On Tuesday night this week, as usual, I listened to some music and played on the computer.
But in that instant, I was attracted by a picture that flashed on the homepage of the music app, "Shu... Qian Street... Youth," Zhao Lei.
Late at night, unable to be calm, Zhao Lei, who accompanied me during my 7 years in Beijing, finally released a new album after so many years.
1
I remember the first time I listened to folk music was in the winter of 2014, when I had just arrived in Beijing, alone.
The first folk song I listened to at that time was "Nanshan Nan." I can still imagine the scene when I first heard this song. I had just finished class, put on my backpack, put on gloves, and rode a "Cailanzi" "Old Fashion" bicycle from our East Campus back to the main campus.
The lyrics at the beginning, "In the sunny south, snow is falling heavily; in the cold night of the north, it feels like spring all year round," made me feel warm while riding in the cold wind. Maybe it's because I heard "the sunny south," or maybe it's because I heard "feels like spring all year round."
The sudden interruption of Peking opera in the middle is my favorite part. At that time, I felt a bit abrupt because it was the first time I heard Peking opera in a song, but it felt like Beijing, and the rhythm change between the front and back was well connected. The front was a bit exciting, and the back gradually eased, giving a feeling of storytelling.
Interestingly, I now work in Nanshan, Beijing [Doge], and it reminded me back in 2014.
2
Although it wasn't folk music that made me like it, most of my time in Beijing was accompanied by Zhao Lei's songs.
Every time school started, I would take the "train to Beijing." In the first few years, I bought a 15-hour sleeper, had two meals on the train, and slept until I arrived. In the later years, there were the Harmony and Fuxing trains, where I had one meal on the train, and it only took 6 hours to arrive.
In Beijing, it was the place where I realized my "dreams." I reminded myself that dreams are always young. If you want to do something, do it immediately.
If I got bored, I would ride my bike to "Drum Tower" and take a stroll. It's a place where many trendy brands are sold, but I could only look. The only time I made a purchase was when I bought a pair of AJ30. It was the most suitable pair of sneakers I've ever worn, but the soles are worn out now.
Beijing's most picturesque place is Houhai. It was the first place in Beijing that felt like home to me. There is water, boats, and neon lights that enhance the bustling atmosphere.
Whenever I had free time, I would ride my bike to Houhai and listen to the music playing there (there are many bars and resident singers).
"Beijing's winter" is too cold. Usually, around 9 o'clock at night, the streets are empty, unlike the south where you can still hear the sound of bottles at 11 o'clock at night.
"Beijing's winter" is too cold, but a few meals of lamb scorpion hot pot can warm me up. I even got a bit of a sore throat from eating it twice in a row.
"Beijing's winter" is too cold, but people from the south can enjoy the snow to their heart's content.
Later on, I also found my "Southern Girl."
We went to "Chengdu" together, passing by the small tavern on Yulin Road, and walking the streets of Chengdu. But in order to get up early the next day to go to Xiling Snow Mountain, we didn't wait until all the lights were turned off.
Listen to a song from the 80s, please light a cigarette for me again.
Now I'm sorry for being choked.
Now I have said "goodbye to Beijing" and left Beijing with all my emotions. If I really cry, it's because I can't bear to leave Beijing.
Finally, I'll leave myself with a line from "Little People": "Don't confront greedy people, don't shed tears for heartless people; there are many people in this world who mock me, and you are just one of them."
3
Now I listen to folk music less often. I don't know if it's because the cold north is more suitable for listening to folk music, or because I started to like listening to folk music in the cold north, so I associate the cold north with folk music.
This time, I listened to all the songs in the album "Shu Qian Street Youth," and my favorite is a song that echoes "Thirty-Year-Old Woman," called "Young Girl." I like the melody, gentle yet full of strength (even as a grown man, I can feel it). So, what's your favorite?
Alright, that's it for this weekly journal~ (I need to quickly prepare for the "App Knowledge Sharing" now)
Music not only gives me strength but also helps me preserve memories of a certain period of time. Do you have a folk song that moves you? Feel free to share in the comments!
Also, today is September 18th. Let's not forget our national humiliation and strive for a better future! 🐛