This is my personal tribute to Faye Wong. I may not know her as a friend or any other relations, but just standing by her makes me feel so inspired to write about this enchanting former recluse of Chinese Pop. I shall not classify her brand of music under Chinese Pop as I feel that her music has surpassed the likes of Sammi Cheng, Anita Mui and what of course, Ah Mei. Unlike CoCo Lee who tries really hard to become the next Mariah Carey, Faye doesn't harbor such plans. All this lady wanted to do was to produce music that she liked. Now and then, she'll need to appease some fans. But often she sings her ballads nonchalantly. She didn't really like ballads as she used to in the past.

- DAYS OF YOUNG -

Faye cut her first teen album in 1985. Singing to her back then seemed natural. Enjoy the scans by Wu Bing as his China bud got him a copy of the album. Well, some people have all the luck ;)

In 1989, Faye Wong started her career as a singer. Dolled up to look like a mannequin, she wore fashion that she dreads now. Her hair was a mess, with bangs carelessly drooping over her face. She wasn't please with the image at all. Even ironic was the title of some of her compilations that her recording company, Cinepoly released : "Complete Shirley". Faye felt less than complete. Let me ask, Who would feel complete when he/she is not doing what she wanted to in the first place? Faye headed to America after several songs that were like one-hit-wonders. In America, as Faye described herself, she gathered much of her courage and finally found herself. She was no longer the goody two shoes of old, she has picked up influences from various singers - Tori Amos and Sinead O'Connor to name drop some. But her confidence was the point of attraction to me. Cutting of all her locks and sporting weird togs, Faye already caught the media's often cruel attention. She was labeled as a Björk wannabe, with the only evidence back then was the pineapple hairdo that she sported. Unfairly judged and criticized, Faye didn't bother much with the gossip hungry reporters of then. Faye had nose rings and had her hair in dread locks. Soon she became a fashion critic's fave. Her fashion were reportedly emulated by budding singers and fashionistas.

Faye's first debut concert was a tremendous success. She held around 18 nights at the Hong Kong Coliseum, the most revered venue for any concert ever. Her fashion for the nights were very relaxed. Nothing was too flashy or flamboyant. She wore straight-jacket lookalikes and had her hair in wigs. Flapping her signature long-sleeved suits, she yodeled into the microphone. But she was faraway. She didn't care if the fans were sleeping and not paying attention. All she wanted to do was to sing and make herself happy. She barely spoke during her concerts. Her music still remained the strongest point in her career. She rarely belted out any ballads that has corny and very cliched lyrics. The release of 1996's Exasperation shocked the music industry. For the first time ever, and I must stress on the -ever- , Faye released an album with intangible lyrics during the peak of her career. She was always crowned the Ice Queen of Pop, she bagged all the awards and basically for every category that she was nominated, she would most certainly hold the highest chance of getting the award. Magazines rave at the power and mystique of Faye, often spoiling the readers and especially Fayenatics with columns of praises for Faye's work. Her earlier release, Decadent Sounds of Faye Wong, didn't receive much positive hullabaloo. Instead Faye was branded, a timely rip-off. The very unexpected death of one of the world's greatest performer, Teresa Teng, shook up the music industry. Faye was coincidentally recording some remakes of Teng's evergreens and halfway while recording, Teng died of an asthma attack in Thailand. Faye had to contend with detractors that spoke ill of Faye's effort of "trying to make more money".

Faye's movie stints worked out real well. She was awarded and nominated all across the world for her role in Wong Kar Wai's Chungking Express. For the next few years she was offered lots of roles by many directors but her taste seems to be in the other elusive iconoclast - Wong Kar Wai. Her taste for the avant garde was present within her all the time. After a 6 month hiatus, she greeted the media again - wearing a veil. Holy matrimony, you might think. But Faye surely is keeping her distance from the media. During her absence, there were many singers trying hard to take over her limelight. The infamous one would be Sammi Cheng. Sure she had her break when Faye was having hers, but the best is undeniably intense when the two are compared.

- THE COVER GRRL -

Faye appeared on various international magazines covers. The shooting crew would fly in from faraway countries such as Japan and such just to have a one-sided and often "boring" interview with the Lady. Time hailed her as one of the divas of pop. Even when she was in Japan, she was offered many chances to work with the Japan media. But Faye did it all slowly. She was definitely not in a rush.

- TEARS OF JOY -

Faye gave birth to a bouncy little girl on the 3rd of January 1997. This bundle of joy didn't change her at all, as she says. But however her mellowness towards the media and slightly improved temper was evident when she attended talk shows or interviews. Tong Tong participated in her mum's career. Her vocals appeared on songs such as Tong and Love Strangers Only. She was also given exposure during Faye's concert.

- MOVERS AND SHAKERS -

Faye is always  reinventing her image. It will be quite a chore if I had to list down all of her image changes because there are far too many of them. But let's focus more on Faye herself. In 1999, Faye has reverted again to the media's infant terrible. Her words, "What has that got to do with you?" was the publics joke and ponder. A magazine even hailed her as the new millennium woman as her words brought much thought to the people. Of course, her character is like this. It won't change.

On to some work that she has done. Faye collaborated with Wong Kar Wai to film a minute long commercial with Motorola mobile phone company. The ad was anticipated and brought much brouhaha to the public. Her other lead in the ad, the Japanese guy, also wallowed in the media's attention. Looks like we'll see more of Faye with Mr. Wong in the near future once her latest and second film with him, 2046, will be shown on the big screen. And again her partner is a Japanese pretty boy, Takuya Kimura.

Faye was much involved with China's affairs, especially during the Hong Kong handover and the Taiwan Earthquake crisis. She performed alongside stars such as Sally Yeh and Na Ying, who is by her own right, Faye's bosom buddy. The handover shows were the only glimpses the public had of Faye after her giving birth to Dou Jing Tong. Everyone wanted a piece of Faye. They wanted to see more of Faye especially after a year gone from the industry.

- LATELY & SURELY -

Faye had her next concert tour in 1998 and is still commencing even as you read. Devoid of distracting dancers and garish costumes, Faye controlled the entire elaborately constructed stage. She had no qualms. She didn't falter, well not as much. Anyhow, as she kicked the water in her Jeremy Scott soleless shoes, she voiced out her inner thoughts. To me her concerts are one of the most intimate experiences. As it is only Faye's crystalline voice and her enigmatic stage movements that capture our hearts. We do not need dancers or some back up singers to make us feel "high".

- AFTER 35... -

Faye once mentioned about Faith Yang. Faye thinks that Faith can be the next Heavenly Queen. I got to agree with Faye because hearing Faith's music brought about the same excitement when I hear Faye's music. Anyway, we sure hope that Faye will still continue to give us her best until her retirement age of 35, which is kind of early. Faith is kind of cool. Her songs are very raw and emotional, especially her latest outing, Silence.