唱廣東歌 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 黃明志, 盧巧音

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a vibrant linguistic journey with "唱廣東歌" (Sing Cantonese Song), a captivating tribute to Hong Kong's musical legacy by 黃明志 and 盧巧音. This song is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Cantonese, not just through its catchy melodies but also by uncovering a treasure trove of cultural references and iconic song titles woven into its lyrics. What makes this song truly special is its dual role: it's a nostalgic homage to a bygone era of Canto-pop and a powerful statement defending the beauty and importance of the Cantonese language. Discover how a Malaysian artist passionately celebrates a language that isn't his mother tongue, inviting listeners to appreciate its charm and history.

[English]

I remember back in the day, Auntie, Sister-in-law, and I loved popular gold songs

The language spoken inside, it's called Cantonese

Rewinding the tape again, watching it over

At first, I couldn't understand or speak, never noticed how time flies

My mouth just kept moving, wanting to sing along

Back then, Hong Kong was still the entertainment king

That bunch of K-pop kids from Jiangnan

They weren’t even famous yet

Andy Lau dancing with me, Jacky Cheung sharing my sadness

Donnie Yen teaching me how to ride a motorcycle with a girl, looking for Edison to hit the disco

The four most cool guys in class, the Big Four Heavenly Kings

His hair was styled like a mountain chicken, that’s real cool

Always reciting the poems of the rogue, but never seen dreaming of Autumn Fragrance

Ko Chun, wild and carefree, adventuring with me

Every song he could sing, but why can’t I reach the sky with my voice?

Unable to have the vast sky or the open sea

Sing one, pick one, nostalgic Cantonese classics

Even if I’m sad or gloomy, sing a song that represents me

Sing one, then another, the most beloved Cantonese song that lasts forever

Looking back on youthful love songs, sweet, bitter, confusing—having you with me

Everyone has their own dreams, but not everyone gets the award

Win, and you get to try singing solo; lose, and you stand proud as a man

Fate is tumultuous, the heart of a wanderer, secretly surging

Choose to give up your dreams, live only half a lifetime

The wind keeps blowing, I want to hold onto memories but love has already gone

In this world, if you have money, you can enjoy everything; without money, goodbye—can't even attend a wedding

Joy tonight, let's end together until dawn

Waves flow endlessly, what more to live for? Better to laugh at the vast sea

Big eyes dreaming of travel, exploring this colorful universe

Chasing girls again and again, just wanting to go through life with her

Though love feels like the sky, in the end, we still part ways with a kind heart

Hanging out with some guys at KTV, those same old friends

Walking through glorious days with the best friends

Sing one, pick one, nostalgic Cantonese classics

Even if my heart is heavy and sad, I'll sing a song that represents me

Sing one, then another, my most loved Cantonese song that lasts forever

Remembering young love songs, sweet and bitter, heart confused—having you with me

Once crazy for you, lost in the wind and rain, waiting for you till my heart aches

No more hesitation, let everything drift with the wind

Sing one, pick one, nostalgic Cantonese classics

Even if my heart feels melancholy and sad, I'll sing a song that defines me

Sing one, then another, my most beloved Cantonese song that endures

Look back on youthful love songs, sweet, bitter, confusing—having you with me

The days we walked through together are like an over-the-top Cantonese movie

Writing a love letter to myself, be a real man

The sunset is so beautiful but I couldn’t forget you with a samba dance

Walking through life, I wish everyone tonight stays safe and treasured

...

[Chinese]

記得當年姨媽姑姐 最愛勁歌金曲

入邊嘅人講嘅語言 聽講就叫做廣東

錄影帶又Rewind咗 再睇過

從唔識聽唔識講 不知不覺

咀巴就跟住蠢蠢欲動

當時香港 仲係娛樂圈嘅大佬

當時江南嗰班泡菜佬

冚巴唥都仲未紅

郭富城陪我跳舞 張學友陪我失落

華仔教我揸摩托載女 搵黎明揈下Disco

班上最Chok 嗰四個 就四大天王

頭髮就整到 浩南山雞 咁先夠威風

成日學伯虎吟歌 但未見夢中秋香

家駒不羈風中 陪我闖蕩

首首識唱 但為何成績

不能海闊天空

唱一首 揀一首 經典懷念嘅廣東歌

就算憂鬱心難過 唱出一首代表我

唱一首 再一首 不朽最愛的廣東歌

回首青春的情歌 甜蜜苦楚心迷惘 有你共我

一人有一個夢想 但未必人人攞獎

贏咗就獨家試唱 輸咗就自己男兒當自強

命運顛沛流離 浪子的心聲 暗湧

選擇咗再見理想 就一世活到半斤八兩

風繼續吹 想擁抱回憶但情已逝

呢個世界有錢玩晒冇錢Bye 行唔到囍帖街

歡樂今宵 一齊煞科到聽朝

浪奔浪流 一生何求 不如滄海一聲笑

大個眼睛想旅行 來到花花宇宙

女仔我一追再追 祇想一生跟佢走

雖然話戀愛大過天 但最終都好心分手

搵幾個男人去KTV 又係嗰班

一齊走過光輝歲月 嘅最佳損友

唱一首 揀一首 經典懷念嘅廣東歌

就算憂鬱心難過 唱出一首代表我

唱一首 再一首 不朽最愛的廣東歌

回首青春的情歌 甜蜜苦楚心迷惘 有你共我

曾為你癡癡的相思風雨中 迷失的等你等到我心痛

不再猶豫 就讓一切隨風

唱一首 揀一首 經典懷念嘅廣東歌

就算憂鬱心難過 唱出一首代表我

唱一首 再一首 不朽最愛的廣東歌

回首青春的情歌 甜蜜苦楚心迷惘 有你共我

一起走過的日子 就似浮誇嘅粵語殘片

寫給自己的情書 做返個真的漢子

夕陽無限好 未能同妳忘情森巴舞

漫步人生路 祝福大家今宵多珍重

Key Grammar Structures

• 記得當年姨媽姑姐 最愛勁歌金曲

  ➔ The use of the phrase "記得當年" demonstrates the usage of a temporal expression to indicate remembering a past time.

  ➔ It uses a phrase that means "remember that year/time" to reference a nostalgic past.

• 入邊嘅人講嘅語言 聽講就叫做廣東

  ➔ The phrase "講嘅語言" demonstrates the use of a relative clause describing "the language spoken" by the people inside.

  ➔ It is a relative clause structure where "講嘅語言" refers to "the language that is spoken".

• 從唔識聽唔識講 不知不覺

  ➔ The use of "唔識" + verb indicates inability or lack of skill to do something, combined with "不知不覺" meaning "unconsciously".

  ➔ It uses "唔識" to express not knowing how to do the action, and "不知不覺" to show doing something unconsciously.

• 就是想一生跟佢走

  ➔ The phrase "就是想" demonstrates emphasis on the desire or intention to do something.

  ➔ It emphasizes the speaker's strong desire or intention to stay with someone for life.

• 行唔到囍帖街

  ➔ The phrase "行唔到" demonstrates inability or lack of opportunity to do something.

  ➔ It expresses that the person cannot go to a place or do an activity, often due to circumstances or inability.