Songs By], 姚苏蓉 [Yao Su Rong] - 負心的人 [fùxīn ni rén] 今天不回家 [jin tian bu hui jia]

 

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[負心的人] fuxin ni ren

She is one of the prettiest lady singers from Taiwan hailing from the late 60's and her songs were big hits. I learnt about them from a Chinese school teacher friend who explained to me what one of her famous songs, [負心的人] fuxin ni ren meant.

''A cruel-hearted lover'', he explained, ''who jilted another.'' Of course.

Still hummed, whistled and sung today this memorable Chinese pop classic remains in the hearts of many.

And the lady singer is Yao Su Rong. 

[今天不回家] jin tian bu hui jia

I found later that another song I was familiar with originated from the same singer. In English it translated to, Today, I Won't Come Home, or [今天不回家] jin tian bu  hui jia. It was this song that brought her fame. And the title brought me confusion.

姚苏蓉 [Yao Su Rong] -  負心的人 [fùxīn ni rén] - YouTube Video by meme ko. Thank you.

Translated literally, the lyrics tell about a wandering person, with a hesitating heart, lost in a cross street and not returning home. The past is like smoke, love is like a mystery. Living with the hazy moon and dim star he has lost his heart. Don't forget the sweetness of home. But he's not going home today. Why doesn't he go home today.

When I first heard the tune it was played during a Chinese funeral band procession on a Singapore street in the 70s. I was familiar with the title and the music but not the lyrics. They were totally irrelevant to the scene that I witnessed or imagined on that street. I realised that, Today I Won't Come Home, had a different reference altogether. 

姚苏蓉 [Yao Su Rong]

Known as The Tearful Singing Queen, as some of the more famous Chinese singers had nicknames then, Ms. Yao recorded sentimental love ballads that were the order of the day. She has a captivating voice, Mandarin diction that was revered by her fans and became Taiwan's diva from the early 70's. Tears welled in her eyes when she performed on stage leaving her audiences sobbing too.

This singer and actress had recorded about 200 songs within a span of about 5 years and made twelve films. That's her significance. But nearly half of them that she recorded were banned as ''unhealthy and immoral'' in Taiwan. So South East Asia, especially Hong Kong, became her open stage and playground and it is easy to realise why she has remained to stay quietly in Singapore and made it her home to this day. A legend indeed. 

Comments are welcomed. 

姚苏蓉 [Yao Su Rong]- 今天不回家 [jin tian bu hui jia] YouTube Official Video. 

From Life Records. Thank you.

Jilted- the movie. Click to read.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/04/jilted-tang-lan-hua-quests-ep.html

Images from Google and Videos from YouTube.