让我留在你身边 Let Me Stay By Your Side: An Analysis
I'm still reeling over XZ's performance last night. I've always had a soft spot for Singer GG and his rendition of Eason Chan's Let Me Stay By Your Side blew me away. Yesterday, I did a brief review of his performance but today, I wanna talk more about this particular song.
Warning: CPN ahead. It's all fake and my personal interpretation.
It's the theme song of a 2016 dramedy titled <See You Tomorrow>. Prior to this, I'd known about this song so when it was announced that XZ would perform this song, immediately my mind started to wander. I've mentioned numerous times that XZ is someone who's very intentional when it comes to choosing songs for his performances. Lyrics and the meaning behind those songs matter, especially since he doesn't get to sing publicly very often. Coupled with the recent fake rumours, which I briefly discussed here, I'm somewhat convinced DD chose the song for him or that it's a song dedication to DD. These 2 were always singing in CQL bts, it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume they send each other songs in real life to convey certain messages.
Or perhaps DD sent this song to GG last year as a show of support and commitment during that dreadful incident, and this performance is GG's response to DD. Sort of like a "I got your message, I hear you." After all, Eason Chan is one of DD's fav singers so he probably knows this song. Alongside the other candy from last night (hello blue hair and XZ Studio posting 3 times in a night, as though to emphasise certain things), I believe this song is for DD.
Let's recap XZ's excellent performance first.
I saw comments on Weibo and YouTube from XFXs claiming that GG sang this song for them, to thank them for staying by him all along. Their reasoning was that in the movie, Eason Chan's character sang this song during a performance for his fans. Literally. I really don't think GG is such a Captain Obvious. Objectively, and not because I'm a BXG, I don't think the narrative fits. I have the lyrics translation below for those who want to know what the song is talking about but I'll just pick out certain parts to highlight.
我从来不说话 I never speak 因为我害怕 没有人回答 Because I'm afraid no one would answer 我从来不挣扎 I never struggle 因为我知道 这世界太大 Because I know this world is too big
I feel like this is DD's monologue. We know he's a quiet guy who prefers to do more, talk less. He has said that sometimes he doesn't quite know what to say, hence he'd rather not. For fear of saying the wrong things or having nothing constructive/witty to contribute to the conversation. I'm like this too. In the vast entertainment industry, he is but an artiste. Even if he's at the top now, he knows better than to go against the flow. He'll just do what he needs to do, without fighting or struggling. 太多时间浪费 太多事要面对 Too much time wasted, too many things to face 太多已无所谓 太多难辨真伪 Too much that doesn't matter, too many difficulties in distinguishing real from fake 太多纷扰是非 Too much confusion over right and wrong
在你身边是谁 Who is there by your side From this part of the song onwards, it's DD's message to GG. Here, it's somewhat describing the entertainment industry - the complexity, sometimes hypocritical nature etc. Who is your true friend? DD knows and understands the nature of the industry. 最渺小的我 有大大的梦 The most insignificant me has big dreams 时间向前走一定只有路口没有尽头 As time moves forward there can only be crossroads with no end 纷纷扰扰这个世界 所有的了解 I know this world is confusing and disordering 只要 让我留在你身边 Just let me stay by your side
最渺小的我 有大大的梦 The most insignificant me has big dreams 我愿意安静的活在每个有你的角落 I am willing to live quietly in all corners alongside you 如果生活还有什么 会让你难过 If there's anything in life that upsets you 别怕 让我留在你身边 都陪你渡过 Don't be afraid, let me stay by your side and tide it over with you
最渺小的我 最卑微的梦 The most insignificant me has the humblest dream 我发现这世界没有那么那么的不同 I discovered that this world isn't all that different 现实如果对你不公 别计较太多 If reality isn't fair to you, don't let it bother you too much 走吧 暴风雨后的彩虹 Let's go ahead. Rainbows will appear after the storm
也许会落空 也许会普通 Maybe you'll fail, maybe you'll be ordinary 也许这庸庸碌碌的黑白世界你不懂 Maybe this mediocre and "black and white" world is hard to understand 生命中所有的路口 绝不是尽头 All crossroads in life are never the end 别怕 让我留在你身边 都陪你渡过 Don't be afraid, let me stay by your side and tide it over with you
The four verses here are quite similar in a sense. These are words of encouragement and affirmation. Promises of better days ahead and a brighter future. Of a commitment to stand side by side and weather all storms together. The road ahead may look bleak, there'll be challenges but it's not the end of things. I may be insignificant and powerless to help much; we are all just pawns in this entertainment industry but everything will be better eventually if we trudge on. Together. Even if all else fails, or if you choose to quit, I will still stay on with you.
The B/W world here to me is referring to the harsh reality of being in the entertainment industry - where there's only famous/not famous, talented/not talented, right/wrong, etc. There's no space for average or mediocrity or grey areas. You really have to be at the top of the game in order to 'make it' or else you'll be replaced by new blood soon. It also reminded me of the criticisms against GG last year, where he was faulted for failing to react fast enough, for not guiding fans along, for not doing certain things that people expected of him. So it's either my way (the public's/the powers to be's) or the highway.
To me, the song isn't for the fans and the tone of voice isn't that of a fan's message. It's not about 'I like you, I support you, I'll always love you and be by your side, don't give up'. Rather, it speaks of a deeper level of understanding, of mutual understanding. Like 'I know what you're going through, I know what it's like, I know this can all be too much but don't worry it will all pass. I will be with you, fighting alongside you, as long as you'll have me.' For these reasons, I believe the song is dedicated to a certain someone, and not a group of someone.
I really really like this song, and I like it even more when XZ sang it. With or without the BJYXSZD angle, it is still a very touching song and is worth multiple listens. I recommend everyone to listen to the original version by Eason Chan as well.
