背影

By 王菲

Lyrics - Practice Pronunciation
要要是這刻你微笑 我不會流淚

If you smile right now, I won't cry.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jiu3
jiu3
si6
ze5
hak1
nei5
mei4
siu3
ngo5
fau2
wui6
lau4
leoi6
如形和影是最痴纏伴侶 隨時隨地共對

Forms and shadows are the most intimate partners, and they're always everywhere.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyu4
jing4
wo4
jing2
si6
zeoi3
ci1
zin6
bun6
lui5
ceoi4
si4
ceoi4
deng6
gung6
deoi3
卻又沒法擁抱下去 當要擁抱便會失去

And you can't embrace it, and when you do, you lose it.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

koek3
jau6
mei6
fat3
ung2
pou5
haa6
heoi3
dong3
jiu3
ung2
pou5
pin4
wui6
sat1
heoi3
不知道彼此似誰

They don't know who they look like.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fau2
zi3
dou6
bei2
ci2
ci5
seoi4
要是你感到難過 我不會快樂

If you're sad, I'm not happy.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jiu3
si6
nei5
gam2
dou3
no4
gwo3
ngo5
fau2
wui6
faai3
ngok6
如形和影做那相同動作 完全來自直覺

The same movements that shape and shadow do are entirely intuitive.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyu4
jing4
wo4
jing2
zou6
no6
soeng2
tung4
dung6
zok3
jyun4
cyun4
loi6
zi6
zik6
gok3
接近但卻比你慢了 早了先了後了一步

It's getting closer, but slower than you, and it's a step ahead, a step behind.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zip3
kan5
daan6
koek3
bei3
nei5
maan6
liu4
zou2
liu4
sin3
liu4
hau6
liu4
jat1
fau6
始終也揹着陽光

It's always sunny.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ci2
zung1
jaa5
be1
jyu3
joeng4
gwong1
如像你的 身邊倒影 你依稀的背影

It's like you're surrounded by a shadow, a rare shadow.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyu4
zoeng6
nei5
dik1
jyun4
bin1
dou2
jing2
nei5
ji1
hei1
dik1
bui6
jing2
不清不醒 埋沒了真的本性

I'm not conscious, I'm not real.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fau2
cing1
fau2
sing2
maai4
mei6
liu4
zan1
dik1
bun2
sing3
不可走遠 但也不能停

You can't go far, but you can't stop.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fau2
ho2
zau2
jyun6
daan6
jaa5
fau2
toi4
ting4
蒙着眼睛 怎可分清 你清晰的背影

How can you see your clear back when you're blindfolded?

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

mung4
jyu3
ngaan5
zing1
fim2
ho2
fan6
cing1
nei5
cing1
sik1
dik1
bui6
jing2
不響一聲 常在你左右共鳴

It's not the same, it resonates around you.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fau2
hoeng2
jat1
sing1
soeng4
zoi6
nei5
zo2
jau6
gung6
meng5
只可惜你 未看清

It's a pity you didn't see it.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zi2
ho2
sik1
nei5
mei6
hon3
cing1
我快要化做背影 難擁抱亦難離棄

I was about to turn into a backpack, and it was hard to let go of my hugs.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ngo5
faai3
jiu3
faa3
zou6
bui6
jing2
no4
ung2
pou5
jik6
no4
lei4
hei3
常陪着你 如像你

Always with you, like you.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

soeng4
pui4
jyu3
nei5
jyu4
zoeng6
nei5
分不清 分不清 你背影

I don't know,

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fan6
fau2
cing1
fan6
fau2
cing1
nei5
bui6
jing2
分不清 分不清 你背影

I don't know,

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fan6
fau2
cing1
fan6
fau2
cing1
nei5
bui6
jing2
About This Song

"" ("Back View") by (Faye Wong) is a poignant exploration of longing, emotional connection, and the bittersweet nature of relationships. At its core, the song delves into the complexities of love, where the singer expresses a wish for closeness while grappling with the inevitable distance that emerges between partners. The imagery of shadows and silhouettes, as suggested by the title, evokes feelings of something elusive yet deeply intimate, bringing forth the idea that despite being physically close, emotional barriers can make true connection feel unattainable.

The narrative presented in the lyrics encapsulates a story of unreciprocated emotions and the struggle to maintain closeness while feeling disconnected. The singer reflects on moments when a smile could have prevented tears, emphasizing a longing for mutual emotional understanding. The lines convey a sense of vulnerability as the singer acknowledges that true happiness is overshadowed by the other persons sadness, further highlighting the complexities of love and interpersonal relationships. Through this lens, the song resonates with anyone who has experienced the push and pull of emotional intimacy.

Musically, "" combines ethereal melodies with subtle instrumentations that create an atmospheric soundscape, enhancing the song's emotionally charged lyrics. Wong's signature voice transports the listener into a dream-like state, punctuated by gentle crescendos and a haunting chorus that echoes the theme of shadows and reflections. The use of repetition in the lyrics reinforces the idea of confusion and the inability to fully grasp the emotions tied to the 'back view' of the beloved, effectively illustrating the struggle of feeling simultaneously close yet distant.

Culturally, the song signifies a deeper narrative often expressed in Chinese poetry and music, where themes of unfulfilled desires and the nuances of love are prevalent. The metaphor of '' resonates profoundly within Eastern cultural contexts, reflecting the importance of subtle emotional expression. Faye Wong, as an iconic figure in Mandopop, brings a modern perspective to these traditional values, making the song relatable across generations and inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of love and longing.

Song Details
Singer:
王菲
Total Lines:
18