Recently, Yi Jian Mei (一剪梅), or as many of you may know as Xue Hua Piao Piao, has become an internet sensation. The song has been shared in thousands of videos across the internet and has given people around the world a taste of Chinese music. Even with its rise to stardom, many people still don’t know the history behind this famous song.
Yi Jian Mei, meaning One Trim of Plum Blossom, was made by Taiwanese singer Fei Yu-ching in 1983 in his album Water of the Yangtze River. Yi Jian Mei’s musical style is considered a part of the Mandopop subgenre which includes many notable Mandarin-Chinese songs, many of which have jazz influences.
The bulk of the song is a melancholic retelling of a long-gone romance, where the singer compares his love to the blossoms of a plum tree. It’s when he describes the tree, that we hear the song’s iconic lyrics: “Xue hua piao piao, bei feng xiao xiao; the snowflakes are fluttering and the north wind is blowing.” The comparison of his love to the plum tree blossoming in the harsh winter acts as an analogy for love surviving through tough times. It’s in this emotional meaning that many found their love for this song.
After being used as the theme song for One Plum Blossom, Fei and the song’s popularity skyrocketed. The song has been regarded as a Chinese classic, and it’s especially impressive considering the long history of Chinese music.
Enjoyed the read? Check out part two of the article here!
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-music
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Jian_Mei_(song)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandopop
https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3089256/how-hit-chinese-song-80s-became-global-meme