Monday, June 15, 2009

Pan Xiu Qiong 潘秀瓊 SK Poon: Lover's Tears 情人的眼淚


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Pan Xiu Qiong or Poon Sow Keng, the original singer of "Lover's Tears," is featured in today's Straits Times Life Section. Read about her life and the book she has published that will soon be available.

At the Monday Interview by Straits Times journalist Andy Chen, she explains why her fans must 'forget her not'.

She will be appearing in a concert in August at Suntec City. Also on May 21st, 2009 an article about her was posted on this blog. Check them out.


A Personal Experience:

My moments with this lady singer came about when I was introduced to her by a Chinese school teacher friend of mine. He was with me at a primary school in the East Coast. We got along fine; he wanted to learn more English, I wanted to learn about Chinese pops.

Lover's Tears was the first song he introduced me to. This was in the mid-sixties when I had already left the Silver Strings and was grounded at school. I was gently advised about singing in the evenings and doing vinyl recordings with the band. I didn't do any more singing nor played with any band, focused on my work and, as a hobby, set my mind on learning about our local Chinese singers.

My teacher friend interpreted the song to me line by line (remember there was no Google Translate nor any useful nor fruitful Chinese interpretation gadgets at that time except for the usual listen and repeat Chinese lessons).
Poon Sow Keng (Pan Xiuqiong) - Lover's Tears 1964 
潘秀瓊-情人的眼淚 . Video by zzenzero. 

I had tried to attend one of her concerts when she was here not many years ago but to no avail. Her concerts were usually booked full house weeks before her performance.

According to Ms. Pan, this song made her famous. For me, it made me learn a little Mandarin.

Thank you, my friend, wherever you are today and Ms. Poon for learning Mandarin using the lyrics of your songs.
Oh my gosh! I grow up listening to S K Poon! The Queen Of Bass with her unique and distinctive vocals is one extraordinary performer whose renditions will bring music souls on a beautiful reminiscing journey and a trip down nostalgia lane. 

I could still remember saving up quite a bit to get my first cassette tape, a compilation of her classic songs and I could play over and over in my black Sony Walkman way back in the ’80s. From cassette to this one favourite CD of mine, her songs have walked me through many decades and she is still one of my most favourite female singers. Brother Andy, great to hear this again. 

Thank you for posting!😊

Connect below to read the other posting:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2009/05/blog-post_21.html

Images and videos: Google and YouTube


COMMENTS FROM 2019:

Anonymous:
I have been listening to her songs since I was a teenager.
Her Lovers Tears song is, in my opinion, the best of the lot.

Heard she stays in Toa Payoh.

Andy replies:
I am sure all of us would like to wish her good health , happiness, and long life. Thank you very much, Anonymous. Yes I hear she stays at Toa Payoh Singapore
Together with you, we'd like to wish her happiness, good health and long life too. It would be nice if she writes to this blog so we can meet and chat with her.

23 comments:

Lam Chun See said...

I have a CD of her Christian songs which she probably recorded quite recently. Until then, I didn't know she was into gospel music as well.

Lam Chun See said...

I am surprised that you did not include Bee Gees in your long list of artistes. I believe some of their biggest hits were in the 60's. Late 60's perhaps. Eg. Massachusetts, and I Started a Joke.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Yes sir. The Bee Gees will appear soon enough. Must be your favourite artistes too?

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you sir for the information. You are well versed in music. Do contribute some more.

KOH SUI PANG said...

I will keep my tears for my lover ...ha ha !!!!!!

NYONYA JENNY YEO said...

Andy my favourite song and each time I sing this song my tears will roll down.

This song reminds me of my sad past memories. Even when writing to you I'm emotional my tears start to roll again.

I don't know mandarin so I learnt the lyrics by heart and listening to the song many times. Being born in a tough Peranakan family I had a hard life since young. I love my late parents very much and do anything for them.

Thanks, Brother. One of these days we will organise an event at our restaurant and we will rock okay?

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Oh dear, I'm so sorry Jenny. But it's really good to cry sometimes when you remember the past. It's a catharsis and helps you to a better tomorrow. Take care.

Thanks Jenny, I shall wait for the day. :-)

FRED CHING said...

This is so kind of you to reply! Sending best wishes your way😊

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Oh my goodness, that's a beautiful piece you wrote, Fred. I shall put your story up on the main page of my SK Poon posting and send you a connection. Thanks so much. We all just love the Queen of Bass.

STEPHEN HAN said...

S L Poon used to move around with the late Foo Suyin.She is still alive and walk around a block in Toa Payoh.She appeared in a Koo Mei's movie called "The Swallow"a Shaw Bro Production.

FRED CHING said...

Thanks for your encouraging message and if I may add..Listening to SK Poon lovely songs always sends me to nicer times.

FACEBOOK ANDY said...

thank you facebook friends for LIKING this post
Irene Yap
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Anonymous said...

I have been listening to her songs since I was a teenager.
Her Lovers tears is ,in my opinion, the best of the lot.
Heard she stays in Toa Payoh.
I am sure all of us would like to
wish her good health ,happiness and long life.

CHIT CHAT said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
CHIT CHAT said...

Andy Young
Thanks Colin, that was fast and first. Appreciate the visit. Happy National Day.

Andy Young
Hi Dennis, thanks for the special visit. Is she your favourite singer? Any comment?

Koh Daisy
That’s a beautiful song. Poon has a very unique and mesmerising voice. I love listening to her oldies.

Andy Young
Koh Daisy yes, thanks so much for your comment. I must agree with you Daisy. 🙂

Hiroshi Deguchi
The song always makes me feel like going back to those days of SG when the song was in the air and when life was rather hard

Andy Young
Hiroshi Deguchi yes, it's a really sad song. But why was life in SG hard then?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"Andy, recently channel 8 broadcasted featuring Ms. Pan. Amazed at her achievement starting singing age 14 and first female singer from Singapore to be popular overseas and stayed in Hong Kong for decades. Also back to Singapore broadcasting company to train local singers. Though her songs were not born in my era, her songs are beautifully sung and I learnt to appreciate oldie songs. Cheers to many more popular Singapore musicians!

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks ANON, whoever you are. That's the best compliment for Ms Pan... Do visit the blog more often. Your comment is so positive and encouraging.

HIROSHI DEGUCHI [JAPAN] said...

Hiroshi Deguchi
Because Andy, it was the time, as We Are Singapore goes, when people said that Singapore won't make it. and it was the time when troubles seemed too much for us to take. So this was behind the scene of the song " Lovers Tears." I can guess many Singaporeans didn't have it easy in late 60s

JENNIE LAW said...

Jennie Law
I can sing this song pretty well

FREDA HANUM said...

Freda Hanum
Lovely old classics songs ....brought back so much memories of my mum...her favourite songs ...thanks for the share Andy

CHIT CHAT said...

THANK YOU ALL FOR LIKING THIS POST

Freda Hanum
Patrick Teng
Stephen Han
Angela Leow
Dennis Ng
Foo Jong Fook
Hiroshi Deguchi
Colin Colin
Yip Dick
Koh Daisy
Yen Chow
Jennie Law
Somkid Lakhawat
Michelle Tan
Peter Cheong
Ser Kiong Tan

FRED CHING [FREQUENT POP CONCERT GOER] said...

Brother Andy, thanks for posting! Some years ago I went to one of her sold-out concert at Suntec Singapore Convention Centre where she regaled us with stories and hit songs of her favourite singing legends.

Poon Sow Keng’s distinctive vocals has transcended across time and culture , influencing music lovers around the globe. Her crystal-clear and distinctive vocals with powerful penetrating high notes, is one extraordinary performer whose renditions will bring music souls on a beautiful reminiscing journey and a trip down nostalgia lane. Hope to see her performing again.
👍❤️🥰..

https://youtu.be/Bz6O0fEkWSQ?si=TBF0tV9DoqSSB_5P

CHIT CHAT said...

Andy Young
Fred Ching Thanks again for sharing your concert experience with my readers. I was told she lives in Singapore. Just wondering if we can get her for a live interview. Would be great.

Fred Ching
Andy Young That will be wonderful Brother Andy. Our dear friend, Peter Chua was once taught by her when he was with SBC. Here’s another favourite of mine. Enjoy 👍❤️🥰.. https://youtu.be/QZu7NPUfLc4?si=1xy_uMzlXtDotIlW

Andy Young
Fred Ching Oh really? Never knew. Thanks for information and song.