Review on Cui Jian

Cui Jian is a Korean-Chinese musician who was one of first pioneers of rock music in China granting him the title as the Father of Chinese Rock. He was an iconic figure in the emergence of rock music and Tiananmen Square Protest during the late 1980’s. Cui Jian was an innovative artist who embraced westernized music forms and utilized his lyrics to express public opinions on political issues. It was his individualized style and provocative lyrics that appealed to many youths, intellectuals, and young entrepreneurs. “Nothing to My Name” was that song that skyrocket his fame and brought his popularity to a peak.

Cui Jian’s song “Nothing to My Name” was released in 1986 and stirred much public interest. It is a song that not only incorporated a westernized rock style that attracted a multitude of fans, but it also translated a westernized ideology of individualism. Its open lyrics promoted self-expression and self-empowerment which has led it to because a symbolic anthem for the student protestors.

“Nothing to My Name” can be interpreted in several ways which has made it quite controversial however, it is without a doubt that its lyrical meanings has inspired many youth. On the surface level, the song speaks of the persistent love of man with nothing to his name. He keeps pursuing this ambiguous girl giving her his hopes and dreams but repeatedly he is being ridicule for having nothing to his name. However, it can be further interpreted to be a political metaphor that represents an individual’s relationship to its nation, in this case China’s regime. The man symbolizes the individual whereas the ambiguous girl is the nation. Lyrical phrases such as “But you always laughed at me, with nothing to my name” can be understood as the man’s humiliation due to his lack of individuality and loss. “Why do I still need to pursue you” evokes this sense of entrapment to continue to confirm to the government yet he knows he will never get his personal freedom.

At the end of the song, the man asks “Is it possible that you’re saying to me, you love me with no name?” This questions the love that the nation has for its people. Does the nation love the people for confirming to its government? Does it love the fact that there is no individualism or personal freedom? The obviously answer is yes, the nation loves the people with nothing to their name. This is clearly stated when the man tries to grab the girl and take her away and she trembles in tears. This represents the people’s protest for individualism and freedom, and the government’s fear and opposition to their movement.

Cui Jian songs “Nothing to My Name” first and foremost was a media of expressing public opinions on political concern and issues. His song addresses the relationship between the people and its nation, the suppression of the people’s voices and personal freedom. His song is empowering because it brings aware of the political situation that the people are in and invokes them question the government. In its course it promotes an activist movement to breakaway from suppression and become self-liberated.