Zai shui yifang (song)
| "Zai Shui Yifang" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Chiang Lei | |
| from the album Zai Shui Yifang OST | |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Released | November 1, 1975 |
| Genre | Mandopop |
| Length | 3:36 |
| Label | Kolin Records |
| Composer(s) | Lin Chia-ching |
| Lyricist(s) | Chiung Yao |
"Zai Shui Yifang" (Chinese: 在水一方; pinyin: Zài shuǐ yīfāng; lit. 'Across the Water'), also translated "On the Other Side of the Water",[1] is a song first recorded by Taiwanese singer Chiang Lei for the soundtrack of the Taiwanese film The Unforgettable Character (1975). Written by Chiung Yao and composed by Lin Chia-ching, it was included on side A of the film's soundtrack album, released on November 1, 1975.
The lyrics of the song are taken from the poem "Qin Feng Jianjia" from the ancient Chinese poetry collection Classic of Poetry. "Zai Shui Yifang" was covered by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng in 1980, and has since been covered by various other artists. In 2005, the original recording of "Zai Shui Yifang" was named one of the 100 Golden Songs of Chinese Cinema in the Past 100 Years by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Film Association.[2]
Background and release
The music of "Zai Shui Yifang" was composed by Lin Chia-ching (林家慶) and lyricized by Chiung Yao (瓊瑤). In 1975, Chiung adapted lyrics from her novel to create the theme song for her film The Unforgettable Character—which shares its Chinese title with the song (在水一方). It was first sung by the female singer Chiang Lei (江蕾) in the film.[3] Concurrently, it was sung by the male singer Frankie Kao (高凌風) in the movie soundtrack, which was released several months after the film on November 1, 1975. In 1980, Teresa Teng included the song in her album of the same name (在水一方). Later, many other singers, such as Fei Yu-ching, also recorded this song.
Writing and composition
The lyrics of "Zai Shui Yifang" originate from the novel of the same name by Chiung, which tells the love story between a young female teacher Du Xiaoshuang and a painter Yu Chukuan, whose encounter is akin to a reflection in the water—"brief and beautiful".[4] It revolves around themes of love and sacrifice, with lines such as "Since meeting is fate, is separation also destined? / You are the most beautiful accident in my life."[5]
The original lyrics were drawn from the ancient Chinese poem titled "Qin Feng Jianjia" (秦风·蒹葭), which is part of the ancient Classic of Poetry collection. Composer Lin commented, " 'Zai shui yifang' describes all the various aspects of flowing water, from the low-pitched verses that flow like water to the surging high-pitched chorus. The layers of water flow can be heard in the song, which is destined to be widely sung by people of all genders."[3]
Teresa Teng version
| "Zai Shui Yifang" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Teresa Teng | |
| from the album Zai Shui Yifang | |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Released | February 12, 1980 |
| Genre | Mandopop |
| Length | 3:47 |
| Label |
|
| Composer(s) | Lin Chia-ching |
| Lyricist(s) | Chiung Yao |
Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng recorded "Zai Shui Yifang" for her Mandarin studio album of the same name, which was released through Polydor Hong Kong on February 12, 1980. The song quickly became a hit across Taiwan and mainland China.[6] The following year, the album was certified platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Hong Kong.[7]
Legacy
In 2019, the Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau designated January 29 as "Teresa Teng Day" in commemoration of her 66th birthday. As part of the tribute, "Zai Shui Yifang" was chosen as the official theme of the Love River and aired simultaneously across multiple radio stations.[8][9]
References
- ^ "Chinese pop music since the 1980s". China.org.cn. December 2008.
- ^ 中国电影百年百首金曲, 1905-2005 (in Chinese). China Film Publishing House. 2009. ISBN 978-7-106-02974-6.
- ^ a b "瓊瑤電影同名主題曲〈在水一方〉：七〇年代版「大仁哥」主題曲" [The theme song of the Qiong Yao movie "On the Waterside": the 1970s version of the theme song of "Da Ren Ge"]. TNL (in Chinese). October 10, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Tai, Rose (December 4, 2024). "瓊瑤10+部代表作！小說改編電視劇、電影成經典，捧紅林青霞、趙薇、林心如" [Qiong Yao's 10+ masterpieces! TV series and movies adapted from her novels have become classics, making Brigitte Lin, Zhao Wei, and Ruby Lin famous]. Marie Claire Taiwan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "回顧瓊瑤代表作》經典小說、電視劇主題曲、台詞，捧紅一代演員│TVBS新聞網" [Review of Qiong Yao's masterpieces: classic novels, TV series theme songs, lines, and the rise of a generation of actors]. TVBS (in Chinese (Taiwan)). December 4, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "[知乐留声]你好！邓丽君" [[Zhi Le Liu Sheng] Hello! Teresa Teng]. Sohu (in Chinese). February 6, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1981". IFPI Hong Kong.
- ^ "高雄市将设邓丽君日 在邓丽君冥诞当天推纪念活动" [Kaohsiung City to hold Teresa Teng Day and hold memorial activities on the anniversary of Teresa Teng's death]. Sina News (in Chinese). January 28, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "高市定1/29為鄧麗君日 家屬：感覺被消費" [Kaohsiung City designated January 29 as Teresa Teng Day. Family members: I feel I am being exploited]. Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation (in Traditional Chinese). January 28, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
External links
- Search results for 在水一方 at MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary