession over Jay Chou though, otherwise I'd have nothing to run to when I need a study break. It's short enough for a ringtone (9s) so... guess what my ringtone is right now!Lyrics:馬錢子 決明子 蒼耳子 還有蓮子 (Ma qian zi, Jue ming zi, Cang er zi, and don't forget Lian zi)黃藥子 苦豆子 川楝子 我要面子 (Huang yao zi, Ku dou zi, Chuan lian zi, I want to save some face)山藥 當歸 枸杞go (Shan yao, Dang gui, Gou qi, GO)山藥 當歸 枸杞go (Shan yao, Dang gui, Gou qi, GO)看我抓一把中藥 服下一帖驕傲 (watch as I put together herbs and take a formula for pride)(The song is about having pride in Chinese culture and to stop trying to imitate other cultures.)Discussion: Interestingly, all of three herbs before "GO" (Shan yao, Dang gui, Gou qi) are herbs for Tonification. I wonder if Mr. Fang researched the herbs before he wrote the lyrics for this song. Because he needed the herbs to rhyme, it's no surprise that he put a lot of the seeds together (for the "zi"). Some of the ones listed, like "Ku dou zi", is no longer really used in modern practice (as far as I know) because of toxicity. Some are slightly toxic (like Chuan lian zi, Cang er zi, etc.), but are still used in smaller doses. Of course, if you take too much of anything you'll get some degree of discomfort. Think about swallowing down a bottle of tylenol, *that* will probably land you straight into the hospital. So the most important thing to remember is MODERATION and BALANCE.(I had to make this academic somehow...)*The most comprehensive encyclopedias on materia medica, written by Li Shizhen 李時珍 in the Ming dynasty.雖然可能性不大（因為他兩人應該找不到這裡），但倘若杰倫或方老師有感小女子此舉構成侵權，請務必告知。小女子定當速速將此貼刪除。（好久沒用這種文縐縐的詞句了！爽！）(download)
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23rd November 2010
Ten Years of Jay Chou
Ten years ago on 11/7, Jay Chou released his first album - Jay. He is and shall forever remain my favorite artist, even if one day he stops producing beautiful and amazing music. Once a favorite, always remains a favorite.
Everyone has a Jay Chou story. Most of the people I know have been touched by at least one of his songs, and very likely many of his songs resonate with them. It’s amazing how music makes a true difference in our lives. I have always been unable to resist the allure of talent. Talent, especially in music though not limited to that, always fills my heart with love and admiration.
Aka’s Stages of Jay Chou -
I. 威廉古堡&黑色幽默
The first Jay song that I heard, unlike that of most people, was 威廉古堡. The special beat and tune and especially the amazingly hysterical and ingenious lyrics were not a normal occurrence in that day and age. However, the song that made me love him as an artist was 黑色幽默 (I'm sure quite a few more people can relate to this). When I heard 威廉古堡, which was in his second album, many people had been taken by this Jay whirlwind already. As a DJ for the school radio radio, I was sadly outdated. At that time, music wasn't as readily shared as it is nowadays, but fortunately because I was a DJ, I was able to get his albums (2 at the time) from the station and after listening to the rest of the album, I decided this was a new kind of music that oozed talent and beauty. The 黑色幽默 MV was the first time I saw Jay "in person." Now, most of us would agree that Jay is... well, an average looking guy. He's not amazing impressive nor so... "special" that it would warrant a raise of eyebrow and imprint to memory. That's until you see him PERFORM. Playing two pianos with his two hands - THAT was something that I had never seen before and something that literally made my jaw drop. Talent is always more sexy than looks... and this was super sexy. This was when I found and fell in love (permanently) with an artist named Jay Chou.
II. 愛在西元前&上海一九四三
The lyrics for these two songs were what blew my mind and made me believe that beauty of poetry can actually be realized in popular music. Many have tried, a precious few had succeed, but I had not seen anything in this style. It was straight poetry, with artistry in imitation of the great poets of dynasties past. Elegantly rooted in tradition, yet with a modern beat, the lyrics plus melody truly represented a level that is difficult to be surpassed by others. These songs are simply in their own league, and are of those few songs that can actually transport one to a different time and age just by the power of music.
III. 不能說的祕密
This was the theme song of Jay's first movie of the same name. While I thought the movie delightfully exceeded my expectations (well, they were quite low considering this was a pop-singer turned director, but then, it's Jay), the song somehow struck the right chord. I probably have a special taste for songs that start calmly and subdued, and then erupts to a mist of emotions. Beautifully done.
IV. 說好的幸福呢
This song will remain forever special to me and will bring back many memories that be they painful, are a special part of my life that marked a different stage of mental maturity. It was also a song that I thought would be impossible to translate, but in the end I proved that if you put your mind to it, nothing is impossible. I wouldn't say my translation is perfect, but it brought out what I wanted to convey from this song and also highlighted how important music is to our lives. People had criticized that the MV for this song was too bland... that it did not invoke strong emotions and did not have a coherent storyline. Jay's repose was: the purpose of songs is to help people arrive at a point of release, where they can let their emotions out and set themselves free from it. Songs are not meant to drive people into further depths of despair. Thus, the song is sad enough, the MV doesn't have to take some additional stabs.I completely concur.V. 青花瓷&煙花易冷
Ok, on a final note, in the previous section I said that there is nothing impossible if you put your mind to it, but the truth is that I have not seen a remotely satisfactory translation of these two songs. They will be ongoing projects for me. I love them too much to leave them untranslated, but it will probably be a long time before I actually can find the right words. 青花瓷 and 煙花易冷 are both special because they lyrics are simply divine. 青花瓷 always brings to me a feeling of calm and a misty scene on the banks of the famed West Lake in Jiangnan. 煙花易冷 is from Jay's latest album and matches my recent interest in Buddhist states of mind. They will be challenging projects but if I ever get them finished, I will have a drink in celebration of my own efforts.
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27th October 2009
Voices for the Soul
I have always been obsessed with voices. That’s why I say that I love all music, as long as it’s good music. I especially like live music, although those usually come pretty expensive. However, as with food and travel, I think experiences are priceless and if you are able to spend some money to gain them, then you should definitely go for it.
Last year I went to quite a few concerts -
1) Eason - 2/26
2) Hins - 8/27
3) MUCC - 12/15
4) Jay - 12/21I’m sure my friends are no stranger to my Jay Chou obsession. I ended up crying at Jay’s concert, but all of the above concerts were 100% worth watching. There’s just no word for that warm fuzzy exploding feeling in my chest that I get whenever I’m listening to live music. It’s as if a different me comes alive within me. It’s a sort of exciting, thankfulness, and just contentment that come with knowing that I am standing in front of people who love their arts as much as I love mine, and they are able to share it with other people, which is what I’m trying to do. I appreciate anyone with the passion to drive themselves forward on a “road less traveled,” but are especially thankful that they exist to show us that it is possible to attain your dreams.
To me, music is the source, container, and storyteller of life. Appreciating music is like appreciating life itself, because we identify with the lives that music tells with its unique language. This isn’t an ode to music, but I think just something that all music lovers know but don’t always express. I always remind myself that it is for this reason that I became a radio host, it is for this reason that I translate lyrics, and it’s for this reason that I still shell out those dollars to go see concerts. I hope you will do the same.Aside from singers and music, voices themselves trigger something in my heart. It's as if a voice can physically touch me and make me tremble, joyous, sad, angry... in love. That explains the obsession I have had with Seiyuus (voice actors) since young. If I close my eyes, I can visualize an entire world just by a person's voice. Perhaps that's why I love(d) being a radio host. My voice is nothing special, but I know that through my voice, or my words, I can bring comfort to many many people. Such is the amazing thing that is the human voice.
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7th April 2009
紐約唐人街惡搞（改自周杰倫上海1943）
本曲改自周杰倫周董的上海1943。這曲子有種懷舊的調調﹐還有一種像是時光穿梭的感覺﹐所以不幸雀屏中選。 這篇應該算是半惡搞吧﹖請各位原諒我的惡趣味…
堅尼路旁邊建起遊客訪站
金色的長龍被困鐵欄中間
可惜油漆上得真太過刺眼
不是龍才能代表我的模樣珠江百貨商品是各色各樣
無奈衣服穿上就開始走樣
到底只是為了遊客的銅板
無奈只好另外找別家店孔子像的頭上鳥糞已堆滿
偶爾還有鳥兒游蕩
儒家先賢最近只能充當相約碰面的地方生活的 腳步聲 匆匆忙忙
何時有 能停下 回首的空檔
剩下的 舊破爛
卻原來充當著日後溫馨的記憶和回想
當天的 景象是 陌生平凡
許多年後 回看 卻仍有印象
鞦韆板 雞翅膀
心中的記憶盒保存的是遺忘不了的點滴過往（原歌詞）
上海一九四三
詞:方文山 曲:周杰倫泛黃的春聯還殘留在牆上
依稀可見幾個字歲歲平安
在我沒回去過的老家米缸
爺爺用楷書寫一個滿黃金葛爬滿了雕花的門窗
夕陽斜斜映在斑駁的磚牆
鋪著櫸木板的屋內還瀰漫
姥姥當年釀的豆瓣醬我對著黑白照片開始想像
爸和媽當年的模樣
說著一口吳儂軟語的姑娘緩緩走過外灘消失的 舊時光 一九四三
在回憶 的路上 時間變好慢
老街坊 小弄堂
是屬於那年代白牆黑瓦的淡淡的憂傷消失的 舊時光 一九四三
回頭看 的片段 有一些風霜
老唱盤 舊皮箱
裝滿了明信片的鐵盒裡藏著一片玫瑰花瓣 -
21st March 2009
Castle William
Castle William (Jay Chou; also inspired by "backwards clock"靈感來自周杰倫歌曲“的威廉古堡”“與“反方向的鐘”)
3:29 "candles can't replace sunlight, but at least they'll stay quiet until twilight."3:11 the sun hit three in Jacquelyn's church as she was dragged into the ivy fortress. lala-u. you cleaned your paws under the cupboard; i looked up ads looking for a diligent and loyal butler in the newspaper.2:20 "you are being difficult! you know i can't fly!"; he canceled afternoon tea. the young man stretched and snuggled in beside the count and closed the lid. you tried to lower the shades. i swallowed my disobedient lunch before she found her broom.2:18 "drat. it's so hard to find another blood type AB rat." lala-u. she searched for her broom. the count laughed; you rubbed his temples to remind him the time. i tripped over his tea set.2:03 "oh dear, we must do something about those weeds;" the cat's stomach growled. Jacquelyn gave up catching her pet on foot. you chuckled and put down your silver cup. i crossed my legs on your box-bed where i sat.2:01 "i prefer to be served before dinner." lala-u. the pig buried his bible back into the mud. Witch danced through the dark halls. you lifted your skirt to run faster. i contemplated skipping tea.1:55 "i don't want a big meal before napping." he toyed with your fangs. Butler kissed his palm and bible; you curve your back, preparing for attack. i had my eye on this rat since three days ago.1:50 "you took my dinner!"; he grinned; the young man tightened his embrace. lala-u. you crept out from below the stove with mud and bible in hand. i found it first.1:41 meow. she chased her pet. the count tilted his head toward his snack. you drew a red petal on his chin. i wished someone would had waited for my prayer.1:30 the cat abandoned her pillow-home for her dinner. Jacquelyn bat her blue eyes indignantly. you laughed. i made a cocktail of blood and eyebrow.1:27 Witch yawned. you scolded me for snacking before dinner. lala-u, i licked my lips.1:24 you hiss from behind the pillow. i swept under the bed.12:02 i slept.
Cast:the count, master of the castle; a vampire
the count's lover, a young man
Jacquelyn, a witch who can't fly
Witch the cat, Jacquelyn's pet who, like Jacquelyn, also likes having mice of the blood type AB for lunch
Butler the pig - the butler who always prays before eating dinnerThe speaker shifts over one with every sentence. -
3rd February 2009
Simple Love 簡單愛 (Jay Chou 周杰倫, TR: Aka)
Simple Love (Translated by Aka)
I can’t really say why
that I’m acting so bold.
When you fall in love
then anything is worthwhile to do.
I wanna announce to the world
how attached I am to you
that even the neighbors can guess
how I feel.Wind on the riverside
blowing waves into your hair.
Holding your hand
I’m suddenly so touched.
I wanna to take you
back to grand-ma’s house.
Watch the sunset together
until we both fall asleep.I wanna hold your hand and never let go.
Oh Just. Like. This.
Can love just stay innocent
and free from sorrow?
I -
wanna take you on a bike ride.
I -
wanna take you to a ball game.
Just like this without a care
singing our song
and walking along.I wanna hold your hand and never let go.
Oh Just. Like. This.
Can love just stay simple
and free from hurt?
You -
resting your head on my shoulder.
You -
falling asleep on my chest.Life, Just. Like. This.
I love you.
You love me.Just a little sim-ple love~
Just a little sim-ple love~T/N 2/2/09: Another translation for Evita. She wanted something upbeat… which made me realize it’s really HARD to translate HAPPY stuff. T_T
(original)簡單愛
曲 : 周杰倫 詞 : 徐若瑄 說不上為什麼 我變得很主動
若愛上一個人 什麼都會值得去做
我想大聲宣佈 對妳依依不捨
連隔壁鄰居都猜到我現在的感受河邊的風 在吹著頭髮飄動
牽著妳的手 一陣莫名感動
我想帶妳 回我的外婆家
一起看著日落 一直到我們都睡著我想就這樣牽著妳的手不放開
愛能不能夠永遠單純沒有悲哀
我 想帶妳騎單車
我 想和妳看棒球
想這樣沒擔憂 唱著歌 一直走我想就這樣牽著妳的手不放開
愛可不可以簡簡單單沒有傷害
妳 靠著我的肩膀
妳 在我胸口睡著
像這樣的生活 我愛妳 妳愛我想 簡！簡！單！單！ 愛~~~~~~~~~~
想 簡！簡！單！單！ 愛~~~~~~~~~~ -
28th January 2009
What about the Happiness Promised? 說好的幸福呢 (Jay Chou 周杰倫, TR: Aka)
What about the Happiness Promised? (Translated by Aka)
Your replies are in disarray
at this time, on this day.
I remember the doves by the fountain side
scattering happiness on their way.
Struggling emotions are trying to convey
that: Hey,
I still love you.
But you sing in broken strings and pretend
that everything’s the same.As time goes by, runs away,
love has choices to make.
You grow so distant, and tired,
then I cried.
You write your feelings on a card
from the sorrow in the start
I finally understand
love that can’t be given
must end. What is it?
You are exhausted.
What about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s okay, let’s not say it,
love grows gray, and dreams faded.
You don’t want to let go
of happy times and those not,
recalling each by heart.
I will always remember our past love
so deeply engraved into my thoughts, butYou won’t wait,
what about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s my fault, dry the tears,
I’ll release your hands,
then face regret.
Just that memory’s music box
still spins and sings
How can I make it stop?What is it?
You are exhausted.
What about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s okay, let’s not say it,
love grows gray, and dreams faded
I still remember.
You won’t wait,
what about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s my fault, dry the tears,
I’ll release your hands,
then face regret.
Just that memory’s music box
still spins and sings
How can I make it stop?1/23-1/27/09 T/N: Finally. Something I’ve been wanting to do for myself. Done. N drafts: 1) direct trans, 2) line break, 3) rhyme, 4) feel, 5) fit to melody… repeat… N) overall. Yes, you can sing to this if you don’t care about things getting thrown at you. It could use a new arrangement. ^^(original)說好的幸福呢
填詞 : 方文山 作曲 : 周杰倫 監製 : 周杰倫你的回話凌亂著 在這個時刻
我想起噴泉旁的白鴿 甜蜜散落了
情緒莫名的拉扯 我還愛你呢
而你斷斷續續唱著歌 假裝沒事了時間過了 走了 愛情面臨選擇
你冷了 倦了 我哭了
一開始的不快樂 你用卡片手寫著
有些愛只給到這真的懂了怎麼了 你累了 說好的 幸福呢
我懂了 不說了 愛淡了 夢遠了
開心與不開心 一一細數著 你再不捨
那些愛過的感覺都太深刻 我都還記得你不等了 說好的 幸福呢
我錯了 淚乾了 放手了 後悔了
只是回憶的音樂盒還旋轉著 要怎麼停呢怎麼了 妳累了 說好的 幸福呢
我懂了 不說了 愛淡了 夢遠了 我都還記得
妳不等了 說好的 幸福呢
我錯了 淚乾了 放手了 後悔了
只是回憶的音樂盒還旋轉著 要怎麼停呢 -
23rd January 2009
Silence 安靜 (Jay Chou 周杰倫, TR: Aka)
Silence – Jay Chou (TR: Aka)
Only the piano remains with me
to play through the day.
The cello sleeps, quietly, aged.I guess you have made it very clear.
I understand, and I know,
you have no reluctance to let go.You said you feel sad too -
but I don’t believe you.
Holding your hand to keep me company,
that was only in the past.
I hope that he truly
loves you more than I,
so that I may
force myself to say good bye.It’s so difficult what
you want me to say,
I don’t want us to part way.Why then,
do you want me to
smile and pretend.
My talent is not to that extent,
to forgive you and accept him.Don’t worry too much, I’ll be fine.
You are already so far,
I will also walk
away slowly with time.Why, even in departure,
must I do it your way?
I really don’t have the ability,
silence doesn’t come this easily.I will learn to give you up.
It’s only because
I love you too much.T/N: Specially translated for my dear friend Evita. Google’s good for a lot of things… but not song lyrics.安靜 - 周杰倫 (original)只剩下鋼琴陪我彈了一天
睡著的大提琴 安靜的舊舊的我想你已表現的非常明白
我懂我也知道 你沒有捨不得你說你也會難過我不相信
牽著你陪著我 也只是曾經
希望他是真的比我還要愛你
我才會逼自己離開你要我說多難堪 我根本不想分開
為什麼還要我用微笑來帶過
我沒有這種天份 包容你也接受他
不用擔心的太多 我會一直好好過
你已經遠遠離開 我也會慢慢走開
為什麼我連分開都遷就著你
我真的沒有天份 安靜的沒這麼快
我會學著放棄你 是因為我太愛你
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Sze K. Aka Chan's Posterous
歸去，也無風雨也無晴。
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