I Want to Be Do
About
This song is one of the outcomes of the adolescent voice-change research project. The melody stays within a single octave, centered in the comfortable range for boys in voice mutation. The lyrics closely reflect their lived experiences: from being overlooked, to the obsession with becoming “Do” (the center), to the wish that one’s voice can bring hope and become a better self.
Credits
Creators: Junye Du, Siqi Tang
Vocal Performance (Audio): Tianruizhe Ma
Lyrics (Chinese / English)
中文歌词
我想成为Do 某天我忽然发现 我好像生来就是Re 从不被人第一个提起 不那么显眼的存在 好想换一种色彩 要么变成Mi 它总是和谐的声音 可是我早已知道 这世界不是那么单调 要么变成Fa 它总是明亮又辉煌 可某天醒来我发现我的喉咙变得暗淡无光 要么去当Sol La 在合唱团里稳稳铺底 但是 有一天 某一天 也被要求不发出声音 我的骄傲和我的热情随风飘散在风里 可有一天某一天 长长的隧道迎来光亮 漫长冬雪覆盖我的喉咙 唤醒内心的渴望 我想成为Do 成为Do 辽阔乐谱上当我被唱响 就闪耀光芒 成为Do 成为Do 无论旋律进行到哪一刻 所有人都会想起我 不要唱 不要喊 好想站上那舞台 我像是Si 就差那一点点 就能被看见 成为Do不是要争第一 成为Do不是要站在中心 我只想 我只想 我的声音像光一样 充满希望 成为Do 成为Do 我是每个音符的好朋友 自由自在地游走 成为Do 成为 成为 成为 成为 成为一个更好的自己 我想要成为什么都可以
English Translation (Approx.)
I Want to Be Do One day I suddenly realized, it feels like I was born to be Re. Never the first one to be named, never the most visible one. I wish I could change my color. Maybe become Mi, the voice that always sounds harmonious. But I already know the world is not that simple. Maybe become Fa, always bright and brilliant. Yet one day I woke up and found my throat had gone dim. Maybe become Sol or La, steady support in the choir. But one day, some day, I was asked not to make a sound. My pride and passion scattered into the wind. Then one day, some day, light arrived at the end of a long tunnel. Long winter snow covered my throat, and awakened the desire inside me. I want to become Do, become Do. When my note is sung on the vast score, it shines. Become Do, become Do. No matter where the melody goes, everyone will remember me. Don’t sing, don’t shout— still I want to stand on that stage. I am like Si, just a tiny step away from being seen. To become Do is not to fight for first place, not to stand at the center. I only want, I only want, my voice to be like light, full of hope. Become Do, become Do. I am a good friend to every note, moving freely among them. Become Do, become, become, become, become. Become a better self. I can become whatever I want.