Chinese Music Blog

i didnt mind the mv..but i agree thats its not one of the best around..

on the other hand..i really like the song

Haha I actually thought the mv was kind of cool.

has anyone made out what the girl is singing in Cockney Girl? it sounds so catchy but i have no idea what it is.

Interview wtih wang lee hom
Q: You named your album ��Gai Bian Zi Ji�� (Change Me). We see that you are always changing your style of music. Be it musically or the way you think things through, what do you feel is your biggest change?


A: I look at myself and the biggest change for me is the way my life is changing. I don��t change my music because I want to create a new style of music. It is due to the changes (whether it is the ups and downs of life or a just a new idea) that occurs in my life which allows me to bring about this new style of music.



I��ve always felt my music portrays how I feel about things. An album each year records all the things that have happened throughout the year. As long as I sincerely treat my music or myself well, I believe my music will be different every year.



Being involved with the film ��Se, Jie�� (Lust, Caution) influenced my biggest change last year. As I��ve never engaged myself in a different world, mixing with different people, different issues, a different era before, throughout those 6months I didn��t have any contact with the modern world or even listen to my favourite hip-hop music. I��ve never sat down quietly to compose songs and it is also because of that (the movie) can I compose a song like ��Luo Ye Gui Gen�� (Fallen Leaves Returns to Roots). While composing the song, I didn��t think too much, just writing how my heart felt until I finished writing did I realize the song is very much like what my character would like to say.


Q: Musically what position do you put yourself in?



A: I treat myself as a simple musician. Quite often you��ll see me filming advertisements and filming, but foremost I think of myself as a musician. I can��t predict how well this album will do in the market but for me this is not what making music is about.



Perhaps you��ll say my last two albums did very well but honestly, not every album of mine has done that well. Releasing 12 albums over 12 years, I feel it��s only natural treating myself quite simply as a musician who loves music and who also listens or plays, practices and composes music. These to me just come naturally.


Q: Maybe it��s because of your upbringing, but we��ve noticed your music focuses a lot on blending Eastern and Western styles (chinked-out). Is there a message you��re trying to deliver through composing this unique style of music?



A: Quite often I try to make my style of music a language everyone will understand. When I first started in this industry, many Chinese singers were influenced by Hong Kong, after that there was a time where styles like hip-hop were all the rage. For me, whether it��s me or other Asian singers interpreting any style of music, as long as it has a bit of your own style songs will be more diverse and thus making it easier for other countries to accept it. They will know it has a bit of hip-hop, but on the other hand they will also understand what the song is about. I have tried to make it so that my music is different from others.


Q: Musically, who has influenced you the most?



A: For modern music, it��s R Kelly, Stevie Wonder and Prince who have influenced me the most.


Q: Since you travel around the world so much for your work, what do you think of the different types of music from different countries?


A: Of course there are pros and cons. American artists may well release an album over a period of two years, but as each album is released, it does very well in the market. When they do hold concerts, they get to go to so many places. So I guess being such a large place, it has its advantages.


But if I had to choose, I would still choose to make Chinese music. Chinese music has allowed me to learn so much and given me the opportunity to further develop what I already have and that��s why I still haven��t made an English album.



There are also many things I envy about the music industry in Japan. During a performance there, I could feel that Japanese artists are given so much respect. Like prior to my performance, they tell me that my piano��s A key should be 440-441 hertz, resulting me having to tune my piano which I feel was very professional. There are also many other minor things which I��m not sure whether the audience was able to detect, but it was their attitude and persistence that made me feel that they pay so much respect to their culture. Whenever I perform there I only need to focus on my performance, whereas in Taiwan, I sometimes think after I��ve performed whether my piano was in tune. (Laughs)


But I feel each place is special in its own way, which is why I hope to learn about what makes them special and hopefully pass it on for everyone to learn.


Q: The first single released from this album ��Luo Ye Gui Gen�� (Fallen Leaves Return to Roots), is the result from your participation in the film ��Se, Jie�� (Lust, Caution). It��s stated that the lyrics and song was composed by your character Kuang Yumin and the producer as Leehom Wang. From the views of these two people, can you tell us more about this song?

A:This is not my first time playing such a different character. Quite often I feel that as a singer and producer I have extreme split personality. (Laughs) Most of the time it��s opposites, with a lot of sudden conflicts. It��s as though the producer has to push the singer so far it makes it difficult for them to handle.

When composing songs, writing lyrics, recording etc, I��m always locked up in a room by myself. I like the feeling of this because it is my dreamland and I can follow my imaginations. And because of this I quite often play different characters.


Kuang Yumin is a very obvious character. While composing there are many parts which are more him than Leehom Wang, so it��s quite easy for me to become Kuang Yumin and write songs. But when I am Leehom the producer producing songs and lyrics for Kuang Yumin, I have to pay more attention as to how to give the song a 1930s feel at the same time having to make it so it is easy for people to understand what the song is about.


Deciding how much classical or pop music element to put into a song should be left to the producer. Like many songs, it is hardly ever any that lacks drums. Although this song gives out the feeling of large instruments without strong rhythms, if you add something to help people today relate to the song

Q: Last year you had the opportunity to collaborate with your idol, director Ang Lee. Did this bring about any ideas for you?


A: I��ve learnt a lot from Ang Lee. I think of him quite often because of his (stubbornness). As I said before, in order to collaborate with people from different countries you have to try to learn about their good points then pass them on to people from the same country as you.



Ang Lee has too many good points that is worthy of me to learn, but the foremost thing I would like to learn from him is his talents in filming. But as this is something that belongs to a person, it simply cannot be learned. With his stubbornness and professionalism though, it is worthy of one��s admiration.


While producing, I sometimes think I can do much better. When I��m confused and say to myself ��although it��s not bad, but can��t I do much better?��, I will think of Ang Lee and after that I will want to improve.

Q: Were there any memorable occurrences while collaborating on ��Lust, Caution��?
A: Everything has been memorable, but it��s the whole process that��s the most memorable. Actually it��s similar to making music. I remember when I was playing jazz piano, and needed to form a band. My jazz piano teacher told me the one requirement for me in forming a band was that it must have members who were better than I was. That way it will help me improve. Whether it��s the camera man, the actors or even Ang Lee, everyone was more outstanding than I was. I felt very lucky because each person helped bring out the best in me.



Q: In ��Gai Bian Zi Ji�� (Change Me), in the lyrics you��ve mentioned ��Our enthusiasm can change the world�� wanting to discuss issues on environmental awareness. Over time there have been both local and international artists who have touched on this issue through their songs. What has brought about this idea for you?



A: This for me is a dream. 11 years ago my album ��Da Di De Chuang Kou�� (The Earth��s Window), produced by Li Shou Quan, was based on environmental issues. That was in 1996 the same year Professor (Zhen Gu De �V don��t know who this is) made his/her first trip to Taiwan.





All along I��ve felt the music that gives me the greatest achievement are not songs that sell well, rather songs that have meaning (charitable). Like ��Shou Qian Shou (Hand in Hand), ��Meng Xiang Bei Leng Dong�� (Frozen Dreams) and A-Mei��s song ��Ai, Yong Yuan Bu Xiao Shi�� (Love Never Disappears), these are songs I feel are the real meaning for songs to be released. If you have that enthusiasm to pass the message onto others, then making this type of music gives me the greatest feeling.



I also have the same mission for this album. Especially after watching Al Gore��s film ��An Inconvenient Truth�� only did it attract the media to publish issues on global warming. Even international singers are putting government issues into their songs, but for Asia this is not as easy as our government is quite sensitive. But environmental issue is something everyone can relate to and now is the time to discuss about it.



Back in the days, if I were to tell my recording company I wanted to do an album based on environmental issues, they would have definitely rejected the idea. But now due to the support of media I would like this opportunity to push this issue further and pass them onto everyone, especially the younger generation.




Although I don��t have the power to change major issues such as the usage of oil by major companies, I would like to remind everyone that you can start small. I��ve included in the album 10 things we can all do and I hope I can be a good role model and set a good example.



Q: As you want to help the globe and be environmentally friendly, what have you done to ��Change Yourself��?


A: I think the easiest is the ��one-use�� chopsticks (the wooden ones - Leehom points to the take-away his assistant has bought him). On Green Earth��s website, there��s a chart whereby you can measure your everyday habits, which will then give you a rating. When I completed it, my results were not the best. If everyone were like me, we��d need 16 Earths�� worth of resources to consume up the rubbish, which then made me feel bad. Then I thought of things I could do to change my habits so I could be a better part of the globe. The website also stated that since China wanted to save on washing chopsticks, they have resorted to using ��one-use�� chopsticks. ��One-use�� chopsticks costs 25million trees their lives and thus I have turned to using reusable chopsticks. Although it may be a small change, it will have great effects. This is the message I am trying to pass on in ��Gai Bian Zi Ji�� (Change Me).



I��m not trying to say that you must change, or else�K it��s just that a small change is enough.
While filming the MV I��ve used 4 different characters, each with its own style to portray a rock band. Using a more fun approach, I hope it will channel the same message without being too serious.





Q: You��ve stated that your music is a reflection of your life. In your album ��Gai Bian Zi Ji��, what story are you telling?



A: It isn��t a complete story but more importantly it has a natural root (a beginning). It doesn��t matter if it��s nature or environmental issues�K I��ve realized that after moving away from the hip-hop style (chinked-out), I have more of a chance to discuss other issues.



In my previous albums I��ve blended Chinese opera and rap. If I included some issues on the environment, it will become very weird. Now that I��ve moved away from what has been expected of me, I can pass on the message. In the lyrics which mostly are written by me, I can now express how I feel.



Q: Is there a song you would like to recommend (from Leehom��s album)?



A: The last song on the album ��Xing Qi Liu De Shen Ye�� (Saturday��s Midnight). This song is how I spent Christmas. I was going through changes and asked my assistant to choose a recording studio with a piano. It was a new surrounding for me, not my usual place to make music. I went in with nothing, just a piano and ended coming out with a song completed. The song was written while recording and creating it. Whatever I wanted to say, I just sang it. ��Xing Qi Liu De Shen Ye�� (Saturday��s Midnight) is a lonely song, which happened on a certain person��s midnight Saturday.



Q: When you wrote this song, was it really midnight Saturday?



A: It was a certain midnight. I actually don��t remember which day it was (laughs). But it was around 10pm-10am when I finished writing and recording the song. So it was already day when I finished. It has a different mood because most people��s Saturday night is relaxed and can go out and have fun with friends. But that was a special Saturday night, not wanting to go anyway just wanting to be by myself. This song is trying to capture that specific moment because that was a very unique atmosphere when I started composing. With the piano and guitar, this song allows the listener to focus on listening while in a quiet and peaceful place and that��s why I��ve left it as the ending on the album.



Q: I��ve heard you like online shopping. Can you tell us what have you bought lately?


A: I shop online for music almost everyday (laughs). Not because this is my job. I��ve always encouraged my fans to do something they like. I feel happy this way, always doing things I love. That��s why I buy music. Actually, I am also doing some work. I have a habit. For example I will look at what songs are making it on the American charts and then I��ll buy them to listen to.




Q: Any last words for you fans?


A: Music is similar to life; anyone of us will have our own music which reflects the things that occur in our life. I also support KKBOX! I hope everyone can be like me and buy music everyday (laughs). Not because of copyright or anything, only because we should celebrate everyone��s interaction with music. Because on KKBOX you can legally up and download, this is great for us in the music industry. Thank you everyone for supporting legal (non-pirated/illegal download) music!

SOURCE: i forgot where i got this ><

i'm not much of a Wang Lee Hom fan, but i like this album ^^

I just got the album yesterday and Ive listened to it a few times through now. Overall, it gives me a real calming, comfort type of feeling. Like someone said previously, the songs take you back to a simpler time and a little bit of 90's flashback but at the same type its refreshing.

I was a little disappointed that there were so many slow songs but I think I'll end up liking them more and more as I listen to them. I didnt really like Cockney Girl- its so in your face, IMO. Maybe I'll learn to like it. 

My version came with the DVD of the videos, did anyone else feel like it was one really long commercial for Sony Ericcson? Like in Falling Leaves, the mood is so good and then he whips out his MP3 player. And in Wo Men De Ge, it was the whole video.. It seemed a little too much to  me. Back to the album...Leehom was one of the first artists I listened to when I first started listening to mandarin music so I will always be a fan of his. In comparison to his previous 2 albums, the sound is different but the quality is still great.

i think i'm biased because i've always preferred an acoustic setting, unadulterated sounds from instruments. cockney girl and hua ren wan shui come very close after the last song. i wish the last song would have had more on the lyrics side. it's too simple to be great. no standout tracks but i really like the natural sounds in this album. and that's because of no experimenting. back to basics. make the old sounds new.

I really like Our Song (Wo Men de Ge) and his duet with Selina, You Are the Song In My Heart (Ni Shi Wo Xin Nei De Yi Shou Ge).

Ive had the CD a little while now and I have to say it not my favorite from Leehom. Not that Im saying its bad, I just expected a little more.

I like 改变自己 though. and his song with selina was also pretty good.