Is there a Chinese song equivalent to "Arirang"?

auntie68
April 08, 2008, 12:45 AM posted in General Discussion
I'm just curious to know -- are there any Chinese songs which are universally loved by Chinese people, and have come to represent "Chinese-ness", which means as much to them as "Arirang" has come to mean to the Korean people? And do please tell me about any songs which mean something very special to the people in your countries, wherever that may be! Thanks! 
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auntie68
April 08, 2008, 12:50 AM

For me personally, the songs "Bengawan Solo", and "Rasa Sayang" instantly make me feel at home. Also one somewhat less well-known song, "Es Lilin", which has been interpreted by so many artistes including Kartina Dahari and one Sundanese singer whose name I just cannot remember (Diah?). Another popular song which was a huge hit, with numerous cover versions, is "Anak" by Freddy Aguilar. Probably because the lyrics translated so well into Malay (from Filipino).

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bazza
April 09, 2008, 07:13 PM

Here is a really nice one I found on Neocha. 那天阳光静静洒在我们的肩膀 可曾想到如今我们会过的如此忧伤 手牵着手穿过迷茫 把眼泪都丢在路上 任凭风吹落 那脚印还清晰 留在你我身旁 那个回也回不去的夏天 任回忆总睡在我枕边 我还来不及.... 只能把思念画在天边 那些挥也挥不去的誓言 还清晰的回荡在耳边 既然未曾留下共同的相片 就让这无悔的青春留在那夏天 那个清晨雨滴轻轻的在窗边敲响 谁会想到就此一别就在没有花的芬芳 你我何必如此感伤 把眼泪都丢在路上 任岁月划过 那笑容还依然 留在你我心上 那个回也回不去的夏天 会永远的留在我心间 风清云残 只有把遗憾都系在琴弦 那些挥也挥不去的誓言 还清晰的回荡在耳边 既然未曾留下共同的相片 就让这无悔的青春留在那夏天 那个回也回不去的夏天 是隔岸的一袅袅青烟 无能为力.... 只有谣望看青烟尽散 那些挥也挥不去的誓言 还清晰的回荡在耳边 既然未曾留下共同的相片 就让这无悔的青春留在那夏天

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hitokiri6993
April 08, 2008, 02:00 AM

PS...from a TV show called WOWOWEE..

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changye
April 08, 2008, 02:08 PM

Hi auntie68, First of all, let me just say, sorry, I have no clear answer to your question. I hope that our Cassie would later post a charming answer for you, but if you twist my arm, I will show you a video clip of 茉莉花 (mo4 li4 hua1, jasmine) sung by 宋祖英, one of the most prestigious artists in China. She is my second most favorite female Chinese singer, following 邓丽君. http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=kcR1XLC8lso&feature=related By the way, in Japan we have a great number of children’s songs and folk songs about animals, insects, nature, and things in everyday life. And most Japanese people (even my old mother), more or less, can sing them. When I walk my dog, I often sing (sotto voce) some of them on the street. Would you please listen to some of my favorite old Japanese songs? 赤とんぼ (红蜻蜓, Red Dragonflies) http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=DeJr9WQzdDA ふるさと (故乡, Home, Sweet Home) http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=fyooHu9x3Nc

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auntie68
April 08, 2008, 11:42 PM

Dear changye, thank you for the youtube clips. "Red Dragonflies" and "Home, Sweet Home" are songs which I have loved since childhood (even though I'm not Japanese). All the best -- auntie68

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cassielin
April 09, 2008, 02:08 AM

Auntie68 I bet you will love this song or may be you had already known and loved this song. As far as i concerned, this song is loved by all our chinese, especially all those海外华人华侨. It is 我的中国心 sang by 张明敏 河山只在我梦萦 祖国已多年未亲近 可是不管怎样也改变不了 我的中国心 洋装虽然穿在身 我心依然是中国心 我的祖先早已把我的一切 烙上中国印 长江长城 黄山黄河 在我胸中重千斤 无论何时无论何地 心中一样亲 流在心里的血 澎湃着中华的声音 就算生在他乡也改变不了 我的中国心 This song was first sang in 1984 CCTV Spring Festival Gala1984年中央电视台春节联欢晚会 and loved by all our chinese from then on! Cassie

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hitokiri6993
April 08, 2008, 01:56 AM

Hi auntie68! For the Chinese, i think the song MIGHT be Teresa 鄧麗君's “月亮代表我的心“ 。 It's a very popular song for all Chinese, even the Chinoys here in the Philippines. For the Filipinos, we (as in we, except me) like the song Sayaw Darling:

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changye
April 09, 2008, 03:49 AM

“中国人”, as well as “大中国”, is one of my favorite Chinese songs I often sing at karaoke bars. These songs can really arouse your nationalism and patriotism. Even I, a foreigner, unknowingly feel proud of living and working here in China when singing “大中国” with my Chinese friends. Unfortunately, we don’t have much songs of this kind in Japan, especially after the war, partly because Japanese government and people have avoided patriotic education, which has resulted in producing a lot of young people who don’t have pride in their own country and being a Japanese. 大中国 (Great China) http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=uNvYlrZrQv0

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changye
April 09, 2008, 04:07 AM

I doubt if young Cassie knows these songs that were released about ten years ago. The both of them also feature Hong Kong’s return to China and created a somewhat political sensation (or fear?) among the people in Hong Kong. “相约98” seems to refer the reunification more indirectly. 我的1997 (by 艾敬) http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=X9FHduIwgLY 相约98 (by 王菲,那英) http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/4NFIpuQcNvE/

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cassielin
April 09, 2008, 04:28 AM

Changye, I knew 相约98 in my elementary school time , i like this song very much and i just sang it last Thursday in KTV with my roommates.^_^ I know 我的1997too. Changye, you know a lot chinese songs and i can tell you like singing too! Again, i like 宋祖英very much, she is very gracious and wonderful. I knew her when i was very young with the effect of my father, he likes 宋祖英too. Oh, changye, we have 红蜻蜓here too. It is an old and classic children's song. Here is an interesting video that performed by some children, hope our dear auntie and her little仁义 will like it!

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cassielin
April 09, 2008, 04:52 AM

auntie68 and changye, Here is another song feature for Hong Kong's return to China. 东方之珠sang by刘德华and那英 小河弯弯向南流 流到香江去看一看 东方之珠我的爱人 你的风采是否浪漫依然 月儿弯弯的海港 夜色深深灯火闪亮 东方之珠整夜未眠 守着沧海桑田变幻的诺言 让海风吹拂了五千年 每一滴泪珠仿佛都说出你的尊严 让海潮伴我来保佑你 请别忘记我永远不变黄色的脸 船儿弯弯入海港 回头望望沧海茫茫 东方之珠拥抱着我 让我温暖你那沧凉的胸膛 让我温暖你那沧凉的胸膛

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changye
April 09, 2008, 05:58 AM

Hi casie, Thank you for another “HK comes back” song. 刘德华太帅了!And I hesitate to say this, but the song “红蜻蜓” you mentioned above is a Chinese cover version of the Japanese song “Red Dragonfly.” Anyway, I am very please to know that Chinese children also love “赤とんぼ”!

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cassielin
April 09, 2008, 02:16 AM

This one is 中国人sang by 刘德华 五千年的风和雨啊 藏了多少梦 黄色的脸黑色的眼 不变是笑容 八千里山川河岳 像是一首歌 不论你来自何方 将去向何处 一样的泪 一样的痛 曾经的苦难 我们留在心中 一样的血 一样的种 未来还有梦 我们一起开拓 手牵着手不分你我 昂首向前走 让世界知道我们都是中国人 五千年的风和雨啊 藏了多少梦 黄色的脸黑色的眼 不变是笑容 八千里山川河岳 像是一首歌 不论你来自何方 将去向何处 一样的泪 一样的痛 曾经的苦难 我们留在心中 一样的血 一样的种 未来还有梦 我们一起开拓 一样的泪 一样的痛 曾经的苦难 我们留在心中 一样的血 一样的种 未来还有梦 我们一起开拓 手牵着手不分你我 昂首向前走 让世界知道我们都是中国人 手牵着手不分你我 昂首向前走 让世界知道我们都是中国人 This song was wrote in 1997 in order to memorize HongKong's return to China.香港回归中国(祖国)