The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

172.

Li Zichun had a vast collection of English songs in his head, so he naturally chose the ones that best suited them.

Two hours later, Zhao Qianfan began his recording. The first song Li Zichun gave him was Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You":

Your love was handmade for someone like me.

Come on, follow my lead!

I might go crazy, don't mind me, just say I might lose my mind.

Boy, let's not talk too much.

Grab on my waist and put that body on me.

Come on, follow my lead!

Come on now, follow my lead.

I'm in love with the shape of you.

We push and pull like a magnet, just as magnets attract and repel each other but never separate.

Although my heart is falling, it has already fallen for you.

I'm in love with your body, and your body makes me incredibly attached.

And last night you were in my room.

And now my bedsheets smell like you; your fragrance lingers on them this morning.

Discover something brand new every day.

I'm in love with your body. Your body makes me deeply attached.

Oh—i—oh—i—oh—i—oh—i…”

Originally, Li Zichun wanted to sing Sting's "Shape of My Heart," the end credits song for "Léon: The Killer," but the song was too calm and lacked any grand or dramatic moments. In this restless and noisy era, probably not many people would be able to calm down and listen to it. So, after thinking about it, they decided against it and finally chose the song that earned Ed Sheeran the "Best Pop Performance" award at the 60th Grammy Awards.

Li Zichun and Du Zihua sang harmonies for him, and the three of them cooperated very well. In addition, Zhao Qianfan's unparalleled pitch and free and easy singing style made the whole song hit Li Zichun's heart.

This was followed by Josh Turner's deep, resonant bass-heavy hit, "Your Man":

Baby lock the door and turn the lights down low

Honey, lock the door and dim the lights.

Put some music on that's soft and slow

Play some soft, low-pitched music

Baby we ain't got no place to go

We're not going anywhere.

I hope you understand

I hope you understand

I've been thinking about this all day long

I have been longing for you all day.

Never felt a feeling quite this strong

I've never felt this strongly before.

I can't believe how much it turns me on

I can't believe you fascinate me so much

Just to be your man

I only want to be your man

There's no hurry

No need to rush

Don't you worry

Unable to help but feel sorrow

We can take our time

We can slowly savor the time we spend together.

Come a little closer

Come a little bit closer

Let's go over what I had in mind

Let's review everything in my mind.

......

And nobody ever love nobody

No one has ever loved another person.

the way that I love you

Like I love you

We are low now

Our dance steps are now slow and gentle.

You don't know how long I want it to last...

Li Zichun remembers this song because of an old man in a short video singing with a guitar. He looked cool and stylish, which left a deep impression on him.

Zhao Qianfan's third song is a pop song called "Somebody That I Used to Know," a collaboration between Australian singer Gotye and New Zealand singer Kimbra, which he sang with Li Zichun:

Now and then I think of those days we spent together.

Like when you say you felt so happy you could die without regret.

I told myself that you were right for me.

But your company made me feel so lonely.

But that was love, and it's an unforgettable memory.

You can become addicted to a certain kind of sadness; you can become immersed in a unique kind of pain.

Like resignation to the end, always the end—for example, one party resigns themselves to fate, compromises, and submits to the end.

So when we realized that being together was meaningless...

Well, you said we could still be friends?

But I'll admit that I was glad it was over.

But you didn't have to cut me off like that.

Make it seem like nothing ever happened between us.

And that we were nothing. We were never anything between us.

And I don't even need your love.

But you don't have to treat me like a stranger.

And that feels so rough, isn't that a bit too heartless?

You didn't have to stoop so low.

Have your friends collect your records; have your friends help you pack your luggage.

And then you changed your number.

I guess I don't need that, though I probably don't need to know about them.

Now you're just someone I used to know, someone who was once a familiar face in my life but has only passed through.

Now and then, I think of all the times you screwed me over. Occasionally, I recall those days when you completely fooled me.

But it made me believe that there was always something I'd done wrong, which actually made me believe that all the mistakes were my fault.

And I don't want to live that way anymore.

Reading into every word you say, constantly pondering the meaning of your words.

You said you could let it go.

And I wouldn't let you get hung up on somebody that you used to know...

"Somebody That I Used to Know" was written and recorded at Gotye's parents' house in Melbourne. The lyrics are based on a real relationship Gotye experienced five or six years ago. Gotye stated that it wasn't a terrible relationship, but it was complicated. During this time, Gotye and his girlfriend hurt each other, leading Gotye to believe that continuing the relationship was worse than ending it. Therefore, Gotye wrote the song "Somebody That I Used to Know" as a breakup song for his girlfriend, hoping that both of them could change in the future.

This single topped the music charts in 21 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, and Poland [2], and sold more than 1220 million copies worldwide (one of the world's best-selling digital singles).

When Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan sang their duet, they seemed to be reflecting on each other's experiences. Their relationship was once as dramatic as described in the lyrics: "You don't know me, and I don't understand you."

Even though they are currently at peace and using each other as tools for progress, they both know that this is just an excuse to get closer.

Both of them felt a little unsatisfied after finishing their song, but that was the end of it.

Next up was Du Zihua, who was to sing Justin Bieber's "Baby":

Oh whoa~~~

I know you love me, and I know you care.

Just shout whenever you call, and I'll be there.

You are my love, you are my heart. You want my love, you want my heart.

And we will never, ever, ever be apart.

......

And I'm in pieces, baby fix me. My heart is now shattered; baby, please fix me.

And just shake me until you wake me from this bad dream.

I'm going down, I'm getting more and more frustrated.

And I just can't believe my first love won't be around.

And I'm like baby, baby, baby, oh, and then I say baby, baby, baby.

Like baby, baby, baby, no, I said, baby, baby, baby, no

Like baby, baby, baby, oh

I thought you'd always be mine, mine...."

"Baby" is a mid-to-fast-paced pop song, with the rap part performed by Li Zichun himself, completing this song that made Justin Bieber captivate countless girls.

With the guidance and help of Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan, Du Zihua recorded this song several times before he finally found the right feeling.

To be honest, Du Zihua is indeed much worse than Zhao Qianfan, but he is adaptable and with a little guidance, he can quickly reach the level that Li Zichun wants.

Frankly speaking, Du Zihua's abilities are lacking. He simply can't yet achieve the same level of understanding as singers like Zhao Qianfan, who have long cultivated a tacit understanding with him. Zhao Qianfan can quickly comprehend Du Zihua's expressions and intentions, and add his own unique interpretation to make the song the way he wants it to be.

He was indeed finding it a bit too much to handle Li Zichun's high-speed recording method.

After all, it used to take him at least three or four days to record a song, but now, it's like recording several songs in three or four hours without even seeing the lyrics. It's a huge test of his knowledge and abilities.

Fortunately, Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan did not look down on him, because Li Zixuan himself knew that this way of recording songs would be extremely unreasonable in any era.

But he has limited time and doesn't have time to wait for each singer to record a perfect song before releasing it.

It took two or three hours to record this song, and we sang it many times before Li Zichun finally nodded in approval and started recording the next song.

Next, Du Zihua sang Parmalee's "Take My Name":

Take my hand, let me make you mine.

I'm through waiting, taking my time, the long wait is coming to an end.

I've never felt like this before; I'm experiencing palpitations I've never felt before.

Take my name and make it yours.

I hope you don't think it's a little crazy of me to say all this so soon.

But baby, it's the right time, I know from the first time I laid eyes on you.

It's ok let 'em say what they want

It's okay if they say "I want it".

They might think I should wait but I don't

Others might think I should wait, but I can't.

Nah I dont,wanna waste a minute,girl

No, I don't want to waste another minute, girl, I'm not willing.

I want you in it,every single part of my world

I want you to enter every little corner of my world.

So take my hand lemme make you mine

So hold me tight and let me conquer you.

......

I know I'm the last guy,anybody think might

I know my heart belongs to you, and everyone agrees.

Ever be talking like this,yeah

Although you did not explain

But I can see my future in your eyes tonight

But tonight, every time I look up, my future is written in your eyes.

And taste forever on your lips

I will only ever taste love on your lips.

I'm like hold up a minute,don't go

I feel like I've stopped in this moment, don't leave me.

Ain't no way I can take this slow so

My heart was pounding wildly and I couldn't calm down.

Go ahead and tell me I'm outta my mind or baby just tell me yes

Please just say either my obsession or your consent.

......."

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Shape of You" is a pop song written and composed by Ed Sheeran, Steve Mack, and Johnny Macdard, and sung by British singer Ed Sheeran. The song was released on January 6, 2017, through Atlantic Records as the first single to promote the album, and was later included in Ed Sheeran's third studio album, "÷".

"Your Man" is an English song performed by American country music singer Josh Turner, included in his album of the same name.

《Somebody That I Used to Know》是澳大利亚歌手Gotye与新西兰歌手Kimbra合作演唱的一首流行歌曲，歌词、曲谱由Gotye编写创作。该歌曲收录在Gotye于2011年8月30日发行的第三张录音室专辑《Making Mirrors》，并作为推广专辑的第二支单曲，于2011年7月5日通过环球音乐集团发布。

《Baby》是加拿大男歌手贾斯汀·比伯演唱的一首流行歌曲，歌词、曲谱由贾斯汀·比伯、卢达·克里斯、The-Dream、Tricky Stewart、克里斯蒂娜·米兰制作完成。该歌曲作为推广其所属专辑的首波单曲，于2010年1月18日通过小岛唱片公司发布，收录在贾斯汀·比伯于2010年1月18日发行的首张录音室专辑《My World 2.0》。

"Take My Name" is performed by Parmalee and included in the album "Take My Name," released on July 9, 2021.