View Poll Results: Which version of THE BUND/SHANGHAI BUND theme song do you like more?

Voters
2. You may not vote on this poll
  • Original 1980 version with Cantonese lyrics

    2 100.00%
  • New 2007 version with Mandarin lyrics

    0 0%
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: THE BUND (1980)/SHANGHAI BUND (2007) theme song: Cantonese or Mandarin version?

  1. #1
    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    24,367

    Default THE BUND (1980)/SHANGHAI BUND (2007) theme song: Cantonese or Mandarin version?

    Frances Yip famously sang the theme song to the classic 1980 TVB gangster drama THE BUND (starring Chow Yun Fat), and recorded a new version of the song with different Mandarin lyrics (the original was in Cantonese) for China's 2007 remake of the series, SHANGHAI BUND (starring Huang Xiaoming).

    The singer and tune are the same for both songs, but do you like the original Cantonese lyrics or the new Mandarin lyrics better?

    Original 1980 Cantonese lyrics

    New 2007 Mandarin lyrics

    Note: the choice is between the two versions of the theme songs, not the series themselves.

  2. #2
    Moderator Suet Seung's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    14,053

    Default

    The people faithful to the original Canto lyrics would definitely choose the original version. I think the Mandarin version is good on its own, trying to be slightly different on its own. As you know the original is highly praised, so to have the same lyrics and remake the series, it's hard to top what is already great and superb. So I think they made a good decision making it different and taking the song and making it their own version.

    Of course,I grew up with the Canto version, so I like it a little bit more but, both have something to offer.
    I just love how you Captivate My Mind

    Self reminder - Update blog more often and continue editing/writing for TOV fanfic.

  3. #3
    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    24,367

    Default

    The decision to rewrite the lyrics in Mandarin for the 2007 series was a wise one considering the common language of the bulk of the target audience and the fact that words that rhyme/flow together well in Cantonese might not do so in Mandarin if translated verbatim. I don't understand Mandarin well enough to judge if the Mandarin lyrics were as meaningful as the original Cantonese ones, but they sure do sound nice.

  4. #4
    Moderator Suet Seung's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    14,053

    Default

    Considering the story sets in Shanghai, wouldn't it be considered MORE authentic to have a theme song and everyone mostly speak in Mandarin? I know, Shanghai has their own Shanghai-ese mandarin that would be slightly different from Taiwanese Mandarin and other parts of China. Even Hokkien sounds funny like a mix between Canto and Mandarin.
    I just love how you Captivate My Mind

    Self reminder - Update blog more often and continue editing/writing for TOV fanfic.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    5,405

    Default

    To me, both are equally nice.

  6. #6
    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    24,367

    Default

    The song has been tried in a few Asian languages, including Vietnamese.

    I don't know if it's a faithful translation of either the Cantonese or Mandarin lyrics.

    A Japanese version would sound cool too, but I don't think anyone has tried one.

    There *was* an English attempt, but that was rather embarrassing (tried to translate the original Cantonese lyrics too literally).

  7. #7
    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    24,367

    Default

    There's even a Thai version.

    Like the TVB series for which it was commissioned, the song has had quite an impact beyond its original Hong Kong audience and spread throughout eastern Asia.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    5,405

    Default

    Singapore presidential election version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF510...eature=related

Similar Threads

  1. The Bund 《上海灘》
    By LiYuanZhi in forum TVB Series
    Replies: 492
    Last Post: 10-18-21, 12:00 AM
  2. Cantonese Alan Tam song...in Mandarin??
    By ElectricFlame in forum Music
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-08-09, 11:55 AM
  3. Comparing the various versions of THE BUND
    By Ken Cheng in forum Global Series Discussion
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-26-09, 03:31 PM
  4. Replies: 17
    Last Post: 03-25-08, 12:35 PM
  5. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-27-07, 02:14 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •