The 2020 Golden Melody Awards may have passed weeks ago but it has left us blessed with this song, “Thank You” by Abao, the winner of the Song of the Year category, as well as the Album of the Year.
The magnitude of this song which seamlessly intersperses the Paiwan language with Western gospel-style singing is simply immense, soulfully uplifting and brilliantly glorious as an antidote for these pandemic times. “To all of my angels, I want to say Thank You”…
Music has always been the universal unifier, transcending cultures and crossing borders, a globally understood language even more ubiquitous than English. I would imagine that this folk song would surprise many who would never have guessed that it came from Taiwan. It’s incredibly unique and heartfelt, and a reminder that just as Abao’s indigenous roots shattered boundaries to cross over into the mainstream, so too can we overcome our differences if we simply found the courage to focus on the things that unite us instead of the things that divide us.