Sing in the New Year with TVS’ debut Chinese New Year song and music video as part of this year’s festivities.
The song, “Blooming Spring”, also known as 春天花开 (chūn tiān huā kāi) in Chinese, was written by Kristin Shim (Ferrari) and composed by Galvin Patrick. The duo is also the producers of the music video.
Check out the short interview that New Sarawak Tribune had with the two key figures who created this simple yet catchy song.
New Sarawak Tribune: What inspired you to pen this song’s lyrics and arrange its melody?
Galvin: Countless classic Chinese New Year songs from the past served as inspiration for the melody. Initially, I was searching for a tune that one could genuinely hum without being aware of the lyrics.
I told Shim to look for a tune based on the draft melody I had composed. The first draft I wrote sounded too techno, which was more suitable for a dance video.
I composed the second one for her to listen to, and then Shim straight away found ideas to pen the lyrics, and there you go — we’ve just made TVS’ first-ever Chinese New Year song!
Shim: After working on the melody, Galvin and I came up with a simple, catchy, and warming song for TVS’ debut original music video. We also experimented with various Chinese instruments, including the drums and flute. The lyrics were inspired by the first season of the year, spring, which is often connected with flowers blooming and the rebirth of all creation. I also included well wishes for TVS’ audience, which included wealth, health, and happiness.
Is this the first song you’ve penned?
Shim: Yes, this is the first song I have written. Actually, I have a background in human resources (HR). For me, that makes it a challenge. Fortunately, I’ve always loved to read and write, which comes in handy when writing the song.
How much time did you spend writing this song’s melody and lyrics?
Shim: It took me about three days to write the lyrics, and we went through several drafts until we had the final version.
Galvin: To be honest, the timeframe was quite tight. We started the project before (last year’s) Christmas and worked quickly to create the melody and lyrics so that the talents would be ready for the recording session.
We auditioned many of our staff members to find the best vocals for the song and also to gather a “honey pot” of voices. That was when we discovered our own talents: Grace Lim, Edric Chang, Bryan Liew, and Jeeridyne-Eve Chan Sue En, in addition to Sheldon Kua.
Even though they had trouble pronouncing parts of the lyrics throughout the recording process, they were all incredibly talented and enthusiastic. Thank you for contributing to the song; it was a pleasure working with each of you!
How long did it take you to produce the music video? Did you have a certain theme in mind?
Shim: We shot the video over the course of four days. The fun interactions between friends during the Chinese New Year are the main topic of the video.
It focuses on how individuals from many origins and cultures come together to celebrate Chinese New Year, portraying a message that despite all our differences, harmony and unity can still be achieved through shared traditions and festivities.
春天花开
chūn tiān huā kāi
Blooming Spring
新春来到一起欢笑聊着天
xin chun lai dao_yi qi huan xiao_liao zhe tian
Spring is here, let’s chat with laughter
亲朋好友肩并肩
qin peng hao you_jian bing jian
Alongside with family and friends
互相帮忙把家打扫挂春联
hu xiang bang mang_ba jia da sao_gua chun lian
Helping each other for spring cleaning and hanging couplets
好事围绕整年
hao shi wei rao zheng nian
Everything good will come to you this year
来一起吃团圆饭欢笑声不断
lai_yi qi chi_tuan yuan fan_huan xiao sheng bu duan
Come have reunion dinner together
愿你梦想都实现中狀元
yuan ni meng xiang dou shi xian zhong zhuang yuan
Wishing you will achieve all your dreams
许个愿祝福你幸福美满天天
xu ge yuan_zhu fu ni_xing fu mei man tian tian
Wish that you are happy and blessed everyday
所有的好事都不断连连
suo you de hao shi dou bu duan lian lian
Good things are coming abundantly
春天到桃花笑
chun tian dao tao hua xiao
Spring is here, flowers are blooming
我们隨春光舞蹈
wo men sui chun guang wu dao
Lets’s dance in this spring
让那烟火和鞭炮把夜照亮
rang na yang huo he bian pao ba ye zhao liang
Fireworks and firecracker lighten up the darkness
春天到桃花笑
chun tian dao tao hua xiao
Spring is here, flowers are blooming
今年对我更好呀
jin nian dui wo geng hao ya
Please treat me well this year
祝我家人朋友暴富平安呀
zhu wo jia ren peng you bao fu ping an ya
Bless my family and friends with wealth
春天到桃花笑
chun tian dao tao hua xiao
Spring is here, flowers are blooming
财神敲响我的家
cai shen qiao xiang wo de jia
God of wealth knocked on my door
他送了我许多金银与财宝
ta song le wo xu duo jin yin yu cai bao
He gave us abundance of treasures
春天到桃花笑
chun tian dao tao hua xiao
Spring is here, flowers are blooming
庆祝和平与希望
qing zhu he ping yu xi wang
Celebrating peace and hope
团圆如愿心中的期盼呀
tuan yuan ru yuan xin zhong de qi pan ya
Let’s get together and reunite
The song’s lyrics with the English translation and pinyin.