China News Service, Quanzhou, January 31 (Wu Guanbiao) "Three points are destined, seven points depend on hard work, only if you love to work hard will you win..." The Hokkien song "Love to work hard will win" is popular all over the country and is sung. Never fade.
In the recently launched "Why China Xianghai Quanzhou" online theme event in Quanzhou, Fujian, Chen Baitan, a well-known Taiwanese musician who is the songwriter of "Love to Fight Will Win", came on stage to sing this classic Hokkien song. I hope this Songs can be sung forever.
""You Will Win If You Work Hard" brought me fame and restrained me for half my life, allowing me to maintain self-discipline and love to work hard." Chen Baitan said humorously.
The picture shows Taiwanese musician Chen Baitan singing "If You Work Hard, You Will Win" in Quanzhou. Photo courtesy of Quanzhou Radio and Television Station
When talking about the creative process of "Love to Fight Will You Win", Chen Baitan downplayed it. "It was noon. I couldn't sleep. I was bored and wanted to write a simple inspirational song in Hokkien. "You Will Win If You Love to Work Hard" was born unintentionally. Later, the song became so popular that it was released It’s beyond my expectation and I’m very pleased.”
Chen Baitan, who is determined to create "authentic" Hokkien songs, has personally or entrusted friends to visit Quanzhou, Xiamen, Zhangzhou and other places in southern Fujian many times to collect and learn about the most traditional and pure "Hokkien flavor".
"I have always wanted to get rid of the 'Oriental flavor' in the previous Hokkien songs, and in Quanzhou's Nanyin, I found the simple flavor of Hokkien and found creative inspiration." Chen Baitan said that by listening to Nanyin and Gezi opera, he learned Southern Hokkien Folk proverbs, he was able to incorporate the essence of Hokkien into his songs and blaze his own path.
The picture shows Taiwanese musician Chen Baitan singing "If You Work Hard, You Will Win" in Quanzhou. Photo courtesy of Quanzhou Radio and Television Station
As the originator of Taiwanese Hokkien pop music and the winner of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 2022 World Hokkien Golden Melody Awards, Chen Baitan continues to pay attention to the development of Hokkien songs. In 2023, he participated in the World Hokkien Music Development Summit Forum and advocated cultivating a group of cross-strait Hokkien music talents and celebrities through the construction of a world Hokkien cultural center, and creating a number of nationally renowned Hokkien music brand activities and projects.
On the evening of November 11, 2023, the 2023 World Hokkien Golden Song Awards Ceremony was held in Xiamen. Chen Baitan sang "You Will Win Only If You Love to Work" live, inspiring all Hokkien musicians to continue to carry forward the spirit of "love to fight and dare to win" and bravely pursue their dreams.
Recently, the mother of a friend in Hui'an, Quanzhou, passed away. Chen Baitan was commissioned by him to compose a Hokkien song with the theme of remembering his mother, and named it "Dream Hometown".
"When I wrote "Dream Hometown", I have been thinking about Quanzhou. This is the hometown of my ancestors and my hometown." In Chen Baitan's eyes, Quanzhou is both fashionable and simple, which is very suitable for life. "No one will dislike his hometown. Quanzhou is great."
Jinjiang, Quanzhou, is Chen Baitan’s ancestral home. He feels that he has a secret connection with Quanzhou. While participating in the online themed event "Why China? Quanzhou to the Sea", he said that he quickly found his roots in Quanzhou and would come to recognize his relatives someday.
"The bitterness of the past has passed. I am very happy now. When I have time, I will go back to Quanzhou to walk around, visit the old streets, listen to Nanyin, and make tea and chat with old friends. It is one of the great enjoyments of life." Chen Baitan said . (over)