Hey guys, today I’m really excited to share a relatively new Taiwanese duet with you guys. It’s called 傻笑 or Smile by Jay Chou (周杰倫) and features the smooth and soft vocals of Cindy Yen (袁詠琳). The song is from Jay’a recent album Opus 12.

What I really love about this song is not only the harmonies between Jay and Cindy but also the story behind the song as well as the palette of sounds and synths that underlies the main melody. The song is about two friends that secretly harbour romantic feelings for each other but another guy has arrived earlier than the one singing the song. He’s stolen the heart of the girl just by arriving early so they’re only able to interact as friends. My favourite part must be the last few lines of the song that reinforces the bittersweet tenderness of the melody.

Rating: 5/5 happy clouds 

Here is the English translation to the lyrics since the Chinese lyrics are directly in the music video…

Jay: Eyes on my cell phone with no signal

Worried that you haven’t received the reply I’ve sent

Even if you replied only a smile

I’d be unable to delete it

Cindy: The radio gives me news of the weather

It makes me think of your jacket under the rain

Both: The TV in the living room playing a drama

I envy them, fighting about love

Chorus:

Jay: You smile before me, but you really don’t know

Cindy: In fact I’ve already received your confession

Both:  You say I love to arrive late (Why do you say I love to arrive late?)

We’re only able to hug as friends (Yeah)

Jay: You say his heart has given much, just by arriving early

Cindy: Only able to keep the gentleness I feel for you in my heart

Both: You say I love to arrive late (Why do you love arriving late?)

How do we act to avoid hurting each another?

Jay: I remember what your favourite drink is (favourite drink)

I go line up to buy the bread you love (bread you love)

I can only stand and return a smile from afar

Unable to even hold your hand

Cindy: You said you have an extra movie ticket

Both: You know that things aren’t that serendipitous

But what I fear is that I bore you (I fear that I bore you)

You’re more certain of what makes my heart beats (I’m more certain of what makes your heart beat)

Chorus:

Jay: You smile before me, but you really don’t know

Cindy: In fact I’ve already received your confession

Both: You say I love to arrive late (Why do you say I love to arrive late?)

We’re only able to hug as friends (Yeah)

Jay: You say his heart has given much, just by arriving early

Cindy: Only able to keep the gentleness I feel for you in my heart

Both: You say I love to arrive late (Why do you love arriving late?)

How do we act to avoid hurting each another?

(Interlude)

Bridge:

Jay: You smile before me, but you really don’t know

Cindy: There’s nothing bad about him yet we talk less and less

Both:  You say I love to arrive late (Why do you say I love to arrive late?)

Missing the sweet taste of happiness

Jay: Capturing pictures with memories is unbearable

Cindy: Actually the tenderness I feel for you… has wavered a bit

Both: You say I love to arrive late (Why do you love arriving late?)

With the right person at the wrong time, I just can’t bear to let go

This is probably one of my favourite songs right now and might even make my playlist for favourite songs of all time.  I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do! Thank you so much for reading! I try to post reviews and rants daily!

– Cloudy

What are you pondering today?