The

Greatest

Cantopop
Songs of All Time!
Forty years ago, Hong Kong saw the
birth of Cantopop, a style of music which
would become one of the citys most
iconic cultural offerings. To mark its 40th
anniversary, Arthur Tam looks back over
the history of the equally loved and derided
genre and explores its evolution and
importance through its most beloved
songs, one year at a time

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The early years

The Fatal Irony

<<>>

The first Cantopop songstress

Sandra Lang

The Chinese-American singer of arguably the first

ever Cantopop hit, Fatal Irony <<>>,
reflects on that song, four decades on
It was great to have had Cantopop then or else the
Cantonese language would have died. I was very
lucky to have Fatal Irony <<>>. It was a
gift from God. No one had ever done a song like this
before and it became popular because people are good listeners.
I never claimed that Fatal Irony was the first Cantopop song, but thats
just what people keep telling me. I had no idea this song would be so
popular. Im just a singer and I just sang what I happened to come by. Im
very blessed.

The Genius and the Idiot

1974

1975
<< >>

Sandra Lang ()
In 1974, during the boom of HK media,
a theme song to a popular drama,
The Fatal Irony <<>>,
would change everything. It became
a massive hit, arguably becoming the
first ever Cantopop song, and starting
the procession of not only theme tunes
to every TV drama, but a new music
genre itself. It retains a resemblance
to traditional Chinese harmonies and
melodies, but enters a new world of
pop. bit.ly/fatalirony1974

Sam Hui ()
Featuring in the titular movie, which was
popularised due to its slapstick humour,
this song features a strong British rock
feel, reflecting the hangover of the popular
Beatles-influenced HK music of the 60s and
early 70s. Yet the colloquial, comedic nature
of this songs lyrics also struck a chord with
audiences. bit.ly/geniusandidiot

1976

Surging Tide
<<>>

1978

Tycoon <<>>
Paula Tsui ()
Though Tsui was in
entertainment for some time, it
wasnt until the release of Tycoon
that she became popular. The
simplicity of the composition and
lyrics turned this into a pop hit
perhaps laying the foundation
for the Cantopop formula.
bit.ly/tycoon1978

1977

A House is Not
a Home <<>>
Roman Tam ()
Yet another based on a TV
drama hit, this massive hit
by one of Cantopops greatest
singers was one of the first mega
pop tunes to make the step from
more traditional Chinese sounds
to more Western-influenced
melodies. bit.ly/familychaos

<< >>

<< >>

Below the Lion Rock

Roman Tam ()
Below the Lion Rock
has been called the
unofficial anthem
of Hong Kong. This
song symbolises hope
and was originally
used as the theme
song for a drama of
the same name. If you
havent caught on
by now, TV dramas
played a large part
in popularising
Cantopop.
bit.ly/belowlionrock

1980 Francis Yip ()

Shanghai Tang

1979

Susanna Kwan ()
As was the trend in the early
years of Cantopop, Surging
Tide was another theme
song, this time for popular
TV drama Hotel and acted as
Kwans claim to fame. The
song depicts the ebb and flow
of the tide as a metaphor for
love. bit.ly/SurgingTide

1981

Popularised by the hit TV drama,

The Bund, this song combines
traditional Chinese elements with
Yips dramatic Canto-centric
interpretation, making it one of the
most recognised Chinese melodies,
not only in Hong Kong, but in the
greater Chinese speaking world.
bit.ly/shanghaitang1980

A Flicker of Candlelight

<<>>

Michael Kwan ()
With its overt message of support, this song
has been used in many charity events for
disaster relief over the years. Positive and
optimistic, with an appropriate uplifting
melody to boot. bit.ly/flickerofcandlelight
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The height of Cantopop

1982

Tonights Night <<>>

Elisa Chan ()
With much of Cantopop already characterised by ballads,
Tonights Night stood out with its upbeat, Latin rumba
influences, becoming an instant dance floor staple with its
hip shaking rhythms. bit.ly/tonightsnight

Love Trap <<>>

1985

Bad Girl <<>>

Anita Mui ()
This song was cutting
edge for its time. While the
suggestive bluesy, hornfilled synth arrangement
was different, its lyrics and
particularly its rebellious
connotations got it banned
from radio airplay, which
made it even more tantalising
to listen to, and confirmed
Anita Mui as Asias Madonna.
bit.ly/badgirl1985

<< >>

Loving You Despite the Odds

Danny Chan ()
In this song, Chan ponders
why he still loves his lover
despite their tumultuous
relationship. He goes as
far as comparing love to
committing a crime, all to a
composition thats simple
but extremely catchy. bit.ly/
lovingyoudespitetheodds

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Silly Girl

<<>>

Leslie Cheung ()
By the early 80s, Japanese pop culture began
having a major influence over Hong Kong,
including in our music. This tune by the late
legend Cheung is a cover of Momoe Yamaguchis
J-pop song Sayonara no Mukougawa and ended
up being Cheungs quintessential song. Arguably,
it was at this time that Cantopop began its rise to
become the dominant musical genre in Asia, where
it would rule for a decade. bit.ly/thewindblows

1987

1986

1983

<< >>

Alan Tam ()
Originally the theme song for the hit anime Megazone 23,
Tam turned Kumi Miyasatos Senaka Goshi ni Sentimental
a perfectly 80s synth-rock tune into a Cantonese
favourite. bit.ly/lovetrap

The Wind Blows

1984

Priscilla Chan ()
Silly Girl is a remake of the Spanish
song La Loca by Maria Conchita
Alonso. The unique melody, combined
with Priscilla Chans voice, beautifully
conjures up the memories of a past
lover. This is still Priscilla Chans
most popular song to date.
bit.ly/sillygirl1987

My Favourite Song

Anthony Lun

1988

The Aura of Friendship

<<>>

Maria Cordero ()
The Aura of Friendship is the theme song
for the movie Prison On Fire, which depicted
a close band of friends helping each other
through tough times like Hong Kongs
version of Thats What Friends Are For.
Aura became a symbol of friendship and
it is Filipino singer Maria Corderos most
popular song. bit.ly/auraoffriendship

One of Hong Kongs most iconic

composers, who has written
countless hits for mega stars,
especially for divas like Anita Mui,
Faye Wong and Sandy Lam.
Whats your most iconic
Cantopop song ever?
Leslie Cheungs Star <<>>. As
a composer, I myself always feel that
the most difficulty in writing a pop
song is to use the least complicated
phrases to express a most haunting
sound. Maestro James Wong did it.
Salute to the song Star!

My Favourite Song

Whats your most iconic Cantopop song ever?

Beyonds Goodbye Ideas <<>>. This DIY
cassette release back in the 80s rocks my heart and
soul. This song is one of the pioneering Cantorock
and Cantoblues tunes that opened up a lot of
possibilities. The creative genius and the iconic voice
of the late Wong Ka-kui is also timeless.

Who Understands
the Players Heart
<<>>

Dave Wong ()
If youre a man with too much
love to give, this is the song
for you. Dave Wongs Who
Understands the Players
Heart is a poetic ode to a man
who just cant help but love
more than one woman.
bit.ly/playersheart

<< >>

The Glorious Years

1990

Beyond
The late 80s and early 90s represented one of the
few eras where rock bands had a foothold in HK
music. And in The Glorious Years, the immortal
band Beyond praises Nelson Mandela for his
selflessness and courage in his fight to challenge
Apartheid, with the lyrics an ever important part
of Cantopop matched by raw rock chords and
anthemic melodies. bit.ly/thegloriousyears

1992

1989

The Red Sun

<<>>

Hacken Lee ()
The Red Sun a cover
of Sore Ga Daiji sung by
the Daijiman Brothers
Band is one of the most
encouraging songs in
Cantopop history. The
message to listeners is to
never give up at whatever
they are striving for.
bit.ly/redsun1992

1993

Boundless Oceans
Vast Skies
<<>>

Beyond
Boundless Oceans Vast Skies characterises Beyonds
journey to stardom, and the way they proved many
detractors wrong in finding massive success as a band.
An epic rock ballad, this song was the last huge hit
for Beyond before the tragic death of frontman Wong
Ka-kui, which saw the end of the band at the height of
their popularity. bit.ly/boundlessoceans

<< >>

He is hailed as HKs pop culture

maven. Having been the host of
the immensely popular CR2 radio
show Chi-chungs Choice in the
late 80s and 90s, Wong has gone
on to help develop Hong Kongs
music and art scene.

Your Last Name and My Surname

1996

Wong Chi-chung

Jacky Cheung ()

The mellifluous melody

combined with Cheungs
dynamic voice turned this
song into an instant hit. But
what solidified it as a major
favourite were the lyrics,
which suggests a proposal
for marriage, tugging at the
sentimental heartstrings of
the city. bit.ly/yourlastname

1991

The Days We
Spent Together
<<>>
Andy Lau ()
This is this pop legends
most famous song to date.
The dramatic melody, which
mixes heavy percussion,
traditional Chinese erhu
and Laus signature voice,
captures the devastation of
losing a loved one.
bit.ly/daysspenttogether

1995

Flirtations

<<>>

Anthony Wong ()
This is Wongs most iconic song to date an edgy
song for its time due to the sexual connotations
present in the lyrics. It was also a song in Wong
Kar-wais film Happy Together, starring Tony Leung
and Leslie Cheung. bit.ly/flirtations

1994

Let Me Go with You

<<>>

Cass Pang ()
Following in the footsteps of their Western
counterparts like Mariah and Whitney,
Cantopop saw the emergence of the Hong
Kong diva in the early 90s. And few other
songs epitomise the strong, emotionally
wrought female ballad of the time like this
song from Cass Pang. bit.ly/letmegowithyou

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The Post-Handover years

1998

1997

<<>>

<< >>

William So ()
A classic Cantopop karaoke song. It meets the
requirements of a sing-song melody, catchy lyrics
and the theme of heartbreak. bit.ly/themorewekiss

Promise

The More We Kiss the More it Hurts

Faye Wong ()
Faye Wong is, perhaps, the most
loved Chinese singer of all time, and
this song is her most iconic Cantonese
classic. This ballads lyrics talk about
star-crossed lovers who shared an
incredible moment together that
they will cherish forever, elevated by
Wongs singular voice and elegance.
bit.ly/promise1997

2002

1999

Incidental Music
<<>>

Sammi Cheng ()
This song, released at
the peak of the divas
career, departs from the
usual karaoke fodder,
with a dark, shuffling
arrangement and pleading
atmosphere, which
catapulted it
to mega popularity.
bit.ly/incidentalmusic

2000

The King of Karaoke

<<K>>

Eason Chan ()
This song, which pays tribute to
Hong Kongs karaoke culture, became
an instant classic, taking lyrics and
melodies from the most iconic past Canto
hits for full nostalgic effect. It was also
Easons first megahit, starting him on the
path to becoming The King of Cantopop,
a crown he undoubtedly still wears
today. bit.ly/thekingofkaraoke

Lets Breakup
<<>>

<<>>

Joey Yung ()
Coming just as the SARS
epidemic brought Hong Kong
to its knees, Joey Yungs My
Pride became an anthem of
the city, galvanising people
with its positive and uplifting
message. The pretty melody
and Yungs crisp, clean voice
elevated it to be the song of the
year. bit.ly/MyPride

Known as Lin Xis

protg, Lin Ruoning is
one of the head honchos
at CR2 and has become
one of Hong Kongs most
prolific lyricists because
of his pogniant words.

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Nicholas Tse ()
During Tses relationship
with Faye Wong, he released
this song as a symbol of love
for her. His and her fans alike
found it to be a touching
story and, combined with
the haunting music, this
song became a hit.
bit.ly/jadebutterfly

2004
Small City, Big Problems
<<>>

My Favourite Song
Lin Ruoning

<< >>

My Pride

2001

Jade Butterfly

2003

Candy Lo ()
The simple and addictive
melody has made this one
of the most identifiable
Cantonese karaoke songs of
all time. The lyrics glorify
heartbreak and reinforce the
idea that suffering can be
triste. bit.ly/letsbreakup

Whats your most

iconic Cantopop
song ever?
Eason Chans Dancing
in the Dark <<
>>. The reason why I
like it is simple. It makes
me cry.

Miriam Yeung ()
This song, which features
throwback hints to traditional
Chinese melodies, was a
stand out from other overly
saccharine ballads. bit.ly/
smallcitybigproblems

2005

<< >>

Riffraff

2006

Ronald Cheng
()
Chengs first big hit
sees the singer play the
worse kind of riffraff,
questioning why his
girlfriend still loves him.
The introspective nature
of the song resonated
with listeners.
bit.ly/riffraff2005

Too Late to Love

<<>>

Leo Koo ()
The popularity of this song is mostly due to the
karaoke-friendly characteristics of the melody, at
a time when the formulaic elements of Cantopop
were going into overdrive and seeing the genre
lose popularity. Its easy to sing along to and, with
the appearance of Hong Kong darling Vivian
Chow, it became a popular MV. bit.ly/toolatetolove

2009

If I Was Eason Chan

<<>>

2007

2008

Growth Rings

Wedding Card Street

HOCC ()
Besides the wistful and
gripping melody, the lyrics
of Growth Rings describe the
progression of a relationship
through the symbolism
of a trees growth rings
something a person doesnt
seen until a tree is chopped
down. A deep song from an
artist who sought a different
way to approach Cantopop.
bit.ly/growthrings

Kay Tse ()
To the dismay of the
public, historical areas like
Wedding Card Street have
been demolished in the
pursuit of modernity. This
song accurately reflects
those sentiments, striking
an emotional chord with
listeners concerned about
the destruction of the
heritage of the city. bit.ly/
weddinginvitationstreet

<<>>

Mr.
After lying dormant for 15 years, bands
returned to Hong Kongs mainstream in
the late 2000s, led by the likes of Mr. and
Rubberband. This hit, ironically a reference
to Cantopops biggest name, heralded the
rebirth of the citys band sound, which has
spawned several other promising outfits
since. bit.ly/IfIWasEasonChan

<<>>

2010

Tourbillion
<<>>

Eason Chan ()
Tourbillion criticises Hong
Kongs unrelenting materialistic
and profit driven culture.
Listeners are left questioning
what they value in life and
whether or not their possession
and achievements define their
happiness. bit.ly/tourbillion2010

2012 Negative Space <<>>

Ivana Wong ()
The appearance of an artist
like Ivana Wong, a respected
multi-instrumental and
songwriter with experimental
inclinations, has shown
the changes in Cantopop in
recent years, with audiences
looking for alternatives to the

samey ballads particularly

with this song. Electro and
dubstep influences, a quirky
arrangement and a haunting
atmosphere all elevate this song,
making it the obvious standout
star of the year while elevating
Wongs popularity.
bit.ly/negativespace2012

2013

The Wanderer

2011

Whoever <<>>
William So ()
After not releasing a
song for years, William
Sos return to the pop fold
saw Whoever propelled
to the top of the charts.
Its simple, unashamedly
karaoke-driven and
clichd in its lyrics hit
material, clearly.
bit.ly/whoever2011

<<>>

Eason Chan ()
Christopher Chaks composition is the perfect marriage to the
poetic lyrics of this song that expresses the human need for other
human beings. bit.ly/thewanderer2013

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