The Botak Singer 李代沫

I was listening to this Botak (bald man) and I must say he touched my heart. Looking tough in appearance, there's so much tenderness and sincerrity in his manly voice. From his picture, it's hard to tell his age because he keeps a beard. He's only 24 years old

I'm also proud that this song was originally sang by a Singaporean

林宥嘉-浪費

It seems like an easy task to translate 浪费 to English. The first word that comes to my mind is "waste", 2nd close word is "spend". 浪费时间 waste/spend time, 浪费钱 waste/spend money. Are these negative words? Or perhaps, it's just neutral.

When you are with someone you are close, regardless of how you feel, time is being spend/waste. But you feel great about it! It's positive.

How about waiting 30 mins for your bus? Time is also being spend/waste. Most of us would not describe this as positive.

What about waiting for someone you love? Would the time spend/waste be view as positive or negative.

Imagine you are happily married for 50 years. You have spend/waste 50 years on your spouse. Now, do you think that 浪费 is negative or positive.

This song help me to relook at the value of time. It is a resourse that you can only try your best to use it the way you want it to be, at the same time, you cannot stop it, like water from waterfall.



作詞：陳信延
作曲：鄭楠

多久了 我都沒變
愛妳這回事 整整六年
妳最好 做好準備
我沒有打算 停止一切

想說我沒有志願
也沒有事情好消遣
有一個人能去愛 多珍貴

沒關係妳也不用給我機會
反正我還有一生可以浪費
我就是剩這麼一點點倔 稱得上 我的優點

沒關係妳也不用對我慚愧
也許我根本喜歡被妳浪費
隨便妳今天拼命愛上誰 我都會 坦然面對
即使要我跟妳再耗個十年 無所謂

妳和他 沒有如願
短短半年內 開始分裂
我的愛 依舊沒變
連我自己都 對我欽佩

有的是很多資源
我有的是很多時間
不去愛才是浪費 多不對

沒關係妳也不用給我機會
反正我還有一生可以浪費
我就是剩這麼一點點倔 稱得上 我的優點

沒關係妳也不用對我慚愧
也許我根本喜歡被妳浪費
就算我再去努力愛上誰 到頭來 也是白費
不如永遠跟妳耗 來得快樂 對不對

This is a decent translation I get from Youtube.

It's been a while & I haven't change a bit
This thing about loving you, has been ongoing for half a dozen years
But you better be prepared for I have no plans on putting it to a stop
Aspirations, I have none. Neither do I any leisure pursuit
Hence how precious it is, to have someone to love
It's fine, you don't have to spare me a chance
I have a lifetime to waste anyway
What's left of me is this abstinancy/stubbornness/perseverence
And it could well be an asset of mine

Lazarus - Corrine May

Haunted by the music and words from the song Lazarus by Corrine May. Corrine has beautifully gave this passage so much dimension. Dive yourself in the song and picture the scene. I was moved.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead 

John 11

³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Lazarus (Lyrics) – Corrinne May

Don’t want to get out of bed today,
The Sun’s too bright and the world’s too grey.
I’ve given it all that I can give,
All I know of love is pain
Where were you
Where were you
When I needed you most
I was thrown to the wolves
Yet here you are,
Knocking at the door of my heart
Calling me to love, for you
And you say

Lazarus
Come out of your cave
Lazarus I don’t care if everyone
Thinks you’re dead
Or that you’ve lost your edge
I know you’re still alive
So put on your shoes
Fight for the truth
Lazarus

There’s so much in life I don’t understand
Your ways oh Lord are not our ways,
so hard to trust you when I can’t see
Forgive my little faith
Where were you
Where were you
When I needed you most
Left with your ghost
Yet here you are
Healing through your wounds and scars
Calling me to suffer for you

Lazarus
Come out of your cave
Lazarus I don’t care if everyone
Thinks you’re dead
Or that you’ve lost your edge
I know you’re still alive
So put on your shoes
Fight for the truth
Lazarus

Grant me wisdom,
Give me peace
Anoint my hands,
Unbind my feet
What was dead shall live again
For you, for you, for you

Lazarus
Come out of your cave
Lazarus I don’t care if everyone
Thinks you’re dead
Or that you’ve lost your edge
I know you’re still alive
Lazarus
Come out of your cave
Lazarus I don’t care if everyone
Thinks you’re dead
Or that you’ve lost your edge
I know you’re still alive
So put on your shoes
Fight for the truth
Lazarus

Yan Zi and JJ Lin on talk show.

Taiwanese are great at making talk show. Thanks to youtube, I get to see them also. Our Singaporean artists are well received and well loved by Taiwanese and Mandarin listener around the world.

JJ Lin shared something intimate. He was a devoted Christian. I was very touched by his father's love for him, just like how our Father in Heaven love us. (go to 36:00-38:00)

He also did a duet with his older brother. So nice to see both of them chatting on a show. (go to 42:30)



This is Sun Yan Zi on the same program with SS.

I'm very proud of them both and love their music. Way to go, Singaporean!!

黄小琥-伴

I hear this song on the radio and was dumbstruck by the words. So loving, so sincere, so raw, so unpretentious, so out of this world. Picture yourself at 90 years old and your spouse singing this song to you.

Is is human nature to desire for someone to share your live. I don't have the answer, ask those who are married. Even better, ask those who are happily married for 50 years.

黄小琥-伴

作詞：姚若龍 作曲：于曉光、李偉菘 編曲：Terence Teo

如果命运可以定做
如果有另一次选择
我想我还是会把手让你紧握
快乐的陪你去坎坷
就算你有天变落魄
就算你老的不能动
我想我还是会挽着你看日落
你的心疼在泪光中
嘴巴上彼此嫌麻烦
眼神中关怀那么满
没说爱却早已认定一辈子的伴
在人前从来不浪漫
在心中却总为对方打算
最懂的人最暖的伴


就算我以后变罗嗦
就算我老了有病痛
我想你还是会照顾我到最后
隐藏最弱不眠不休
嘴巴上彼此嫌麻烦
眼神中关怀那么满
没说爱却早已认定一辈子的伴
在人前从来不浪漫
在心中却总为对方打算
最懂的人最暖的伴


嘴巴上彼此嫌麻烦
眼神中关怀那么满
没说爱却早已认定一辈子的伴
在人前从来不浪漫
在心中却总为对方打算
最懂的人最暖的伴

哦
没有辛酸，没有遗憾
什么是陪伴，什么是心安
你是答案

18 years old

寂寞公路，分享，愛與愁, 愛要怎麼說, 有梦有朋友, 心動了

My guess is you'd know at least one of the above mentioned. These are some classic songs from Sky Wu 伍思凯.

Most recently, he came over to Singapore to promote his latest album 18. The men is now 44 years old. I'm not saying he's old, just that my last memory of him is still the boyish Sky Wu with the famous (and now infamous) Aaron Kwon hairstyle.

如果有一天，我和18岁的我相遇了，
他会认出我吗？我还记得他吗？
我们之间还有共同的话题吗？
我想除了音乐，还有感情吧。

他欣赏我现在的样子吗？还是我改变了他想要的未来呢？
狮子座的我，固执，也很坚持。
感情的事，很主观。
能创作，却真的很孤独。

如果有一天，我和18岁的我相遇，
也许我会对他说∶“Hi 小伍，你好吗？
我很好。”

What if one fine day, I met the 18 year old me. Would he recognize me? Would he remember me? What is there in common to talk about? Other than music... maybe feelings.

Would he admire the current me? Did I change the future that he sought out to be? As a Leo, I am stubborn and persistence. Concerning relationship...subjective (for the lack of a better word). Even though I can pursue (producing) music, it is a lonesome path.

What if one fine day, I met the 18 year old me. I think I would say to him: "Hi Xiao Wu, how are you?" "I'm fine".

It's an interesting dialogue. Did you ever had this kind of conversation with yourself? It might be good.

I believe in living the present, cherishing the past and looking forward to the future. There is nothing wrong being a bubbly, reckless and sunny 18 years old. Nor should we fear being wise, patient, knowledgeable 44 years old. Be grateful for what you were given, currently possess, and future blessing to be received.

This video is very "raw". Almost feels like a DIY video, but very warm feeling. I really like this video.

You can find more info about Sky Wu here

Live version of 18. http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/92/45282.html

Jeremy Monteiro's Big Band

is a Jazz Pianist, Singer, Composer and Music Educator. Singaporean.

Sara Bareilles

I was listening to Tanya's 抛物线 on youtube when someone commented that it resembles a song by Sara Bareilles. So out of curiousity, I went to check out Gravity. And I was blown away. She is amazing. The way her voice and the piano blend into one was mesmerizing. The sincerity of her voice convince you that she meant what she sings. Caution: the song will get stuck in your mind for awhile. I like the live version better. Video

Later on, I found out Love Song is by her too. It's ok for me though, a little too mainstream music for me.

望春风 Spring Breeze

Last Sat, I had a blast!!! Together with Helmut, Mike, Ivy, Liz and Elaine, we attend the inaugural Vancouver Singapore Film Night featuring Singapore-made movie Just Follow Law, Singapore Dreaming and 3 short films. Our movie marathon lasted from 430pm to 1030pm. It didn't feel that long because we were having a great time.

I am a soundtrack lover and I went away from the event with a melody stuck in my head. That melody was 望春风 (Wang Chun Feng).

Singapore Dreaming is directed, produced and written by husband and wife team Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen (founder of talkingcock.com). While they were writing the scripts (while they were in New York), Yen Yen called home in Singapore and ask mom to recall some songs when she and dad are still dating. Mom could clearly remember 望春风 (Wang Chun Feng). Hmmmm... I wonder if my mom and dad knows this song?

午夜无伴守灯下 春风对面吹
十七八岁未出嫁 见到少年家
果然标致面肉白 誰家人子弟
想要问伊惊歹势 心里弹琵琶

想要郎君做红婿 意爱在心内
等待何时君来采 青春花当开
听见外面有人来 开门该看见
月亮笑阮憨大呆 被风骗不知

-1933,

I stand alone at twilight under the lamp
The spring wind blows across my face
At 17 going on 18, I remain unwed
And then I see the young man
His face glows like ivory
To which family does he belong?
I think of asking for his hand
But my heart beats too furiously

I see him as my groom
Feelings of love fill my heart
Oh, when will the gentlemen bring
The spring wind so flowers can bloom?
I hear someone at the door
I open it to see who it might be
But I see only the moon laughing at me
I have been deceived by the wind

Modern A Capella version by David Tao.

Singapore Dreaming capture my heart with the honest story telling, delivered by a talented crew of actors who bring to the big screen an astonishingly real side of Singapore and Singaporeans.

As the host of the VSFN said, :"Singapore is not about caning and banning of chewing gum. " We are ordinary folks just like you.

Bollywood wave

Don't ask me why but I am caught on the Bollywood wave.

Akshay Kumar performing live at IIFA (International Indian Film Academy). Do you know that it was held in Singapore in 2004? Bollywood movie industry is huge and international.

Enjoy his rocking performance. This guy is 40 years young and he can sing and dance for 8mins straight, I am impressed. Some of the movies includes Namaste London and Om Shanti Om

You may skip the Spiderman intro to the 2nd min.

Free songs download.

I got free song download from my phone service provider. Since I've been listening to mostly Mandarin songs, I really don't know what songs to download.

Can you recommend some English songs? Doesn't matter if is new or old songs. The website only has English song selection.

Internet radio station.

Internet radio station.

I was traveling from Vancouver to Chilliwack. The radio is playing Hindi song. I recognize the song, it's from a bollywood soundtrack but I forget the movie title.

Due to the multicultural scene in Vancouver, the radio station also play Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu (pakistan). On weekends- Tamil, Farsi (Persian language), Bengali. http://www.redfm.ca/

On the Chinese station, the music selection includes, Mandarin, Cantonese and Min Nan Yu (Hokkien). I was listening to the top 10 album countdown, Fish Leong album was in the top 10. Last nite, I heard 要拼才会赢 (Hokkien). Interesting. http://www.am1470.com/home_c.php

I am still tuning in to Singapore station via the internet. Mostly 88.3fm and occasionally Power 98. Internet is powerful.

"I'll be home for Christmas"

No, I am not coming home for Christmas this year just like last year. I was in Hong Kong spending Christmas with the Hong Kong Church.

I'll Be Home For Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas song. However, listening to this song and knowing that I will not be going home for Christmas leaves a bitter-sweet feeling in my heart.

Videos of Nepal church of christ service

The Nepal church singing is great and full of Nepali flavour. Like I said previously, John is really well-known. The New Delhi speaker, Raji knows John. They are from the same hometown in south India.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjgZbmhnfG8
Singing Nepali song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJJNX8fJvFw
What a friend we have in Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZweHAn_OXE0
Special speaker from New Delhi Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2KmL6du8qw
HOPE director Nepal. Brother Thakur

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6ks7T77d0
Majesty

Videos- Midweek service at Seoul Church of Christ.

Took this videos at the North Region Midweek service.

I'll Be Listening


Santuary


Lord God Almighty

Singing at a pub (video)

Hang out with my friend Hansoo. He introduced me to his friend whose dad is a musician and runs a pub.

Cuts Like A Knife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZU-co0C-T8
Feelings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CbZkTC8_1Y

So some reason, this korean friend of mine reminds me of my buddy of 14 years, Sam Leong. Sam is talented in piano and singing. We used to hang out at his place playing Super Nintendo. Since he's so good on the piano, he'll play and we'll sing along to it. It was a great feeling, even better than singing in Karaoke. It's feels like singing in a live concert, only thing is our only audience are his neighbour. Some of whom are unwilling listeners. Haha, we don't care...

So even now, i still meet up with Sam. We still play video games. Instead of Super nintendo, we play PS2. My favourite game is still Street fighter. Yah, I am stuck in the SF era.

Listen to Mama. (performed by Jerry Tok)

Hey Kids, do you have a lot of questions?
Why are others reading comics
while I'm here practicing my drawing and talking to my piano.
While others are out there having fun,
I'm memorising my ABCs.
i said I wanted a big big plane
but all I got is an old old radio.
Why listen to mom?
You will understand it better by and by...
now that I'm a grown-up I understood
why I run faster than others,
fly higher that others.
Now everybody reads my comic
everyone sings the songs I penned.
mom hides her suffering from you.
the warmth of her love kept deep in her heart.
hold her hands more often
together in sweet dreams

Chorus:
Take heed of mom's words
don;t let her get hurt.
i wish i'll be a grown up
and to protect her.
Her beautiful white hair
grows abundantly in blessing.
天使的魔法　溫暖中慈祥(Help, I don't know how to translate this.)


Now that music is your trump card.
use your trump card to find a girlfriend.
Hmm... i better not tell you those things.
better listen to mom,
find a date when you get mature.
I know what I want in my life
but I think mom knows even better
soon you'll follow what others are doing
-writing graffiti on your bag
Instead, I suggest you write :"mom, I will study hard'.
"study hard" how did the word come from my month.
Study hard hard, future bright bright.
mom knitted a sweater for you.
you better properly safe keep it.
On Mothers' Day, I'll tell her I still have them.
yes you will meet Chow Yun fatt.
you can boast to your friends that the King of Gamble is your dad.
I can't find the love poet I penned
and I wouldn't give it to anyone
Because I know they ended up in the field
you'll grow to like pop song
because Jacky Chueng will be singing 'goodbye kiss'

(Chorus)

我是周杰伦的FANS! ( I am Jay Chow's fans!!)

I find myself more and more of a Jay Chow's fan. I was soaking in a bookshop yesterday after dinner and chance upon his album.
Oh yah, must tell you about my dinner. I went hunting for dinner and pass by this shop that has steam bun at the shop front. Upon closer look, they also have noodles. I ordered a basket of fresh meat bun (鲜肉包). 7 buns, a bit too much for me. Here comes the highlight-Pork rib spicy noodle. I love the soup man! Spicy, salty and dark. Nice!!
Sidetrack some more. In Singapore, you hardly see Chinese character as you go about your daily activities. I'm beginning to get use to reading mandarin. Now I read signs, shop name, book shelve description and magazine in Mandarin.
In all book stores here in China, 99%of the books are in Mandarin, except for english-chinese dictionary. (So far my experience in Chengdu and Lijiang). I spend some time to read a book on SEA, something like a mandarin version of Lonely Planet SEA. I got bored and started browsing other section. I saw Jay Chow on the cover of a book and picked it up. In it, there are over a few hundred songs by him. As I scanned thru the composer, I found a common name and that is Jay Chow himself. He composed the music for all his songs except for 1. About half of the lyrics are also written by him, the other half by 方文山 and a handful by黄俊朗.
I recommend 听妈妈的话. I know, the song title sounds cheesy but the lyrics are really meaningful and heartwarming. Jay seems to love his mum very much. He expresses how during his childhood, he couldn't understand why he have to do what mom tells him to do. Now that he's an adult in his prime like me (we're borned in the same year) he understands that everything mom says or does is for his own good.
退后 track no. 5 is great song too. A buddy of mine Paul is a great fan of Jay Chow too. Occasionally, I get a ride from him to work. That is when I was still in the airforce. Every time I hopped into his car, he's playing the same album by Jay Chow-依然范特西 He likes to boast about this song and sing along loudly to it. Beautiful music. Unfortunately, Jay's vocal range is a little too high for me to handle. More than half the time i am singing falsetto.
My Favourite song is 菊花台. First of all because it's a track from the soundtrack 黄金甲.Sing aloud especially the chorus part. Feel the the agony as you reminisce the tragedy of the story in 黄金甲. If you watch that show, you know what I mean. Everyone died... sob sob. so sad. Too bad, Jay got no acting talent.

周杰倫-菊花台

作詞：方文山 作曲：周杰倫

妳 的淚光 柔弱中帶傷 慘白的月彎彎勾出過往夜 太漫長 凝結成了霜 是誰在閣樓上冰冷的絕望雨 輕輕彈 朱紅色的窗 我一生在紙上被風吹亂夢 在遠方 化成一縷香 隨風飄散妳的模樣菊花殘 滿地傷 你的笑容已泛黃花落人斷腸 我心事靜靜躺北風亂 夜未央 你的影子剪不斷徒留我孤單 在湖面 成雙~~間 奏~~花 已向晚 飄落了燦爛 凋謝的世道上命運不堪愁 莫渡江 秋心拆兩半 怕妳上不了岸一輩子搖晃誰 的江山 馬蹄聲狂亂 我一身的戎裝呼嘯滄桑天 微微亮 妳輕聲的嘆 一夜惆悵如此委婉菊花殘 滿地傷 你的笑容已泛黃花落人斷腸 我心事靜靜躺北風亂 夜未央 你的影子剪不斷徒留我孤單 在湖面 成雙菊花殘 滿地傷 你的笑容已泛黃花落人斷腸 我心事靜靜躺北風亂 夜未央 你的影子剪不斷徒留我孤單 在湖面 成雙

周杰伦-聽媽媽的話

周杰倫《聽媽媽的話》歌詞

我是一個任性的孩子，因為媽媽很少要我聽她的話，給我看漫畫玩遊戲，送我最大的飛機，因為如此，我的想像可以飛翔，成為一個喜歡自己的人。可是現在長大了，我卻常常要媽媽聽我的話。太苛刻了，因為我沒有體諒過她的世界，跟我的可不一樣，沒有可以飛翔的空間。媽媽，辛苦了。
聽媽媽的話作曲：周杰倫填詞：周杰倫


小朋友　你是否有很多問號　為甚麼別人在那看漫畫　我卻在學畫畫　對著鋼琴說話別人在玩遊戲　我卻靠在牆壁背我的ABC我說我要一架大大的飛機　我卻得到一只舊舊螺旋機為甚麼　要聽媽媽的話　長大後你就會開始懂得這種話　哼
長大後我開始明白　為甚麼我跑的比別人快　飛的比別人高將來大家看的都是我畫的漫畫　大家唱的都是　我寫的歌媽媽的辛苦　不讓你看見　溫柔的事　是否在她心裡面有空就多多握握她的手　把手牽著一起夢遊
聽媽媽的話　別讓她受傷　想快快長大　才能保護她美麗的白髮　幸福中發芽　天使的魔法　溫暖中慈祥
在你的未來　音樂是你的王牌　那王牌談個戀愛而我不想被你教壞　還是聽媽媽的話吧　晚點在戀愛吧我知道你未來的路　幹嘛比我更清楚　你因為太多學習的同學在這塊寫東寫西但我在　媽媽我會用功讀書　用功讀書　怎麼會從我嘴巴說出不想你輸所以要叫你　用功讀書嗎
媽媽交給你的毛筆　你要好好收著因為不許告訴我　也告訴他我還留著對了　我會遇到了周潤發所以你可以跟同學炫耀　賭神未來是你爸爸
我找不到你寫的情書　你喜歡的要承認因為我會了解你　會在操場上牽她你會開始喜歡唱流行歌　因為張學友開始準備唱吻別