Chilam Cheung Meant to Sing “Triumph in the Skies 2” Theme Song?
When TVB unveiled the opening theme song of Triumph in the Skies 2 <衝上雲宵II> last week, the station received over 50 complaints against the song, a rock ballad that was composed and performed by George Lam (林子祥). The song was criticized for having old-fashioned lyrics and out-of-style melodies.
With George Lam’s rough singing style, the theme song followed the pattern of typical eighties Cantopop music which, according to the complainers, is unfit for the drama’s main theme and story. Some even requested TVB to axe the theme and reuse Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) song from the original 2003 series.
Earlier this week, a rumor that has been floating around the Internet claimed that Triumph in the Skies 2 star, Chilam Cheung (張智霖), was recommended by producer Joe Chan (陳維冠) to sing the theme song of the sequel. However, due to a misinterpretation of wording, the music producer of Triumph in the Skies 2 assumed that Joe was referring to George Lam.
The Weibo user who “leaked” the rumor said, “Triumph in the Skies 2. Apparently, someone asked the producer about who he wanted to sing the theme song… the producer said he wanted the main leads to sing it, and he replied, “Cheung Chi Lam” on WhatsApp… but then someone read the message from right to left (traditional Chinese writing is read from right to left) and the person read it as Lam Chi Cheung (George Lam) instead.”
Of course, the rumor was just a gag. Producer Joe Chan himself found the gag funny, and expressed that he thought it was Chilam who spread the original rumor.
A netizen commented, “This has got to be the funniest gag I’ve read this year.”
Triumph in the Skies 2 had a record-breaking premiere on Monday, July 15. The first episode captured a 99 percent appreciation index score and averaged 32 points, peaking to 35 points. The second episode averaged 33 points and peaked to 34 points.
Sources: The Sun; Weibo; Apple Daily; ihktv.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Liking the movie so far but hated the theme song…. had to skip every second of it.
I really like the song but I don’t like it as the theme song for this drama though.
Anyone want to hazard a guess why George Lam and Sally are coming out again?
I seriously hate the theme song and have to skip it since i can’t stand it !!! The serie is good… they should just axed this theme song half way through … it’s ridiculous to put a crappy theme song to such amazing drama.. Eason Chan theme song back then the mood and style all fitted together… but this one, TVB made a huge error can’t believe they approve that.
This is too coincidental to be an accident.
I would not be surprised if there was truth to that rumour and they are laughing it off as a joke.
“Cheung Chi Lam”
= Lam Chi Cheung?
Now that is brilliant! Never thought of that! Chilam probably said he is too young to sing that song.
Frankly the song ain’t that bad, just not right for this series.
It just has an old style to it. Nothing really else. If it was sang in a modern tone, it would been fine.
And Chilam never said that.
Chloe, don’t you recognise a joke?
Didnt see it as a joke, sadly. But I did find that to be very witty, or play on words.
I actually really like the song. But I do agree that it is unfit as the main theme of this drama. But the song on its own is pretty good.
Eason’s song: cruising through the skies feel. George’s song: ‘we’re working together through this.’ Haha
Does anyone think the last sentence of the song is ridiculously funny? (the singing)
I prefer Eason song in TITS 1 than George’s song in TITS 2. I find it old fashion as well. Maybe ChiLam should sing fr TITS 2.
Triumph in the Skies 2 theme song should be Eason Chan not George Lam. George Lam is old and his voice is not good. Eason Chan is way better than George Lam.
I just watched Ep. # 4 on TVPad tonight, and the theme song was changed, not George Lam’s “kungfun” song. Don’t know if it was sung by Eason Chan or not. Did anyone notice it?
I seriously did not notice. I thought it was the same song. Maybe different version for different podcast or something?
Or maybe everyone just fastforwarded. I didn’t, it was still George Lam and I remember joking about Karma Rider just started.
We noticed it right from the beginning of Ep. # 4, and my husband asked me if TVB replaced it with a new song. It was NOT sung by George Lam. I am surprised too because I am sure the replacement will upset George Lam.
I did not remember the theme song in TITS, so I could not tell if it’s the same.
Where you watch? Could it be someone changed it? I will take notice tonight. I can still rewatch ep 4 and see. But I don’t recall a change in the themesong and I doubt TVB will do that.
I watched it on TVPad (a private and unsubscribed channel on Internet) in Toronto. It’s only changed in Ep. # 4 tonight. We still had George Lam’s song in Ep. # 3.
Perhaps it’s only changed on Internet, not in TVB Broadcasting.
The fans are a funny bunch!!
Anyway I found myself humming that themesong. The brainwash has begun. By episode 10 I am sure I will love the song. I mean I don’t hate it.
The episode I got from tvbdl had the theme song changed with purple chinese subtitles. 😛
Was it sung by George Lam, and was it Ep. # 4?
No, it wasn’t. And yeah it was!
i downloaded the episode and got Eason Chan’s song for TITS1. At first I thought the uploader uploaded the previous series, until I realised the images were correct, only the song was different. This song is so much better!
Too funny, lmao!
Yes I was surprised that Chilam did not sing the theme song for this series.
Shut up all you whingers and whiners.
I love the track! It’s so OTT it’s hilarious!
I watched the first part of the series when I was a little girl. The series struck a chord with me and I held it dear to this very day.
Nevertheless, one should never be too quick to judge a series by its song.
Objectively speaking, the song has depth and energy as opposed to the sentimental drift the original one had (which I also loved). Keep in mind the landscape of the characters’ stories have changed. The strength of the lyrics encapsulates the concept and storyline of the follow up very well.
I feel that in modern times, our economy can do with something like this. The tune is not old-fashioned, or out-dated, rather it is classic. And I personally feel this is classic TVB at its best today (or for now).
Don’t let the song fall on deaf ears. Try to appreciate it in its own right 🙂
Did they not have the rights to the original song? The new track sounds so out of place its ridiculous. More like a Chinese Theatre number with the clashing of symbols as someone who plays Guan Yu goes at it with his big sabre.
The song in TITS I captured the aspiration and spirit of flying. This one is a train wreck
I thought chilam sang the theme songs in all his tvb series previously. What a mistake not to let him do this one….
I was so stunned when I saw the opening theme I was like “what the hell? this doesn’t fit the series at all…” I’m sure everyone would have been happy with them recycling Eason’s song because it was a perfect fit! And it’s a big part of the Triumph in the Skies identity. Shame they made such a mistake. Thoroughly enjoying the series so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYH3VcqSe3Y
i actually like it lol
it’s not that bad
but yeah it doesnt fit the drama at all.
The theme song can be slowly accepted eventually but the actors who can’t carry the chosen character is really unreversible. Yes, again I’m referring to the much hyped about old timer Francis Ng acting skills!