Tian mi mi

Last updated

"Tian Mi Mi"
Single by Teresa Teng
from the album Tian Mi Mi
Language
  • Mandarin
  • Cantonese
Released20 September 1979
Recorded1979
Genre Folk-pop
Length3:31
Label
  • Kolin
  • PolyGram
Composer(s)
  • Teresa Teng
  • Dasimah
Lyricist(s) Zhuang Nu

"Tian Mi Mi" (Chinese :甜蜜蜜; pinyin :Tián Mì Mì; literally "sweet honey") is a song recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng. It was first made available on 20 September 1979 and was later included on her Mandarin album of the same name, released through PolyGram Records in November of the same year. The song's lyrics were written by Zhuang Nu while the music was adapted from a 1940s Indonesian gambang kromong folk song about sampan boats, called "Dayung Sampan", by the pasindhèn Dasimah.

Contents

Teng recorded a Cantonese version of the song, titled "The Day I Met You", for her first Cantonese album, Irreconcilable (勢不兩立), which was released on 18 December 1980. "Tian Mi Mi" went on to achieve widespread popularity in the Sinophone world and remains one of Teng's most famous works. In 1996, the Hong Kong film Comrades: Almost a Love Story was released as a tribute to Teng, following her death a year prior, with the film's Chinese title named after "Tian Mi Mi".

Background and history

Teng in the United States after her passport controversy in Japan in 1979 Teresa Teng US1 (cropped).jpg
Teng in the United States after her passport controversy in Japan in 1979

"Tian Mi Mi" was adapted from a 1940s Indonesian folk song titled "Dayung Sampan", [1] which was popular in Indonesia and Singapore. [2] [3] Teng produced an Indonesian-language cover of "Dayung Sampan" while on tour in Southeast Asia in 1978. [4] On 14 February 1979, she was arrested in Japan and deported to Hong Kong for using an Indonesian passport, which Japan found had been obtained from the Indonesian embassy in Hong Kong under suspicious circumstances. [5] Fearing punishment in Taiwan, as the island nation was under an autocratic government at the time, Teng travelled to the United States and became a student at the University of Southern California. [6] She chose the U.S. as she was unable to stay permanently in Hong Kong and was banned from re-entering Japan for a year. To fulfill her contractual obligation, she composed a Mandarin Chinese cover of "Dayung Sampan" while studying, which became "Tian Mi Mi".[ citation needed ]

Release

In Taiwan, "Tian Mi Mi" was included on Teng's album An Unforgettable Day (Chinese: 難忘的一天), released through Kolin Records on 20 September 1979. The track was later included on an eponymous album, which was made available through PolyGram Records on 15 November 1979. [7] The record was commercially successful and was certified Platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Hong Kong. [8] The following year, Teng re-recorded "Tian Mi Mi" in Cantonese and retitled it "The Day I Met You" (結識你那一天; Cantonese Yale: Git sik nei na yat tin). It was added to her first Cantonese-language album, Irreconcilable (勢不兩立; Sai Bat Leung Laap) on 18 December 1980. [9]

Composition and lyrics

Huang Yuyuan, a researcher at National Taiwan Museum, noted that the original Indonesian song was about fishers gossiping and yelling at each other. [10] The lyrics of the Chinese version were reinterpreted into a more playful and sweet tone, penned by lyricist Zhuang Nu, who would work with Teng on many of her later songs. Zhuang wrote the lyrics in roughly five minutes after being told he was writing for Teresa Teng. [11] The lyrics for the Cantonese version were written by Lo Kwak-chan. [12]

Hua Hsu from The New Yorker described the song as "a loungy ballad about someone with a sweet and disarmingly familiar smile". Teng sings "Where have I seen you before", before remembering: "Ah—in my dreams". Hua noted that "Despite this sense of bewitched yearning, she sounds calm, curious, almost teasing". [13]

In 1996, the Hong Kong film Comrades: Almost a Love Story, starring Maggie Cheung and Leon Lai, was released as a tribute to Teng following her death in 1995. The Chinese title of the film was named after "Tian Mi Mi". [14] [15] Teng's music was featured prominently throughout the film, with the two characters' favourite singer being Teng herself. [16] Comrades: Almost a Love Story received critical acclaim from film critics. In 2005, it placed at number 28 in a Hong Kong Film Awards ranking of the 100 greatest Chinese motion pictures of the past 100 years. [17] In 2011, it was ranked number 16 on Golden Horse Awards' list of the 100 Greatest Chinese-Language Films, voted on by 122 industry professionals. [18] China Internet Information Center evaluated the film by writing, "[Tian Mi Mi] bridges the scenes, drawing together the tale of the evolving affection between the two principal players. [...] In many ways the film owes its success to the subtle strains of the tune." [19]

Legacy

China Internet Information Center called "Tian Mi Mi" one of the singer's signature works, remarking how "Her voice moved generations of Chinese people" and perhaps "offered spiritual solace for youngsters of the seventies and eighties". The organization conveyed that despite the significant changes in the music industry since its intial release, the song "continues to resonate with those it touched long ago and with new fans who discover it every year." [8] The song is recognized as a classic in the Sinophone world and has been re-recorded by numerous artists, including Faye Wong, Stephen Chow, Leon Lai, Yu Quan, and Jane Zhang. [20]

Luhan version

"Tian Mi Mi (Sweet As Honey)"
Single by Luhan
from the album Comrades: Almost a Love Story OST
Released3 February 2015
Recorded2015
Genre Mandopop
Length4:03
Songwriter(s)

Chinese singer and actor Luhan recorded the song for the soundtrack of the 2015 mainland Chinese release of the 1996 film Comrades: Almost a Love Story . In January 2015, it was announced that Luhan would be singing the theme song for the film's release in China, according to Chinese media outlet Sina. The movie, directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan, was originally released in 1996. Due to the political tension between Hong Kong and mainland China, however, it took 19 years for the film to be approved for release in China. A member of the production team explained, "Peter Chan asked [Chinese musician] Dou Feng to arrange for the recording of a new version of the theme song, and requested that Luhan sing for the film's soundtrack." Director Peter Chan is said to have asked Luhan to participate due to his gentle and clear voice, as he felt it would be effective in expressing the emotions of the song. The song was officially released on 3 February 2015. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teresa Teng</span> Taiwanese singer (1953–1995)

Teng Li-chun, commonly known as Teresa Teng, was a Taiwanese singer, actress, musician and philanthropist. Referred to by some as the "Eternal Queen of Asian Pop", Teng is considered one of the most successful and influential Asian popular singers of all time. Teng is recognized as a cultural icon for her contributions to Chinese pop, giving birth to the phrase, "Wherever there are Chinese-speaking people, there is the music of Teresa Teng." A Polyglot, Teng's crystalline voice and emotionally resonant songs, laced with a clear and soft voice, have transcended geographical, linguistic, and political boundaries, captivating audiences across Asia for several decades.

Deng is an East Asian surname of Chinese origin which has many variant spellings and transliterations. It is a transcription of 邓 or 鄧 (traditional). In 2019, Deng was the 21st most common surname in mainland China.

Mandopop or Mandapop refers to Mandarin popular music. The genre has its origin in the jazz-influenced popular music of 1930s Shanghai known as Shidaiqu; later influences came from Japanese enka, Hong Kong's Cantopop, Taiwan's Hokkien pop, and in particular the Campus Song folk movement of the 1970s. 'Mandopop' may be used as a general term to describe popular songs performed in Mandarin. Though Mandopop predates Cantopop, the English term was coined around 1980 after "Cantopop" became a popular term for describing popular songs in Cantonese. "Mandopop" was used to describe Mandarin-language popular songs of that time, some of which were versions of Cantopop songs sung by the same singers with different lyrics to suit the different rhyme and tonal patterns of Mandarin.

<i>Comrades: Almost a Love Story</i> 1996 Hong Kong film

Comrades: Almost a Love Story is a 1996 Hong Kong film starring Maggie Cheung, Leon Lai, Eric Tsang, and Kristy Yang. It was directed by Peter Chan. The Chinese title refers to "Tian Mi Mi", a song by Teresa Teng whose songs are featured in the film. It was filmed on location in Hong Kong and New York City. Leon Lai later commented in 1997 that the story of Li Xiao Jun is somewhat a description of his own life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timi Zhuo</span> Musical artist

Timi Zhuo or Zhuo Yi-ting is a singer and actress from Taiwan. She has recorded over 800 songs in Mandarin and Taiwanese Hokkien, and 2 songs in Cantonese.

Hokkien pop, also known as Taiwanese Hokkien popular music, T-pop, Tai-pop, Minnan Pop and Taiwanese folk, is a popular music genre sung in Hokkien, especially Taiwanese Hokkien and produced mainly in Taiwan and sometimes in Fujian in Mainland China or Hong Kong or even Singapore in Southeast Asia. Hokkien pop is most popular amongst Hoklo people in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the Overseas Chinese and Overseas Taiwanese in Southeast Asia, such as Chinese Singaporeans, Chinese Malaysians, Chinese Filipinos, Chinese Indonesians, etc.

<i>Superman</i> (Gary Chaw album) 2006 studio album by Gary Chaw

Superman is second album by Gary Chaw, which is released on 27 December 2006. After the hit success in his first album 格格 Blue, he came out with his second album of the same name. This is the second album he released in the same year.

<i>Decadent Sound of Faye</i> 1995 album by Faye Wong

Decadent Sound of Faye, also translated as Faye Beautiful Music, is the third Mandarin studio album by Chinese singer Faye Wong. It was released through Cinepoly Records on July 3, 1995. It consists entirely of rearranged versions of songs originally released by Teresa Teng.

"The Moon Represents My Heart" is a song originally recorded by Taiwanese singer Chen Fen-lan for her album Dreamland, which was released through Li Ge Records in May 1973. It was then re-recorded by fellow Taiwanese recording artist Liu Guan-lin in November 1973. The song was eventually made famous throughout the Sinophone world by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng in 1977.

甜蜜蜜 may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase</span> 1986 single by Teresa Teng

"Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase" is a song recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng. The original version was released as a CD single in Japan on February 21, 1986, for her Japanese studio album of the same name. The album Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase was released through Taurus Records on July 31, 1986.

"Small Town Story" is a song recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng. It was officially released for her Mandarin studio album Love Songs of Island, Vol. 6: Small Town Story, which was released through Polydor Records on March 23, 1979.

<i>My Native Land</i> (film) 1980 film by Li Hsing

My Native Land, also called China, My Native Land, is a Mandarin-language film, released in 1980 by Ta Chung Motion Picture Corporation in Taiwan. It is a biographical film about the Hakka writer Chung Li-ho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teresa Teng discography</span>

This is the discography of Taiwanese pop singer Teresa Teng. She has recorded over 70 studio albums in multiple languages including Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, and Japanese. Teng has sold over 48 million albums as of 2010 according to the IFPI.

<i>If I Were for Real</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Teresa Teng

If I Were for Real is a Mandarin studio album recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, released through Hong Kong Polydor Records on 2 April 1981. The record is officially titled Love Songs of Island, Vol. 7: If I Were for Real, serving as the seventh part for her "Love Songs of Island" album series. The album was re-released in Taiwan through Kolin Records on 1 June 1981.

Zhuang Nu is the pen name of Wang Jingxi, a Taiwanese lyricist.

<i>Kuko / Yukigesho</i> 1974 studio album by Teresa Teng

Kuko / Yukigesho is the first Japanese studio album recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, released via Polydor Records on October 21, 1974. The album was supported with the release of three singles: "Konya Kashira Ashita Kashira", "Airport", and "Yukigesho". The album was commercially successful in Japan and led Teng to receive several awards in Japan, including the New Artist Award at the 16th Japan Record Awards and the Silver Award at the 1974 Shinjuku Music Festival.

<i>Irreconcilable</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Teresa Teng

Irreconcilable is the first Cantonese studio album recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, released via Polydor Records on December 18, 1980. The album was supported with the single "Forget Him", which was written by Hong Kong media personality James Wong Jim.

<i>Strolling Down the Road of Life</i> 1983 studio album by Teresa Teng

Strolling Down the Road of Life is the second Cantonese studio album recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, released via Polydor Records on May 18, 1983. The album was supported with the single of the same name, which is a Cantonese remake of Miyuki Nakajima's 1980 single "Hitori Jouzu".

<i>Love in Hong Kong</i> 1977 studio album by Teresa Teng

Love in Hong Kong, also titled Love Songs of Island, Vol. 4: Love in Hong Kong, is a Mandarin studio album recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng. It was released via Polydor Records on December 19, 1977. The album spawned the single "The Moon Represents My Heart", which went on to become a Mandopop classic and Teng's most recognizable work internationally.

References

  1. ↑ Muh. A. Affandie, “Daya Swara Sunda” (1948), quoted in Pandi Upandi, "Pengetahuan karawitan latar belakang dan perkembangan karawitan Sunda" (thesis for Universitias Indonesia, 1984), p. 23
  2. ↑ Chee, Johny (January 2008). A Tapestra of Baba Poetry (3rd ed.). Penang, Malaysia: Johny Chee. p. 60. ISBN   9789834291211 . Retrieved 23 December 2018– via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Music Primary 2. Perfect Match. Singapore: Pearson Education Asia Ltd. 2008. ISBN   9789810607623 . Retrieved 23 December 2018– via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Wei, Hung-chin; Teng, Sue-feng (March 2013). "The Cultural Phenomenon of Teresa Teng". Taiwan Panorama (in Chinese). Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "邓丽君曾遭日本驱逐出境 无奈转赴美国(图)-搜狐新闻" [Teresa Teng was deported from Japan and had no choice but to move to the United States (photo)]. China Taiwan Net (in Chinese). 16 March 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2024– via Sohu News.
  6. ↑ "Teresa Teng Career Timeline" (in Chinese). Teresa Teng Foundation. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "【葫芦丝曲欣赏】《甜蜜蜜》" [[Appreciation of Hulusi Song] "Sweet Honey"]. Sohu Entertainment (in Chinese). 14 October 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 "'Sweet Honey', sweet memory of Teresa Teng". China Internet Information Center . 31 March 2008. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "圆润清晰极具魅力的甜美：「邓丽君 – 势不两立XRCD2」" [Mellow, clear and charming sweetness: "Teresa Teng-Irreconcilable XRCD2"]. Shantou Audio Association (in Chinese). 19 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  10. ↑ Zhou, Meihui (19 December 2015). "你知道嗎？鄧麗君「甜蜜蜜」 原是印尼船歌" [Do you know? Teresa Teng's "Sweet Honey" was originally an Indonesian boat song]. CommonWealth Magazine (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  11. ↑ "邓丽君背后的男人——庄奴，只花了五分钟就写出了《甜蜜蜜》_腾讯新闻" [The man behind Teresa Teng, Zhuang Nu, wrote "Sweet Honey" in just five minutes]. Tencent QQ (in Chinese). 20 February 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "1980年12月邓丽君首张粤语专辑《势不两立》" [Teresa Teng's first Cantonese album "Irreconcilable" in December 1980]. NetEase (in Chinese). 21 April 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  13. ↑ Hsu, Hua (3 August 2015). "The Melancholy Pop Idol Who Haunts China". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X . Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  14. ↑ Rey Chow -Sentimental Fabulations, Contemporary Chinese Films 0231508190 2012 "SWEET TERESA If we follow its Chinese title, Tian mimi, the film may be seen simply as the romantic saga of the two protagonists. "Tian mimi", which means "sweetness", is the title of a Mandarin hit song originally performed by Teresa Teng, ..."
  15. ↑ Gina Marchetti from Tian'anmen to Times Square: Transnational China and the Chinese ...2006 1592132782 "Bottles of soy milk and the commodified music of the transnational Chinese pop star Teresa Teng (Deng Lijun)56 circulate within the film, too. In fact, Teresa Teng's song, "Tian Mi Mi" ("Sweetness") provides the film with its Chinese title, linking ..
  16. ↑ Gelder, Lawrence Van (20 February 1998). "Film in Review: Comrades: Almost a Love Story". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Hong Kong Film Awards to celebrate Chinese cinema". China Daily . 12 December 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  18. ↑ Cremin, Stephen (27 January 2011). "Horse announces greatest Chinese films". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  19. ↑ "'Sweet Honey', sweet memory of Teresa Teng". China Internet Information Center . 31 March 2008. p. 2. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  20. ↑ Zhou, Yongjie (23 February 2013). "華語金曲甜蜜蜜 印尼民謠改編" [Chinese classic Sweet Honey Indonesian folk song adaptation]. Central News Agency (in Chinese). Yahoo! News Taiwan. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  21. ↑ "Luhan stars in a simple and pure MV for his OST remake of 'Tian Mi Mi'". Allkpop. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.