Friday Song: A song for your future self, by Fish Leong
“To My Future Self” (给未来的自己 gěi wèilái de zìjǐ), sung by Malaysian-Chinese star Fish Leong 梁静茹 (Liáng Jìngrú) and composed by Huang Ting 黄婷, was released in 2007 in the album Worship (崇拜 chóngbài). It’s one of the most uplifting Chinese pop songs I’ve ever heard.
Perhaps it’s because the lyrics are imminently relatable for someone living in the bustle of New York City, a place where it’s possible to feel lonely amid millions of people. “Standing on a rooftop alone, surrounded by heavy wind, I look down on a lonely city. Find someone who cares about you. Seek a heart that treasures you. In this universe, I am unique.”
But the song isn’t about being lonely. It’s not self-pitying. It tells listeners to be true to oneself regardless of one’s surroundings.
在星光里遗忘昨天的伤害
In the starlight, forget yesterday’s hurt
一觉醒来还有期待
Upon waking, I still have expectations
我不放弃爱的勇气
I won’t give up the courage to love
我不怀疑会有真心
I don’t doubt there will be true love
我要握住一个最美的梦
I will hold on to a beautiful dream
给未来的自己
For my future self.
Leong’s love songs have won her great popularity and success in China. Among her most representative works include “Warm,” “Courage,” “Love Song,” and “Sadly, It’s Not You.” She has released 12 albums and sold more than 18,000,000 records globally, and was the first Malaysian-Chinese singer to perform at the Lincoln Center in New York City in 2016.
Friday Song is SupChina’s weekly sign-off. Let us know what you thought of the week that was in the comments below, or email editors@thechinaproject.com.
