Vincent Fang
Encyclopedia
Vincent Fang was born on 26 January 1969 in Hualien
, Taiwan
. He is a Taiwanese
multi-Golden Melody Award
nominated lyricist
, best known for his collaboration with singer-songwriter Jay Chou
. Fang won Best Lyricist at the 19th Golden Melody Awards
for "青花瓷" (Blue and White Porcelain) sung by Jay Chou
from On the Run.
In 1997, he sent samples of his lyrics to record companies, hoping to find a new career that complemented his passion for writing. Record company owner Jacky Wu
was impressed with his work and hired Fang to work with Chou, who had just started his songwriting career. In 2000, Chou released his first album (titled Jay
) and since then produced albums in which Fang contributes the majority of the lyrics. Chou’s fame grew rapidly across Asia, pulling Fang into the limelight as well.
Fang's lyrics are noted for covering a wide of issues from family to war, beyond what is normally discussed in love ballads. He is known for using a writing style similar to traditional Chinese poetry, making frequent references to Chinese history and folklore, esp. in Chinese style music (中國風), a fusion genre made popular in the 2000s by Jay Chou
, fusing modern rock
and contemporary R&B
together with traditional Chinese music. He calls his style of lyrical poetry "Su Yan Rhyme Poetry 素顏韻腳詩", which has become a new poetry form in modern Chinese musical literature.
at the age of 20 to as is required of all male citizens
. When he was off-duty, he spent his free time reading and watching movies, which triggered an interest in language and words.
After completing his military service in 1991, he has worked in 20-30 different jobs over the following 7 years, including newspaper deliveryman, electronics repairman, factory worker, security alarm serviceman, and truck driver. Despite taking these jobs and having no formal post-secondary training in linguistics, he was determined to shift into a writing career. In 1992, he decided that his dream job would be a movie scriptwriter, which he complemented by taking several relevant night courses. After a year, he was no closer to his goal. He planned an alternate path to enter the film business: establish his stature in the entertainment industry by first entering music field as a lyricist, then transit into script writing.
, an influential television show host in Taiwan who was looking for new talent to join his record company. In 1997, at the age of 28, Fang signed the official contract to work as a lyricist. Wu arranged Fang to work with Jay Chou
, a newly hired composer who just graduated from secondary school. Together they wrote songs for popular Chinese artists but neither acquired much fame. Fang’s talent was recognized after Chou began a successful singer-songwriter career that was partially attributable to Fang’s lyrics.
, Valen Hsu
, Leo Ku
, S.B.D.W, and Jacky Wu
. He also stars in Jay Chou
's MTV "coral sea" 珊瑚海 where he played the protagonist of the story.
In 2000, Chou began his singing career with his debut CD Jay
. Since then, Fang has been responsible for more than half of the lyrics in all Chou's albums. Despite Chou’s reputation as a "mumble rapper", the audience’s appreciation for Fang’s lyrics is not compromised.
Hualien County
Hualien County is the largest county in Taiwan and is located on the mountainous eastern coast of Taiwan. It contains the island's largest port. It is the starting point of the Hualien-Taitung Line and the terminal point of North-Link Line of TRA...
, Taiwan
Taiwan Province
Taiwan Province is one of the two administrative divisions referred to as provinces and is controlled by the Republic of China . The province covers approximately 73% of the territory controlled by the Republic of China...
. He is a Taiwanese
Taiwanese people
Taiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
multi-Golden Melody Award
Golden Melody Award
The Golden Melody Awards is an annual Taiwanese music award, founded in 1990, presented by Government Information Office , Republic of China. It is usually presented in May, June or July each year and presented for music in Mandarin, Taiwanese, other Chinese dialects, and Taiwn's aboriginal...
nominated lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, best known for his collaboration with singer-songwriter Jay Chou
Jay Chou
Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
. Fang won Best Lyricist at the 19th Golden Melody Awards
19th Golden Melody Awards
Ceremonies of the 19th Golden Melody Awards were held in Taipei, Taiwan in 2008. Nominees were announced on May 22, 2008, and the award winners in 12 traditional music categories and 23 popular music categories were selected by a panel of 33 judges after four rounds of jury meetings...
for "青花瓷" (Blue and White Porcelain) sung by Jay Chou
Jay Chou
Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
from On the Run.
In 1997, he sent samples of his lyrics to record companies, hoping to find a new career that complemented his passion for writing. Record company owner Jacky Wu
Jacky Wu
Wu Jing , sometimes credited as Jacky Wu or Jing Wu, is a Chinese martial artist, actor and film director. Wu is perhaps best known as Hawkman / Jackie in 1996 film Tai Chi Boxer and Kong Ko in 2006 film Fatal Contact.-Personal life:At age six he was sent to the Beijing Sports Institute at Shichahai...
was impressed with his work and hired Fang to work with Chou, who had just started his songwriting career. In 2000, Chou released his first album (titled Jay
Jay (album)
Jay Self-Title Album is Taiwanese Mandopop artist Jay Chou's debut Mandarin solo studio album. It was released on 6 November 2000 by Alfa Music and distributed by Sony Music Taiwan with a VCD containing seven music videos....
) and since then produced albums in which Fang contributes the majority of the lyrics. Chou’s fame grew rapidly across Asia, pulling Fang into the limelight as well.
Fang's lyrics are noted for covering a wide of issues from family to war, beyond what is normally discussed in love ballads. He is known for using a writing style similar to traditional Chinese poetry, making frequent references to Chinese history and folklore, esp. in Chinese style music (中國風), a fusion genre made popular in the 2000s by Jay Chou
Jay Chou
Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
, fusing modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
and contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
together with traditional Chinese music. He calls his style of lyrical poetry "Su Yan Rhyme Poetry 素顏韻腳詩", which has become a new poetry form in modern Chinese musical literature.
Early life
Born in 1969, Fang grew up in Taiwan and was raised in what he calls a "blue collar family". In his youth, he gave very little effort in school and received poor grades. After graduating from high school, he entered Republic of China ArmyRepublic of China Army
The ROC Army's current operational strength includes 3 armies, 5 corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, 5 armoured brigades and 3 mechanized infantry brigades...
at the age of 20 to as is required of all male citizens
Conscription in the Republic of China
The Republic of China has maintained a policy of conscription for all qualified males of military age since 1949. Females from the outlying islands of Fuchien, which are geographically closest to mainland China, were also required to serve in a civil defense role, although this requirement has...
. When he was off-duty, he spent his free time reading and watching movies, which triggered an interest in language and words.
After completing his military service in 1991, he has worked in 20-30 different jobs over the following 7 years, including newspaper deliveryman, electronics repairman, factory worker, security alarm serviceman, and truck driver. Despite taking these jobs and having no formal post-secondary training in linguistics, he was determined to shift into a writing career. In 1992, he decided that his dream job would be a movie scriptwriter, which he complemented by taking several relevant night courses. After a year, he was no closer to his goal. He planned an alternate path to enter the film business: establish his stature in the entertainment industry by first entering music field as a lyricist, then transit into script writing.
Entry into the music business
Over 2 years starting in 1995, he wrote more than 100 lyrics, hoping to use this collection to impress potential employers. To contact record producers, he searched the CD liner notes of popular Chinese singers for mailing addresses and sent his entire lyrics collection to them. Of more than 100 mails sent, only a single person replied: Jacky WuJacky Wu
Wu Jing , sometimes credited as Jacky Wu or Jing Wu, is a Chinese martial artist, actor and film director. Wu is perhaps best known as Hawkman / Jackie in 1996 film Tai Chi Boxer and Kong Ko in 2006 film Fatal Contact.-Personal life:At age six he was sent to the Beijing Sports Institute at Shichahai...
, an influential television show host in Taiwan who was looking for new talent to join his record company. In 1997, at the age of 28, Fang signed the official contract to work as a lyricist. Wu arranged Fang to work with Jay Chou
Jay Chou
Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
, a newly hired composer who just graduated from secondary school. Together they wrote songs for popular Chinese artists but neither acquired much fame. Fang’s talent was recognized after Chou began a successful singer-songwriter career that was partially attributable to Fang’s lyrics.
Collaboration with Jay Chou
In 1998, Fang and Chou began to work together, initially using Fang’s collection of 100 lyrics. For their first song, Chou composed a tune for Fang’s "You are happier than before" which was placed in an album by Wu, their mentor. After several initial songs, it became habitual for Chou to conceptualize the song and write the melody first, subsequently to be filled by Fang’s text. When singers requested songs from them, Fang would personally deliver the demo tape to the interested parties. Over a two year period, their work was incorporated into various albums of hit singers and bands, such as Landy WenLandy Wen
Landy Wen is a Taiwanese singer.A member of the Atayal ethnic group, she is one of the few Taiwanese aborigines to become a musical star....
, Valen Hsu
Valen Hsu
Valen Hsu, also known as Xiu Xiu , was born on 20 September 1974 in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. She is a Taiwanese Mandopop singer-songwriter. Hsu is widely known for her sad love ballads which have earned her the nickname "The Queen of Love Songs"...
, Leo Ku
Leo Ku
Leo Ku Kui Kei is a famous China and Hong Kong artist, Cantonese and Mandarin pop singer, actor, host, cartoonist, MV Director and Producer, and designer; he is one of the highest visibility and Greater China Pop Male Artist, a major figure in popular music culture. Leo had earned the "Ten...
, S.B.D.W, and Jacky Wu
Jacky Wu
Wu Jing , sometimes credited as Jacky Wu or Jing Wu, is a Chinese martial artist, actor and film director. Wu is perhaps best known as Hawkman / Jackie in 1996 film Tai Chi Boxer and Kong Ko in 2006 film Fatal Contact.-Personal life:At age six he was sent to the Beijing Sports Institute at Shichahai...
. He also stars in Jay Chou
Jay Chou
Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
's MTV "coral sea" 珊瑚海 where he played the protagonist of the story.
In 2000, Chou began his singing career with his debut CD Jay
Jay (album)
Jay Self-Title Album is Taiwanese Mandopop artist Jay Chou's debut Mandarin solo studio album. It was released on 6 November 2000 by Alfa Music and distributed by Sony Music Taiwan with a VCD containing seven music videos....
. Since then, Fang has been responsible for more than half of the lyrics in all Chou's albums. Despite Chou’s reputation as a "mumble rapper", the audience’s appreciation for Fang’s lyrics is not compromised.
Awards
Fang's lyrics have twice won Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards; he was nominated for 8 years straight.Fang has won more than a dozen awards in Asia for his lyrical compositions.Other activities
Additionally, Fang has authored four books and established his own publishing company Chinapublishing (華人版圖) in March 2002. He is currently involved in the fashion label Story.Literary Works
- 《吳宗憲的深情往事》 (Jacky WuJacky WuWu Jing , sometimes credited as Jacky Wu or Jing Wu, is a Chinese martial artist, actor and film director. Wu is perhaps best known as Hawkman / Jackie in 1996 film Tai Chi Boxer and Kong Ko in 2006 film Fatal Contact.-Personal life:At age six he was sent to the Beijing Sports Institute at Shichahai...
's deep feelings and past) - 《半島鐵盒》 (The iron box of the peninsular)
- 《演好你自己的偶像劇》 (Acting your roles in idol drama)
- 《關於方文山的素顏韻腳詩》 (About Vincent Fang's Su Yan Rhyme Poetry)
- 《中國風—歌詞裡的文字遊戲》 (China Wind Musical style - the literary and poetry games in the lyrics)
- 《青花瓷—隱藏在釉色裡的文字秘密》 (The song "Blue and White Porcelain" - the hidden literary meanings in the glaze)