Thoughts on Lyrics
This was a very intelligent song with the main goal of surfacing the plight of foreign housemaids to the oblivious masters. It was doing it in the form of a love song that would appeal to the music consumers in Hong Kong, a country which has a high number of foreign housemaids from Philippines and notorious stories of masters abusing these foreign workers. While the backdrop was set in Hong Kong, this was a universal song.
The title 菲情歌 literally meant Filipino Love Song. 菲 as in 菲律宾, the Chinese name for Republic of Philippines. It also rhymes with 非 which is usually used together with other noun to mean the opposite; so非情歌 would be “Non-Love Song”. This song was indeed not just a love song.
All the verses except the first one delivered the societal messages, while the chorus narrated the housemaid longing for her loved one back home. Everybody dislikes routines, yet these are the people who choose, but not by choice, to do the same routines every day as depicted in verse 2. While she was tired of her work routines, she was never tired of her routines of thinking about her lover as depicted in chorus 4.
The line同屋的都溝通不到像空氣 in verse 3 was a killer. It accurately stated that masters tend to ignore their housemaids feeling, that they do not talk to each other in a real sense. When taken out of the context of this song, this line can also be used on the lack of communication between parents and children, coworkers, friends, and couples. The solution should be something constructive, to work it out and not to ignore it or run away from.
The interesting thing about song interpretation is that it is totally personal. Depending on mood, one can interpret a sad song as happy one, and vice versa. One can say that the housemaid was longing for her lover, yet one can also easily say she was longing for her family, father, mother, brothers, and sisters. After all, the most likely reason for a person to labor in foreign country is to support the family back home. When interpreted in this manner, this song can be applied to anybody who is working in another country. What motivates them? Someone to look forward to? What fuels them? What makes endless loop of routines enjoyable? Have you found yours? I thought I have, and I still hope I have.
Note: Of course it will be unfair if we do not point out that there are good masters, those who actually take care of their housemaids. I have seen plenty. If your family is one of them, good for you. If not, start realizing that your housemaids are human too.
Thoughts on Melodies
The melody and arrangement of the song totally did its lyrics justice. The acoustical arrangement of guitar, flute and harmonica evoked a sense of sorrow, loneliness, longing, and yet some level of sweetness that is necessary in a love song. The structure was deceptively simple, with repeated verses and choruses with subtle differences. Repeated choruses with no bridge depicted the housemaid’s routine: waking up, working, missing her lover, sleep, rinse and repeat.
Video
菲情歌
Filipino Love Song
Singer: 謝安琪 (Kay Tse)
Composer: 周博賢 (Adrian Chow)
Lyricist: 周博賢
Verse 1
昨晚依稀的感覺夢到你 一起沙灘中嬉戲
差點可伸手將你全包庇 那鐘聲分開我與你
I vaguely remember that I dreamt of you last night. Playing around together on a beach.
I was about to lift my arms to embrace you. And the alarm clock buzz torn us apart.
Verse 2
開始一天的工作像機器 照顧棄嬰極疲憊
無邊的家居 須仔細地清理
每一餐匆匆要處理 到深宵才能停下喘一口氣
I start every day working like a machine. The exhaustion from taking care of the baby.
The boundless furniture, requiring detailed cleaning.
Rushing to prepare every single meal. I only get to stop and take a breath late at night.
Chorus 1
浮生偷得想你 和藹親切 體貼入微
相隔數千里 虛擬親親你 床舖中假裝抱著你
明朝早不需告別你
In uncertain times, I discreetly miss you. The kind, caring and considerate you.
Separated by thousands of miles. Imagining kissing you. Pretending to hug you while lying on my bed.
That I will not have to say goodbye tomorrow morning.
Verse 3
丁方的空間給我來休憩 禁閉寄居極無味
同屋的都溝通不到像空氣 每一天堆積過怨氣
皇后像成為良伴開解心理
I am only given a very small space to rest. This closed sojourn is extremely tasteless.
Under one same roof yet we cannot communicate, as in a vacuum. Accruing discontents day by day.
The statue becomes my companion that comforts me.
[皇后像 was referring to Statue Square in Hong Kong, a popular gathering place for housemaids on Sundays]
Chorus 2
沉鬱中偷想你 和藹親切 體貼入微
相隔數千里 虛擬親親你 床舖中假裝抱著你
唯一肯聽聽我是你
In depressing times, I discreetly miss you. The kind, caring and considerate you.
Separated by thousands of miles. Imagining kissing you. Pretending to hug you while lying on my bed.
You are the only one who is willing to listen to me.
Chorus 3
容我偷偷想你 和藹親切 體貼入微
相隔數千里 虛擬親親你 床舖中假裝抱著你
Allow me to discreetly miss you. The kind, caring and considerate you.
Separated by thousands of miles. Imagining kissing you. Pretending to hug you while lying on my bed.
Chorus 4
無休止的想你 寧可跟你 跟你高飛
飛到片福地 樣樣事亦優美
再不會再不會受氣 那一天真可抱著你
Missing you tirelessly. Wishing I can fly away with you.
Fly to a happy place, where everything is wonderful.
No longer, no longer have to suffer. That day when I can actually hug you.