Beijing Huanying Ni (Beijing welcomes you)

Chinese music has a knack for popular musician collaborations, à la "We Are the World." I hear songs with numerous distinctive artists, a group chorus, and dramatic cymbal crescendos. Wal-Mart. The mall. Campus supermarket. Taxis. Airplanes after landing. Sometimes I'm tempted to wave my arms in the air, slowly and with feeling, to the melody. This one, "Beijing Huanying Ni," is played everywhere with the Games beginning in less than four days and happens to be my personal favorite. It was the official theme song for the 100 days to the Olympics countdown.

The song and music video give me the fuzziest of warm fuzzy feelings. I particularly enjoy the video; it's done well, shares a lot of iconic spots in Beijing I've seen, and features popular artists from China mainland as well as Hong Kong. The title means "Beijing Welcomes You." When I hear this song, I think, "Oh, shucks, Beijing, thanks. You're extraordinary, too."

Two notable things to look for are Jackie Chan, on the Great Wall, no less, at the beginning of the first chorus, and Peking Opera singers at 3:17 (you'll know it when you see/hear it). I provided the English translation of the lyrics below. Get in the Olympic host city spirit:

"Beijing Welcomes You"

Welcoming in another dawn, Bringing along fresh new air,
The atmosphere has changed but emotions remain the same, 

Aromas of tea fill the air with friendly feelings.

The doors to my home are always open, 

My arms are open waiting for you,
After a warm embrace you’ll have a tacit understanding, 

And you’ll fall in love with this place.
People near or far are all our guests, 

So please don’t be shy,
Let’s make arrangements and meet together, 

We all welcome you.

My house is full of evergreens, Blossoming with each new legend,
Sowing seeds for our traditional land, 

Planting memories just for you.
Strangers and familiar faces are all our guests, 

So please, no need to be formal,
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been here, 

There are too many topics to discuss.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Opening the sky and breaking land for you,
Our mesmerizing movements are filled with lively energy.
Beijing welcomes you,

Sharing the same breath of air under the sun,
Creating ground breaking achievements on this yellow land.

The doors to my home are always open, 

Openly accommodating the sky and land,
Youthful smiles bloom over the years, 

Welcoming in this special day.
Everyone between the sky and land are our friends, 

So please don’t be shy,
Paintings and poems contain our cheerful intentions, 

Because we’re waiting for you.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Like music, emotionally moving you,
Let us all work hard and try to excel ourselves.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Anyone with a dream is extraordinary,
With courage there will always be miracles.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Opening the sky and breaking land for you,
Our mesmerizing movements are filled with lively energy.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Sharing the same breath of air under the sun,
Creating ground breaking achievements on the yellow land.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Like music, emotionally moving you,
Let us all work hard and try to excel ourselves.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Anyone with a dream is extraordinary,
With courage there will always be miracles.

The doors to my home are always open, 

My arms are open waiting for you,
After a warm embrace you’ll have a tacit understanding, 

And you’ll fall in love with this place.
People near or far are all our guests, 

So please don’t be shy,
Let’s make arrangements and meet together, 

We all welcome you.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Opening the sky and breaking land for you,
Our mesmerizing movements are filled with lively energy.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Sharing the same breath of air under the sun,
Creating ground breaking achievements on the yellow land.

The doors to my home are always open, 

Openly accommodating the sky and land,
Youthful smiles bloom over the years, 

Welcoming in this special day.
Everyone between the sky and land are our friends, 

So please don’t be shy,
Paintings and poems contain our cheerful intentions, 

Because we’re waiting for you.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Like music, emotionally moving you,
Let us all work hard and try to excel ourselves.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Anyone with a dream is extraordinary,
With courage there will always be miracles.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Opening the sky and breaking land for you,
Our mesmerizing movements are filled with lively energy.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Sharing the same breath of air under the sun,
Creating ground breaking achievements on the yellow land.
Beijing welcomes you, 

Like music, emotionally moving you,
Let us all work hard and try to excel ourselves.

Beijing welcomes you, 

Anyone with a dream is extraordinary,
With courage there will always be miracles.
Beijing welcomes you, anyone with a dream is extraordinary,
With courage there will always be miracles.
Beijing welcomes you, anyone with a dream is extraordinary.