Leslie Cheung –Years of Love 当年情 - 张国荣 1986

Details

Description

Leslie Cheung was born in Hong Kong on Sept 12, 1956. Therefore, to celebrate Leslie’s birthday today, here is one of his most beautiful songs, composed and arranged by by Joseph Koo, with lyrics by James Wong - the theme song of the film "A Better Tomorrow". It was originally on Huaxing Records – CAL-03-1040 , Hong Kong, 01 Oct 1986, and then on Seoul Records SZPR-058 South Korea vinyl 1989 "A Better Tomorrow". This 1985 Korean song by Koo Kwang-mo may have had some bearing on the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3doU7eKHsM Kwang-mo.

Leslie Cheung was born Cheung Fat-chung (張發宗) in Hong Kong on Sept 12, 1956 to Cheung Wut-hoi, a tailor,and Poon Yuk-yiu. The youngest of ten children in a middle-class Hakka family with ancestry from Meizhou, Guangdong. His parents divorced when he was quite young. At the age of 12, he was sent to Norwich School in England. He later worked as a bartender at his relatives' restaurant in Southend-on-Sea, and sang during the weekends. He chose his name, Leslie, because "I love the film Gone with the Wind. And I like Leslie Howard." He also attended Leeds University where he studied textile management but his time there was cut short as he returned to HK to help his father who was ill.

As well as being a much-loved singer, he was ranked as the favourite actor in the 100 years of Chinese cinema. In 2010, he was voted the third "Most Iconic Musicians of All Time" (after Michael Jackson and The Beatles). Leslie committed suicide on April 1, 2003 by jumping off the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong.

His suicide note in translation: "Depression! Many thanks to all my friends. Many thanks to Professor Felice Lieh-Mak (Leslie's last psychiatrist). This year has been so tough. I can't stand it anymore. Many thanks to Mr. Tong. Many thanks to my family. Many thanks to Sister Fei. In my life I have done nothing bad. Why does it have to be like this? “
It's 19 years since Leslie's passing but his legacy and popularity remains as strong as ever. Bless you Leslie, and thank you for the treasures you gave us.

I highly recommend http://www.lesliecheung-dreamworld.com as well as http://www.lesliecheung.com.cn.

Lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY4GYHCLXYU

轻轻笑声．在为我送温暖
你为我．注入快乐强电
轻轻说声．漫长路快要走过
终于．走到明媚晴天
声声欢呼跃起．像红日发放金箭
我伴你．往日笑面重现
轻轻叫声．共抬望眼看高空
终于．青天优美为你献
拥着你．当初温馨再涌现
心里边．童年稚气梦未污染
今日我．与你又试肩并肩
当年情．此刻是添上新鲜
一望你．眼里温馨已通电
心里边．从前梦一点未改变
今日我．与你又试肩并肩
当年情．再度添上新鲜
(repeat lines 5 to 16 - after instrumental break)

English Translation (Courtesy of Tianlu's translation at chinesepandamusic.wordpress.com.)
The soft laughter gives me warmth.
You gave me a jolt of happiness.
We speak softly. The long road is almost over.
Finally, we’ve arrived at the bright, clear day.

The sounds and excitement rise, like the golden arrows of the red sun.
I’m with you as the laughter of the past appears again.
We call softly, lifting our eyes together to look at the sky above.
Finally, I can give you the beautiful clear sky.

Hugging you, the initial warmth re-emerges.
In my heart, the dreams of childhood have not been contaminated.
Today I stand again with you, shoulder to shoulder.
The love of the past, at this moment, has added freshness.

A look at you, the warmth in the eyes connect.
In my heart, the dreams of the past have not changed.
Today I stand again with you, shoulder to shoulder.
The love of the past adds freshness once again.
(repeat verses 2,3,4 after instrumental break)