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Musical legacy crafted at World Expo

Musical legacy crafted at World Expo
0 CommentsPrint E-mail CNTV, October 27, 2010
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The World Expo's theme song "Better City, Better Life" has been another highlight of the event.

Debuting at the Opening Ceremony in May, the tune was composed by one of the planet's most sought-after producers. To find out how this musical masterstroke is crafting an enduring legacy in Shanghai, Wang Guan talks to an individual who played a key role in its creation and launch.

Six months ago, it was this song that truly set the Opening Ceremony in motion.

"Better City, Better Life" quickly became a hit in the host city, thanks to its joyous melody and catchy rhythm.

The song's producer is a prominent US icon, 27-time Grammy Award winner Quincy Jones. He's best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's "Thriller," the best selling album of all-time.

But partnering with the World Expo wouldn't have been possible without the support of a longtime close friend, Chinese-American media mogul Yue-Sai Kan, who brokered crucial deals between the musician's team and officials in Shanghai, helping nail down vital details that ensured the tune's dynamic release.

"You were the driving force behind 2010 World Expo's theme song. How were you able to convince the legendary Quincy Jones to compose the song for the Expo and for China?"

Since the tune is sung in English, its popularity in China isn't very widespread, but it still strikes a chord with the nation's cosmopolitan younger generation.

Visitor to the World Expo Park said, "The song is quite catchy, I like the rhythm, and I always feel like moving with the music. It's different from the theme song for the Beijing Olympics."

"I especially like the `Ala Nong Ala Nong` part. I think it's Shanghai dialect, and means `We Are Together.` That's very interesting." The visitor said.

Yue-Sai Kan, International Media Mogul, said, "I think the Shanghainese were so touched by it. Because `Ala Nong` means `You And Me.` It's touching because Quincy put a bit of a Chinese element into it. He also used `Yi Bu Yi Bu,` which is `Step By Step, We Will Make A Better Life`."

Behind this creative expression are the hopes of Quincy Jones and his team that the Expo, along with its theme song, can serve as bridges between China and the rest of the world, bringing both places closer together, because as the lyrics say, "Together We Can Do Much More Than We Ever Do Alone."

 

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