Did you know every Taipei Metro line has it’s own train arrival music? I’m pretty sure they just copied this from Japanese train systems but I love it because it adds so much personality to each train line. I hope every train line in the world adds this level of personality to their train lines because if we’re going to ride the metro everyday, might as well make it fun.
You can click on each title to listen to each sound.
6. Wenhu Line 文湖線 (Brown Line)
This line is in last place because it actually doesn’t have any arrival music. This is because it’s mostly elevated (so passengers can see trains coming without the music), and it’s close proximity to residential buildings means that music could be a nuisance.
5. Bannan Line 板南線 (Blue Line)
I don’t know… it’s just a very slow sound for such a fast moving train. Doesn’t really fit the energy of a train line that goes through most of Taipei’s most “dynamic” neighborhoods. It’s just a bit too slow for me, and personally it’s not loud enough to be heard over a busy rush hour crowd, which defeats the purpose.
4. Tamsui – Xinyi Line 淡水信義線 (Red Line)
I think it’s a very lovely song, but it’s also a very bland song. It kind of reminds me of a new spring day in a anime scene… very random but overall it’s just a neutral sound.
3. Zhonghe – Xinlu Line 中和新蘆線 (Orange Line)
This song straight up reminds me of Pokemon music… it’s a bit haunting and I love it for being so unique! It sounds like a cool, crisp autumn dance. I like how it dances around, which makes it distinct when you’re waiting for a train.
2. Circular Line (Yellow Line)
Not technically a Taipei Metro line, but the Circular Line has the same vibe of listening to the music that plays during the weather segment of the news. It’s very light, spring day and I love it for that, 10/10 for being such good music. I give it points for being the most unique song, because the next song isn’t actually that unique at all.
1. Songshan – Xindian Line 松山新店線 (Green Line)
The Songshan – Xindian Line is also my favorite line, and therefore is also my favorite song. All jokes aside, this is a lovely rendition of Nocturne No. 2 by Chopin, and it’s rendition works so much better than what I would have expected. It’s just so classic, and reminds me of standing in a Chinese Bakery.
Takeaways
Not much, but I hope you take the time to appreciate how the most mundane things in life can be appreciated, and eventually turned into a blog post.