忘情水
劉德華 Lyrics

The lyrics of "忘情水" (Wàngqíng Shuǐ) portray the emotions of a person who has experienced the ups and downs of life, particularly the pain of love and heartbreak. The first stanza reminisces about the dreamy, young age when one pursued their dreams and wanted to fly forward, but ultimately found themselves unable to change fate as they went through various hardships. The second stanza talks about how one looks back at the past and realizes that love and hatred are the sources of the deepest pain in life. The central message about cherishing the moment and letting go of the past is effectively conveyed through the chorus "Give me a cup of forgetfulness, exchange for a night without tears, all the true feelings let it rain and wind, the love given cannot be taken back."

The song’s composition skillfully blends the Western pop and rock musical style with the Eastern sentiment to create a melody that emotionally resonates with the listener. The lyrics were penned by Lin Xi, a well-known songwriter in the Chinese music industry, who has written many famous songs throughout his long career. Cantopop singer Andy Lau's performances of the song, in both Cantonese and Mandarin, are widely renowned, and the song became his signature work. The song is a staple ballad in karaoke bars and has been covered by many artists in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.