More than just a singing god, he is also a "Cantonese revolutionary": Why are Sam Hui's early vinyl records the cornerstone of Hong Kong pop music history?

In the pantheon of Hong Kong pop music, Sam Hui 's status as the "God of Songs" is unshakeable. But today, Music Box wants to explore a deeper identity with you: as a "Cantonese revolutionary," how did Sam Hui lay the most crucial foundation for the glorious era of Cantopop with his early vinyl records?

Once you understand this history, you'll realize that what you hold in your hands may not just be an old record, but a "declaration of independence" for Hong Kong culture.

On the Eve of Revolution: The World of English Songs and Mandarin Films

To understand a revolution, one must first see what the old world looked like. In the early 1970s, young people in Hong Kong listened to The Beatles, while adults watched Mandarin films. At the time, Cantonese was generally considered vulgar and unsuitable for refined conversation, incapable of producing beautiful lyrics. Even Sam Hui himself debuted as the lead singer of the English-singing band "The Lotus." Cantonese pop music was, at that time, an untapped wilderness.

The First Bugle Call: An Elegant Attempt at "The Iron Tower Soaring into the Clouds"

Sam Hui's "The Tower of Eiffel Tower" vinyl cover

In 1972, a clarion call sounded. Sam Hui composed the melody for "The Eiffel Tower" for his brother Michael Hui's television program. The lyrics of this song, written in elegant Cantonese, delicately express the longing of a wanderer for his homeland, Hong Kong.

"The iron tower soars into the clouds, yet I cannot see any trace of my hometown..."

What makes this song groundbreaking is that it proved for the first time that Cantonese is fully capable of carrying profound and poetic thoughts and emotions. It's like a successful "Renaissance," vindicating Cantonese and prompting intellectuals to re-examine the possibilities of their mother tongue.

Igniting a Revolution: The Power of the Streets in "Games Gamblers Play"

The vinyl record cover of Sam Hui's "Games Gamblers Play"

If "The Eiffel Tower" was the fuse that lit the fuse, then "The Mischievous Twins," the theme song from the 1974 film of the same name, was the explosive that detonated the entire music scene.

"I am willing to prepare two meals for you, in my previous life!"

In this song, Sam Hui completely broke free from the constraints of formal written language, boldly incorporating the most authentic and vibrant Cantonese slang, gambling terms, and glimpses of life into the lyrics. Humorous, quirky, and full of life, it resonated deeply upon its release. It told the general public in Hong Kong: the words you speak every day, your lives, can absolutely be sung out loud! This was a true "language liberation movement," bringing Cantonese directly from the streets and alleys into recording studios and the living rooms of countless homes.

The fruits of the revolution: laying the foundation for Cantopop

Starting with "Games Gamblers Play," Sam Hui released a series of vinyl records under Polydor, such as "Half a Catty Eight Taels" and "God of Wealth Arrives," each one consolidating the achievements of this revolution. He proved that Cantonese could handle any subject: satire of current affairs, romance, philosophy of life, and quirky humor.

Without these groundbreaking vinyl records, there would have been no flourishing of Cantonese pop music; without Sam Hui, this "revolutionary," there would have been no fertile ground for the growth of later superstars such as Alan Tam , Leslie Cheung , Anita Mui, and Beyond .

Sam Hui's Best Songs

Your collection is a founding contributor to the history of Hong Kong music.

Therefore, the value of an early PolyGram vinyl record by Sam Hui goes far beyond nostalgia. It is a historical artifact, a milestone in the awakening of Hong Kong's cultural identity, and a "founding father" of the entire Cantopop golden age.

At Music Box , we value your collection not only by market price, but also by historical perspective. We deeply understand the exalted status of these records in the long history of Hong Kong culture.

To find the home that best understands this cultural heritage.

If you own these precious vinyl records that document the "Cantonese Revolution" and wish to pass them on, we are willing to authenticate and recycle them with the utmost professionalism.

Music Box - Guardians and Connoisseurs of Cantopop History

Let us pay the highest tribute to this cornerstone of Hong Kong pop music.

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