Welcome to this month’s Music Obsessions!
I’ve basically decided to spend this year highlighting musicians much like last month’s focus on Pakho Chau, this month I’m going into classics and diving into the early and popular songs of Alan Tam or normally known as Principal Tam in Hong Kong because of his contribution to Hong Kong’s music industry for decades. Even now in his seventies, he still is a big influence for many singers.
愛的根源 Root of Love – 譚詠麟 Alan Tam
Root of Love is the title song of a 1984 album that began the start of successive albums to be launched. Rightfully so as Root of Love shows off the love ballads which Alan Tam was initially known for. Its a great song with great lyrics written in the early career of lyricist and comedy actor Andrew Lam, who also pens a few of Alan Tam’s renowned songs as well.
愛情陷阱 Love’s Trap – 譚詠麟 Alan Tam
Honestly, I never knew that this song was as big a hit than being a part of the phase of well-received albums launching in 1985. My memory of this is purely nostalgia as I grew up with this song playing on a cassette that my dad would always put on in the care when we went for drives. Love’s Trap isn’t a love ballad and is a much faster speed. The lyrics of all of Alan Tam’s songs are well thought out and the rhythm is awesome. I still have so much fun listening to it which is one this list mostly because when I sing this to my 8 month old and add in some little movements, he is thoroughly entertained.
一生中最愛 Love of a Lifetime – 譚詠麟 Alan Tam
Love of a Lifetime is the theme song of 1991 film Alan & Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye (which I have never seen but actually would like to see it). Its also one of the most known songs of his. There’s something so touching about how this song all comes together from how he sings it and the beautifully romantic lyrics that makes this song so heartfelt.
卡拉永遠OK Karaoke Forever – 譚詠麟 Alan Tam
I might talking about a ton of hits but I’m also here to have some fun and a few months ago, I shared the rendition of this one (I think) and thats actually how I heard this song and sought out the original version. Both are really good and that’s why its on here. Its just a fun song. Sometimes, its just purely about feeling good.
夏日寒風 Summer Breeze – 譚詠麟 Alan Tam
There’s not a lot to say about this. Summer Breeze is one of those catchy Alan Tam songs that I like a lot. I don’t always know the name of all his songs but the moment the chorus pops up, it all comes back.
BONUS: L.O.V.E – Wynners
Let’s dial things way back into 1970s before I was alive (not that I was even born for the majority of the songs that I showed here). Wynners is a 1970s band in Hong Kong. One of my favorite songs of theirs is this one and soon realized that Alan Tam and Kenny Bee both great singers are from this band before going on their solo careers.
That’s it for this Music Obsessions!
Its a bit old and nostalgic but Alan Tam’s voice is super unique and its why I wanted to share it!
What have you been listening to?
Tranquil Dreams 