George Lam's "My Favorite": The Story Behind the Classic Cantonese Album and Songs from 1986

Performer: George Lam
Record company: WEA
Release time: 1986
Producer: George Lam

01. Ah Lam's Diary
02. Stallone Lambo
03. Digital Life
04. Tiger Warrior
05. Evil vs. Evil
06. Who is My Favorite
07. Once Upon a Time
08. Kiss of the Spider Woman
09. Cold Image
10. One Morning
11. Pioneer

On July 24,1986,the romance film "Passion" (Beloved),written and directed by Sylvia Chang and starring Sylvia Chang,Sally Yeh,and George Lam,was released in Hong Kong. The film handles emotions with great delicacy,conveying a sense of wistful regret and nostalgia for beautiful past times. George Lam played the role of Junyan in the film and sang the theme song "Who is My Favorite" and the interlude "Once Upon a Time".

In 1986,George Lam released his classic album "Passion" (Beloved),once again personally serving as producer. The cover,featuring him and his son Alex Lam,conveys a warm feeling.

The first song on the album,"Ah Lam's Diary," is an English cover with a strong Latin "Conga" rhythm. The original song is "Conga," performed by the Miami Sound Machine in 1985. George Lam wrote the humorous and quirky lyrics,making it his first lyrical work and his first rap song. While being playful,George Lam showcased his exquisite singing skills,maintaining clear enunciation and never mumbling despite the fast rhythm,perfectly delivering this rap piece.

"Stallone Lambo," a tribute to his idol,is a cover of "Twist My Arm," performed by the American R&B vocal group The Pointer Sisters in 1985. George Lam's performance is wildly funny.

"Who is My Favorite" was composed by Lowell Lo and written by Poon Yuen-Leung. Considering that the film primarily explores a love triangle from a female perspective,with little expression of the male protagonist's inner world,Poon Yuen-Leung arranged for George Lam to self-reflect in the theme song,meticulously depicting the confusion and hesitation of being caught between two people. This dramatic treatment created a "magnifying" effect,leaving a deep impression on the audience.

"Digital Life" is based on German composer Christian Petzold's "Minuet in G major." This piece was long mistakenly attributed to J.S. Bach because it was included in the "Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach." In 1965,American songwriters Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell adapted this classic into "A Lover's Concerto," which became very popular when performed by The Toys. The background of "Digital Life" originated from a stock market adjustment in Hong Kong in 1986. Poon Yuen-Leung incorporated "pillars" of Hong Kong life,such as horse racing and stocks,into the lyrics,ironically illustrating the inversion of life's priorities. Fluctuating numbers foreshadow market rises and falls,and life itself is merely a numbers game. This song breaks people's preconceived notions of lyrics by using numbers,coupled with George Lam's rapid-fire,high-difficulty singing without pausing for breath,creating continuous surprises.

"Pioneer" is a tribute to local bands of the 1960s. The lyrics connect the key figures of the 1960s "Band Sound" trend,including Teddy Robin,Anders Nelsson,Joe Junior,D' Topnotes,The Lotus,The Mystics,and Michael Chan. Lyricist Richard Lam was a member of The Thunderbirds.

On February 1,1987,the 9th RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards Concert was held at the Hong Kong Coliseum. "Ah Lam's Diary" was selected as one of the Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs,George Lam received the "Best Record Producer Award," and Lowell Lo won the "Best Chinese Pop Song Award" for "Who is My Favorite."

On January 29,1995,George Lam was awarded the "Golden Needle Award" at the 17th RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards Concert.

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