這首歌是有故事的，雖然，我想很多人也許還沒出生... 1985 年，我大三。那年中西流行音樂界都出現一股強調"公益"的大合唱風潮。先有美國以賑災衣索比亞為名所發起的 USA for Africa 大合唱，由 Michael Jackson 所寫的"We Are The World"轟動一時。半年後，台灣出現以反盜版為名的大合唱"明天會更好"，由羅大佑作詞作曲並集合六十多位當時知名歌手一起演出，非常壯觀...
第一次聽到這個名字是在我的大學時期，在眾多國語流行音樂中出現一個"華裔美籍"男歌手，的確令人好奇... 他個子不小卻很靈活，跳著"蚱蜢"般的舞步，當年以一首"迴"進入台灣歌壇，帶動一波快節奏舞步...這個人來頭也不小，曾有一段非常艱辛的"小留學生"的成長過程，輾轉學了電腦與音樂，曾是美國太空總署(NASA)的電腦工程師，後來放棄這份令人羨慕的工作獨自去了加州闖天下，曾出過一張唱片並進入排行榜，這張唱片由名製作人 Michael Steward 親自操刀 (他也是 Michael Jackson 與 Billy Joel 的製作人)，是第一個打入美國流行音樂市場的亞裔歌手，入選葛萊美獎。他還做過不少好萊塢電影配樂，獲選美國十大傑出青年... 後來他淡出歌壇開始在大學設計科系教書，好像還做過系主任，開過藝術經紀公司，現在聽說開了一家餐廳...
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有一句諺語說"滾石不生苔 (Rolling stone gets no moss)"，最初的意思是嘲笑那些經常轉換跑道的人，說他們無法固定在的專業領域，所以不會成功。但時代在改變，這句話應該有另外的意思 "Rolling stone gets no moss, but gets lots of polish (滾石不生苔，但卻能被磨得光亮亮)"。
I know just how to whisper 我知道如何輕聲細語
And I know just how to cry 我也知道如何哭泣
I know just where to find the answers 我知道如何尋找答案
And I know just how to lie 我也知道如何撒謊
I know just how to fake it 我知道如何偽裝
And I know just how to scheme 我也知道如何耍心機
I know just when to face the truth 我知道何時該面對真相
And then I know just when to dream 我也知道何時該做夢
And I know just where to touch you 我知道如何撫慰你
And I know just what to prove 我也知道該證明什麼
I know when to pull you closer 我知道何時該將你緊抱
And I know when to let you loose 我也知道何時該放手
And I know the night is fading 我知道夜晚即將結束
And I know the time's gonna fly 我也知道時光即將飛逝
And I'm never gonna tell you everything I've gotta tell you 我不知如何開口
But I know I've gotta give it a try 但我知道我應該要試試
And I know the roads to riches 我知道致富之路
And I know the ways to fame 我也知道成名之路
I know all the rules and then I know how to break 'em 我知道所有的遊戲規則以及如何打破
And I always know the name of the game 我總是知道這場遊戲的名字
But I don't know how to leave you 但我不知如何離開你
And I'll never let you fall 我不想讓你難過
And I don't know how you do it 如同我不知道你如何變成這樣...
Making love out of nothing at all 讓愛一切成空
Out of nothing at all, out of nothing at all
Out of nothing at all, out of nothing at all
Out of nothing at all
Making love out of nothing at all
Everytime I see you all the rays of the sun are 每當我看到你時, 所有的陽光...
Streaming through the waves in your hair 如波浪般灑過你的髮梢
And every star in the sky is taking aim at 天上的每一顆星...
Your eyes like a spotlight 如聚光燈般指向你的眼睛
The beating of my heart is a drum, and it's lost 我的心跳如同迷失節奏的鼓
And it's looking for a rhythm like you 到處尋找如你般的韻律
You can take the darkness at the pit of the night 你可以將黑夜的幽暗...
And turn into a beacon burning endlessly bright 轉變為無限的光明
I've gotta follow it 'cause everything I know 我必須追尋它, 因為我知道所有的事...
Well, it's nothing 'til I give it to you 如果不是為了獻給你, 都將是枉然
I can make the runner stumble 我可以讓追求者跌到
I can make the final block 我也可以設下最後障礙
I can make every tackle at the sound of the whistle 我可以在哨聲響起時阻礙別人
I can make all the stadiums rock 我也可以讓整個運動場沸騰
I can make tonight forever 我可以讓今晚成為永恆
Or I can make it disappear by the dawn 也可以讓它在黎明前消失
I can make you every promise that has ever been made 我可以給你前所未有的承諾
And I can make all your demons be gone 我可以為你驅趕惡魔
But I'm never gonna make it without you 但若沒有你, 這一切都將成空
Do you really wanna see me crawl 你真要看我匍匐在地上嗎？
And I'm never gonna make it like you do 我永遠不會像你這樣(對我)...
Making love out of nothing at all 讓愛一切成空
Out of nothing at all, out of nothing at all
Out of nothing at all, out of nothing at all
Out of nothing at all, out of nothing at all
Out of nothing at all
看到這個簡單的動畫影片，我才想起原來科技對音樂的改變不只是黑膠唱片、卡帶、CD 或 MP3 的數位化問題，更改變了我們對一個具體的音樂"物件"的親切感... 我想起從前的黑膠唱片及卡帶是有 A B 兩面的，把一面聽完才翻過來聽另一面。為了讓聽眾可以很快找到，通常主打歌會放在 A 面第一首或第二首，及 B 面第一首或第二首，而且 A B 兩面的總長必須一樣才不會浪費磁帶(印象中好像各為 23 分鐘，通常一面可以放進六首歌)，這有時會讓唱片企劃人員在排曲目的時候傷透腦筋，但也正因為有兩面要處理，在製作上也會多一些趣味。
我想所謂"經典"大概意味著某種鄉愁吧！它掐住了生命中特定的時光，佔據了特定記憶，讓人無法繼續向前，更無法回頭，就這樣懸在中間。經典的曲子唱出一種我與自己的關係，也決定了自己現在的位置。當喜歡的歌漸漸被稱為經典的時候，我知道自己已經脫隊，好像回頭作了一個夢，在夢中夢到自己正在作夢... (上次的演唱會叫做 Dream a Little Dream of Me)
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This old guitar taught me to sing a love song
It showed me how to laugh and how to cry
It introduced me to some friends of mine
And brightened up my days
It helped me make it through some lonely nights
Oh, what a friend to have on a cold and lonely night
This old guitar gave me my lovely lady
It opened up her eyes and ears to me
It brought us close together
I guess it broke her heart
It opened up the space for us to be
What a lovely place and a lovely space to be
This old guitar gave me my life, my living
All the things you know I love to do
To serenade the stars that shine
From a sunny mountainside
Most of all to sing my songs to you
I love to sing these songs for you
Yes, I do, you know
I love to sing my songs for you
It is the evening of the day 傍晚時分
I sit and watch the children play 我坐下來，看著孩子們玩耍
Smiling faces I can see 我看到笑嘻嘻的臉龐
But not for me 但並不是為我而來
I sit and watch 我坐著，看著
As tears go by 直到淚水流逝
My riches can't buy everything 我的財富買不到一切
I want to hear the children sing 我只想聽聽孩子們歌唱
All I hear is the sound 但我所聽到的
Of rain falling on the ground 盡是雨點打在地上的聲音
I sit and watch 我坐著，看著
As tears go by 直到淚水流逝
It is the evening of the day 傍晚時分
I sit and watch the children play 我坐下來，看著孩子們玩耍
Doing things I used to do 他們玩著以前我所玩過的遊戲
They think are new 但對他們來說卻是新的
I sit and watch 我坐著，看著
As tears go by 直到淚水流逝
What is a youth? Impetuous fire. 青春是什麼？浮躁不安的烈火
What is a maid? Ice and desire. 少女是什麼？冰霜與欲望
The world wags on. 世界如此擺盪下去
A rose will bloom 玫瑰會盛開
It then will fade 隨之會凋零
So does a youth. 青春如此
So does the fairest maid. 最美的少女亦複如此
Comes a time when one sweet smile 曾經 當臉上充滿甜美微笑時
Has its season for a while 那就是愛的季節
Then love's in love with me. 心中充滿愛意
Some they think only to marry, 有些人只想以結婚作為愛情的終點
Others will tease and tarry, 有些人卻嗤之以鼻且猶豫不決
Mine is the very best parry. 我的說法最好
Cupid he rules us all. 都是邱比特主宰著我們
Caper the cape, but sing me the song, 儘管嬉戲去吧 但為我唱一首歌
Death will come soon to hush us along. 死神不久將來臨 讓我們全都閉嘴
Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall. 比蜂蜜更甜 比膽汁更苦
Love is a task and it never will pall. 愛雖磨人 卻永不乏味
Sweeter than honey and bitter as gall 比蜂蜜更甜 比膽汁更苦
Cupid he rules us all. 都是邱比特主宰著我們
A rose will bloom 玫瑰會盛開
It then will fade 隨之會凋零
So does a youth. 青春如此
So does the fairest maid. 最美麗的少女亦如此
You by my side that`s how I see us 我所看到的，就是你站在我身邊
I close my eyes and I can see us 閉上雙眼，我仍能看見我們
We`ll on our way to say "I do" 我倆正準備向對方說出"我願意"
My secret dreams have all come true 我的秘密夢境已成真
I see the church, I see the people 我看到了教堂，看到了群眾
Your folks and mine happy and smiling 你和我的鄉親們都開懷笑著
And I can hear sweet voices singing "Ave Maria" 我聽見了甜美的歌聲唱著"聖母頌"
Oh, my love, my love 噢，吾愛
This can really be 那會是真的
That someday you're walking down the aisle with me 有一天，你我會攜手步入長廊
Let it be, make it be 讓它成真，讓它成真
That I`m the one for you 我就是你的
I`ll be yours, all yours now and forever 我現在和永遠都會是你的
I see us now your hand in my hand 看著我倆手牽著手
This is the hour, this is the moment 就在這一刻
And I can hear sweet voices singing 我聽見了甜美的歌聲唱著：
Ave Maria, Ave Maria, Ave Maria "聖瑪莉亞………"
There once was a king, who called for the spring, 從前有一個國王命令春天到來
For his world was still covered with snow, 因為他的世界佈滿著風雪
But the spring had not been, for he was wicked and mean, 春天未出現, 因為他尖酸刻薄
In his winter fields nothing would grow; 他的寒冬領土上長不出任何東西
And when a traveller called, seeking help at the door, 一位旅行者到訪, 在門口尋求協助
Only food and a bed for a night, 她只要求一點食物, 以及一張過夜床
He ordered his slave to turn her away, 國王命令手下將她趕走
The girl with april in her eyes... 這個眼中藏著四月的女孩
*Oh, oh, oh, on and on she goes, 她走著走著
Through the winter's night, the wild wind and the snow, 獨自穿越冬夜的寒風與大雪
Hi, hi, hi, on and on she rides, 她騎著騎著
Someone help the girl with april in her eyes... 請大家救救這位眼中藏著四月的女孩
She rode through the night till she came to the light, 她騎過夜晚來到一處亮著燈的小屋
Of a humble man's home in the woods, 那是森林中一位老實人的家
He brought her inside, by the firelight she died, 他扶著女孩進門, 不久, 女孩死在火爐旁
And he buried her gently and good; 他小心謹慎將女孩埋葬
Oh the morning was bright, all the world snow-white, 早晨起床, 世界依舊雪白一片
But when he came to the place where she lay, 他起身前往埋葬女孩的地方
His field was ablaze with flowers on the grave, 他看到墳上長滿了花朵
Of the girl with april in her eyes... 就是這位眼中藏著四月的女孩 ...
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Girl with April in her Eyes 直譯為"眼裡藏著四月的女孩"，這是一個隱喻：國王、領土、寒冬、旅行者、四月、森林...我喜歡隱喻，它好像什麼都沒說，又好像說了，至於到底是什麼，又好像不太確定，不僅如此，甚至讓人捨不得確定... 我喜歡好像(這個動作)勝過好像的東西(內容)。多年前與劇團的朋友討論隱喻的意境，"彷彿若有光"，我喜歡這個說法。
我把以前劇團的作品集命名為 The Metaphorical (隱喻的)，加上一段註解：Metaphorical is something which is NOT.
If you search for tenderness 如果你在尋找某種溫柔
It isn't hard to find 那應該不難
You can have the love you need to live 你隨時都可獲得所要的愛情
But if you look for truthfulness 但如果你在尋找某種真誠
You might just as well be blind 那你不如把自己弄瞎吧
It always seems to be so hard to give 因為它總是如此難尋
*Honesty is such a lonely word 真誠, 一個多麼孤單的字眼
Everyone is so untrue 每一個人都虛假
Honesty is hardly ever heard 真誠, 一個幾乎快要聽不到的字眼
And mostly what I need from you 但卻是我從妳這裡所最需要的
I can always find someone 我總是可以找到一些人
To say they sympathize 向她們表白同病相憐的依靠
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve 只要我能真心以待
But I don't want some pretty face 但我不要那些漂亮的臉龐
To tell me pretty lies 來告訴我漂亮的謊言
All I want is someone to believe 我只想要有一個人可以相信
I can find a lover 我可以找到愛人
I can find a friend 我可以找到朋友
I can have security 我可以擁有安全感
Until the bitter end 直到苦難結束
Anyone can comfort me 任何人都可以再次用承諾來安慰我
With promises again
I know, I know 我知道
When I'm deep inside of me 當我深深陷入這種自我迷思的困擾時
Don't be too concerned 別太在意
I won't ask for nothin' while I'm gone 我離開時不會要求任何東西
But when I want sincerity 但當我真正需要真誠的時候
Tell me where else can I turn 請告訴我該何去何從
'Cause you're the one that I depend upon 只因妳是我最終的依靠
這是一首非常"古典"的流行歌曲，來自一個標榜復古與隱喻的英國樂團。除了節奏沉穩明顯之外，高傲又疏離的唱腔讓整首曲子顯得格外孤寂，尤其是主奏的傳統風琴給人一種神聖高雅與懷舊寧靜的感覺... 這首歌的旋律也是個謎，給人一種"宿命輪迴"的感覺。有人說創作靈感取材自巴哈的清唱劇"從沉睡中甦醒(Sleepers wake)"，也有人說像巴哈的"G弦之歌(Air on G String)"，仔細聽聽好像兩首都有，但又找不到具體的片段...
We skipped the light fandango 我倆跳著輕盈的方丹戈舞步
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor 優雅地環繞著舞池
I was feeling kinda seasick 我感到有些暈船
But the crowd called out for more 但人群不斷喝采
The room was humming harder 整個房間越來越鼓噪
As the ceiling flew away 連天花板都要掀了
When we called out for another drink 當我們另外又點了一些飲料時
The waiter brought a tray 侍者端了托盤過來
And so it was that later 然而過一會兒之後
As the miller told his tale 這磨坊的主人開始訴說他的故事
That her face, as first just ghostly 忽然間 她的臉龐如鬼魅般驚恐
Turned a whiter shade of pale 慢慢轉變為一抹蒼白的朦朧幽暗
She said, there's no reason 她說這一切都沒有道理
And the truth is plain to see 然而真相卻顯而易見
But I wandered through my playing cards 但我此時盡情於牌桌
And would not let her be 為了不讓她成為
One of sixteen vestal virgins 那個獻身於某種神話的祭品
Who were leaving for the coast 進而一個人孤單離開
And although my eyes were open 雖然我的雙眼從未閉上
They might have just as we've been closed 但它們仍好像從未張開
She said, I 'm home on shore leave 她說 我雖在返家的岸邊
Though in truth we were at sea 但事實上我們還身陷大海
So I took her by the looking glass 因此我帶著她來到鏡子旁邊
And forced her to agree 強迫她去認清一些事
Saying, you must be the mermaid 我說 妳必定是人魚的化身
Who took Neptune for a ride 整天騎著海馬遨遊
But she smiled at me so sadly 但她只對我苦苦一笑
That my anger straightway died 這使得我的怒氣消失殆盡
If music be the food of love 如果音樂是愛情的食糧
Then laughter is its queen 那麼笑聲就是它的源頭
And likewise if behind is in front 同樣的如果倒過來說
Then dirt in truth is clean 那麼連灰塵也是乾淨的
My mouth by then like cardboard 我頓時無言
Seemed to slip straight through my head 只是傻傻發呆著
So we crash-dived straightway quickly 於是我們兩個急速下潛
And attack the ocean bed 直達無人探知的海底深處
