Dear all, it was lovely to meet you all at the IAPMS in Hong Kong. It was by far the most awesome conference experience I’ve ever had. Thanks to everyone and especially the (transnational) organizers and local hosts.
I thought I would post the translation of the lyrics of the Jay Chou song, “Listen To Your Mother,” which I played during the wrap-up “share-your-music-history” session. The song may sound…Confucianist…to some, since it promotes studying hard, filial piety, and various typical traits associated with certain normative “Asian values.”
But for those of “us” who found both pain and outlet in playing classical piano, Jay Chou’s tender lyrics and achievement are encouraging (success is one in a million but at least he succeeded). The song also tells the common transition from the classical world to pop music/culture. Canto pop singer Jacky Cheung (張學友)’s “Kiss Goodbye” (吻別) and Chow Yun-Fat’s (周潤發) movie God of Gambling (賭神) were referenced. So Jay Chou may be revealing bits of his own personal music/pop culture history as well.
Here are the lyrics and video:
Listen To Your Mom/ Jay Chou
Hey kid you must have lots of questions
Why do I gotta study drawing and talk to the piano when other kids are reading comic books
Why do I gotta sit against the wall and memorize ABCs when other kids are playing
When I got older I began to understand
Why do I run faster and fly higher than others
Everyone is reading the comic books I drew
Everyone is singing the songs I wrote
Mommy won’t show you how hard she works
In her heart lives a warm recipe
Hold her hands when you have a moment
Hold her hands and sleepwalk together
I said I wanted a big airplane, but all I got was an old recorder
Why do I have to listen to Mom
You will understand it when you are older
Listen to your mom, don’t break her heart
Grow up fast so you can protect her
Her beautiful white hair is sprouting in happiness
Her angelic magic is growing tender in warmth
In your future, music is your game
Find your game and then fall in love
Sigh, I don’t want to point you down the wrong path
So please listen to your Mom and fall in love a little later
I know all about your future
But your mom knows better
Like your classmates, you will doodle all over your school bag
But I suggest writing “mom told me to study hard”
How ironic to hear “study hard” from me
I am telling you to study hard because I don’t want to see you defeated
Keep the sweater your mom made you
On Mother’s Day, tell her you’ve kept it all this time
Oh by the way I will see Chou Yun-Fat
So you can boast your dad of the future is the God of Gambling
I cannot find love letters that I wrote from my childhood
Don’t give it away when you are done writing them
Because you will find them on the track and field just after two days
You will start to like pop songs
Because Jackie Chung is getting ready to sing “Kiss Goodbye”
Listen to Your Mom
Don’t break her heart
Grow up fast so you can protect her
Her beautiful white hair is sprouting in happiness
Her angelic magic is growing tender in warmth