陈奕迅 - 陀飞轮 (Eason Chan - Tourbillon)
saap3 ngaan5 jaa6 cat1 seoi3 si4 jat6 mou4 do1 fong1 bat1 gam2 tau1 laan5
In the blink of an eye, twenty-seven years old, time is limited, dare not be lazy
jin4 hou4 tou1 jin4 gam1 cau1 mong6 mong6 san1 bin1 jing3 goi1 jau5 ji5 zeon6 jau5
Then suddenly this autumn, looking around, everything should be there
My fine wine, sports car, camera, and gold watch, all carefully chosen
zik6 dou3 sai3 gaan1 go3 go3 jaa5 dou3 gei6 jing4 bat1 zam2 mo1 fu3 jau5
yung6 ngo5 soeng6 jau5 wun6 ngo5 mut6 jau5 kei4 sat6 ji5 jung6 zeon6 so2 jung2 jau5
Using what I have to exchange for what I don't, actually, I've used up all that I had
jan4 zik6 dak1 ming6 zung1 gaam2 siu2 gei2 miu5 do1 maai5 jat1 zek3 biu2
People deserve to have their lives shortened by a few seconds, buy another watch
lou4 lik6 si6 mou4 zi2 ging2 wut6 zoek6 do1 hou2 bat1 seoi1 jiu3 kaau3 mat6 zing3
Labour is endless, how good it is to be alive, no need for material evidence
Not pursuing high salary, high position, or high-end goods to gain respect
zau6 syun3 bok3 dou3 baak3 zoek3 naa5 dei6 wai2 wo4 siu1 bong1 dik1 syun5 wing5
Even if you achieve the status of an Earl and the elegance of Chopin
maai6 liu5 jam6 sing3 jat6 ping3 je6 ping3 mong4 diu6 liu5 wai4 sam6 mo1 gou1 hing1
Selling off your wilfulness, day and night striving, forgetting why you were happy
People deserve to have their lives shortened by a few seconds, buy another watch
ngan4 waak6 gam1 dou1 bat1 gan2 jiu3 si6 zou6 gei1 sam1 jat1 joeng6 liu5
Whether it's silver or gold, it doesn't matter, who created the mechanism is the same
gai3 waak6 liu5 ziu3 zou6 liu5 dak1 dou3 liu5 si4 gaan1 koek3 taai3 siu2
Song Interpretation
Short Summary
The song "陀飞轮" (Tourbillon) by Eason Chan reflects on time, life, and the pursuit of materialism. The lyrics express a journey from youthful carefree days to the realization of life's fleeting nature, emphasizing the fleeting value of wealth and the importance of cherishing time.
Detailed Insights
The lyrics begin with a reflection on youth and freedom at eighteen, with the narrator living without the constraints of time. As the years pass, the individual enters a more reflective state at twenty-seven, acknowledging the limited nature of time and the need to strive for one's goals.
Despite achieving material success, the individual finds themselves still lacking in true wealth, symbolized by their envy of others. The pursuit of material things like fine wine, sports cars, and gold watches comes at the cost of sacrificing heartbeats and time. This realization highlights the transient nature of life and the folly of overvaluing material wealth.
As the song progresses, there is a strong sense of regret for not appreciating the value of time earlier. The narrator questions the need for material evidence of success and the obsession with high positions and luxury. The song ultimately conveys the profound realization that time is the most valuable thing, and no material possession can replace it.
The imagery of a ticking clock and the idea of losing precious heartbeats serves as a powerful reminder of life's impermanence. The song concludes with the narrator coming to terms with the fact that time is too short, and the realization comes too late to make up for lost moments.