Songs of Zhou Xuan ()

Author: Zhou Wei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: This collection features 125 songs performed by Zhou Xuan, including 86 film songs and 39 other songs. To help readers understand the origin of the name "Zhou Xuan," the song "The Light of the Nation" is specially placed at the beginning of the book. The film songs are arranged in chronological order based on the films in which Zhou Xuan performed. After the introduction of each film, the songs from that film are listed in order, with the theme song first, followed by other, which are generally arranged according to the order they appear in the film. To provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Zhou Xuan's artistic achievements, brief introductions to films in which Zhou Xuan acted but did not sing are also included in the book. The other songs performed by Zhou Xuan are arranged in pinyin order of their titles. To allow readers to listen to Zhou Xuan's performances, this book comes with a CD featuring her songs. Additionally, the book includes multiple portraits, life photos, and scenes of Zhou Xuan for readers to enjoy.
Zhou Xuan (1920–1957) was a renowned Chinese film actress and singer. From the mid-1930s to the early 1950s, she starred in 43 films and performed over 300 film songs and other songs. After leaving the film industry in 1951 to the filming of "The Peace Dove," it has been 53 years since her departure, and she left this world at the age of 38, nearly 47 years ago. Yet today, she is still remembered as a singer with the beloved nickname "Golden Voice." In China and around the world, wherever Chinese people live, her songs can be heard. Among film audiences and fans both at home and abroad, she holds a special and enduring charm. Her singing is sincere and pure, with a sweet tone, while her performances are innocent and moving, portraying gentle and graceful images. In the history of Chinese cinema and music, she was an exceptionally unique artist, and to this day, no one has replaced her influence on audiences and viewers. Nearly half a century after her passing, her fans and film enthusiasts have not only remained but also grown, their love for Zhou Xuan bordering on obsession. Understanding and studying the film actress and singer Zhou Xuan, who achieved remarkable artistic success in both acting and singing, is an important aspect of my research on the history and current state of film music. During my study and research on the history of Chinese cinema, particularly the history of Chinese film music, I watched all the films starring Zhou Xuan in our museum's collection, read extensively about her historical materials, and collected numerous sheet music scores of her songs. Under the guidance of several of my professors in film history and music history, I have clarified Zhou Xuan's artistic path and gained a certain level of understanding and recognition of her achievements. This song collection reflects the results of that understanding and recognition.
This book is a collection of 125 songs performed by Zhou Xuan, including 86 film songs and 39 other songs. To help readers understand the origin of the name "Zhou Xuan," the song "The Light of the Nation" is specially placed at the beginning of the book. The film songs are arranged in chronological order based on the films in which Zhou Xuan performed. After the introduction of each film, the songs from that film are listed in order, with the theme song first, followed by other, which are generally arranged according to the order they appear in the film. To provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Zhou Xuan's artistic achievements, brief introductions to films in which Zhou Xuan acted but did not sing are also included in the book. The other songs performed by Zhou Xuan are arranged in pinyin order of their titles. To allow readers to listen to Zhou Xuan's performances, this book comes with a CD featuring her songs. Additionally, the book includes multiple portraits, life photos, and scenes of Zhou Xuan for readers to enjoy.
It is worth noting that as a scholar studying the history and current state of film music, I have placed more emphasis on the selection and introduction of film songs, which is a characteristic of this song collection. If this may cause some readers to be unsatisfied with certain aspects of the book, I hope for your understanding.
Zhou Xuan's achievements in singing art stem from her love for and relentless pursuit of singing. To help audiences understand her artistic pursuits, this book places her article "I Love Singing" at the beginning. Throughout her artistic career, many accomplished artists in Chinese cinema collaborated with her. This book includes two remembrance articles about Zhou Xuan written by them. Reading their recollections will undoubtedly help us understand the era in which Zhou Xuan lived and the process by which they created classics together.
Zhu Tianwei
August 2004