In her latest single, “Through the Night”, Cantopop singer-songwriter Panther Chan takes listeners on a poignant journey, exploring the profound yet often overlooked courage it takes to reach out for help.
The song was inspired by a close friend of the singer who had been struggling emotionally after moving overseas but chose to remain silent due to the fear of being a burden. This realisation became the emotional core of “Through the Night” – a song dedicated to those who are quietly facing their own challenges.
In an interview with Young Post, Chan shares insights about her creative process, the current landscape of Cantonese music and how her music can help others feel less alone.
This song “Through the Night” (求救的勇氣) was inspired by your friend’s experience. Could you share how this moment affected you?
I’ve known this friend for a long time, but she immigrated, and with the time difference, we didn’t always stay in touch.
When she was struggling and didn’t know who to talk to, she thought of me. When I learned that she had gone through such a long period of feeling lost before reaching out to me, I wondered if she had been afraid of burdening me.
She mentioned that she often saw me posting funny things on my Instagram stories and didn’t want to disturb me. Then she came across a Japanese book called The Most Important Daily Things (最重要的日常) and flipped to a page that said, “Sometimes, you need the courage to ask for help.”
Her interpretation was that lacking the courage to seek help can indicate a lack of confidence, making you feel unworthy of support.
Is there a particular line in the lyrics that you love?
The one I like most might be: I usually only share the good and not the bad. I wrote the melody before the lyrics, and when I managed to fit the phrase only share the good and not the bad into the melody, it clicked perfectly. And it really captures the heart of the whole song.
As people grow older, they become more reluctant to share their bad experiences. Very few people will say, “I’m not OK.”
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What type of strength do you hope listeners will derive from this song?
Worries need to be unpacked slowly – tell yourself, “What am I really anxious about at the core?” I hope this song helps you learn how to communicate with yourself and gradually uncover the trustworthy source of your fear. And then you can address the root of the problem.
Are there any new themes you would like to explore in your upcoming work?
I’m planning to release an album this year that delves deeper into my personal story. My last album, Mindfulness, was more about the outside world.
There are still many topics I haven’t written about. I want to explore different kinds of troubling relationships, such as family dynamics, parent-child relationships or even post-marital relationships.
You have emphasised the importance of writing your own lyrics and music. How significant is songwriting to you?
There was a time when I thought, “Maybe I should just accept lyrics from others.” That thought came when I felt like I had nothing left to write about.
However, last year, I had the opportunity to see more of the world. I had time to read books, watch movies and watch anime – exposing myself to many different things. I realised that inspiration started flowing back. When you let yourself rest, you also have more time to talk to friends. Sometimes, inspiration comes through them, too – including the courage to ask for help.
What is your perspective on the current state of the Cantonese music scene?
A lot of people say the economy is getting worse, and I think that’s very visible in one aspect: there are a lot fewer small-scale performances.
I follow quite a few up-and-coming musicians, and I’ve noticed that even if they’ve written and released songs, there often isn’t a platform for them to perform. Unlike before, when there were all kinds of venues, now it feels like there are barely any shows for 100 to 1,000 people. That’s something I find a bit sad because I’d love to attend those kinds of shows, too.
Are there any local musicians you particularly admire?
Someone I especially admire is Terence Lam. He’s created a kind of Cantonese pop that’s both very stylistic and very mainstream. His melodies – once you hear them, you immediately know it’s his style.
What is your next goal in music?
In the past, I’ve done a lot of music that’s not very mainstream in Hong Kong – stuff that’s more niche or underground. The reason I want to write those kinds of songs is because I’m looking for more opportunities to perform them – ideally at festivals. So I really hope to participate in more music festivals.
Do you have any advice or messages for young local musicians?
If I were to speak from my own experience, don’t be too fixated on waiting for perfection before you act. Nothing is perfect. The most important thing is to take everything you’ve experienced – every high and low – and turn it into your work.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
