The soundtrack to the film Kung Fu Hustle was released in 2004 and 2005 in conjunction with the 2004 Hong Kong-Chinese martial arts film directed by and starring Stephen Chow. The majority of the film's original score was composed by Raymond Wong and performed by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.[1] The score imitates traditional Chinese music in 1940s swordplay films.[2] Along with Wong's compositions and various traditional Chinese songs, classical compositions are featured in the score, including excerpts from Zigeunerweisen by Pablo de Sarasate and "Sabre Dance" by Aram Khachaturian.[3]
One of Wong's works, "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" provides a stark contrast between the villainous Axe Gang and the peaceful neighbourhood of Pig Sty Alley, depicted by a Chinese folk song, "Fisherman’s Song of the East China Sea".[4]
A song is sung in the background by Huang Shengyi at the end of the film. The song, "Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian" (只要為你活一天; Only Want to Live One Day for You) was written by Liu Chia-Chang in the 1970s. It tells of a girl's memories of a loved one, and her desire to live for him again.[5]
Kung Fu Hustle was nominated for the Best Original Film Score in the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards.[6]
Asian and American versions of the soundtrack have been released. The Asian version of the soundtrack was released on 17 December 2004 by Sony Music and has 33 tracks.[7] The American version of the soundtrack was released on 29 March 2005 by Varèse Sarabande and has 19 tracks.[8]
Track listings
Unless otherwise noted, the tracks are performed by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
Asian version
| Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture Kung Fu Hustle | |
|---|---|
![]()  | |
| Soundtrack album by  various artists  | |
| Released | December 17, 2004 | 
| Genre | Classical | 
| Label | Sony Music Entertainment | 
- "Like The Old Saying"
 - "Kung Fu 1"
 - "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained"
 - "Pay the Rent"
 - "Fisherman's Song of the East China Sea"
 - "No More Soccer"
 - "Ambush From All Sides"
 - "Come On"
 - "Allegro Molto Vivace" from Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 (Pablo de Sarasate)
 - "I'm Not Scared"
 - "Moderato" from Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20
 - "Decree of the Sichuan General"
 - "Not Guilty Of Kung Fu"
 - "Midnight Assassin"
 - "Blade of Gu Qin"
 - "No Manners"
 - "Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian"
 - "Night Club Band"
 - "Seize Any Opportunity"
 - "Sabre Dance" (Aram Khachaturian)
 - "Daring General"
 - "Casino Fight"
 - "Realization"
 - "Prejudiced to Four Eyes"
 - "Ying Xiong Men Zhan Sheng Le Da Du He"
 - "Dagger Society Suite"
 - "Fisherman's Song of the East China Sea"
 - "Buddhist Palm"
 - "Numb Nut"
 - "Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian" (Huang Sheng Yi)
 - "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" (Huang Sheng Yi)
 - "Kung Fu Fighting" (Carl Douglas)
 - "Hustle" (Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony)
 
U.S. version
| Music from the Motion Picture Kung Fu Hustle | |
|---|---|
![]()  | |
| Soundtrack album by  various artists  | |
| Released | April 29, 2005 | 
| Genre | Classical | 
| Length | 37:47 | 
| Label | Varèse Sarabande | 
- "Kung Fu 1" (0:52)
 - "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" (2:33)
 - "Fisherman's Song of the East China Sea" (3:03)
 - "Ambush from All Sides" (0:44)
 - "Allegro Molto Vivace" from Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20, performed by Akiko Suwanai and the Budapest Festival Orchestra (1:02)
 - "Moderato" from Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20, performed by Akiko Suwanai and the Budapest Festival Orchestra (1:24)
 - "Decree of the Sichuan General" (4:07)
 - "Midnight Assassin" (0:55)
 - "The Blade of Gu Qin" (1:22)
 - "Night Club Band" (1:02)
 - "Sabre Dance" (1:26)
 - "Daring General" (2:55)
 - "Casino Fight" (2:08)
 - "Realization" (1:30)
 - "Ying Xiong Men Zhan Sheng Le Da Du He"
 - "Dagger Society Suite" (2:42)
 - "Fisherman's Song of the East China Sea" (3:13)
 - "Buddhist Palm" (1:31)
 - "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained (Huang Sheng Yi) (3:27)
 
Missing US tracks
In the US version, 14 tracks that were featured in the original Asian release are missing and listed below.
- 01. "Like The Old Saying"
 - 04. "Pay the Rent"
 - 06 "No More Soccer"
 - 08. "Come On"
 - 10. "I'm Not Scared"
 - 12. "Decree of the Sichuan General"
 - 16. "No Manners"
 - 17."Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian"
 - 19. "Seize Any Opportunity"
 - 24. "Prejudiced to Four Eyes"
 - 29. "Numb Nut"
 - 30. "Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian" (Huang Sheng Yi)
 - 32. "Kung Fu Fighting" (Carl Douglas)
 - 33. "Hustle" (Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony)
 
References
- ↑ "About the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra". Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Archived from the original on 2007-06-18. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
 - ↑ Pollard, Mark. "Kung Fu Hustle review". Kung Fu Cinema. Archived from the original on 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
 - ↑ Sung, Mark (2004). "Kung Fu Hustle review". Retrieved 2007-05-12.
 - ↑ Kin-Wah, Szeto. "Geopolitical imaginary: Hong Kong, the Mainland and Hollywood". Jump Cut. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-05-11.
 - ↑ "Kung Fu Hustle production notes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-05-18.
 - ↑ Anon, Kozo (2005-03-14). "Kung Fu Hustle review". Archived from the original on 2007-04-02. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
 - ↑ "Soundtrack Details of Kung Fu Hustle". 2004-12-17. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
 - ↑ "Kung Fu Hustle soundtrack information". VH1. 2005-03-29. Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
 

