Chinese music scene in Hong Kong from the 1940s to the 1960s

In 1949, great changes took place in China. Many Shanghai-era Mandarin pop singers and composers went south to Hong Kong, so Hong Kong, a British colony, became the successor of Mandarin pop music. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Hong Kong still adopted Shanghai aesthetics as the standard of quality and fashion. Therefore, the production of pop songs in Hong Kong during this period was basically still Shanghai-style. Southern singers such as Yao Li, Zhang Lu, Gong Qiuxia and Bai Guang, as well as composers such as Yao Min and Li Houxiang, all contributed to the introduction of Shanghai-style songs to Hong Kong. In 1949, under the leadership of Zhang Shankun, the Hong Kong Great Wall Film Company shot the film "Blood Stained Begonia Red", starring Bai Guang. There are two episodes in the film, "A Green in Dongshan" and "Blessing", both composed by Li Houxiang. It is an excellent work in the early days of Times Song moving south to Hong Kong. This was the golden age of Li Houxiang. He inherited the style and momentum of Shanghai in the late 1940s, and he was prolific and rich in content. At the same time, Bai Guang recorded many songs, such as "Ten Sighs" (an episode of the movie "Slut Heart") and "Send Love Brother", etc. This is the peak period of her film and singing career. "Blessing" sung by Gong Qiuxia is her masterpiece after she came to Hong Kong from the south, but she gave up her singing career in the mid-1950s and focused on her film career, so this "Blessing" can be regarded as one of her last works. "Blessing" has always been at the forefront of popular songs in the Mandarin era songs and Wu Yingyin songs of Radio Hong Kong in the 1950s. EMI, which once dominated the Mandarin pop record industry in Shanghai, established a Hong Kong office in 1952 to recruit former Shanghai singers such as Yao Li, Zhang Lu and Yi Min, and to develop new singers. Among the singers, there are three who are more noticed. The first one was Zhang Yiwen. She participated in the Miss Shanghai election in 1946. After 1949, she went south to Hong Kong to develop and became an EMI singer. She is characterized by rich emotions and a slightly hoarse alto. Lovesickness" and "Hometown". The second Hong Kong mandarin era singer discovered by EMI is Deng Baiying. She is quite special among the many mandarin era singers at that time. First, she is a native of Cantonese. Second, she sings Cantonese opera first and then sings mandarin era song. Deng Baiying’s voice is thick and rich. Although she is from Cantonese, her Mandarin pronunciation is very standard. It is almost unbelievable that she is from Cantonese. Deng Baiying’s most famous Mandarin era song was recorded in 1952. . Another famous song by Deng Baiying is "Lovesickness in Dreams", which was later sung by countless singers. The third singer discovered by EMI is Fang Jingyin. Her singing style is lively, hearty, straightforward and simple. She is known as "Xiao Zhanglu". Pai Mandarin era singer, works include "Lantern and Kite", "Selling Tangyuan". Fang Jingyin, like Zhang Lu, was good at singing Chinese lyrics and Western operas. Unfortunately, she died in a car accident in 1959. In the 1953 film "Cui Cui", the heroine Lin Dai also sang many songs in the film, among which "The Hot Sun" is the most popular. But her singing skills are really mediocre, so after she became famous, she simply sang behind the scenes in many movies. Speaking of being able to both act and sing, of course there is only Zhou Xuan in modern China, but Zhou Xuan returned to the mainland in 1951 to recuperate and disappeared from the music scene, so many Hong Kong singers imitated Zhou Xuan, among which Dong Peipei was more successful. Dong Peipei filmed the film "Golden Voice" in 1955. The story is based on Zhou Xuan's life, and one of the episodes is "Spring is Ours". In 1956, Dong Peipei recorded "Second Spring" by Yao Min, which is a work that has attracted much attention. In the history of Chinese pop songs, Chen Gexin's "Rose Rose I Love You" is the first song translated into English and spread in Europe and America, while Yao Min's "Second Spring" is the second. In fact, Yao Min entered the most creative period of his life during this period, and there were many excellent works, such as "The Spring Breeze Kissed My Face" sung by Yao Li, which was widely praised for a while. Yao Li's "Spring Breeze Kiss My Face" was written by Chen Dieyi. Yao Min composed another famous song "I Have a Love" for Wu Yingyin, and Chen Dieyi still wrote the lyrics. Li Xianglan, a Japanese singer who was popular in the Chinese entertainment circle in the 1940s, came to Hong Kong many times to shoot movies and record records in the mid-to-late 1950s. Yao Min wrote "Three Years" for her; "I Hate Not to Meet When I Was Not Married" by Yao Min. In 1957, MP & GI made the film "Mambo Girls", the main character of which was an instant hit. This film was the first of its kind in Hong Kong's youth musicals. Grant was well-known and had received vocal training. Glenn has a wide range of dramas and diverse images, whether it is cheerful and lively ("Mambo Girl"), coquettish and unruly ("Love in a Wild Rose"), lingering ("The Girl with a Thousand Faces") or greedy and snobbish villains ("Wine and Fortune") "), she is capable of both acting and singing and dancing, which no one can match. She can be called the "Girl with a Thousand Faces" in Mandarin films. Grant's song "I Love Cha-Cha" from "The Mambo Girls". In 1959, Gulen starred in another song and dance film "Stewardess". In this film, Gulen sang "I Want to Fly to the Blue Sky" and she also ranked first on the pop chart of Mandarin era songs. In the film, Grant's "Taiwan Minor" was adapted into the Cantonese pop song "Old Love Is Like a Dream", sung by Tan Bingwen, which has become a classic Cantonese pop song. In 1960, the famous Japanese composer Hattori Ryoichi wrote all the songs for Grant in the film "In Love in a Wild Rose". The episode "Unspeakable Happiness" was also the only Chinese song on Radio Hong Kong's weekly most popular songs list at that time. Gulen's "Unspeakable Happiness" In the late 1950s, Hong Kong Mandarin era songs entered their heyday, and local singers continued to produce new works. EMI Company discovered a famous singer in Nanyang, and she was Pan Xiuqiong. Pan Xiuqiong's pronunciation is wide and thick, and it is intoxicating to sing a song. Pan Xiuqiong's most outstanding song is "Lover's Tears". This song was composed by Yao Min in 1958 and written by Chen Dieyi. At the same time, a singer of the Mandarin era emerged in Hong Kong, and she was Cui Ping. Cui Ping is known as the "Queen of Lyric Songs". Her masterpiece is "Nanping Evening Bell". The composer of this song is Wang Fuling, who belongs to the new generation of composers in the 1950s. Wang Fuling wrote another song "Today is So Precious" for Cui Ping, which is also a hit. Zhang Lu belongs to the first generation of Western-style singers. In Hong Kong, she continued the style of her old days in Shanghai. She sang many songs with Western flavors. Many simply added Chinese lyrics to European and American pop songs. For example, "Give Me a Kiss" is called Zhang Lu's signature song. Gu Mei made her debut very early. She sang in Hong Kong nightclubs and dance halls in the early 1950s. Wang Fuling's production is quite rigorous. Among the many classic melodies he created, "No Love" should be the classic among the classics. This is the theme song composed by Wang Fuling for the Shaw Brothers film "No Love" in 1962. Lin Dai starred in this movie, and Gu Mei sang behind the scenes. The episode "Dream" in "No Love" was written by Li Houxiang's assistant Gu Jiahui. This is Gu Jiahui's first published work and has attracted attention. Wang Fuling continued to work hard and wrote many songs for Shaw Brothers' color literary epic film "Blue and Black" in 1964. This film still starred Lin Dai, but Lin Dai still had a few scenes to go. He committed suicide before filming, which caused the Shaw Brothers to suffer from headaches, and finally found a substitute to make up for the back and the end of the telephoto. The film's theme song "Blue and Black" was sung by Fong Yat-wah. Fang Yat-wah is famous for his deep and emotional "magnetic voice". In the early days, he mostly sang English songs or Western songs with Chinese lyrics in Nanyang. This time, he was invited by Shaw Brothers to record this song "Blue and Black". In fact, the theme song "Blue and Black" is a political metaphor, with blue representing the Kuomintang and black representing the Communist Party. "Still Waiting" is one of the more popular episodes in the film "Blue and Black". This song is sung by Jing Ting, who is known as the "universal singer". Jing Ting has a wide range of voice and clear words. place He is equally competent for both lyrical and hearty songs, and is an ideal behind-the-scenes singer. Because Gu Mei sang "No Love" and her voice was tenfold, in 1965 Shaw Brothers filmed a special song and dance film "Little Skylark" for Gu Mei. Of course Gu Mei sang in the film, including the song " Dewdrops", the composer is Gu Mei's younger brother Gu Jiahui. The 1966 Shaw Brothers film "Song of Tomorrow" was starring Ling Bo, but the theme song was sung by Jing Ting behind the scenes. Therefore, it was once protested by fanatical Lingbo fans! Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs have always been divided into Shanghai style and foreign style. The first generation of foreign style singers such as Zhang Lu, Pan Dihua and Fang Yathua are all outstanding. Although Pan Dihua sang a lot of foreign songs or Western songs with Chinese lyrics, the stage play "The White Lady" she later spent all her money on was based on the Chinese national style. Composed and written by Huang Zhan. The new generation of foreign singers in Mandarin pop songs are represented by Bei Lei and Jiang Ling. They are characterized by being closer to fashion and the West. "I Smile When I See You" sung by Bei Lei has a very Western style. Jiang Ling simply combined Chinese and Western styles, among which "Love You Is Hard to Say" is the most popular. But there is one singer who insists on the Chinese national style. She is Liu Yun, known as the "Queen of Minor Songs". One of her most popular songs is "Do You Know". In 1966, Yao Min composed the song "I Can't Forget You" for Zhan Xiaoping, another foreign singer. Once the song was released, it immediately became a sensation in the music scene and became the most popular Mandarin song that year. Zhan Xiaoping originally sang Oxi pop songs, but in this song "I Can't Forget You", as a foreign singer, she was able to fully interpret the Shanghai style characteristics, which is indeed a miracle of Mandarin pop songs in the 1960s. "Unforgettable You" is one of Yao Min's last works before his death. In 1968, the Shaw Brothers filmed the film "Clouds and Mud". The heroine was Ching Li. The episode "Ask the White Clouds" was written by Wang Fuling and sung by Fong Yat-wah behind the scenes. Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs had lost their sense of direction in the late 1960s, hovering between the Shanghai school and the foreign school, unable to determine the correct position for themselves. By the early 1970s, the new post-war Hong Kong generation had a different attitude towards identity than the previous generation. Cantonese pop songs emerged, and Mandarin era songs were replaced. The Shaw Brothers movie "Song of Tomorrow" in 2010 was starring Ling Bo, but the theme song was sung by Jing Ting behind the scenes. Protested by Limbo fans! Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs have always been divided into Shanghai style and foreign style. The first generation of foreign style singers such as Zhang Lu, Pan Dihua and Fang Yathua are all outstanding. Although Pan Dihua sang a lot of foreign songs or Western songs with Chinese lyrics, the stage play "The White Lady" she later spent all her money on was based on the Chinese national style. Composed and written by Huang Zhan. The new generation of foreign singers in Mandarin pop songs are represented by Bei Lei and Jiang Ling. They are characterized by being closer to fashion and the West. "I Smile When I See You" sung by Bei Lei has a very Western style. Jiang Ling simply combined Chinese and Western styles, among which "Love You Is Hard to Say" is the most popular. But there is one singer who insists on the Chinese national style. She is Liu Yun, known as the "Queen of Minor Songs". One of her most popular songs is "Do You Know". In 1966, Yao Min composed the song "I Can't Forget You" for Zhan Xiaoping, another foreign singer. Once the song was released, it immediately became a sensation in the music scene and became the most popular Mandarin song that year. Zhan Xiaoping originally sang Oxi pop songs, but in this song "I Can't Forget You", as a foreign singer, she was able to fully interpret the Shanghai style characteristics, which is indeed a miracle of Mandarin pop songs in the 1960s. "Unforgettable You" is one of Yao Min's last works before his death. In 1968, the Shaw Brothers filmed the film "Clouds and Mud". The heroine was Ching Li. The episode "Ask the White Clouds" was written by Wang Fuling and sung by Fong Yat-wah behind the scenes. Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs had lost their sense of direction in the late 1960s, hovering between the Shanghai school and the foreign school, unable to determine the correct position for themselves. By the early 1970s, the new post-war Hong Kong generation had a different attitude towards identity than the previous generation. Cantonese pop songs emerged, and Mandarin era songs were replaced. The Shaw Brothers movie "Song of Tomorrow" in 2010 was starring Ling Bo, but the theme song was sung by Jing Ting behind the scenes. Protested by Limbo fans! Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs have always been divided into Shanghai style and foreign style. The first generation of foreign style singers such as Zhang Lu, Pan Dihua and Fang Yathua are all outstanding. Although Pan Dihua sang a lot of foreign songs or Western songs with Chinese lyrics, the stage play "The White Lady" she later spent all her money on was based on the Chinese national style. Composed and written by Huang Zhan. The new generation of foreign singers in Mandarin pop songs are represented by Bei Lei and Jiang Ling. They are characterized by being closer to fashion and the West. "I Smile When I See You" sung by Bei Lei has a very Western style. Jiang Ling simply combined Chinese and Western styles, among which "Love You Is Hard to Say" is the most popular. But there is one singer who insists on the Chinese national style. She is Liu Yun, known as the "Queen of Minor Songs". One of her most popular songs is "Do You Know". In 1966, Yao Min composed the song "I Can't Forget You" for Zhan Xiaoping, another foreign singer. Once the song was released, it immediately became a sensation in the music scene and became the most popular Mandarin song that year. Zhan Xiaoping originally sang Oxi pop songs, but in this song "I Can't Forget You", as a foreign singer, she was able to fully interpret the Shanghai style characteristics, which is indeed a miracle of Mandarin pop songs in the 1960s. "Unforgettable You" is one of Yao Min's last works before his death. In 1968, the Shaw Brothers filmed the film "Clouds and Mud". The heroine was Ching Li. The episode "Ask the White Clouds" was written by Wang Fuling and sung by Fong Yat-wah behind the scenes. Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs had lost their sense of direction in the late 1960s, hovering between the Shanghai school and the foreign school, unable to determine the correct position for themselves. By the early 1970s, the new post-war Hong Kong generation had a different attitude towards identity than the previous generation. Cantonese pop songs emerged, and Mandarin era songs were replaced. , they are characterized by moving closer to fashion and the West, and are criticized by supporters of pure era songs as contrary to the gentleness and elegance of traditional era songs. "I Smile When I See You" sung by Bei Lei has a very Western style. Jiang Ling simply combined Chinese and Western styles, among which "Love You Is Hard to Say" is the most popular. But there is one singer who insists on the Chinese national style. She is Liu Yun, known as the "Queen of Minor Songs". One of her most popular songs is "Do You Know". In 1966, Yao Min composed the song "I Can't Forget You" for Zhan Xiaoping, another foreign singer. Once the song was released, it immediately became a sensation in the music scene and became the most popular Mandarin song that year. Zhan Xiaoping originally sang Oxi pop songs, but in this song "I Can't Forget You", as a foreign singer, she was able to fully interpret the Shanghai style characteristics, which is indeed a miracle of Mandarin pop songs in the 1960s. "Unforgettable You" is one of Yao Min's last works before his death. In 1968, the Shaw Brothers filmed the film "Clouds and Mud". The heroine was Ching Li. The episode "Ask the White Clouds" was written by Wang Fuling and sung by Fong Yat-wah behind the scenes. Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs had lost their sense of direction in the late 1960s, hovering between the Shanghai school and the foreign school, unable to determine the correct position for themselves. By the early 1970s, the new post-war Hong Kong generation had a different attitude towards identity than the previous generation. Cantonese pop songs emerged, and Mandarin era songs were replaced. , they are characterized by moving closer to fashion and the West, and are criticized by supporters of pure era songs as contrary to the gentleness and elegance of traditional era songs. "I Smile When I See You" sung by Bei Lei has a very Western style. Jiang Ling simply combined Chinese and Western styles, among which "Love You Is Hard to Say" is the most popular. But there is one singer who insists on the Chinese national style. She is Liu Yun, known as the "Queen of Minor Songs". One of her most popular songs is "Do You Know". In 1966, Yao Min composed the song "I Can't Forget You" for Zhan Xiaoping, another foreign singer. Once the song was released, it immediately became a sensation in the music scene and became the most popular Mandarin song that year. Zhan Xiaoping originally sang Oxi pop songs, but in this song "I Can't Forget You", as a foreign singer, she was able to fully interpret the Shanghai style characteristics, which is indeed a miracle of Mandarin pop songs in the 1960s. "Unforgettable You" is one of Yao Min's last works before his death. In 1968, the Shaw Brothers filmed the film "Clouds and Mud". The heroine was Ching Li. The episode "Ask the White Clouds" was written by Wang Fuling and sung by Fong Yat-wah behind the scenes. Hong Kong Mandarin pop songs had lost their sense of direction in the late 1960s, hovering between the Shanghai school and the foreign school, unable to determine the correct position for themselves. By the early 1970s, the new post-war Hong Kong generation had a different attitude towards identity than the previous generation. Cantonese pop songs emerged, and Mandarin era songs were replaced.