A-mei (Chinese: 阿妹; pinyin: ā mèi; born August 9, 1972), also known by her … Read Full Bio ↴A-mei (Chinese: 阿妹; pinyin: ā mèi; born August 9, 1972), also known by her birth name Zhang Huimei or as Chang Hui-mei (Traditional Chinese: 張惠妹; Simplified Chinese: 张惠妹; pinyin: Zhāng Huìmèi), is a Chinese pop singer and songwriter, also known by her aboriginal name 古歷來·阿蜜特 (Gulilai Amit). She was born in the rugged mountains of eastern Republic of China Province and is the third youngest of nine siblings. A-mei made her debut in the world of music in 1996, achieving rapid success. She has frequently been called a diva of the Mandarin pop music scene. She has won numerous music awards and become one of the biggest music sensations within the pop music pantheon of the Mandarin-speaking world.

A-mei is an ethnic Puyuma. Like most Chinese aborigines she was exposed to tribal music during her childhood. A-mei's mother used to record herself singing and then play back the tape for her daughters to hear. A-mei had always been fascinated by music; she once said she stuck to the radio and would rush to watch the late night music program introducing English songs when she was a little girl. She also showed great eagerness to perform in public, forcing her friends to listen to her sing.

A-mei first connected to the entertainment business by joining the televised "Five Lights Singing Contest" by TTV in 1994, after encouragment by her father, who was ill at that time. A-mei made all her way through to the finals but eventually lost in the final round. She felt very disappointed and most likely to quit her interest in music competition. A-mei's father then told her "you definitely can sing and perform songs beautifully, why don't you join the competition again to show that you got a talent in music?" So A-mei was encouraged and then decided to make a second attempt in the following year. This time her stable and superb performances were much appreciated by the judges, and A-mei was awarded the champion. Unfortunately, Amei's father passed away before her victory, making A-mei sad and aimless until she began to sing in pubs with a rock band formed by her musician cousin. She was later discovered by the popular singer/producer Chang Yu-Sheng (張雨生) and started her career.

Chinese Girl
張惠妹 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

黄皮肤是你的光辉
黑眼睛让你仰起头看风雪
你跑出了一片天
不需要再被谁圈选
不需要谁为你分辨黑白灰
你决定你的一切
生命用太多难题
把世界往前挤

如果喘不过气
我陪你用力呼吸
GOGOGO 不用当谁的皇后
你是个最爱自己的Chinese Girl
GOGOGO 跨越所有太犹豫的路口
大步向前走
不用当谁的皇后
你是精彩又经典的Chinese Girl
重不重看着你那轻快背影轮廓
我听见你在说加油
黄皮肤是你的光辉
黑眼睛让你仰起头看风雪
你跑出了一片天
不需要再被谁圈选
不需要谁为你分辨黑白灰
你决定你的一切
生命用太多难题
把世界往前挤
如果喘不过气
我陪你用力呼吸
GOGOGO 不用当谁的皇后
你是个最爱自己的Chinese Girl
GOGOGO 跨越所有太犹豫的路口
大步向前走
不用当谁的皇后
你是精彩又经典的Chinese Girl
重不重看着你那轻快背影轮廓
我听见你在说加油
GOGOGO 不用当谁的皇后
你是个最爱自己的Chinese Girl
GOGOGO 跨越所有太犹豫的路口
大步向前走
不用当谁的皇后
你是精彩又经典的Chinese Girl

重不重看着你那轻快背影轮廓
我听见你在说加油

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 張惠妹's song "Chinese Girl" convey messages of empowerment, self-love, and determination. The opening lines "黄皮肤是你的光辉, 黑眼睛让你仰起头看风雪" (yellow skin is your glory, black eyes make you look up at snow) celebrate the unique physical features that make the subject of the song stand out, implying that her appearance is an asset to be proud of. The song goes on to describe her as someone who runs out of the conventional constraints of society, refusing to be labeled or confined by anyone else. She is the one who decides what she wants to do with her life, even if she has to face many difficulties.

Throughout the song, the singer reassures the subject of the song that she does not need to be anyone's queen and can instead focus on being the best version of herself. The recurrent "GOGOGO" emphasizes the message of courage and determination, urging her to overcome any hesitation and to move forward confidently. The song is a tribute to all Chinese girls who dare to be themselves and break free from societal norms or expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

黄皮肤是你的光辉
Your yellow skin shines with radiance

黑眼睛让你仰起头看风雪
Your black eyes make you look up at the wind and snow

你跑出了一片天
You have broken free and have the whole world ahead of you

不需要再被谁圈选
You don't need anyone to choose you or hold you back anymore

不需要谁为你分辨黑白灰
You don't need anyone to tell you what's right or wrong, or what's good or bad

你决定你的一切
You have decided to take control of your life

生命用太多难题
Life throws too many challenges your way

把世界往前挤
You have to push the world forward

如果喘不过气
If you find it hard to breathe

我陪你用力呼吸
I'll be there to help you breathe

GOGOGO 不用当谁的皇后
Go go go, you don't have to be anyone's queen