Chinese mega portal Netease recently released their 2008 China Internet Communication Report (h/t Adam Schokora). The report generates statistics from the behaviour of some 200 million Chinese netizens who use Netease’s range of online products (ie. Netease Blog, Netease BBS, Youdao Search Engine, Netease Channels and Netease Posts). According to the authors:
“every click or search [our users] have done, and any words they have posted on the Internet, have contributed to this report”
The results are presented in top ten popularity lists for everything from “Internet Hot Figures” (No.1, not surprisingly, is fallen Olympic hurdles hero Liu Xiang), through “Internet Hot Key Words” (Sichuan Earthquake) and “Movies” (John Woo historical, Red Cliff).
The top 10 “Musical Singles” list provides as accurate a chart as any as to what China was listening to in 2008. These are the mega-hits – with a predictable trend towards Olympics and Earthquake themes – presented here for you in handy video form:
No.1 : You And Me – Liu Huan & Sarah Brightman
The Olympic theme song, sung at the opening ceremony.
No.2 : The Air – Tan Jing
Another Olympic related song featured at the opening ceremony.
No.3 : Beijing Welcomes You – Various Artists
Sung by 100 artists from around China, this song celebrated the 100 day countdown to the Olympics. It was also played as the torch was being lit during the opening ceremony.
No.4 : Be Together, Alive Or Not – Jackie Chan
Reportedly written in the two days following the May 12th Sichuan earthquake by the staff at BOCOG (Beijing Olympics Organisation Committee). Jackie Chan flew up to Beijing, recorded the song on May 15th, it was receiving nationwide airplay by the 16th.
No.5 : Blue And White Porcelain – Jay Chou
CCTV’s annual Spring Festival TV Gala is a bona fide hit factory. This song benefited from the 200 million+ (approx.) viewership of the 2008 edition, guaranteeing it’s hit status amongst netizens.
No.6 : We Chinese – Various Artists
Another gathering of superstars – including Li Yuchun, He Jie, Su Xing and Yu Haoming – sing for victims of the Sichuan earthquake.
No.7 : Capricorn – Jay Chou
For some reason they have included Jay Chou’s album on a singles chart. His 2008 offering, Capricorn, spawned multiple hits including the two seen on this list.
No.8 : The Rice Aroma – Jay Chou
No.9 : I Know You Will Come – Xiao Ke
Recorded the day after the Sichuan earthquake.
No.10 : Painted Heart – Zhang Liangying
The theme song from the movie Painted Skin, sung by Zhang Liangying, performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
© Ed Peto 2009
[...] Music Singles of 2008 (OUTdustry.com has posted music videos for these [...]
Posted by 56minus1 :: » Blog Archive » the chinese internet’s top 10 of top 10s :: on February 5th, 2009.
why is there no carsick cars or p.k.14 in there?
Posted by chuck on February 5th, 2009.
[...] 10 Songs of 2008 February 6, 2009 Filed under: Culture ?? — panlaoshi @ 2:43 pm http://outdustry.com/2009/02/05/chinas-top-10-music-singles-from-2008/ [...]
Posted by China’s Top 10 Songs of 2008 « mamahoohoo on February 6th, 2009.
[...] List: (Outdustry was kind enough to track down music videos for each of [...]
Posted by Chinese Music Top Ten: The Olympics, The Earthquake and Jay on February 7th, 2009.
[...] List: (Outdustry was kind enough to track down music videos for each of [...]
Posted by Chinese Music Top Ten: The Olympics, The Earthquake and Jay « WiFi Shanghai on February 7th, 2009.
I enjoyed reading your interesting yet very informative insights. I am looking forward to reading more of your most recent articles and blogs.
-10top
Posted by 10top on March 11th, 2010.