Happy Sunday!
The cherry blossoms have started to bloom here in Japan. Although it is advised to stay indoors during the current pandemic, I have sneaked out for walks to look at the cherry blossoms which are in peak bloom this weekend. Here is a recent photo from one of these walks:
The weather is still up and down as one day can be really warm and the next day it can be really cold and snowy. However, one tune that makes cherry blossoms viewing and the warm weather enjoyable from my apartment is the 80s Mandopop tune “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu” (跟著感覺走; Follow Your Feeling).
(This is part of a #SongLyricsSunday challenge, which is hosted by Jim at An Unique Title For Me. Anyone can join! Details on how to participate are found at the end of this post!)
About Julie Sue
I’m guilty! I didn’t know about Julie Sue until I had to research a song for this week’s #SongLyricsSunday prompt. I didn’t want to do Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You” as some else might write about that classic. I also didn’t want to write about another Japanese song as I did two last week.
So, I looked up how to say “feel/feeling” in different languages and listened to many songs from different countries. In the end, my heart was set on “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu” by Julie Sue because it reminded me of Amy Grant, Martika, and other soft-pop female artists of the late 80s and early 90s.
Julie Sue (or Su Rui) is a Mandopop singer from Taipei, Taiwan. She got her start in 1983 with the debut of her self-titled album. The album included hit songs like “Yīyàng de Yuèguāng” (一樣的月光; The Same Moonlight) and “Jiǔ Gān Tǎng Mài Wú” (酒干倘卖无; Any Empty Wine Bottles For Sale), which the latter was used in the hit Taiwanese movie Papa, Can You Hear Me Sing.
The singer became extremely popular in Asia when “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu” was released. She continued to release albums and songs throughout the 80s and 90s. She even received the Special Contribution Award in 2018 at the 29th Golden Melody Awards for her contribution to the Taiwanese music scene.
Follow Your Feeling with Julie Sue
“Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu” (跟著感覺走; Follow Your Feeling) was written by Taiwanese lyricist Chia-Li Chen. She has written songs for many singers in the 80s and 90s from Taiwan, mainland China, and Hong Kong. Some of these artists included Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, Harlem Yu, Su Rui, Sandy Lam, Matilda Tao, Johnny Yin, David Liu, Tsai Chin, David Wong, Winnie Hsin, Chiang Shu-Na, and Cyndi Chaw.
While researching about Chia-Lin Chen, an author on Wikipedia had this to say about the lyricist:
Her words often depict vivid, movie-like imagery. She is able to expound unique perspectives on love and delicate yet captivating emotions within mesmerizing melodies. She believes that the soul of a song resides in the title and that every melody possesses its own tone of voice. Her creative style is a mastery of establishing a song title and the precise grasp of tone, resulting in the creation of countless classics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chia-Li_Chen
And based on what I read above, Chia-Li Chen painted a vivid picture of the feelings of “living your fullest” and “following your dreams” with the lyrics found in “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu”. If you take a look at the lyric’s translations down below, you can tell that this late 80s tune is full of inspiration and comfort, which is paired excellently with the soft-pop melody and instrumentation. Also, Julie Sue’s voice is a perfect fit for the tune as it soft and light.
What do you think of “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu” by Julie Sue? Listen to the song below and let me know in the comments below!
Here is the full song (the music video cuts off the ending):
I also recommend listening to one of her latest compilation albums. There are some great listens, including her English song “Without You”.
The Lyrics to Julie Sue’s “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu”
This is the English translation of the lyrics for “Gēnzhe Gǎnjué Zǒu” (跟著感覺走; Follow Your Feeling) that I ran through Google Translate. I apologize for the unprofessional translate but I am nowhere fluent in Mandarin Chinese to translate this by hand.
Follow the sensations and hold the hand of dreams
Footsteps are getting lighter and happier
Fully smile
Love will keep me anywhere
Follow the sensations and hold the hand of dreams
The blue sky is getting closer and gentler
Feel free like the wind
Suddenly found a completely different me
Follow the feeling, let it take me
Hope is waiting for me not far away
Follow the feeling, let it take me
There are dreams there
Follow the sensations and hold the hand of dreams
Footsteps are getting lighter and happier
Fully smile
Love will keep me anywhere
Follow the sensations and hold the hand of dreams
The blue sky is getting closer and gentler
Feel free like the wind
Suddenly found a completely different me
Follow the feeling, let it take me
Hope is waiting for me not far away
Follow the feeling, let it take me
There are dreams there
Follow the feeling, let it take me
Hope is waiting for me not far away
Follow the feeling, let it take me
There are dreams there
Follow the feeling, let it take me
Hope is waiting for me not far away
Follow the feeling, let it take me
There are dreams there
Lyrics were found here: https://www.kkbox.com/tw/tc/song/fI400x9L-TZ2x4lR2x4lR0XL-index.html
If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
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Very nice music Amy, but your pingback should go here https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/senses/
as you used last week’s SLS prompt and that will prevent a lot of people from listening to your music.
Thanks, Jim! I fixed it, I hope it goes through.
This was a fun read, and I am an 80’s fanatic! I loved listening to Julies song. Thank you for introducing her to me!
I will have to check this out for sure. I’m always looking for new music.
Another new artist for me to listen to. I’ve got plenty of time now with social-distancing. I actually do like those tunes. really like the vibe and beat.
Very nice song.. Made me smile just listening to it. I don’t really understand the pingbacks but would love to know how to get involved in your community of music lovers!
Ooh loving this music. And music is so helpful. Thank you so much for brightening my day!
This is beautiful to listen to. Thank you for sharing.
What a great suggestion for songs! Thank you for the recommendations!
Another interesting post from you. I learnt about some one new today
Thanks for introducing me to Taiwanese music!
This is a new artist to me entirely. Her style has a very throwback feel. Thanks for the introduction.
Super interesting post. Thanks for sharing
This is nice music. It will help me get some work done today.
Great music and so fun to listen to! Always love finding new things to listen to!
I’ve always enjoyed 80s music. We’ve been going out for walks here, too, with the quarantine. It’s encouraged to get outside and get some exercise, as long as we stay away from others who may be out. We don’t have gorgeous Cherry Blossoms here, though!
Me, too. I dont know about Julie Sue, only now when I read this post. the fact that you made a post about her makes me think she is a great artist. I would like to check some of her songs. <3
nice. never heard of mandopop. i’ll have to check out more artists in the genre
I was a child of the 80’s and totally loved the music then and now. And the lyrics to this one are so beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for sharing a little bit of fun with us!
Love the update from Japan. With this global pandemic its so good to hear how others are doing in different parts of the world. The song is fantastic. Great beat!
I love cherry blossoms. So beautiful!
Awesome music, I’d love to follow Julie. Btw, thanks for sharing!
such a lovely song!
The song is beautifully written. Thanks for introducing her to me. Also, I would someday love to see cherry blossoms. It is a treat to your eyes anyday.
I never heard of Julie Sue before probably because the song is not in English but I have to say that she has a very cute name as her name reminds me of curly hair and long curly eyelashes.
I will have to check out more of her songs. I like what you’ve shared here even though I’ve never heard of her before.
It is always fun to learn about new artists! Enjoy!
Awesome!
This reminded me of learning the Cherry Blossom song in music class as a child. I love traditional Asian music!
This isn’t really my style but I enjoyed it. I like to hear different stuff every once in awhile!
I’ve actually heard of her before from my Asian friends. It’s nice to get to listen once more to her music.
I would go for a walk to see the blooms too. As long as you aren’t close to people you should be fine.
Beautiful!
awesome song,
Footsteps are getting lighter and happier
Fully smile
Love will keep me anywhere
Thank you for sharing your with your readers.
What a beautiful song! The cherry blossom photos are awesome!
Awesome music and I love the 80’s song vibe 🙂 It’s so nice to read about this because I love japanese music
Thank you for sharing, I’ll check this artist out.
Wow never knew about these. It was nice listening to them.
Lovely song, really heart touching. Honestly saying.
Never heard of Mandopop, but it seems interesting. I could genuinely see myself listening to this, thank you!
Such a beautiful song. I love learning about new artists like this.
I love the music! I had not heard of Mandapop before, so I am glad came across this!!!
Awesome thanks for introducing me to new music!
The 80’s is such a fun era! We are finding music to be especially healing right now.
Beautiful lyrics and it made me feel melancholic! Good way to introduce myself to a new artist~
I love cherry blossoms, my garden is full of them at this time of the year, it is really beautiful 😉
What a beautiful artist and beautiful lyrics!
What a pretty song! Interesting post! Def. A good read!
I definitely have to check these songs out!
Wow this was a great song, I hadn’t heard of it before but I’m glad you shared it with us! It’s right up my alley! Thanks!
These songs are amazing I will check out more songs. Thanks for introducing me
I am not familiar with this artist, but it is nice to check out new music while we are staying at home.
These are soooo great! Thanks for sharing these. I really love it
I have never heard of this before – so happy to learn about this from your blog
I love this idea. It’s fun and brilliant. Music is one the best ways to learn about the culture of a place.
This is beautiful. We are never too old to learn new things. I will check her music out.
I am always grateful to read your post, Amy. You always find the best songs to share with us.
I have never heard of Julie Sue, but it’s beautiful
Thanks for this post
I really appreciate how you approach each artist with such an open mind. You are helping me to discover so many new things!
Aww so lovely blog , i love to read its lyrics with watching video . It was really awesome .
80s asian hits are quite fun. I’ve been watching Reply 1988, a Koreanovela and it features a lot of 80s hits that are fun and familiar.
I didn’t know her but she seems like a great singer. I will make time to listen to her album. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve always enjoyed the 80s!
I should spend time and listen to Julie Sue’s music. She has quite the presence about her. Thank you!
I realized that I’ve been listening to these songs, and I didn’t know she is the artist! I love her music, very relaxing 🙂
Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.