With the development of the times, we have now entered the era of digital music. Technology has made the communication of music faster and more convenient, and it is easy and convenient to get the music you want with just a cell phone. You don’t even have to search in person, with the support of big data, your personal music preferences are clear at a glance, and music pushed will directly meet the demand. However, for certain age groups, it is the CD that will remain a part of their memories throughout their teenage years and even into their prime.

Once upon a time, we saved our money to buy a favorite CD, and the feeling of getting it was something we could remember for a long time. Now, finding a CD store on the street is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, there is a Tuyao Xiaodong CD Store at No. 1, Huoyao Street, Yuzhong District, which still holds on to the music memories of the times.

The Tuyao Xiaodong CD Store is located on the corner of the Huoyao Street, and the signboard with yellow letters on a red background is relatively eye-catching. When we push the door in, the glass window on the right hand side is full of vintage Chinese music CDs in any style, pop, ethnic and pure music....... artists’ names are very familiar to us, even from our youthful memories, such as Teresa Teng, Leslie Cheung, Jacky Cheung, Charming Eagle and so on. Among them, there is much of the global limited edition, commemorative edition and other fine products.

As you look straight ahead, you will see a metal door decorated with vinyl records, CDs and movie posters, which is heavy, soundproof and unique, perfect for taking photos. On the left-hand side of the door is the overall decoration consisting of pictorials, posters and a record player with a sense of age, which is also a suitable spot for taking photos. There is a staircase leading to the second floor, which, according to the owner Xiaodong, is the“Tuyao”. The first floor sells CDs, and the second floor is called“Tuyao”, thus giving Tuyao Xiaodong CD Store its name. It turns out that the“Tuyao” refers to the second floor where the coffee is served. Due to the epidemic, Xiaodong closed the second-floor last year and has not yet opened. However, according to Xiaodong, soon, people who visit there will be able to enjoy the coffee.

When passing through the heavy metal door, almost all that meets the eye are CDs. In addition to audio equipment, coffee tables, sofas and glass walls on the street, all you can see are CDs, which can be said that this is the world of CDs. The audio equipment here has a certain history but well maintained, you can choose your favorite CDs to ask the owner to give you a try, if you are satisfied, you can also bargain with the owner Xiaodong. According to Xiaodong, the store’s CDs are purchased from the regular channels, and he never sell pirated copies.

When you walk in and turn around, you can find a photo spot with back against the door frame, which makes for a good photo pose. In general, most of the CDs in the inner room are various types of European and American as well as Japanese music. Looking closely, you will find that there are some CDs with small notes attached to the cover. Thanks to Xiaodong, he labeled the English or Japanese albums with major key information, such as artist profiles, song styles, etc., for the convenience of guests.

In recent years, an increasing number of young people have come to the store to take pictures, which is fine by Xiaodong,“Even if you do not buy anything, it is okay to take pictures, music and photography are connected!” Xiaodong said that there are still people who ask him to order CDs for them. The CDs need to be made in time and space in order to have that musical enjoyment, which invariably creates a sense of ritual, even if this ritual is not so convenient these days.

This 36-year-old store is a testimony to the love of music of two generations of people, Xiaodong and his uncle, and the perseverance of two generations of people towards music. The weekend is drawing near, you can take time to“slow down” in the fast pace of life, come here to find the satisfaction once obtained from the CD, and the sense of ritual for music, to see if you can find your own“past CD”. 

Tuyao Xiaodong CD Store

Address: No.1, Huoyao Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing

Route: Take CRT Line 1 or Line 2 to Jiaochangkou station, exit 3A and navigate to“No.1, Huoyao Street”

(Translated by Wang Junli, Fathom Language Limited)

Editor:Jiang Yiwei