Compilations and classic songs that put you in mind of the city, from our iTunes city playlist.
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Compilations:
Best of Chinese Pop 2005
The latest anthology contains bestselling songs such as "Mouse Loves Rice," a pop hit successful enough to launch a website, a barrage of covers, and a countersong ("Mouse No Longer Loves Rice").
The Best of 12 Girls Band
This wildly popular girl band plays pop and traditional Western and Chinese songs on traditional Chinese instruments.
Chinese Traditional Zheng Music
This relaxing collection showcases musician Hong Ting's technique with the konghou, a harp-like classical instrument.
Dragon Songs
Acclaimed Chinese pianist Lang Lang's recent album is an unusual blend of East (traditional Chinese orchestra) with West (the artist's concert Steinway).
Hei Bao (Black Panther)
A gorgeous, early 1990s fusion of rock and pop ballads by one of China's seminal rock bands.
The Little Red Record
A propaganda-minded collection by the Chinese Red Army Choir harks back to the rosy hopefulness of early Communism in China.
The Red Army Is Not Daunted by the Difficult Long March
A "revolutionary," or Maoist propaganda opera performed by the PLA Zhanyou Song and Dance Ensemble. Imagine the nasal twang of Chinese opera powered by a melodramatic women's chorus.
Selected Chinese Opera
Fu Ling Wang and Wang Yuzhen soften the ordinarily shrill music with lilting voices and pop-like accompaniment.
Splendid Jubilant New Year: Collection of Chinese Festival Music
Jubilant indeed, this collection of Chinese folk songs—performed by a full orchestra of classical instruments—is intended to ring in the new year.
Who is Cui Jian?
China's top rock bands pay tribute to Cui Jian, the "Father of Chinese Rock." CMCB's rap-like "Nothing Do I Have" (yi wu suo you) is a revelation.
Classic Songs:
Our ten favorite classic songs include a children's song, rock ballads (including rap and heavy metal renditions of two popular classics), hit pop songs, including covers of American alternative and jazz songs, Chinese classical music, and a Maoist-era propaganda song.
1. "Two Tigers" (liang zhi lao hu) Traditional2. "I Have Nothing" (yi wu suo you) by Cui Jian
3. "Nothing Do I Have" by CMCB
4. "The Box" by Twisted Machine
5. "Don't Break My Heart" by Hei Bao
6. "Mice Love Rice" (lao shu ai da mi) by Yang Chen Gang
7. "Take Five" by 12 Girls Band
8. "Liuxing" (cover of the Coldplay song "Yellow") by Zheng Jun
9. "Yellow River Piano Concerto" (huang he xie zhou qu) by Yin Chengzong
10. "The Brilliance of Chairman Mao" by The Chinese Red Army Choir
