Sam Hui - Half a Catty Eight Taels - Music Box

In 1974, the three Hui brothers—Michael Hui, Sam Hui, and Ricky Hui—founded Hui Brothers Film Company. Their debut film, *Games Gamblers Play*, broke the box office record previously held by Bruce Lee. On December 16, 1976, the comedy film *Half a Catty of Kung Fu*, co-produced by Hui Brothers Film Company and Golden Harvest, was released in Hong Kong.

In 1976, Polydor released Sam Hui's third Cantonese album, "Half a Catty, Eight Taels," produced by Fung Tim-chi. The most applauded aspect of this album was its use of popular language to depict the lives of ordinary people, sometimes with laughter and anger, sometimes with witty banter, sometimes with optimism and positivity, and sometimes with melancholy and depression.

"Half a Catty, Eight Taels" is the theme song of the movie of the same name starring the Hui Brothers. It has a theatrical flavor, and Sam Hui sings about the hardships of working people in a humorous and lighthearted way. Although the lyrics are somewhat colloquial, they fully express the feelings of working people. "Whispers in the Middle of the Night" makes people feel as if they are young people in the early stages of love writing their thoughts and infatuations into poems, whispering secrets to their girlfriends through words, hoping that they can understand.

"Searching for a Soulmate in Dreams" and "Heartbreaking Dream" are the lyrical tunes that Sam Hui is most skilled at. The melodies are simple and melodious, and the beautiful and graceful melodies are mixed with the flavor of folk songs. Sam Hui's singing is simple and moving.

"Half a Catty, Eight Taels" marked the beginning of the collaboration between Sam Hui and Peter Lai, who was still relatively unknown at the time, fully showcasing his talent as a lyricist. "The Heart of a Prodigal Son" is a didactic song, with lyrics that gently guide and convey a detached philosophy of life, while also being highly satirical. Peter Lai borrowed the proverb from the ancient Chinese text *Zeng Guang Xian Wen*, "What is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force," a golden saying that made "The Heart of a Prodigal Son" even more memorable.

"The Mahjong Heroes" is a vivid and lively piece with a down-to-earth style. The melody is taken from the theme song "Who is the Great Hero" from the CTV version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," and the tune is cheerful and playful. Peter Lai's lyrics are full of humor and wit, rich in everyday charm. The lyrics fully record the process of winning and losing a game of mahjong, with detailed descriptions that create vivid imagery. The readily available colloquialisms are full of the grassroots spirit of the streets and markets. "Dimpled Smile" features delicate and beautiful lyrics, truly gems of art, showcasing Peter Lai's profound knowledge of classical literature.

"The Amazing Fun of the City" can be considered the first generation of "medley songs". Sam Hui adapted four famous songs from the movie "The Amazing Fun of the City" directed by James Wong, rewriting them into songs that satirized different situations in Hong Kong society - traffic, medical care, wedding banquets, public security, etc., elevating the voices of ordinary citizens to the level of mainstream songs.

The cover designer for this album is Hong Kong comic master Yuen Tai-yung. His movie posters for the Hui Brothers' films "The Genius and the Idiot", "Half a Catty of Eight Taels" and "The Contract" were very popular, and then naturally became the cover of Sam Hui's album.

"Half a Catty, Eight Taels" is a landmark film for Hui Siu-kit's film production company, making him a superstar in both the music and film industries. Upon its release, the film broke box office records and also created a sensation in Japan.

A craze ensued. The album "Half a Catty, Eight Taels" sold a whopping 350,000 copies, and its popularity at the time was described by record stores as "Half a catty, eight taels, so popular that you have to fight for it."