Videos

Amy Grant’s “Better Than A Hallelujah” Moves Chinese Netizens

by on Thursday, September 15, 2011 71 comments comments

Amy Grant, "Better Than A Hallelujah".

On Sina Weibo:

@全球经典音乐:

This MV really made me cry. It talks about an old man who inadvertently discovers an old letter, mailed by a girlfriend 50 years ago, that he he still hasn’t read. So as he thinks of when he left his girlfriend 50 years ago, he follows the address on the letter to go find her, only to find the grave of the girl and the child in her. Only then does he discover that written on the letter was “You’re going to be a father”. “Better than a Hallelujah” the song is also extremely moving.

The video attached to the above microblog post, which is one of today’s most reposted (“retweeted”) posts on China’s popular Sina Weibo service, is the music video for Amy Grant’s “Better than a Hallelujah” on popular Chinese video sharing website Tudou:

A copy on YouTube (without Chinese subtitles):

Can’t see the above video?

Comments on Sina Weibo:

利利sw:

I shed a few tears~

蔡菜子Jun:

Can we still make the mistake of letting love get away? Don’t leave with any regrets, I love you…

Haibo_Chen:

There are many mistakes in life, but some mistakes are hard to make up for, Better than a Hallelujah.

Sumiregusa豆儿:

How long can you wait for a person? “Wait a lifetime for you”, men can’t do it yet the women they say who can’t afford to wait end up waiting a lifetime. Men are best at saying it, but those who are best at successfully accomplishing it are women. True love requires waiting, but too long of a wait is a kind of damage to love. So, cherish meeting each other, cherish having the people beside you. After all, no one can withstand the changes of time, nor can anyone wait until the next life to love again.

铭洋力拓广告:

The most poignant/romantic love stories always end in tragedy.

时尚_小妖精:

Men, never knowing to cherish, only knowing regret when they’ve lost it.

安天下苍生:

Life is a one-way journey. What have you passed by, what have you gained, how do you determine those things?

雪夜飞舞2252647567:

This is exactly how fate plays with us, to pass by something is for a lifetime.

麦田守望浮云:

We only have one life to live. Pass it by and you’re left with crying tears in old age at the end.

stoneminer:

Every so often we need something moving to tug at our heartstrings.

Amy Grant, "Better Than A Hallelujah".

Amy Grant, "Better Than A Hallelujah".

Amy Grant, "Better Than A Hallelujah".

Amy Grant, "Better Than A Hallelujah".

Amy Grant, "Better Than A Hallelujah".

  • xmlaowai

    Would have been better if he was sitting on a Sofa

  • Genxi

    Typed a comment just so I can see others’ comments.

  • Nick

    Surprised the video hasn’t been banned given the secular subtext

    • Matt smith

      Secular? Can someone quote The Princess Bride for Nick?

      • Tengu

        Any quote?

        Inigo Montoya: [Both characters are engaged in a sword fight] You are using Bonetti’s Defense against me, ah?

        Man in Black: I thought it fitting considering the rocky terrain.

        Inigo Montoya: Naturally, you must suspect me to attack with Capa Ferro?

        Man in Black: Naturally… but I find that Thibault cancels out Capa Ferro. Don’t you?

        Inigo Montoya: Unless the enemy has studied his Agrippa… which I have.

        • http://candosino.wordpress.com terroir

          I still don’t get the “secular” part.

          Inconceivable!

          • Tengu

            Neither did I but I happened to have IMDB up at the time, more than happy to comply!

  • Boo

    Why do Chinese go for the worst drivel music has to offer?

    • camlost

      Because the only country with good taste in music is Mexico.

      • http://candosino.wordpress.com terroir

        This is the reason why all rice-burners in Asia play ”La Cucuaracha” when honked.

        • Magda Carter

          And the washing machines in my building play “Fur Elise” when turned off…

      • Llanero

        Because the only country with good taste at all is Mexico. Where else can you get a black velvet painting of Jesus and Elvis?

        • Tengu

          I’m a fan of the “narcocorrido” genre.

    • Tengu

      They send us shitty goods, we send them shitty music, everyone is happy.

      • Just John

        Actually, I remember a cookie monster concert (Death/Black metal) being played outdoors one time. The only people who seemed to be staying were the white guys. All these Chinese would look at it in horror/disgust/amusement and after giving their “WTF is this crap expressions”, walk away.

        To be honest though, a friend of mine loves Linkin Park. Yes, it is overplayed (Well, was, guess they are old news now….), and main stream, but just goes to show that not everything Chinese listen to has to do with their boyfriend/girlfriend and the current state of their relationship.

        There is variety out there, just need to know where to look.

    • FYIADragoon

      Because their MODERN music is already the shittiest derivative of a terrible mashup of Korean and Japanese music, with only songs about the sorrow of love, the happiness of love, and maybe 1 or 2 songs about being high on life.

      That’s it. So its no wonder they worship the ground American music artists perform on.

      • Just John

        You understand that, like the US, or anywhere else, there is an underground music scene.

        Not all music is the overplayed pop. You just won’t hear about the others if you are not in the know, because you will not hear it played on radio or see the MV 50 times each day.

        Maybe you just need to get out and explore your options more.

        My only issue, I still have not found metal or alternative. Nothing hard hitting enough. Rock is the best I have encountered to date, and although I like rock, I tend to have heavier tastes then a great majority of Chinese. At least Japan has had some death metal come through, still waiting for it in China.

        • Tengu

          Go back my son, revisit your roots.

          The great power trios and others.

          Cream, Mountain, Blue Cheer, Lou Reed (Post Velvet Underground), Iggy and The Stooges, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Violent Femmes.

          And the best power trio of all…Jimi…

          • Just John

            Sadly, punk was never my flavor. Closest I ever got was My Chemical Romance.

            I will give you Jimi, but Sex Pistols, Ramones, Violent Femmes, you would need to solicit my ex wife for that genre. I was still listening to nothing but pop (New Kids on the Block, NSYNC, etc) in middle school before I actually discovered real music.

            Once I got a taste of G&R, Motley Crew, Def Leppard, it changed my world (Should have seen me as a 13 year old running around singing “I’m on a highway to hell”, mom had a fit). From there I graduated to Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth. As the 90′s and 00′s hit, I moved to alternative.

            Tool is still my favorite band, and while APC was good, it was not the same level.

            The only concerts I have ever went to to date is Rob Zombie, Tool, Metallica, Megadeth (In fact, being from AZ, I know exactly where Mustaine’s house is, and have been to Coopers Kitchen and Hard rock cafe), and Korn.

            From there I also branched into groups like Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, and other old timers. But going back to music greats was an as I got older thing, not my youth thing.

            Of course, I must also admit, I do like pop too. Basically, if the music doesn’t make me want to move (Or in a few cases, meditate, ie. Enigma, Enya, etc.) I don’t tend to favor it.

            I am also oddly into techno, especially some of the heavier stuff (Astral Projection, Chemical Method, DJ Tiesto). I also like the industrial and industrial techno (NIN, which I could would also fit in the metal and/or alternative, depending on who you ask, Static-X, etc).

            Of course, I also love the great guitar rifts, so still favor the hair bands and some of the greats like Hendrix for that. Nothing like a great guitar rift to airplay to. (Don’t worry, I don’t have a mullet.)

            I could go on with the music that interests me, but it is not in line with Amy Grant, or J-Pop.

          • Tengu

            “…and other old timers.”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

            You little shit, I saw Jimi live.

            Aw man, now I’m breathing heavy, chest hurts, left arm numb, ….must lie down…

    • hooots

      I completely agree. When I go to the clubs all I hear is what basically sounds like a 7th grade dance team’s backing music from about 1997. I wouldn’t go except they give me free bottles of liquor and a free table. They play fucking Beiber, Britney, and club remixes to Happy Birthday for god’s sake. And they actually like it. If I have another person ask me if I like West Life (whoever the fuck they are) or Backstreet Boys I think I might drown myself in my own tears. I’m just waiting to hear “Friday” by Rebecca Black (google it) come on then I might just go ahead and start a riot.

      Wheeewwwww, alright. I feel better now.

  • jimbo

    This music is terrible.

    • http://candosino.wordpress.com terroir

      Tears are shed. Tis true, tis true

    • hooots

      The terrible electronic beat makes me want to cry. because it’s so bad

  • BeijingRafl

    Oh come on! We want SKIN! Fights! Girls beating up their roommates! What men/women complain about men and women! Please, no more corny movies, adults dont listen to me or lonely houses with parents/sons/daughters working as migrant workers. Please give us the JUICY stuff!!!:-P

  • Li RuiKe

    Thanks for the good news story. I was starting to get depressed with life in China with all the negative stories of late.

    It’s better to be simple and loving and happy. Sure, it does nothing for our ego or passions. We can’t feel smug and superior about it. But I’ve seen the stress and anxiety of life for my friends in China get washed away by the singing together of a few songs of faith and love, and then praying for each other. When the frustrations build up over the many terribly annoying things about life in China, these simple times together give us strength to take on another week with hope and smiles. I’m telling the truth.

    • Emily

      Very good comment. I agree it’s much better to have a simple happy life and leave the so called “rat race” to others. God bless!

  • Foreign Devil

    this song and video are very smaltzy and contrived. . If I heard this song on the radio I’d immediately change the tuner. Besides who doesn’t open a personal letter from their girlfriend? Stupid premise.

  • http://www.qq.com/1325279774 Kedafu

    Song of the Article…..

    stay tooned…..

  • Matt smith

    Lamest. Comments. Ever. Yawn. (referring to the article’s comments, not the fine comments here on CS)

  • Phrancis

    We’ve got one life to live. Mistakes made now might never be made up for in this life or even the next –that’s if there’s a next life in the first place. When you find real love, cling onto it with all you’ve got and never let go no matter what people say. Have a lovely weekend!

  • Cleo

    It may have been the best thing that ever happened to him but it certainly was not love. Love is not almost and the one who got away.

    Sorry.

  • Cleo

    I think the paying audience should want actors to not kiss in front of us. I don’t get anything out of seeing it except a sense of inappropriateness – that is way too much information for me.

    • Just John

      Then don’t pay to watch a romantic movie? Simple common sense, I will have Tengu pay the 50 RMB he owes me to you so maybe you can buy some.

      • Tengu

        I’ll send her a few copies from my “special collection.”

        I must say I love the thought of her squirming in her seat as she gets that “sense of inappropriateness.” Must be a tiger in the sack

        I’ll kick in another 50RMB, we can go “Clockwork Orange”, on her, make her watch kissing, make out, foreplay and even a few “penetrating” scenes over and over.

        “Alex: No. No! NO! Stop it! Stop it, please! I beg you! This is sin! This is sin! This is sin! It’s a sin, it’s a sin, it’s a sin!

        Dr. Brodsky: Sin? What’s all this about sin?

        Alex: That! Using Ludwig van like that! He did no harm to anyone. Beethoven just wrote music! “

        • Just John

          lol, loved that movie. And the girl that is about to get the old in-out on the abandoned stage, that Alex and his crew interrupts, has got one nice body.

          So where do we get the special vitamins?

          btw, if your “special collection” involves kissing, that is just wrong. Pron is not suppose to have kissing, at least not those lips…

          Unless you are saying your “special collection” is from Disney, and then it is even more wrong… Although Ariel is sort of hot, with those clam shells, it is still wrong (In case someone has no clue wtf I am referencing, it is the song “Kiss the girl” which is a reference against Cleo, an entire song in a Disney movie directly against how Cleo feels).

          • Tengu

            I was thinking of a few DVDs out of my “Special Collection i.e. German Scatological Cinema or we could just make her watch anything by Fassbinder while clamped in the chair. We’ll teach her no kissing doesn’t mean it’s a good thing.

            I must say I love this:
            “I don’t get anything out of seeing it except a sense of inappropriateness.”

            PDAs in China. Hopefully she’s 63.

          • Tengu

            Pursuant to your contention that “Ariel is sort of hot”. Richard Jenni the comedian used to say he knew when he was on the road too long when he was watching TV and found himself saying:
            “You know that Betty Rubble doesn’t have a bad.”

          • Just John

            Just send her some Gay Midget pron. Or send her on vacation to Thailand (one word: Ladyboys).

            It will severely raise the bar before she hits that “sense of inappropriateness”.

          • Tengu

            The prettiest girls in Thailand aren’t really girls.

            I was at a bar in BKK one time and this classy, little honey was sitting next to me….never mind!

  • eattot

    it’s a simple song, nothing special, maybe good for women.

    • Tengu

      How is our special girl?

      As a woman do you like it?

      • eattot

        i prefer chinese songs more, because lrc is better besides those popular spit songs…
        especially young loli singing, yummy!
        also europe children’s chorus , when i watch LES CHORISTES nearly made me cry, especially that super pretty boy singing.

        • Tengu

          Ever hear “The Choir of Saint Martin in the Fields.” Out of London, should be able to find them online.

          If you like “the super pretty boy singing” – “Vienna Boys Choir.”

  • kevininpudong

    Step aside, Richard Marx, you have competition.
    Wherever I go, whatever I do… they are always playing that song…

    • Tengu

      I loathe you…ever since you posted this I can’t get that horrible song out of my head.

      If I start buying Kenny G CD’s I’m coming after you!

  • mr. weiner

    Send Amy Grant to china, she could do them more damage, than SARS , bird flu and the falong gong combined with her smarzy christian tunes

  • hooots

    I’ll tell you guys a tearjerker of a story….
    So my friend is a pro golfer and she invited me to be her date to some event at a resort. All I heard was “open bar” and “music” so I said, “I’d be delighted.” About an hour into muching on the finest of hors d’oeuvres and sipping the finest of free booze, we ready ourselves for the evening’s entertainment.

    Fucking Amy Grant. I have to sit through an ENTIRE AMY GRANT CONCERT. I’ve never felt so hopeless and trapped in my life. There I was, suffering through sappiest of Christian soft rock for hours while all the free beer, wine, liquor, and food awaited outside. Total tragedy.

    • mr. weiner

      I suffered a similar fate when prompted by lust I agreed to squire a fair lass to a concert come mass meeting that turned out to be an Amway bash. At least those f*ckers know what they want in this life, but it was truely the closest I’ve come to experiencing something half way between an Amy Grant concert and a cargo cult ceremony….I still have that bloody chorus in my head “I want it all..I want it all.. I want it now”

      • hooots

        Whenever I go eat near my house by myself some Amway dude thinks they need to make a foreigner friend. I talk to people all day so sometimes I just like to enjoy a nice quiet meal in silence. But, e v er y f * c k i n g t i m e I have to sit through the most awkward salespersonish (yes, that’s a word) conversation followed by an exchange of phone numbers and the throwing away of the 75th Amway business card I’ve recieved this week.

        Amway dude: “Hello!”
        Me: “Hey!”
        Amway dude: “Can I sit here?”
        Me: “Sure! (fuck not another one)”
        Amway dude: “You’re a foreigner!”
        Me: “Yes indeed I am! (Holy shit, it’s Sherlock Holmes!)”
        Amway dude: “Do you like Chinese food?”
        Me: “I love Chinese food!” (no I hate it that’s why I’m sitting here eating it, facepalm.)
        Amway dude: “Can you speak Chinese???”
        Me: “Yes I can!” ( That’s why we’re speaking Chinese right now, jesus christ)
        Amway dude: “Here’s my business card. I sell cans of useless shit!”
        Me: “I love useless cans of shit! I’ll see you tomorrow!”
        Amway dude: “Shall we say goodbye then awkwardly walk away in the same direction so that we must say goodbye again once it is finally determined that we will now walk in different directions?”
        Me: “Sure! Byebye!”

        I like making new friends with friendly people just as much as the next guy. I’m a friendly dude, but there is just something about these Amway guys. They must get paid next to nothing because they are trying to sell stuff 24 hours a day. Must be a tough hussle. Sir Weiner, I feel your pain. Sir Tengu, thanks for your love and support. We need you.

        • Tengu

          I love this…..

    • Tengu

      You two just made me cry….for YOU.

      I have to give Hooots the edge because the open bar and food was waiting while he listened to that dreck.

      BUT

      Weiner….AMWAY….my sympathies…

      Tragedies, both of them….

  • elenore

    Why is Amy Grant still making videos?Oh yea Christians.Another Pro-life Christian values BS that is Amy Grant.I never expected to see an Amy Grant Video on a Chinese Website.

    • Foreign Devil

      I don’t know that singer. .but there was something that really turned me off about her. . . But now you just pointed out what it was! I should have realized. . right wing christian, 50′s nostalgic . KKK etc . all love this kind of music.

    • anon

      Wouldn’t have expected it myself either. Another thing I’ve learned from chinaSMACK.

  • elenore

    I was raised by Christian Bible Thumpers. I can’t tell how much I can’t stand Amy Grant.Her crap pop music was always playing at the youth programs when I was really little.The only thing worst was those stupid cartoons with the kids in a light house that traveled through the Bible.

    • Magic88

      I can’t understand why the Chinese have latched onto this song.

      Buckley’s cover of Cohen’s Hallelujah is on Youku. If I could be a censor, I would redirect all traffic to that link! :)

    • hooots

      You’ve just given me a eureka moment. THAT’S why I turned away from Christianity. The fucking terrible music. If we listened to actual gospel music instead of watered down, washed up, has been soft rock all day I might still believe all that BS. Soft rock ruins the planet. We must do our part to fight it.

  • JayJay

    Jesus Freaks. Contraceptives are the answer for unwanted pregnancies.

  • Tengu

    So this prick leaves his pregnant wife/girlfriend (inference is he went to war), she sent him a letter telling him he’s going to be a father, he doesn’t even open it for 50 years and we’re supposed to weep when he looks to the heavens for forgiveness…fuck him!

  • dr_barefoot

    friggin horrible music

    the average Chinese really go for the sappy crap, and are not deterred by the nonsensical video plotline and lyrics (god loves to hear our cries of pain??)

    they just haven’t learned to appreciate the finer things yet.

    • Just John

      Otep – Menocide

      Killing me
      he’s killing me
      we killing me
      me killing me
      killing me ……

      forefather
      infectious human waste
      cancer
      hunter
      prostate gods

      killer
      KILLER

      a testosterone feeding drone
      multiplying, multiplying hungry clones
      time to

      DEFY
      the HIVE

      KILL YOUR MASTERS!

      MENOCIIIIDE!

      our time has come!!!
      I.

      you’re just as weak as me
      but not as strong!

      just as imperfect!
      but twice as flawed!

      i see your skin
      and i hate the way

      you look at me!
      and softly invade

      eye’m afraid!
      rage intensified!

      insane!
      i’ll feel no fear or hate as i …
      commit ….
      MENOCIDE!!
      [menocide!]

      house-wives
      girls in the playroom

      slaves to lies!!

      servants in the workplace
      RISE!
      RISE!

      II.
      those who refuse to grow
      we leave behind

      !give death to them!
      with an evolved state of mind

      save your cries
      no one’s listening
      everything they taught
      was a lie

      hear me now this battlecry
      DIE! DIE!
      CONCUBINE!

      - what to wear
      - what to eat
      - what to think
      - what to feel
      - how to act
      - how to speak
      - incomplete!!
      - insecure

      ENOUGH!!!

      .. apple eater!
      .. deceiver!
      .. protector of the way!

      this is the beginning of my Liberation!
      THIS IS THE BEGINNING!!

      BRIDES & BREEDERS!!

      Lillith, Eve, Isis, Kali
      GIVE ME FREE!!

      [always]
      REMEMBER!!!

      FEE-MALE CIRCUMCISIONS!
      LIKE SALEM WITCHES!
      BURNING!

      NEVER AGAIN!
      NEVER AGAIN!

      no compassion
      kill your masters!
      MENOCIDE!

      kill your masters
      kill your masters
      kill your masters
      MENOCIDE
      [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/otep-menocide-lyrics.html ]

      • dr_barefoot

        huh?
        ……………………………………………………………………………………………

        • Just John

          Well, figured if you did not like sappy, romantic songs about lost love opportunities, you may prefer unsappy, politically driven metal.

          Just trying to give you some “finer” things to peruse then Amy Grant.

          • Tengu

            How sad is it that I knew where you were going when I read the first two lines!!!!!!!!!!!!.

            Hoots has:
            “DIE! DIE!
            CONCUBINE!”
            Tattooed over that nipple thing he still hasn’t explained to me yet!

            40 RMB…inconceivable!

          • hooots

            What good is a dead concubine? OK, NO, Stop. Don’t answer that.

          • Tengu

            Brings new meaning to the phrase “Death Metal.”

  • Jay

    Songs, poetry, stories all remind us of how universal our feelings are. Chinese, Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, everyone has so much more in common than we often remember.

  • Kyle

    Here’s a song that moves many Americans to tears:

    http://youtu.be/NzspsovNvII

  • Katie K

    God likes it more when people suffer than when they exalt? What a shitty message.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1617967354 facebook-1617967354

    never noticed what the video story was about-man forgets to read a letter in 1952 opens it in 2011 to find out his girlfriend is pregnant, goes back to home to track her down and finds grave for her and her baby, china blog seems to be only place that explains the story

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