"Small Town Story" () is a song recorded by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng.Jie Jin Chinese Music - 2011 p126 "The songs of Teresa Teng, including Story of Little Town (Xiao Cheng Gu Shi), Sweetness (Tian Mi Mi) and I only Care about You (Wo Zhi Zai Hu Ni), were widely spread on the mainland. These pop songs from Hong Kong and Taiwan gave a ..." It was officially released for her Mandarin studio album Love Songs of Island, Vol. 6: Small Town Story, which was released through Polydor Records on March 23, 1979.
Background "Small Town Story" was released for Teng's studio album Love Songs of Island, Vol. 6: Small Town Story on March 23, 1979. It is two minutes and 36 seconds long."Xiao Cheng Gu Shi - Teresa Teng". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012. Teng first recorded it for the 1978 Taiwanese film The Story of a Small Town, directed by Li Hsing. The film was well received in Taiwan and won Best Feature Film at the 16th Golden Horse Awards.
CTWant described "Small Town Story" as "ditty" and "full of national color, expressing the hardworking, hospitable and optimistic nature of Taiwanese people." The publication added that "through Teresa Teng's gentle and sincere interpretation, the spirit of the song is brought out to its fullest, unparalleled potential".
Live performances "Small Town Story" helped Teng attract an international following. She performed the song at the Los Angeles Music Center in 1980 when she became the first Taiwanese singer to perform at the venue.Mike Levin. "Death of Teresa Teng Saddens All Of Asia". Billboard. May 20, 1995. p. 3.Zhong Qiu. . english.cri.cn. February 3, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2012. She also performed it during her Teresa Teng Hong Kong Queen Elizabeth Concert in 1982 and 15th Anniversary Concert Tour in Hong Kong in 1983.
Legacy "Small Town Story" became popular in mainland China after the Cultural Revolution.Jie Jin (2011). Chinese Music. Cambridge University Press. p. 126.Ma Yujia. "Chinese pop music since the 1980s". china.org.cn. December 8, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2012. It is one of Teng's most famous songs and has been covered by Asian musicians into the 21st century.Qwok B. Chan (2007). East-West Identities: Globalization, Localization, and Hybridization. BRILL. p. 252.Cindy Sui. "Hidden love". taipeitimes.com. November 27, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2012.Carolyn Ooi. . thestar.com.my. September 12, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2012.Lim Chia Ying. . thestar.com.my. September 27, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2012. The song was sampled by Chinese singer-songwriter Cui Jian on his song "Little Town Story V21-Part 1".
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