Faye Wong
Faye Wong – A Star In The East
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“For me, music is an image. Lyrics aren’t important. If music itself conveys messages, lyrics are unnecessary.” – Faye Wong The Artist:
If there is anyone capable of breaking through the cultural and lingual barriers that still exist between Western and Eastern societies, that person is surely Faye Wong. She has reached stratospheric success as a singer and songwriter throughout China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore, making her one of the most celebrated, adored, and intriguing figures in modern Asian music. Wong was born in Beijing in 1969, squarely in the middle of Mao Zedong’s “Cultural Revolution.” Despite the violence and volatility throughout her country, Wong spent much of her youth developing her abilities as a singer. She showed from an early age that she had the confidence and independence to back up her raw talents, releasing several cassette recordings before even finishing high school. She kept these activities secret from her mother, who disapproved of her starting a career as a singer. Wong gained the attention of a major Chinese record label after placing third in a national singing competition. Despite her early success, Wong was not satisfied to allow herself to fit into the mold created for her by her record label. In a shocking, much-publicized move, she decided to leave China to live in New York as a music student. This proved to be one of the most important decisions of her career, as she was able to revolutionize Cantonese Pop music by adding American musical elements from popular R&B and rock that so heavily influenced her during her time away from China. She proceeded to release four best-selling albums between 1993 and 1995, performed on a wildly successful concert tour of Asia and North America, and even earned praise as an actress in a film, Chungking Express. In just a few years, Wong had become a household name throughout Asia, comparable to Madonna in the United States. In addition to releasing nearly twenty successful albums over her career, Wong has used her status to bring attention and resources to several charity foundations. Along with her husband, she co-founded the Smile Angel Foundation, a charity that provides assistance to children born with cleft lips and cleft palates. In 2008, Wong and her husband temporarily adopted and supported a teenage girl who lost her leg providing aid to her schoolmates following the devastation of the Sichuan earthquake. In interviews, she has shown remarkable honesty, humor, and modesty, often providing simple, straightforward answers and drawing attention to issues she considers more important than her entertainment career. Wong’s infinite capacity for kindness, hope, and generosity have made her more than a pop icon in her country – she is viewed as a role model and national treasure. Her inspiring story transcends cultural boundaries and has shown that regardless of nationality, language or politics, music can be a powerful force for change. The Song:
“In my recent search for prominent but socially conscientious Chinese artists with whom I could collaborate for my upcoming film there, I ran across Faye Wong. I can’t believe it has taken me this long, though I have not had my eyes and ears on China for music before. I have yet to meet her, but felt an immediate connection – she has an incredible voice, presence and sense of purpose. Faye is a great role model for young Chinese women and could play a strong role in guiding China through their social challenges that lie ahead, should she choose to take that on. I was especially moved by her vocal rendition of the Heart Sutra, a famous Buddhist mantra that she performed in support of the Famen Temple.”
– Frank Fitzpatrick
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