The Red Sun in the Sky ☀️
What’s the Chinese Propaganda Song Taking Over Instagram and TikTok?
Word of the week: 红彤彤 (hóng tōngtōng)
Meaning: bright red; glowing red
We’ve all heard it—it’s everywhere on social media!
Often used as a background song for Reels, TikToks, and social media posts mocking the Chinese Communist Party, what exactly is this song, and what do its lyrics mean?
The song is called 天上太阳红彤彤 (Tiānshàng Tàiyáng Hóngtóngtóng). Its musical style gives it the appearance of an old propaganda song from the time of China’s Cultural Revolution (1966–76). However, did you know it was actually released in 2009 by the singer 胡彦斌 (Tiger Hu)?
Let’s have a look at the lyrics!
天上太阳红呀红彤彤哎
心中的太阳是毛泽东哎
他领导我们得解放哎
人民翻身当家做主人
咿呀咿吱呦喂呀尔呀吱呦啊
人民翻身当家做主人
天上太阳红呀红彤彤哎
心中的太阳是毛泽东哎
他领导我们奋勇前进哎
革命江山一呀一片红哎
咿呀咿吱哟 呀尔呀吱哟啊
革命江山一片红
天上太阳红呀红彤彤哎
心中的太阳是毛泽东哎
他领导我们奋勇前进哎
革命江山一呀一片红哎
梭啦啦子梭啦啦子
一呀一片红
红彤彤 (hóng tōngtōng) - bright red; glowing red
哎 (āi) - an exclamation, often expressing surprise, agreement, or emphasis; in songs, it can serve as a filler for rhythm or emotion.
领导 (lǐngdǎo) - to lead; leader
解放 (jiěfàng) - liberation; to liberate
翻身 (fānshēn) - to stand up; to free oneself from oppression; to turn over (figuratively: to overturn a situation)
当家 (dāngjiā) - to be the master of the house; to take charge
咿呀咿吱呦喂呀尔呀吱呦啊 (Yī yā yī zhī yōu wèi yā ěr yā zhī yōu ā) - a series of nonsensical or onomatopoeic sounds commonly used in traditional Chinese folk or revolutionary songs.
奋勇 (fènyǒng) - to fight courageously; to strive bravely
前进 (qiánjìn) - to advance; to move forward
革命 (gémìng) - revolution
江山 (jiāngshān) - country; state; the land (often used poetically to refer to the nation or regime)
梭啦啦子 梭啦啦子 (Suō lā lā zi suō lā lā zi) - a series of nonsensical or onomatopoeic sounds commonly used in traditional Chinese folk or revolutionary songs.
The sun in the sky is so red and bright,
The sun in our hearts is Mao Zedong.
He led us to liberation,
The people stand up and become their own masters.
Yi ya yi zhi yo, ya er ya zhi yo ah
The people stand up and become their own masters.
The sun in the sky is so red and bright,
The sun in our hearts is Mao Zedong.
He leads us to march forward bravely,
The revolutionary landscape is all red.
Yi ya yi zhi yo, ya er ya zhi yo ah
The revolutionary landscape is all red.
The sun in the sky is so red and bright,
The sun in our hearts is Mao Zedong.
He leads us to march forward bravely,
The revolutionary landscape is all red.
Suo la la zi, suo la la zi
All red.
How often have you heard this song while scrolling through Instagram or TikTok?
Antoine & Dorota
