James Wong

siuyiu
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James Wong Jul 21, 2014 2:46:04 GMT chinaman likes this

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Post by siuyiu on Jul 21, 2014 2:46:04 GMT

AKA: 黃霑, Wong Jim, 劉傑
16 Mar 1941 - 24 Nov 2004
Born: 黃湛森 in Guangzhou
Family: Wah Wah 華娃 (1st wife; singer), Eunice Lam 林燕妮 (CL wife; writer), Winnie Chan 陳惠敏 (2nd wife), 2 sons, Ursule Wong 黃宇詩 (daughter; tv host)

The sixth of eight children, Mr Wong's family moved to Hong Kong in 1949. A graduate from Hong Kong University in 1963, Mr Wong went on to earn a Masters in Philosophy and later a PhD in 2003; the topic of his thesis paper was "The rise and decline of Cantopop : a study of Hong Kong popular music(1949-1997)" 《粵語流行曲的發展與興衰：香港流行音樂研究（1949─1997）》. His career began when he assisted his high school music (and harmonica) teacher on a radio show the teacher was hosting. During his long career in the Hong Kong entertainment industry and media, he wore many hats--lyricist was just one, though he was influential in the rise of Cantopop as a legit genre of music in the 1970s and 1980s. His similarity in name with Lo Kwok Tsim prompted them to be nicknamed "The Two Jims", and his fruitful collaborations with Joseph Koo earned them the nickname 「煇黃」 , homonymous for "brilliant". He died of lung cancer in 2004.

Most Well-Known Works

TV themesongs

theme for CTV's SDYXZ ("LOCH76") 《誰是大英雄》 (as composer and lyricist)

theme and subthemes for CTV's SDXL ("ROCH76") 《神雕俠侶
》 (composer and lyricist for theme, composer for subthemes)
themes and subthemes for Demi-Gods, Semi-Devils 《倆忘煙水裡》《萬水千山縱橫》
themes and subthemes for LOCH83 《一生有意義》《桃花開》《千愁記舊情》《肯去承擔愛》《世間始終你好》
theme for TVB's The Bund and sequels 《上海灘》《萬般情》《上海灘龍虎鬥》
theme for RTHK's Under the Lion Rock 《獅子山下》
theme and subthemes for Heavenly Sword, Dragon Sabre《倚天屠龍記》《熊熊聖火》
theme for Chor Lau Heung 《楚留香》
theme and subtheme for TVB's The Foundation 《夢裏幾番哀》《不見我淚流》
theme for The Duke of Mount Deer 《始終會行運》
theme for Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain 《雪山飛狐》
theme for The Return of Luk Siu Fung 《留下我美夢》
theme for LOCH95 《絕世絕招》
theme for TVB's Conflict 《奮鬥》
theme for TVB's A Kindred Spirit《真情細說》
theme for The Legend of Master So 《忘盡心中情》
theme for The Possessed 《大步上青雲》
theme for RTV's Crocodile Tears 《鱷魚淚》 (composer & lyricist)

Movie themesongs

《晚風》 for Shanghai Blues 《上海之夜》
《滄海一聲笑》 for Swordsman (composer & lyricist)
《當年情》 for A Better Tomorrow 《英雄本色》
《男兒當自強》 for Once Upon a Time in China 《黃飛鴻》
《黎明不要來》for A Chinese Ghost Story《倩女幽魂》
《焚心以火》for A Terra-Cotta Warrior 《秦俑》 (co-written with Joseph Koo)

Compositions (as composer and/or lyricist)

《明星》
《忘記他》

Cantopop songs

《問我》
《舊夢不須記》
《我的中國心》
《世界真細小》 (Chinese version of "It's a Small World")
《又到聖誕》
《中國夢》
《心債》

Filmography

HKMDB - James Wong Jim

(sources: wikipedia, RTHK)

Last Edit: Sept 29, 2015 20:12:41 GMT by siuyiu

輕舟已過萬重山
the light barge traverses endless mountains

chefying
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Posts: 1,063

James Wong Jul 27, 2014 4:37:16 GMT

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Post by chefying on Jul 27, 2014 4:37:16 GMT

He is quick witted, definitely.

I used to listen to many TVB TV series title themes and sub themes, many of which had lyrics by him. They fitted the mood/tone of the story very well.

I remember reading that, according to his instructions, he is to be buried soon after his death - presumably without much ado. His children acted according to his wishes. When the people in Hong Kong found out, they castigated the children for not giving an opportunity for the public to bid their goodbyes to James Wong.

I felt the children did not wrong, and I would presume that James Wong did not think he would want to hear eulogies that were perhaps not quite up to his standard.

siuyiu
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James Wong Jul 27, 2014 7:50:50 GMT

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Post by siuyiu on Jul 27, 2014 7:50:50 GMT

yeah, i'm on his kids' side as well: they followed his wishes. the HK general public has a very proprietary attitude toward celebs; TVB doesn't help by having what are essentially psych sessions on tv, where a "bunch of friends" of the deceased go on air and reminisce about the departed person. in any case, they did end up organizing a "public memorial" at some sports stadium, and among the eulogists was joseph koo, who had to go back to HK specifically for the event.

(this is just based on little snippets i've read/seen here and there--didn't follow the news of the "aftermath" of his passing at all.)

輕舟已過萬重山
the light barge traverses endless mountains

siuyiu
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Posts: 1,745

James Wong Aug 4, 2014 20:12:09 GMT

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Post by siuyiu on Aug 4, 2014 20:12:09 GMT

and here's some james wong lyrics appreciation:

今天我非常寂寞　I'm lonely today　
詞：黃霑　lyrics: Wong Tsim
唱：鍾鎮濤 artist: Kenny B

今天我滿懷寂寞　今天我滿懷空虛 i'm lonely today, i feel hollow today
在我心裏萬千鬱結　孤寂苦苦相追 grievances in my heart, solitude presses

驅不散心頭寂寞　趕不去心內空虛 can't get rid of the loneliness, can't chase away the hollow feeling
難理心緒難解心中結　苦悶似影長隨 can't control my emotions, can't untie the knots, bitteness is a constant shadow

*昔日相聚歡笑　共對無掛無慮 yesterday's laughter and meetings, carefree and untroubled
他朝一旦別去　那日再會再聚 gone in a moment, when do we meet again

空有衷情萬丈　空有關懷千句 emptiness has sincerity, emptiness has kindness
無語相看無聲相對　今日我心裏有淚* face-to-face in silence, my heart cries

此際有千重寂寞　此際有千層空虛 it's lonely, it's hollow
無法遺去無邊苦痛　今日我心裏有淚 can't hide from the pain, my heart cries

鱷魚淚 - 袁麗嫦 themesong of "Crocodile Tears" sung by Yuen Lai Seung
曲︰黃霑 composer: James Wong
詞︰黃霑 lyricist: James Wong

成功的歡呼到處為他追隨 the echoes of applause for his successes follow him everywhere
人生的好境到處與他暢聚 the pleasures of life aggregate toward him
誰知巔峰的他　誰知頂尖的他 no one knows that he who's at the peak, he who's at the pinnacle
悠悠流下兩行淚 has tears streaming down

是否他心中永遠抹不去恐懼 will he ever get rid of his fears?
是否他心中永遠太多掛慮 will he constantly be plagued with worrying?
是否他心中所思　迷惘得不知所止 will his thoughts cause such confusion
茫然流下滿眼淚 that his eyes well with tears

＊是否萬千感慨　從此迷失意義 will such a myriad of emotions result in loss of meaning
茫茫然滿眼眼淚　是喜抑悲 sudden tearing up--happiness curbing grief?
什麼意義　什麼意義 what does it mean? what does it mean?

＃寧願終此生你我找得安然 desires that we eventually attain peace
唔想一生走到尾最終有淚 no wish to reach journey's end in tears
成功的幾多得失　難補他一世抑鬱 the losses behind each success are insufficient to fill (the holes of) depression
和茫然那滿眼淚 and (compensate for) the sudden tears

(sorry, his other ones, like the themes for DGSD82 and swordsman are beyond me today.)

Last Edit: Aug 4, 2014 20:14:27 GMT by siuyiu

輕舟已過萬重山
the light barge traverses endless mountains

chefying
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Posts: 1,063

James Wong Aug 6, 2014 9:11:48 GMT

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Post by chefying on Aug 6, 2014 9:11:48 GMT

Aug 4, 2014 20:12:09 GMT siuyiu said:

and here's some james wong lyrics appreciation:

今天我非常寂寞　I'm lonely today　
詞：黃霑　lyrics: Wong Tsim
唱：鍾鎮濤 artist: Kenny B

今天我滿懷寂寞　今天我滿懷空虛 i'm lonely today, i feel hollow today
在我心裏萬千鬱結　孤寂苦苦相追 grievances in my heart, solitude presses

驅不散心頭寂寞　趕不去心內空虛 can't get rid of the loneliness, can't chase away the hollow feeling
難理心緒難解心中結　苦悶似影長隨 can't control my emotions, can't untie the knots, bitteness is a constant shadow

*昔日相聚歡笑　共對無掛無慮 yesterday's laughter and meetings, carefree and untroubled
他朝一旦別去　那日再會再聚 gone in a moment, when do we meet again

空有衷情萬丈　空有關懷千句 emptiness has sincerity, emptiness has kindness
無語相看無聲相對　今日我心裏有淚* face-to-face in silence, my heart cries

此際有千重寂寞　此際有千層空虛 it's lonely, it's hollow
無法遺去無邊苦痛　今日我心裏有淚 can't hide from the pain, my heart cries

This song was from a movie called "Let's Rock" 大家乐 which starred Alan Tam, Kenny B and the rest of the group.

In the movie, Kenny B's character came from a rich family and was about to leave Hong Kong to study overseas. He felt lonely and lost without his friends, and sang this song. Hence the chorus.

siuyiu Moderator Posts: 1,745	James Wong Aug 6, 2014 15:37:29 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by siuyiu on Aug 6, 2014 15:37:29 GMT ah, interesting! haven't seen that movie, so had no idea.
	輕舟已過萬重山 the light barge traverses endless mountains

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James Wong Sept 10, 2014 12:30:38 GMT

Quote

Post by Admin on Sept 10, 2014 12:30:38 GMT

Aug 6, 2014 9:11:48 GMT chefying said:

Aug 4, 2014 20:12:09 GMT siuyiu said:

and here's some james wong lyrics appreciation:

今天我非常寂寞　I'm lonely today　
詞：黃霑　lyrics: Wong Tsim
唱：鍾鎮濤 artist: Kenny B

今天我滿懷寂寞　今天我滿懷空虛 i'm lonely today, i feel hollow today
在我心裏萬千鬱結　孤寂苦苦相追 grievances in my heart, solitude presses

驅不散心頭寂寞　趕不去心內空虛 can't get rid of the loneliness, can't chase away the hollow feeling
難理心緒難解心中結　苦悶似影長隨 can't control my emotions, can't untie the knots, bitteness is a constant shadow

*昔日相聚歡笑　共對無掛無慮 yesterday's laughter and meetings, carefree and untroubled
他朝一旦別去　那日再會再聚 gone in a moment, when do we meet again

空有衷情萬丈　空有關懷千句 emptiness has sincerity, emptiness has kindness
無語相看無聲相對　今日我心裏有淚* face-to-face in silence, my heart cries

此際有千重寂寞　此際有千層空虛 it's lonely, it's hollow
無法遺去無邊苦痛　今日我心裏有淚 can't hide from the pain, my heart cries

This song was from a movie called "Let's Rock" 大家乐 which starred Alan Tam, Kenny B and the rest of the group.

In the movie, Kenny B's character came from a rich family and was about to leave Hong Kong to study overseas. He felt lonely and lost without his friends, and sang this song. Hence the chorus.

And here is the clip of the song : ...such a sad song

(

chefying
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James Wong Oct 12, 2014 11:07:55 GMT

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Post by chefying on Oct 12, 2014 11:07:55 GMT

Sept 10, 2014 12:30:38 GMT Admin said:

And here is the clip of the song : ...such a sad song

(

This is the clip from the original movie, where the character sings this song. It starts at the 6' 8" mark. I was told that in the song begins with a harmonica sequence - that was played by James Wong himself. He was an accomplished harmonica player.

chefying God Posts: 1,063	James Wong Oct 12, 2014 11:26:52 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by chefying on Oct 12, 2014 11:26:52 GMT This was ATV's memorial programme to James Wong.

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James Wong Oct 12, 2014 12:21:31 GMT Admin likes this

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Post by chefying on Oct 12, 2014 12:21:31 GMT

This was an interview with James Wong, in Mandarin, with subtitles.

It talked a bit about his life, family background and work.

At around 19 minute point, Jame Wong said he and Bruce Lee were schoolmates - both in Primary 5 (about 11 years old) and they had a fight. James Wong lost.

At around 24' 25" James Wong talked about the song "Shanghai Bund" - he wrote the lyrics for it in 20 minutes. The song starts with "surging waves" - and James Wong said that, having written the lyrics to the song, he began getting rather concerned; never having been to Shanghai before, he did not know if there are waves* along the mouth of Huang Pu river**?

* "Yes, there are, after a ship passes," said James Wong.

** Shanghai Bund is along Huang Pu River, which flows out to South China Sea.

chefying God Posts: 1,063	James Wong Oct 12, 2014 12:32:13 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by chefying on Oct 12, 2014 12:32:13 GMT in this clip, James Wong talked about his song from "Swordsman" - 笑傲江湖. It is in Cantonese with Chinese subtitles.

siuyiu Moderator Posts: 1,745	James Wong Oct 12, 2014 14:36:46 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by siuyiu on Oct 12, 2014 14:36:46 GMT great clips, chefying!
	輕舟已過萬重山 the light barge traverses endless mountains

chefying
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James Wong Nov 30, 2014 19:54:39 GMT Admin likes this

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Post by chefying on Nov 30, 2014 19:54:39 GMT

Oct 12, 2014 12:32:13 GMT chefying said:

in this clip, James Wong talked about his song from "Swordsman" - 笑傲江湖.

This is a clip of James Wong's "Swordsman" - 笑傲江湖 played on the Guzheng. My skills on the Guzheng lags way, way behind.

siuyiu Moderator Posts: 1,745	James Wong Aug 14, 2015 6:08:23 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by siuyiu on Aug 14, 2015 6:08:23 GMT here are a set of interviews that james wong did for the radio years ago. apologies to the members who don't understand chinese.
	輕舟已過萬重山 the light barge traverses endless mountains

siuyiu
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James Wong May 30, 2022 3:44:17 GMT

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Post by siuyiu on May 30, 2022 3:44:17 GMT

a SF DJ has been doing a series of programs on HK cantopop lyricists. someone has kindly uploaded to YT. the eps are unfortunately only in canto without subtitles, but you'll surely recognize the songs played, so enjoy!

here are the ones related to james wong:

輕舟已過萬重山
the light barge traverses endless mountains