Whenever it comes to Christmas time, I somehow have the urge to dig out Billy Gilman's CD 'Classic Christmas' and enjoy that velvety, pure vocals of his belting out beautiful Christmas carols.



He released this album when he was 12, I think.

Anyway, here's O Holy Night, which he sang beautifully...



Anyway, this is Gilman at age 20 this year in 2008, singing at the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, where he has been its National Youth Chairman since 2001.



Funny, his this photo kinda reminds me of Zac Efron.... Maybe it's those eyebrows... Anyhow, he's grown into a rather good looking young man indeed.

I finally found online links to download full episodes of Pushing Daisies Season 2!!

Yaaaay!!!

The full episodes from season 2 are available here at this Lee Pace fansite.

Of course, this won't prevent me from grabbing the DVD once it's out :))



I like this promotional shot for Season 2, very apt for the characters and the storyline and very creative indeed.

Amidst much speculation and controversy, TV network ABC has announced the horrible decision that the show will be cancelled!! Why???? How can they cancel what is one of the best shows on TV?? So sad... Apparently the reason for this is only because Pushing Daisies, despite all its critical acclaim, faces challenges in its ratings department. Sigh... The first season was cut short because of the writers' strike, and now the second season has been cut short also because money-minded TV executives value materialistic gains over quality.

Sad... :(

Anyhow, I've watched 3 epsiodes of season 2 so far and I'm glad that the quality that got me hooked onto the 1st season has remained. How nice it is to see all these familiar and likeable characters once again solving new mysteries and getting themselves into new, knotty situations. Really, for those who have not watched Pushing Daisies, do give it a go! Now that ABC has officially cancelled the show, when there will be anything like this again is anyone's guess.

I knew James Marsden could sing well, especially after watching him in Hairspray and Enchanted where he got to flex his singing abilities. But I never realized how romantic his singing voice was until I saw this clip from Ally McBeal...

Oooo... I could just melt...



Erm... Yah, the Spanish dubbing was quite horrible... Luckily the singing was wisely left alone by the dubbing artistes.

If any of you have watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail, you would most definitely remember that quirky song Knights of Camelot, where King Arthur (Graham Chapman), after considering the nonsense that goes on in the castle Camelot, decides that taking his knights to Camelot was a bad idea, henceforth leading them to the opportunity to embark on a quest for the Holy Grail.

If you don't remember or haven't watched it, here's how that song went in the movie...



Hey, it's after all Monty Python!

Anyhow, someone posted a video on Youtube that blended this song very nicely with scenes from Star Trek indeed! Very good effort, I must say, almost like those promotional videos that TV stations make to promote upcoming shows or something...



Brilliant!

Since Christmas time is coming, it'll be nice to revisit this song once again...

Do They Know It's Christmas Time - original version for Band Aid (1984)



Apparently this was THE song that had inspired other charity records such as the more famous We Are The World by USA for Africa. Go British!

We Are The World - USA for Africa (1985) - America's own version of Band Aid.



Why, they even inspired the emergence of charity records in other countries such as in Latin America, France, Germay and Canada!

Here's the Latin American version during the 80s - Cantaré Cantarás by Hermanos (translation: I will Sing, You Will Sing).

Someone also posted a video of the same song with English translation as well, if you would like to know what Hermanos are singing about. The images are not of the original music video though, and admittedly... not a good translation either. But you'll get the idea.

'Hermanos' refers to brothers and sisters in Spanish. I can only recognize Julio Iglesias in that video below, by the way.



And lastly, the updated version of Do They Know It's Christmas Time, recorded in 2004 which includes singers such as Chris Martin, Robin Williams, Bono, Will Young and Dido.



It may be cliche but... This Christmas, do start giving. In this unpredictable world of ours, there will always be fellow humans who need a helping hand.

I can't. So thank goodness for DVDs! What would I do without them??

Anyway, some DVDs I have watched recently. Especially since my brother came back from the States, I'm in movie heaven now!

1) St. Elmo's Fire



It's quite an interesting concept about how a group of friends who graduate from college are finding life in the real world too hard to bear. Because of this, young people found themselves clinging on desperately to the freedom and romanticism of college life. I may not share that kind of exhilarating experiences these guys had in college, but who ever had an easy transition from school to work? The cast of young actors who included Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham was rather impressive, and they all shared excellent chemistry with one another. It was as if they really did know one another all through their college days. Unfortunately, Joel Shumacher wasn't able to do adequate justice to the material. The ending, particularly, was promising but turned out too commercialize which is unbefitting a movie with such material.

2) Pretty in Pink



The beautiful and talent Molly Ringwald shines as the lead character in the movie. She was only 17 years old then.

This movie has gone down in history as one of the classic teen movies that easily surpasses today's High School Musical in terms of plot, acting and depth of content. While the cast in High School Musical may only be remembered for their good looks, young actors of Pretty in Pink Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy simply blew life into their characters. Might be a cliche story, but it is a charming one nevertheless.

3) Soldier's Girl



Nothing more that needs to be said apart from those already said in my review in the previous post.

4) Felicidades



An Argentinian Sundance selection that tells the stories of various people in various situations who somehow or rather had some connection with one another at different points in time. Complicated? Think Crash and you'll get the idea. However, this one is not as dramatic as Crash. Rather, Felicidades tells the mundane stories of ordinary people in ordinary situations - all on Christmas eve ("felicidades" literally means "congratulations" in Spanish and is used on Christmas as a greeting). Boring? I won't lie to you - it was really boring. But just before I got up and switched off the DVD, something caught my attention and by the end of the movie, I couldn't stop thinking about the meaning of it all.

I'll elaborate.

Because you see, I believe what this whole movie is gearing at is the fact that how all of our lives cannot be seperated from one another. Everything we do, however mundane it may be, is bound to affect someone, either directly or indirectly. It's like ripples that have the potential to travel far and wide. Unfortunately, however connected we may be, we are ultimately lonely individuals as we may never know who we have affected and exactly in what manner. Otherwise for most of the times, we simply refuse to know, or we simply don't care, all for the sake of self-preservation.

I don't think I can elaborate further at this point of time. But do watch it if you have the chance. Perhaps you can derive your own meaning to it as well.

Still, I wouldn't be too quick to give it a high rating. It is thought-provoking no doubt, but only for those who had the patience to sit through the whole movie till the end.

5) El Dia Que Me Amen



Adrián Suar and Leticia Brédice play childhood sweethearts in El Dia Que Me Amen (When Somebody Loves Me)

This one looked promising on paper but the outcome kind of disappointed me. I guess I expected a more indept look at childhood trauma and its effects in adulthood, and more insights into depression and other mental health conditions which could have resulted from the trauma, including the individual's journey towards recovery. It seemed like the director tried hard to include some serious message in the movie, but it just didn't deliver. Basically, the whole premise of how these individuals coped with some 'trauma' in their childhood seemed stretched at best, as though not enough research was done in the subject matter. So despite the commendable performances by the leads, this marred the credibility of the story. To be fair, it's a decent movie, but so much more could have been accomplished...

6) Monty Python's - Life of Brian



Two of the Monty Pythons, Eric Idle (left) and the late Graham Chapman (right) are bewildered as they listen to a near-inaudible religious sermon by You-know-who in Life of Brian.

I was told that this is one classic British comedy and it's not hard to see why - this absolute work of genius, from the wonderful comedian group Monty Python, was bold, shocking, tastefully crude and simply hilarious! No wonder Monty Python was considered the Beatles of comedy. Due to its supposed take on the Christian religion, Life of Brian was a controversial movie at the time of its release in 1979 sparking widespread debate, protests and even street demonstrations. But keep an open mind and you'll definitely appreciate the thoughtfulness that has gone into the script. It's a laugh-out funny satire that says a lot about the social psychology of people. All this is demonstrated in the life of "Brian", an ordinary Mummy's boy born at the same time near the manger where Jesus Christ was born, who at some really bizzare twist of events gets mistaken as a Messiah, eventually leading to his own cruxifiction by no fault of his. This movie was also where that iconic song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle, Always Look On The Bright Side of Life, made its debut.

One of my favourite bits in the movie, a wonderful jab at how we as humans really are...



All the Pythons are still going strong in the entertainment industry and are highly respected by many others till today. Sadly though, Graham Chapman, who played the lead role of Brian amongst other smaller roles (all the Pythons took on a variety of roles in all of their movies), passed away at the relatively young age of 48 after a tough battle with spinal and throat cancer. At the end of Chapman's memorial service, Eric Idle led the remaining Pythons and other friends on stage in singing "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" as a final goodbye.

Interestingly, Chapman was a qualified medical doctor who graduated from Cambridge so he conveniently became the on-set doctor for the cast and crew as they endured injuries, fever and heatstroke while filming the movie in Tunisia. In fact, all the Pythons graduated either from Oxford or Cambridge!


The Monty Pythons during the filming of Life of Brian (left) and in the 1980s (right). In the more recent photo, the Pythons, from left to right, were Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam.

7) Pushing Daisies - Season One



The cast of Pushing Daisies pose inside The Pie Hole - Pie-Maker Ned's little pie eatery. From left to right in The Pie Hole, Ellen Greene, Swoosie Kurtz, Anna Friel, Lee Pace, Chi McBride and Kristin Chenoweth.

Ahhh... This is one series I don't mind watching over and over. Incredibility likeable characters, interesting and biazzare crime stories, a quirky sense of humor, witty dialogue and a beautiful, surreal backdrop. Of course, a talented cast and crew helps too. Can't wait for season 2 to come out in Singapore!

Yesterday, I was reading the bilingual mypaper peacefully with a nice coffee bun for breakfast, when suddenly a sense of deja-vu hit me as I turned the page to the Entertainment section.



Click on the picture to enlarge.

Doesn't that layout of Andrew McCarthy then-and-now look eeriely similar to a certain post of mine?

Pure 80s Gold

The article on mypaper can be found on their website using their e-browser here: http://www.mypaper.sg/. It can be found in the 7/10/08 paper.

I'm not sure why but this song suddenly came to mind one day and I decided to search for it on Youtube. Very catchy song that was always played on 90.5FM which I enjoyed listening to. Pure 80s gold...



Apparently this song was from a 1987 movie called Mannequin, starring Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall. According to the page on Wiki, the movie was a flop, but attained cult status later on. In fact, it is now considered a Hollywood success, grossing over $42 million! But what made the movie a flop in the first place? After watching the movie, I realized that the answer was because the story was plain crappy.

Synopsis from Wikipedia:

McCarthy plays Jonathan Switcher, a struggling artist who goes from one dead-end job to another. This all changes when a mannequin (Cattrall) he created for a department store window comes magically to life. The mannequin, "Emmy," was actually once Emahasure, a real-life princess from ancient Egypt. Her beauty and love inspire Switcher to become the best window dresser in town. Of course, there is intrigue involving a rival department store's attempt to drive the heroes out of business, and together the two star-crossed lovers must outwit the store's bumbling security guard, the rival store's scheming executives, and others intent on the store's demise.

The story has a subplot: in order to regain full status as a real life person, the mannequin must find true love.




To me, the crappiest scene in the entire movie has to be the first scene when Emmy is introduced as an Egyptian princess. How can I stomach an ancient Egyptian pair of royal mother and daughter bickering in modern, American-accented English?? I say, if I only heard the audio and blanked the screen I would think that that scene occured in the setting of a modern teenager's room! A totally unneccessary scene! Why did they have to try and justify where Emmy came from anyway?

But really, crappy it may be, even for a movie that is choke-full of stereotypical characters (the bumbling idiotic security guard, the effeminate and dramatic window-dresser, the evil jealous manager etc.) and silly situations, I must say that it was somewhat enchanting. In fact, once you get past that crappy first scene I just talked about, then you'll certainly enjoy what comes next. Maybe it's the likeable leads, or maybe it's that pure sense of nostalgia... Whatever it is, I can see why it gained a cult following after that.

Ahhh... the 80s...

Anyway, back to the 21st century - the-then teenage heartthrobs Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall are already in their 40s and from the looks of it they are still going strong. Particularly Kim Cattrall who has starred as one of the sexy female leads Samantha Jones in Sex and the City. Anthony McCarthy hasn't fared too poorly too as he is one of the hunky male leads in the recent Lipstick Jungle, which was based on the novel of the same name written by the same writer of Sex and the City. What a coincidence, eh? Anyhow, I would say that both have aged pretty well, though more so for Cattrall than McCarthy actually. Still, both elude mature charms.

Andrew McCarthy (top) and Kim Cattrall (below) then and now...



Trivia - Andrew McCarthy is actually one of the original members of the Brat Pack of the 80s. This was a name coined by the media to describe a core group of young actors who would appear in more than one movie as a group of friends navigating through issues such as love, friendship, family and essentially those related to coming-of-age. Some of these movies, which also starred McCarthy, include the iconic Pretty in Pink and St Elmo's Fire. Another well-known one was Breakfast Club. Other notable members of the Brat Pack include Demi Moore and Rob Lowe.



She looks prettier now!

This is actually an old clip dating from a few years back where, I guess, the first of the Pirates of the Carribean was just released and a relatively fresh-faced Orlando Bloom was promoting the movie. But it's extremely hilarious, and rather embarrassing, even, especially for those who contributed to that mark in cyberspace. Revisited the clip just now and I was still laughing my head off in front of the computer! It takes someone like presenter Graham Norton with that in-your-face quality to remind us of the kinds of nonsensical, irrational and incoherent stuff people leave in public forums.

I never realized it but man, to have someone reading those nonsense postings out loud just gave them a whole new dimension!



It's carrot! No, it's broccoli!!!

"...spinach, actually"

Be careful what you leave behind on cyberspace!

I recently found the English translation to the lyrics of A Dios Le Pido, by Columbian singer Juanes. Very interesting.



Que mis ojos se despierten
con la luz de tu mirada yo
a Dios le pido

That my eyes wake up every day with the light of your gaze, I ask of God

Que mi madre no se muera
y que mi padre me recuerde
a Dios le pido

That my mother will not die and that my dad remembers me, I ask of God

Que te quedes a mi lado
y que mas nunca te me vayas mi vida
a Dios le pido

That you stay by my side and that you never leave from my life, I ask of God

Que mi alma no descanse cuando
de amarte se trate mi cielo
a Dios le pido

That my soul never rests when it is about loving you, - my everything, I ask of God

Por los días que me quedan
y las noches que aún no llegan yo
a Dios le pido

For all the days that remain and the nights that haven't arrived, I ask of God

Por los hijos de mis hijos
y los hijos de tus hijos
a Dios le pido

For the sons of my sons and the sons of your sons, I ask of God

Que mi pueblo no derrame tanta sangre
y se levante mi gente
a Dios le pido

That my country doesn't spill so much blood and that my people will rise, I ask of God

Que mi alma no descanse cuando
de amarte se trate mi cielo
a Dios le pido

That my soul never rests when it is about loving you - my everything, I ask of God

Un segundo más de vida para darte
y a tu lado para siempre yo quedarme

One more second of life to give you and to stay forever by your side

Un segundo más de vida para darte
y mi corazón entero entregarte

One more second of life to give you and my entire heart to give you

Un segundo más de vida yo
a Dios le pido

One more second of life, I ask of God

Y que si me muero sea de amor
y si me enamoro sea de vos

And that if I die it will be of love and that if I fall in love it will be with you

y que de tu voz sea este corazón
todos los días a Dios le pido

And that your voice will be this beautiful always, I ask of God

Y que si me muero sea de amor
y si me enamoro sea de vos

And that if I die it will be of love and that if I fall in love it will be with you

y que de tu voz sea este corazón
todos los días a Dios le pido

And that your voice will be this beautiful always, everyday, I ask of God

A Dios le pido

I ask of God



Taken from: http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/spanish-lyrics-translation/25552-lyrics-translated-to-english-juanes-a-dios-le-pido.html

I simply love this scene from Pushing Daisies, 2nd episode.

Kirstin Chenoweth singing "Hopelessly Devoted To You".



I instantly knew where I first saw this actress just hearing her voice - The Music Man, as Marion. Beautiful beautiful rendition of 'Till There Was You...



Apart from the movie scene, the live version is a must-watch too...

And here's the introduction scene to Pushing Daisies... Great stuff.

This is Lee Pace, star of Pushing Daisies and the upcoming The Fall. And from available Youtube videos he seems to play the tough outlaw pretty often, like a convict in Infamous, or the terrorizing brother-in-law to Sarah Michelle Gellar's character in Possession.



And this is also Lee Pace... Not the guy in the picture, I meant that elegant-looking lady played by the same Lee Pace... (!!!)



Goodness, the things actors are willing to go through for their art! Christian Bale lost obscene amounts of weight for his role in the Machinist, now I see Lee Pace who not only lost 25 pounds for the role in Soldier's Girl, but also plays a transgender who gets involved a love affair with a military guy, with tragic results. From the trailer, Soldier's Girl is a tragic love story which was based on true events. It has also been critically acclaimed.

Watch the transformation here, a video clip which I found on Youtbe which sparked my interest in this made-for-TV movie. Movie magic can get pretty creepy too... But it's definitely great to see filmmakers who are willing to push the boundaries on these controversial but real social issues. Kind of reminds me of Torch Song Trilogy, which is by the way a great movie that I highly recommend. I wonder if this lives up to its reputation?



And this is one jaw-dropping scene from the movie. I'll never look at Lee Pace the same way again! Not for the under-18s...

As someone who line dances I get to hear lots of Spanish songs as many line dances are cheoroegraphed to these songs. One of the dances I liked was titled "Plain Spanish" to the song Ave Maria by a singer David Bisbal. It's funny cos all this while I had the impression of David Bisbal as someone with a certain age... As in, not old, but probably someone who has been a singer for many years and was probably in his late 30s or even 40s.

So when I searched for the video for Ave Maria recently, I was pleasantly surprised that David Bisbal, a Spaniard, was in fact a young chap!



Ave Maria was released in 2002 and was his debut song. My guess is David Bisbal was marketed at that time as this young, romantic heart-throb. Pretty good looking fella, but I wonder who directed that terrible video?? I'd fire the dance cheoreographer also, if one was involved in the making of the video. Have lots of issues with that curly mop of a hair too... But I guess that became his trademark as he kept it for his subsequent albums.

Fortunately, I have discovered that he chopped off that mop for his latest album released in 2006. Much more handsome, I would say. Seems like he has changed his music style too. Now he has gone on for a more rocker image, as can be seen in this song Silencio.



He is, by the way, only 29 this year. So much so for that impression of a veteran singer in his late 30s or 40s.

Hahaha... trust the Japanese to come up with such an act!



Save for the poor English diction, this was actually quite a nice impersonation! Particularly liked the guy who played Bruce Springsteen.

Anyone know Japanese? Was this a talent show or a variety show with actual singers playing the roles of Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and co.?

This is the original video - We Are The World. Another iconic song of the 80s. Very few come close to the impact this has made on many who grew up during the 80s.



Thanks to the guy (or gal) who added the singers' names to the video! I finally know who all these people were!

One of the first singers I got to know since I took Spanish classes was Columbian rocker Juanes. He was the favourite singer of my first Peruvian teacher and just recently, my new Spanish teacher got us to fill up the lyrics of one of Juanes' songs. He quite a hit, apparently, in most of the Spanish-speaking world, with numerous Latin-American Grammy awards to his CV.

Here are two songs which I particularly like, both from his album Un Dia Normal (A Normal Day).

Fotografia (photograph), a duet with Portugese singer Nelly Furtado


A Dios Le Pido (I Ask of God), the song that made him an international sensation.


Just something for a nice Sunday morning, before the dreaded Monday sneaks in...

David Cook! What????

Truth be told, I'm devastated!! Especially after the near-perfect, winning performance David Archuleta delivered in the final competition... Loved his rendition of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me especially. Beautiful... Like what Randy said, he could sing a phonebook and it'll still be good.

*sob*

Dvid Cook is good and equally likable and I'm sure will be successful as a record singer, I have to admit. But as I've commented on Point2e, I guess that silly, screaming "young girl" in me still wishes that David Archuleta was the winner instead.

Right... But I did say that it's ok even if Archuleta comes in second. Hope this doesn't stop the talented Archuleta from taking on the music industry.

The heat is on, with the final three contestants left in the competition. Of course my favourite to win is obvious ;P

David Archuleta at age 13 and at the AI compeition, singing Imagine.


I have to admit that David Archuleta has been getting quite boring in his song choices but he still eludes loads of charm. On the contary, David Cook has managed to remain fresh with each episode and his rocker-dude personality certainly shines. Worthy contender. Have to disagree with the judges on the 'originiality' part of Cook though - Blake still takes the cake for that.

I've got some mixed feelings about the upcoming movie The Forbidden Kingdom. On one hand, from the trailers themselves it does look like it contains some really awesome gungfu cinematography, decent storyline and of course, Jet Li and Jackie Chan. On the other hand, I really can't stomach the fact that they are all speaking English in ancient China, and there's an American kid in the middle of it all who travelled back in time! Uh-huh... so much for originality...

I like Michael Angarano who plays that American kid. He's a talented young actor who makes very wise movie choices, from the family-oriented Sky High to independent films such as Lords of Dogtown and Man in the Chair which I am looking forward to. I even liked him way back in Seabiscuit. But everytime I see him appear in this trailer I always think of The Karate Kid, which, by the way, is not a good thing.

I like Jet Li as well, but I've been disappointed at the projects that he has been getting in Hollywood. Just look at Huo Yuan Jia and you realize how much of his talents have been wasted in America. I wonder if this American production can do any justice to his talents this time... Try as I may, this movie still has a hint of a B-grader to me...

Still, I think my biggest grouse is still the English-speaking part of the movie. As if it's not enough watching Jet Li and Jackie Chan sprout ancient Chinese wisdom in accented English, we even have a Chinese emperor, ancient kungfu experts and villians speaking perfect English. It's like wtaching Braveheart that's set in England but everyone speaks Mandarin... It's just... not right...



This clip below is quite funny actually. But again, Jet Li and Jackie Chan giving commands in English which really really work so much better in when Chinese...



Ok, to the benefit of the filmmakers, it is yet to be seen how well both Asian and Western audiences will take to it.

We'll see...

Being born in 1982, I never actually knew the origins of this song, which was released in 1985. Nevertheless, it accompanied me through my childhood and I'm sure even kids today have heard of it. Somehow the rhythm, the lyrics, the music have turned this song into a timeless classic that to me, has never really been surpassed by any other similar genres that appeared recenty, such as the 2005 Hand-In-Hand 手牵手during the SARS epidemic.

Like I've said before, this song always gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. It's that touching.

Did some background research on this song and made some interesting discoveries to the origins of this song.

• 1984年，非洲埃塞俄比亞發生飢荒。為援助饑民，美國歌手以稍早英國群星合唱的〈Do They Know It's Christmas〉公益單曲為藍本，組成USA For Africa，推出合唱歌曲《We Are the World》，專輯版稅捐作賑災用途，迴響極為熱烈，並募得鉅款。流風所及，世界各地多有仿效者。

In 1984, to raise funds to help famine-relief efforts in Ethiopia, American singers gathered to form a supergroup of popular musicians called USA For Africa, following in the footsteps of an earlier effort by British singers who recorded a charity single "Do they Know It's Christmas". USA For Africa recorded and released a single "We Are the World" which received overwhelming success and gathered an enormous amount of funds. Because of its success, there were many similar efforts made around the world.

• 1985年，恰逢台灣光復（結束日本殖民統治）40周年；1986年則是「世界和平年」。「明天會更好」的創作初衷，即是模仿《We Are The World》「群星為公益而唱」的形式，呼應世界和平年的主題、並紀念台灣光復40週年。

1985 marked the 40th anniversary of Taiwan's independence from Japanese colonial rule. Also, 1986 was also the Year for World Peace (literal translation). Hence, drawing inspiration from "We Are the World", 明天會更好 was written to commerate both the anniversary and the Year for World Peace.

• 「明天會更好」邀集的華人歌手跨越不同地域、不同唱片公司，打破了簽約的限制。專輯製作單位以「明天基金會籌備會」的名義，邀集台灣當時最知名的唱片公司包括飛碟、喜瑪拉雅、新格、歌林、滾石、鄉城、寶麗金、麗歌等參與這張專輯，並由各家唱片公司競標發行權。專輯售出的盈餘，係由後來標得專輯發行權的藍與白唱片公司捐給中華民國消費者文教基金會，為消基會籌募新台幣600萬元的基金，作為公益之用。

Chinese singers from different countries under different recording companies were invited for the song, a breakthrough as it meant that this also broke the boundaries of recording contracts. The production company pitched itself as 「明天基金會籌備會」and invited some of the most successful recording companies to be part of the project. These companies were also invited to bid for the rights to release the album. The recording company Blue and White (literal translation) later gained the rights, and donated all the earnings from the album to the Consumers' Foundation, Chinese Taipei. A sum of 6 million NT were donated to charity.

• 根據當時參與的創作人回憶，這首歌的作詞者之所以多達七位，是因為羅大佑的歌詞版本被認為「主題意識過於灰色消極」，不能全盤採用。錄唱前夕，主辦單位邀集許多音樂界、文化界人士，各自貢獻詞句，以羅大佑的版本為主，逐句修潤，纔共同完成最終的歌詞定稿。

According to the accounts of songwriters who were involved, as many as 7 lyricists were involved. This was because Luo Dayou's original version was seen to be too "dark and gloomy and hence rather discouraging". In the night before the actual recording, the organizers gathered many prominant figures from the music and cultural industries to contribute to the writing of the lyrics. Luo Da You's original lyrics were to remain with amendments made to individual phrases. This resulted in the final product - the timeless clasic 明天會更好.



明天會更好

蔡琴：輕輕敲醒沈睡的心靈　慢慢張開你的眼睛
余天：看看忙碌的世界是否依然孤獨的轉個不停
蘇芮：春風不解風情　吹動少年的心
潘越雲：讓昨日臉上的淚痕　隨記憶風乾了

甄妮：擡頭尋找天空的翅膀　候鳥出現它的影迹
李建復：帶來遠處的饑荒無情的戰火依然存在的消息
林慧萍：玉山白雪飄零　燃燒少年的心
王芷蕾：使真情溶化成音符　傾訴遙遠的祝福

(Chorus)
黃鶯鶯：唱出你的熱情　伸出你的雙手
讓我擁抱著你的夢　讓我擁有你真心的面孔
費玉清：讓我們的笑容　充滿著青春的驕傲
爲明天獻出虔誠的祈禱

陳淑樺：誰能不顧自己的家園　抛開記憶中的童年
娃娃：誰能忍心看那昨日的憂愁　帶走我們的笑容
王夢麟：青春不解紅塵　胭脂沾染了灰
李佩菁：讓久違不見的淚水　滋潤了你的面容

(Chorus)
洪榮宏：唱出你的熱情　伸出你的雙手
讓我擁抱著你的夢　讓我擁有你真心的面孔
讓我們的笑容　充滿著青春的驕傲
爲明天獻出虔誠的祈禱　
　　　　　　　　
齊豫：輕輕敲醒沈睡的心靈　慢慢張開你的眼睛
鄭怡：看看忙碌的世界是否依然孤獨的轉個不停
江慧：日出喚醒清晨　大地光彩重生
楊林：讓和風拂出的音響　譜成生命的樂章

(Chorus)
合唱：唱出你的熱情　伸出你的雙手
蘇芮：讓我擁抱著你的夢　讓我擁有你真心的面孔
齊秦：讓我們的笑容　充滿著青春的驕傲
余天：讓我們期待著明天會更好　

Were you able to recognize all the singers?

Frankly, there aren't many variety shows from TVB that are as much fun as most Taiwanese variety shows in recent years. I think it's the quick wit that really seperates the Taiwanese hosts from the Hong Kong ones. Probably only that Super Trio series by Eric Tseng came close.

So it's really refreshing that TVB came up with a variety game show which not only had a Hong Kong newbie host, actor Patrick Tang, but also a veteran Taiwanese host-cum-singer Harlem Yu. It's called 味分高下, where celebrities compete in a series of games related to food. Waste of food at times, but it's really fun to watch especially when the celebrities join in the banter and the hilarious situations.

Harlem clearly steals the show with his witty remarks and keen observations of his surroundings, but as a host Patrick Tang does a nice job of complementing him. Tang's still learning I guess, though in the episode where the game was brought to Taiwan, it was quite obvious that in segments where Harlem was present, he was completely overshadowed by his more experienced counterpart.

Nevertheless, hilarious results from one of my favourite episodes...