Translation of Jay Chou's Superman Can't Fly

It is Monday again folks. Any blues still hovering around you today? As for me, lethargic is the best word to describe myself right now. But...

It is Monday again folks. Any blues still hovering around you today? As for me, lethargic is the best word to describe myself right now. But I know the "best" has yet to come. Feel kinda dizzy right now...perhaps I try to do too many things with too limited time? Anyway today I have decided to share with you guys Jay Chou's Superman Can't Fly again, but with English translation thrown into it of course. Actually I have promised some of you out there that I would do this translation after sharing with you Jay Chou's The Era album...but somehow I failed to deliver. My bad. :(

Still remember this song? No? Never mind let's watch the MTV now.

Jay Chou's Superman Can't Fly MTV

As mentioned earlier, Jay Chou's Superman can't fly is actually his confession on what he feels about the entertainment industry that he is dwelling in right now. Surprisingly a lot of us wouldn't have known what his song is about if we don't scrutinize the lyrics. So here am I, attempting to "decipher" Jay Chou's Superman Can't Fly Mandarin lyric. Ready? Here goes...

The Green Hornet in the MTV. :)

Superman Can't Fly (超人不能飞)

媽媽說很多事別太計較 只是使命感找到了我 我睡不著

Mom once told me that I should not be bothered with everything that is happening around me. Mom told me it is because that very sense of duty is seeking me, causing me to be sleepless.

如果說罵人要有點技巧 我會加點旋律你會覺得 超屌

If you tell me that yelling at someone requires some skill, I will add in a little melodic tune to make it sound super cool!

我的槍不會裝彈藥 所以放心不會有人倒

My gun is not loaded, so please don't worry that I will hurt anyone.

我拍青鋒俠不需要替身 因為自信是我繪畫的顏料

When I am filming The Green Hornet, I don't need any stunt double at all as I believed all I need is my confidence.

我做很多事背後的意義遠比你們想像

Everything that I have done has a far more profound meaning than what they appear to be.

拍個電視劇為了友情與十年前的夢想

The drama that I have produced is for the sake of friendship and the dream that I have conceived a decade ago.

收視率再高也難抗衡我的偉大理想

Even if it garners high rating, it will be incomparable to my great dream.

因為我的人生我需再多一筆那獎項

That is because I don't need another award to testify my life.

我不知道何時變成了社會的那榜樣

It baffles me to know I have suddenly become a role model for the public.

被狗仔拍的那邊裝著要道歉的模樣 怎樣

I even have to fake my apologize when I am confronted by the paparazzi (What the heck?)

我唱的歌詞要有點文化 因為隨時會被當教材

Now every single words in the lyrics of my songs have to be cultured and well mannered because they will be used as teaching materials.

CNN能不能等英文好一點再訪 時代雜誌封面能不能重拍

Can't CNN interview me when my command of English is slightly better? Can't I redo the cover of Time Magazine?

隨時隨地注意形象 要控制飲食不然就跟杜莎夫人蠟像的我不像

I have to be in my best behavior all the time. I even have to control my food and drink, if not I will look like one of the wax figures in Madame Tussaud's Muzeum.

好萊鎢的中國戲院地上有很多手印腳印 何時才能看見我的掌

The Chinese Theatre in Hollywood holds handprints and footprints of lots of prominent people, I wonder when  I can see mine imprinted there too.

喔如果超人會飛 那就讓我在空中停一停歇

Oh~If superman is able to fly, can you please let me hover in midair and have a breather?

再次俯瞰這個世界 會讓我覺得好一些

Can you please let me look at this whole world again from up there? This will certainly makes me feel better.

拯救地球好累 雖然有些疲憊但我還是會

Saving the earth is really difficult. Although I am tired but I will still do my best to save Earth.

不要問我哭過了沒 因為超人不能流眼淚

So please don't ask me if I have ever wept before because a superman mustn't cry.

唱歌要拿最佳男歌手 拍電影也不能只拿個最佳新人

They say if I were to be a singer I must bag the Best Singer Award. Likewise if I were to film a movie, winningthe Best Supporting Actor Award is not enough. I must do better.

你不參加頒獎典禮就是沒禮貌 你去參加就是代表你很在乎

When I don't attend award presentation ceremony, they will accuse me for being arrogant. If I participate in the ceremony, only then they will agree that I really care about it.

得獎時你感動落淚 人家就會覺得你誇張做作

If I were to cry when I received an award, they will again accused me for being a drama king...trying to exaggerate and fake my emotion.

你沒表情別人就會說太囂張

Then again if I don't show any emotions they will say that I am one cocky bloke!

如果你天生這表情 那些人甚至會怪你媽媽

But what if this is my innate facial expression? They will then blame my beloved mother for it.

結果最後是別人在得獎 你也要給予充分的掌聲與微笑

When someone else wins the award, I'd better flash them my sweet smile and put my hands together for them.

開的車不能太好 住的樓不能太高

They say I am not supposed to drive a luxurious car nor living in a palatial house.

我到底是一個創作歌手還是好人好事代表

It really beats me! Am I a singer who write songs or am I someone who has to be the role model to everyone around me?

專輯一出就必須是冠軍 拍了電影就必須要大賣

They say if I were to release a new album, it has to be the best. They say if I were to feature in a film, it has to be the top grosser!

只能說當超人真的好難

All I can say is...being a Superman is not easy at all...

如果超人會飛 那就讓我在空中停一停歇

If superman is able to fly, can you please let me hover in midair and have a breather?

再次俯瞰這個世界 會讓我覺得好一些

Can you please let me look at this whole world again from up there? This will certainly makes me feel better.

拯救地球好累 雖然有些疲憊但我還是會

Saving the earth is really difficult. Although I am tired but I will still do my best to save her (Earth).

不要問我哭過了沒 因為超人不能流眼淚

So please don't ask me if I have ever wept before because a superman mustn't cry.

What do you think about this painstakingly done translation? :p I have really tried my best folks. This is the best I can squeezed out from this puny brain of mine. Please not that this is not a direct translation but rather what I understand about the whole song. I hope you find it sensible and enjoy it. My bad if you think my translation suck! :/ Then again I am not an expert in the field of mandarin and English linguistic. Anyway have a nice day ya folks. :D

Jay Chou wants to rest...

Do you have this kind of feeling too?