45 Famous Chinese Songs
Contents
44. “Rush To The Dead Summer” by Xia Hu
Song Year: 2017
A soft and ethereal song, this track is heartfelt and moving. It’s another beautiful one from Xia Hu, and his voice is simply angelic. It’s a melancholy but sweet song about moving on and growing up. It can sometimes feel like you’ve lost time because life moves so quickly and before you know it your youth is gone.
45. “Nothing to My Name“ by Cui Jian
Song Year: 1989
“Nothing to My Name” is a popular Chinese rock song about a man who is in love with a girl but she mocks and rejects him because he has nothing.
The hardcore sound is edgy and engaging, while the lyrics are painful and thought-provoking, as it touches on topics of wealth and class. This classic rock song is powerful and moving, cementing it as one of the best Chinese rock songs.
46. “Evening Primrose“ by Li Xianglan
Song Year: 1943
This old Chinese song is still one of the most popular pop songs and new artists cover it all the time. In the song, she sings about the beauty of the night and flowers in the garden, talking about how delicate life is but how it can be so amazing at the same time. It’s a classic song that everyone in China knows.
47. “Goodbye” by G.E.M.
Song Year: 2015
This sad punk rock song is about how you always think about how beautiful the beginning of a relationship was when it’s falling apart. The singer reminisces on the beginning of her love affair and begs her partner not to end things because she doesn’t want to say goodbye. By the end of the song, she accepts the goodbye and decides to move on.
48. “Fearless” by Jay Chou
Song Year: 2006
If you didn’t figure it out by now, Jay Chou is one of the most popular and successful singers in China. Another one of his fantastic songs is “Fearless.”
This song is a little rougher than his softer tracks, so it has more edge and audacity. It’s a fun song to sing along to and Jay Chou hits some impressive high notes in it. The lyrics are about fighting through life and never admitting defeat.
49. “Childhood” by Lo Ta-yu
Song Year: 1981
As the title implies, the song is about childhood! Lo Ta-yu has a low Elvis-like voice and a soft rock vibe, making for an edgy and fun song about being young and free.
When you’re a kid, so much is done for you, and everything you could need is at your fingertips. It’s a beautiful time of learning and growing, but many children want to grow up too fast. The song talks about slowing down and loving life.
50. “Silence Is Golden” by Leslie Cheung
Song Year: 1988
The lesson of this song is that sometimes, it’s best to keep quiet and let things happen as they may. It’s a lively and optimistic song about taking experiences from your past and growing from them to become a more tolerant and thoughtful person. Words can hurt people, so being aware of what you say and how it affects the people around you is essential to being a good person.
51. “The Same Song” by Mao A Min
Song Year: 1994
This song is often played or performed during Chinese New Year celebrations, as it’s about beginnings, endings, and ongoing love.
In the song, Mao A Min sings about joyful reunions and memories of smiles and happiness. But she also sings about hope for the future. Even though it’s “the same song” she’s sung a thousand times, she still feels hopeful for the future and grateful for the past.
52. “Wild Bloom (Inseperable)” by Eason Shen
Song Year: 2020
This adorable song by Eason Shen is about how the girl he loves is like a wildflower. She is beautiful but thrives in the chaos of the world and cannot be contained.
He says even though she may be wild, they are still inseparable and he knows they will be together forever. The central message is that wanting to let his partner be herself and be free because he is confident in their love.
53. “Woman Flower” by Anita Mui
Song Year: 1997
Anita Mui is an icon in Chinese music, and one of her most popular songs is “Woman Flower.” She sings about planting a flower in her heart that only blooms when her beloved is near. However, the flower also grows branches, and weeds can surround it as she metaphorically sings about the hardships that come along with the beauty of love.
54. “The Ocean” by Zhang Yusheng
Song Year: 2021
Like some other songs mentioned on this list, “The Ocean” has been covered many times by various artists. But Zhang Yusheng brings soft and folksy rock vibes to the unmatched lyrics.
He sings about feeling like the love of his life drifted off into the ocean, disappearing from his life. The lyrics are not literal but metaphorical, as he feels like she left without warning and begs her to return and love him.
55. “Blue and White Porcelain” by Jay Chou
Song Year: 2007
Ending this list with another fantastic song by Jay Chou, this track is beautifully written and romantic.
In it, Jay Chou compares his love to a stunning blue and white porcelain vase, something coveted in China with layered meanings. He contemplates the beauty of the vase while he waits for his lover to arrive and sings about how perfect she is, like the blue and white porcelain.
Best Chinese Songs, Final Thoughts
Chinese music has a lot to offer the world, from edgy and moody rock songs to sweet and sugary pop songs to tender and romantic ballads. These famous Chinese songs are well-known in China but deserve more recognition, so download these sensational tracks and jam out to the best music from China!
No matter what kind of music you enjoy, there’s a Chinese song out there that will suit your taste and open you up to a whole new world of music.