Jay Chou and my love for Chinese Music

Okay, so it is true.  I am crazy about the music of Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou.  In fact I believe one of the best things that happened to me this year was getting to see him in concert for New Year's Eve.

Orange Jasmine

I live in the San Francisco East Bay.  There are lots of people who like Jay Chou.  I seem to be one of the only ones who is under the age of 30 and also I am a white lady who lets just say I really stuck out at the concert.  In fact I had people coming up to me asking if they could have their picture taken with me.  This totally freaked me out.  I finally asked this one guy why he wanted his picture taken with me and he said "You don't even speak the language.  You have to be Jay's biggest fan."  It is true I don't speak Mandarin Chinese yet but I can sing in Chinese all the words to the songs.   I may not be able to translate word-for-word the songs but I can tell you the meaning of each song.  

Blue & White Porcelain Vase. When I speak to other Jay Chou fans this by far the song that comes up as their favorite. Please stick out the video. The video has nothing to do with the words. If you have to just close your eyes and listen to the music.


I first came to know of Jay Chou through the movie Initial D.  Which I loved.  That is right, I first got hooked by watching Chinese movies.  At the end of the movie they played one of his songs and well that was the end of that.  At the time I was working as a buyer and I could listen to his music all day long on my iPod.  That is how I learned all of the Chinese words.

Hair Like Snow (one of my most favorite)

So why am I brining this up now.  Well it is because Jay came out with a new CD this month and I just purchased it over the weekend.  When I went into the store the woman behind the counter said "Do you see the CD?"  She only had one copy left.  I said "Oh, so you knew what I was looking for."  Her reply "But of course I remember you.  You only buy Jay Chou."  Let's just say that just as the concert - I sort of stuck out in this store.


So I guess that is it.  I must tell Jay next time I see him that I am his biggest fan.  After all everyone says so.

Dad I'm Back (considered a hip hop tune)

Jay has many types of music.  His ballads are some of my favorites.  To let you get a bit of an insight into my world,  I've decided to link some of his music from youtube.  I hope you enjoy what you hear.  One of the reasons I really like him is because of the blend of Asian traditional music, with classical music as well as a bit of the unexpected.  

Superman Can't Fly (I just love this video)

I'd love to hear what you have to say about his music.  I get teased all day about my choice in music so whatever you say will not hurt my feelings.


Kathleen