Wang Shih-hsien - Old Eagle <Owl (lā-hio̍h)>

Adapted from the 1989 hit song 'Yūyake no Uta' by Japanese superstar Masahiko Kondo. This melody has been covered by many famous singers, including Priscilla Chan's 'Qian Qian Que Ge', Anita Mui's 'Xi Yang Zhi Ge', and the most widely sung in Taiwan, Li Yi-chun's 'Feng Zhong De Cheng Nuo'. It wasn't until Taiwanese musician Wu Jia-xiang re-wrote the lyrics in Taiwanese Hokkien that it finally transformed into a wandering, sorrowful ballad exclusively for Taiwanese men. The lyrics meticulously depict a man who has endured much hardship in love. The continuous rain at the beginning of the verses mercilessly evokes the indelible pain and memories in his heart, forcing him to swallow his suppressed tears with his liquor on lonely nights. Despite his deep reluctance, he chooses to compare himself to a lone, wounded eagle soaring in the sky, unable to let go. Even as he wanders against the fierce winds, his gaze can't help but follow the direction of his beloved, ultimately leaving only a tender promise of meeting again in the next life. Although the song didn't win any awards on its own that year, it successfully boosted Wang Shih-hsien's career. At the time, he was skyrocketing in popularity due to his starring roles in dramas. This song, included in the album 'Love Till I Die Without Knowing', sold massively across Taiwan and earned him a strong nomination for the 13th Golden Melody Awards for 'Best Taiwanese Male Vocalist'. Wang Shih-hsien perfectly interprets the heartbreak of a tough guy with his weathered and resonant singing voice.