People of every profession are helping fight the SARS epidemic. Songwriters and singers are no exception. Over the past few weeks, they have been working hard to encourage people through their music to win the battle.
In a very short time, they have created and recorded several songs specifically to comfort and encourage SARS patients and show gratitude and appreciation to doctors and nurses.
Jia Ding is one of the most active. The well-known Chinese mainland pop songwriter has written lyrics for four songs: "Walk alongside You (Yilu tongxing),'' "Sisters and Brothers (Jiemei Xiongdi),'' "Warm the World with Love (Qing nuan renjian)'' and "With our Hearts (Yong niwo de xin).''
"The melodies and lyrics have been swelling up like a fountain in my mind, ever since a number of medical personnel I know personally joined the battle against SARS at the front,'' said Jia.
Su Yue -- who composed the music for "Sisters and Brothers'' -- said: "To be honest, nothing has moved me so deeply for a long time. Now everybody should feel grateful for the doctors and nurses who work in the SARS wards. As a composer, I could do nothing better than write songs to support them and show my respect.''
Chen Lin, Yang Kun and the Chinese Spice Girls -- the leading singers of the Zhushu Culture Co -- worked together to produce the song "All for You (Yiqie weini)''.
Shen Yongge, the company's boss, said: "We hope the song can encourage people to be braver. The medical personnel have set a good example for us and I believe we will eventually win the battle against SARS.''
Hunan Satellite Television made and broadcast three music videos, including "Road in the Sunshine (Yangguang lushang)'' sung by Li Xiang and He Jiong, the station's two main presenters. "Please Believe (Qing ni xiangxin)'' was sung by all of the station's presenters and "Because of Love (Yinwei ai)'' features all the singers of the company NMG Entertainment Beijing, including Lin Yilun, Luo Zhongxu, Su Youpeng, Sun Yue and Zhou Xiao'ou.
Songwriter Xu Peidong -- who composed "Warm the World with Love'' --said: "The songs can not only help to relax people in a panic but also record history in a special way. When people sing or listen to the songs after SARS has been conquered, they will still remember those difficult days they experienced together and be touched by the deep affection underneath the lyrics and melodies.''
(China Daily May 14,2003)
