Sam Hui - The Game of Life - Music Box

Performer: Sam Hui Record Label: Polydor
Publication date: 1974
Executive Producer: Feng Tianzhi

01. Twin Star Love Song
02. The Mischievous Twins
03. Sweet Companion
04. The merciless night wind
05. Separated by a river, yet boundless; / I love you for 360 years.
06. A Sweet Dream
07 Water Control Song
08. Waiting for the Jade Beauty
09. The Iron Pagoda Reaching the Clouds
10. The sound of night rain
11. Twin Star Love Song (Music)

On January 25, 1986, the 8th Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards Ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Coliseum. The "Highest Honor Award" was officially renamed the "Golden Needle Award," and Sam Hui became the first singer to receive it, a well-deserved honor. Sam Hui incorporated Hong Kong colloquialisms into his songs, blending classical and pop elements in a unique style that was both slang and refined. He infused his songs with life philosophies, social realities, and passionate love, singing about the optimistic spirit of Hong Kong people struggling to survive and striving upwards.
      In 1964, Sam Hui formed the band The Harmonicks with friends, beginning his musical journey. After the band disbanded, he joined the Bar Six band. In 1966, Sam Hui joined The Lotus, and the following year, the band released their debut single, "Just A Little," on Diamond Records.
      In 1970, Diamond Records was acquired by Polydor, and many members of the original Diamond bands were invited to join the new company, including Cheng Tung-hon, Fung Tim-chi, and Sam Hui.
      In 1970, Sam Hui released his debut single, *Time of the Season*. A year later, he and his brother Michael Hui hosted the popular variety show *Double Stars*. On April 14, 1972, *Double Stars* launched its second season. In the first episode, Sam Hui sang his newly composed Cantonese song, "Just Like This," which later became the iconic "Iron Tower Soaring in the Clouds," ushering in a new era for Cantonese pop music. The success of *Double Stars* paved the way for the Hui brothers' film *Games Gamblers Play*. On October 17, 1974, *Games Gamblers Play*, starring Michael Hui and Sam Hui, was released to unprecedented success, grossing HK$6.25 million in Hong Kong.
      To coincide with the release of the film *Games Gamblers Play*, Sam Hui released his first Cantonese album, also titled *Games Gamblers Play*, co-produced by Hui and Cheng Tung-hon. This album encompassed a diverse range of styles, from sentimental ballads and grassroots themes to songs reflecting highbrow literature and art, making it a flawless and universally appealing work. The powerful rock beats paired with humorous and quirky lyrics that reflected contemporary issues became a hallmark of Hui's music. With this album, Hui ushered in a new era for Hong Kong's music scene, dominated by Cantonese pop songs.
      The album's hit songs, "Games Gamblers Play" and "Twin Star Love Song," are stylistically distinct. "Games Gamblers Play" is upbeat and cheerful, accompanied by a powerful band, with colloquial lyrics. The four lines in the chorus, "Life is like gambling / Winning or losing is unpredictable / If you win, you can laugh / If you lose, don't be happy," in just twenty-one characters, perfectly capture the common mindset of Hong Kong people. "Twin Star Love Song," on the other hand, is full of classical charm, with elegant and affectionate lyrics. It borrows the line "The mica screen reflects the deep candlelight" from Li Shangyin's poem "Chang'e," demonstrating Sam Hui's profound literary knowledge.
      Sam Hui's "quirky songs" are very down-to-earth and always contain concern for real life. However, the lyrics do not stop at simply reflecting the lives of ordinary citizens. They also dare to boldly criticize current affairs. "Water Cut Song" is aimed at the Hong Kong government's water cut order in the 1970s and expresses the "pain that is deeply felt" by the citizens.
      "Games Gamblers Play" was the first Chinese song broadcast on the BBC and RTHK English Channel. Sam Hui's "mischievous" songs created a new era for Cantonese pop songs, and his contribution to the resurgence of Cantonese pop songs is undeniable.
      In 1980, Hong Kong veteran lyricist Lo Kwok-cheung said in the inaugural issue of the magazine "Singers and Songs": "If someone is going to write a history of Cantonese pop songs in the future, please remember to put Sam Hui at the top of the list of heroes."