Thursday, June 23, 2022

Teresa Teng: The Moon Represents My Heart: In English by Eliza Mammoliti 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君

"The Moon Represents My Heart"
Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 
English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti.
YouTube video from WJ LimaWix

A Teresa Teng Fan writes in from the West:

The note below comes from blog reader Axel, to comment on*this music blog's article and video about Teresa Teng. I thought the letter would be better as an independent posting. The rendition by Mammoliti [YouTube, below] is simply beautiful. Thanks my friend for your contribution. 

Axel's letter:

Hello Andy,

Found another English version of this beautiful song - the singer also sings in Chinese. I don't know if I can embed a YouTube link here - otherwise search for WJ LimaWix, as the name of the person who has uploaded the video - the video title is also listed as "The Moon Represents My Heart - Teresa Teng, 月亮代表我的心 - 邓丽君 English Cover by Elisa Mammoliti" - uploaded in August, 2020. 

Teresa Teng: the original singer of this song.

Also this interesting comment is included "This English cover is performed by Elisa Mammoliti in Italy on Aug 1st, 2020. Instrumental orchestration is provided by my good friend Fred Chiosa in Lagos, Nigeria. All done while we sheltered-at-home in this Covid-19 era" - truly a global cooperation... 

The museum in Taipei.

I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa Teng's brother in Taipei, in 2009 - apart from eating at his restaurant, also seeing his small Teresa Teng museum, and a conversation about her life.. The song has been a favorite of mine, ever since my first trip to Asia, in 1981 - i didn't understand a word... didn't matter... the angelic voice made the connect to... well... my heart... now... my wish... would be that Andrea Bocelli makes a recording to the song...

Cheers.. 

Axel

*As many fans would know, TT's songs are banned in China. Are they still banned today? What happens to people who own vinyl, CDs and her recordings?

Comment anyone?

Teng Chang-fu
Teresa Teng's brother.

Images: Google.

Interesting Comments. Names Have Been Withheld:

Viewer A: 
Truly a melody and a memory that transcends borders. This is a song that represents the sentiments and feelings of many generations of Chinese, mainland or overseas: and I'd say to China - lighten up! 

Our hearts are always shining like the moon. Bravo to Elisa Mammoliti, you may not speak Mandarin, but you certainly speak the language of love and longing.

Viewer B:
Why the 'moon'? It is always waxing and waning, and in English [at least] Literature, it is a metaphor for inconstancy. Especially when it is the 'moon represents my heart'?

I ask out of puzzlement. Have puzzled me for some time now.

Maybe she is referring to a supermoon. We had one on 14 June, 2022. Perhaps her love was like the supermoon, so full, so bright, so perfectly round.
Viewer A:
Sigh... sometimes I think Singaporeans are so educated that we lose our sense of wonder and imagination. Can't blame some folks for calling us 'clinical'.

Viewer B:
Be serious but also not serious.
If we were dead serious, we'd be dead, literally. I take my hat off to those under oppressive regimes, who can see the irony, and therefore, the humorous side of things. Otherwise, how to survive?

Andy invites comments. 

Images - Google.

10 comments:

R. CHNG [PRO. LEAD GUITARIST] said...

This song has to be sung in Mandarin; no two way about it. It simply doesn't sound right or good in English. Just my personal view.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

I can agree but then such ideals are subjective. It is better to give an honest opinion rather than to be politically correct though.

Her singing, especially voice modulation, is great. It befits the melody and feel.

MARJORIE TAN said...

As the moon waxes and wanes, it reflects life's ups and downs. She's probably saying her heart is full when her lover is near, and empty when he's away.

Held by the tides
passing 'tween sun and earth
Visible then invisible
Appearing, disappearing
Waxing and waning
The moon reflects
Life's ups and downs
Representing
A heart that's full
When love is near
Empty when away

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Interesting poetical response indeed.
And sensitive too...
Thanks Marjorie.

Do visit the blog again.

STEPHEN HAN said...

When Teresa Teng was started to sing a lady brought her to her flat in Toa Payoh.
I happened to stay at that block and travelled the same lift with them. She looked beautiful at that time. I love her voice especially the song entitled, ”The Moon Represents My Heart”.
Kind of sad she died young.

WINSTON KOH [SINGER WITH 'THE TRALERS'] said...

I met her at RTS during the 60's and she was 16 years old; the lady who accompanied her was her mother. Yes, she had a very unique voice, a great singer and love to listen to all her songs.

Unfortunately she died in Chiangmai, at the Mae Ping Hotel aged 42.

ERICBRONSON WONG [HONGKONG] said...

Howdy Brother Andy,,

There was a time when U join a one day tour in Hong Kong during D weekend,, Special for fans was a tour after lunch it includes a two hour visit to Terasa Teng's residence which is a bungalow with a nice romantic garden full of roses in Stanley Bay,,

D housekeeper who works for Teresa also tells some stories of her life n times with her working there if U ask questions. She would delightfully n gladly answer U obligingly,, She was a long loyal n faithful employee for more than ten years until Teresa's untimely death,,

l had some pictures taken but l do not know where l stacked,, it's been too long ago, however D sentimental memory of that visit is good enough to remember for a lifetime ,,,

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks to all for the comments on the YOUTUBE song by Ms. Mammoliti and the close proximity stories of meetings with Teresa Teng.

Very lucky fans. I only know her songs.

It'll also be interesting if more comments on Ms. MAMMOLITI's rendition are expressed. Would be interesting to know how many like the song sung in other languages.

TITO LAGUNZAD [YOU TUBE] said...

How wonderful a voice you have beautiful young lady, it enters the depths of my soul, it is fascinating to listen to I'm so impressed, I'm so amazed, an awesome wonderful voice and it's phenomenal. Your song, when you sing, it flows into the deepest part of my heart.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

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