There are so many realms of Cpop to explore…China just has way too many people and way too many singers. From rookies of recent years to tried and true artists like JJ Lin, new and old Cpop fans stumble through songs they like, love, and hate to figure out their “type of song.” So whether you’re a virgin to Cpop or already a grandmother fan, you might find some interesting music from me as I proceed to introduce to everyone my song of the day, every single day for a year. They may be new releases, or they may be from a decade ago, but in my opinion, they are all good and worth listening to.
“Empathy” by Yoga Lin // Press play:
My first recommendation of the year is （林宥嘉)Yoga Lin’s “Empathy”, otherwise called “Senses”(“感同身受”). Overshadowed by the song from the same album that made Yoga a super-rookie, “Fairy Tale”(“说谎“), “Empathy” shares its own heartfelt story that would have otherwise been hugely noticed.
I’m a lyric person and I cry more because of sad words than a sad tune. This song isn’t what I would consider a lyric song. But if you’re a lyric person, don’t turn away quite yet. If any instrumental in the world will stick out to you, it’s right here. I’m not even sure what genre this song would be part of…it’s probably floating somewhere between pop and rock and soft rock but no rock legend I’ve seen has ever came out with a song like this. The instrumental fades in and fades out; one minute the drums are banging and the next, they disappear. The tune does not stretch Yoga’s unbelievably wide vocal range like “Fairy Tale” does, but this is the first time I have heard a song that flows this well and is this resistant to getting old when I put it on replay.
The song begins both dramatically and uniquely because the first line of lyrics is “If you’ve ever cried before, please stand up.” The song is about how everyone has once lived and died and cried for another person, and about how everyone goes through the same painful struggles, so while we go around saying things like “no one knows how much I loved him,” we’re probably repeating someone else’s words and replaying someone else’s regretful story. The way that the lyrics talk to the listener in the beginning and then the way the drums and electric guitar enter loudly after the first line made me feel like I was at a concert listening to this song and stepping up to admit that I have once cried for someone like never before.
So to Yoga Lin fans, Yoga Lin haters, or you sad people who have not discovered Yoga yet, I highly recommend you guys to listen to this one of a kind song.
To listen to my cover of this song, please click here. It’s not perfect but I would really appreciate it if you guys would take a look. Thanks!
Around the Clock CPOP 