12 Famous Cantopop songs that evoke a sense of nostalgia

The song that brought Beyond’s journey to stardom. Written by band member Wong Ka-kui, this song was an epic rock ballad and the last huge hit of the band before his tragic death in 1993 due to an accident while filming in Japan. This powerful ballad has been widely regarded as the song of freedom which speaks to the pursuit of dreams, and has touched the hearts of Hongkongers for generations, even to this day. 

This was the theme song for the 1991 movie The Twin Bracelets, a film with feminist and queer themes. Anita Mui’s wistful tenor highlights perfectly the story of two girls on the cusp of womanhood in rural China who cannot escape the pressures of society to be together. Even without knowledge of the film, listeners can well appreciate Mui’s distinctive gravitas crooning lyrics like “Not fated together / The memories don’t fade / But life is only short”.

This romantic anthem by Hong Kong’s king of vocals Jacky Cheung is a firm favourite at karaoke sessions when the night inevitably turns to nostalgic songs. With lyrics that plead to be allowed to stay by his lover’s side forever, it’s easy to see why this song remains a top choice for lads who can hold a tune looking to impress the ladies.

A catchy and rhythmic song, Red Sun is the Cantonese cover of the Japanese megahit song, Sore Ga Daiji, sung by the Daijiman Brothers back in 1991. Despite the age of this song, it still exudes a sense of youthful vibrancy, and its lyrics encourage people to never give up on what they are striving for. 

Originally a Japanese song named Rouge sung by Naomi Chiaki, Fragile Women was considered by many to be Faye Wong’s first hit. After it was featured in the popular TVB drama The Greed of Man, the song blew up in popularity across Asia, so much so that Wong, who had initially planned on continuing her studies in America, decided to stay in Hong Kong and continue working on her success instead.

Another cult favourite by Beyond, Glorious Years pays tribute to the revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela and his struggles against apartheid in South Africa. It praises the leader’s love for his people and his unfaltering fight for humanity. The tune quickly rose to fame after its release in 1990 and soon dominated the Cantopop scene. Since then, Glorious Years has become a symbolic song of the socio-political aspirations of Hong Kong.  

Widely considered as the ‘God of Songs’, legendary Cantopop singer Sam Hui’s The Drifter’s Song is about the philosophy of life. Released in 1976, its lyrics express the sentiments of many Hongkongers during the era where many were struggling with poverty and the city was still recovering from the war. Over the decades, the song has come to embody a special meaning, especially for the older generations who have been through difficult struggles in life. 

One of the finest songs left behind by legendary superstar Leslie Cheung, Silence is Golden remains as an all-time favourite in the hearts of many fans today. Even the younger Hongkongers who did not grow up in this generation of music are undoubtedly familiar with the melody – the true mark of a timeless song!

Compared to other classic Cantopop songs, this one may be lesser known, but it is still a solid, emotionally wrought ballad worthy of mention. The brilliant Cass Phang’s music career took off after the release of this tear-jerking classic. Anybody who was into Cantopop during that era would definitely have heard of Let Me Go With You – it was also spoofed in the popular 00s comedy series War of the Genders.

Sung by Andy Lau, one of the four heavenly kings of Hong Kong, it came as no surprise that this track practically topped our music charts overnight. Its popularity went beyond Hong Kong and into different parts of Asia, and quickly became one of the most notable hits in Lau’s music career. The song features a melodic erhu (a traditional Chinese instrument) solo that weaves nicely into the contemporary sound of 90s pop music, attracting both older Chinese listeners and the younger crowd. 

If you are a fan of the Cantopop legend Alan Tam, then you definitely would have heard of his signature song, Love Trap, a synth-pop cult hit in the mid-80s that sent many fans jumping during his high energy live performances. The single was an original song for the hit Japanese anime Megazone 23, Senaka Goshi ni Sentimental by Kumi Miyasato, but Tam turned it into a Cantonese favourite. It’s hard not to get sucked into the energy of this catchy pop tune.

Saving the best for the last: The Bund – one of the most sensational songs in Cantopop history. Sung by Frances Yip, this song gained worldwide recognition as the theme song for one of the most influential Hong Kong TV dramas, The Bund (1980), which is also widely praised as the ‘Godfather of the East’. Today, both the song and the TV drama have become household names, especially among Chinese-speaking communities across the world.