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.