This song was written and composed by Cai Guoquan. Published in 1985, it consists of two songs. One is "Que Qiao Xian" by Qin Guan, and the other is Paula Tsui's Cantonese golden song "Down the River and Against the Current".
Cai Guoquan made a lot of efforts to write this song. At that time, he was just a fledgling composer. Under Guan's recommendation, he got to know the top figures in Hong Kong music scene. After being appreciated by Paula Tsui, he wrote eight songs for Paula Tsui, but none of them was recognized by Paula Tsui.
However, this did not dispel his enthusiasm. He continued to write and finally created "Countercurrent". Once interpreted by Paula Tsui's unique voice, this song immediately swept the music scene in Hong Kong, and finally won the 1985 Top Ten Chinese Golden Melody Award in Hong Kong.
The theme expressed in Downstream is love. Its lyrics describe the passage of love and irreversible time, just like a river, it can't go upstream. This song sung by Wang Mingquan and Luo Jiaying expresses their life experiences. They experienced many difficulties and challenges, but finally achieved good results. Their lyrics also express nostalgia for the past years and expectation for the future.
Lyrics of "Upstream"
I don't know if that day will have an end, but I know that the lost time is gone forever, and every tear with every dream will slip away unconsciously. Casual turn to this year in this circle, I only feel that after walking up and down in this circle, every cold eye * * * every friendly smile, how many hardships I silently accepted that day, and how much bitterness I didn't let go, today I am deliberately picky, I don't care, just follow my inclinations.
I don't believe in having it first without sacrifice. I only believe that I found my desire with my hands. I have never gained or lost every achievement I have earned through every sweat. Casual turn to this year in this circle, only feel that after walking up and down in this circle, every cold eye * * * every friendly smile, how much hardship I silently accepted that day, how much bitterness I didn't put down. It doesn't matter if you criticize me on purpose today.