华语流行音乐工业的低靡 ：歌词素质下滑所扮演的角色 = Recession of Mandarin pop music : from the perspective of lyrics

• Main Author: 郭镇源 Kwok, Zhen Yuan
• Other Authors: Quah Sy Ren
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: Chinese
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/55657
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

华语流行音乐在90年代攀上了最高峰，不但孕育出了许多巨星也制作了无数素质优良的作品，留下了多不胜数的经典歌曲。但随着市场口味的转变、科技的进步以及外来文化的冲击，华语乐坛在21世纪后逐渐走向低靡。本文将探讨华语流行音乐作品的歌词对于市场萧条的影响。歌词是一首歌的灵魂，它为一篇旋律赋予了生命。当业内人士都认为市场因素是造成华语乐坛支持率下滑的同时，歌词的素质的减退其实也潜移默化地造成了一定的影响。市场的萎缩使得作词人之间的竞争缩小，唱片公司为了保障利益不敢随意使用新进作词人的作品，偏爱选用资深作词人的文字。这也促成了作词人青黄不接的现象。不同时代的作品有着不一样的作词风格，歌词记载了每个时代的背景与流行文化，所以歌词在华语流行音乐文化的核心也占据了不容忽视的地位。Mandarin Popular Music hit its peak in the 90s, megastars were born and countless quality albums were produced, it was the most glamorous era of Mandopop. Since the turn of the century, the industry was heavily affected by piracy due to the advancement in technology and intrusion of foreign popular culture, it altered the market direction and Mandarin Popular Music has since been in a decline.This dissertation will examine the role of lyrics and how it contributed to the downfall of Mandarin Popular Music. Industry watchers might be quick to put the blame on market forces but the power of lyrics could have an impact on it too. The shrinking industry weakened competition among lyricists and music labels were playing safe by engaging veteran writers. Many budding lyricists were unable to breakthrough as a result and further shrinking the talent pool. Besides telling a story in a song, lyrics also acted as a facade of an era and hence should be considered a crucial component of Mandarin popular music industry.