In 1970s, other popular culture start to emerges, i.e. rise of TV dramas, radio broadcasting and films production, and it helps the continuous spread of Cantopop among local citizens. With the emerges of nativism in 1970s, Cantopop at this period start to reflect different social problems by using ironic approach, for instance the high income disparity, rapid inflation and hardship in life.

 

In the beginning of 1970s, the theme song of a TV drama called “啼笑姻緣”, start to raise people attention to Cantopop. By the mid and late 1970s, the relationship between TV drama and Cantopop become more closely linked. TV drama at that time are usually with over 100 episodes which is a major source of entertainment of Hong Kong people, for example, “狂潮”, “家變”. Cantopop follows the trend and become familiar across households in Hong Kong.

 

James Wong, a significant lyrics writer, wrote a series of songs related to these TV drama. It brought out the philosophy of life, which some of them are considered as Hong Kong spirit rather than just a theme song of the TV drama. The song “獅子山下”, which present the positive attitude of most Hong Kong people, still be regarded as the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong. Moreover, TV drama with elements of martial arts were popular among citizens. Songs like “倚天屠龍記", "楚留香", "小李飛刀" can show the tastes at that time.

 

Furthermore, Sam Hui is a famous and leading singer at this period. His song merge 2 traditional elements of Cantopop: Elegant (文雅) and secular (俚俗). His songs’ lyrics are precise and ironic to different social phenomenon. In another hand, it is easy to understand as he includes different cantonese colloquial, which give a fresh impression to Cantopop in the society. For example, the song “鬼馬雙星” use colloquial cantonese to describe the hardship faced by the lower class, which make the lower class feel that the singer is co-present with them, and identify with the singers. His innovation successfully raise the quality of Cantopop, which start to catch up with the standard of foreign songs and mandarin songs spread in the market.