Faye’s ‘Les Rues de Paris’

This is an MP3 of Faye Wong (王菲) singing “Les Rues de Paris” in a live performance in Hong Kong in 1994. It has never been included in an official release. I’ts been available online (audio only) for some time, but I never got around to posting it in Faye Wong Today — that is, until now.

Raymond Chua: Rumor of $90 Million Offer

Raymond Chua, on 3 Nov 2009 said:

RM90m comeback offer for Faye
By BEH YUEN HUI
[Daily Chilli]

WILL Faye Wong make a comeback for a lucrative RM90mil?

Faye Wong has yet to respond to the speculation

Rumour has it that a China corporation had made an offer to the pop queen to return to singing and acting next year.

The company has offered Wong an astronomical fee of RMB180mil (RM90mil) for a three- to five-year contract.

However, the 40-year-old celebrity has yet to respond to the speculation.

She appears to be enjoying her role as a housewife and is concentrating in bringing up her two daughters – Dou Jingtong and Li Yan.

Jingtong, 12, was of Wong and her singer husband Dou Wei while Yan, three, is from her current marriage with actor Li Yapeng.

Wong, who is currently residing in Beijing, was seen happily shopping with her family.

Wong has taken an indefinite break from the entertainment industry since she married Li in 2005.

After giving birth to Yan, Wong has spent all her time seeking medical treatment for her daughter’s cleft lip.

She and Li had also set up the Smile Angel Foundation to help children with clefts. Although she made a public appearance at the foundation’s fund-raising event in 2006, she had opted not to speak or sing.

At the same event the next year, Wong had mentioned that she would not return to the musical scene in 2008.

Now that the first stage of Yan’s cleft lis operations has been completed, numerous movie moguls and music companies are eyeing her for a comeback.

Early this year, Wong had done a shampoo advertisement for RMB20mil (RM10mil).

Her manager Chan Ka-ying said Wong would return when she has rested enough.

Faye’s 1997 Live Performance of ‘Lake Waves’

This is Faye Wong’s (王菲) live solo of “Lake Waves” (洪湖水浪打浪, Honghu Waves), in a performance to celebrate Hong Kong’s return in 1997. She is accompanied by Liu Shih-kun (刘诗昆) on piano. (Source: NetEase ent.163.com.) The MP3 audio was ripped from the video. This is a rare performance, and many have never seen or heard it.

done

Photos 27 Oct 2009

A few days ago (27 Oct. 2009?) Faye Wong (王菲), Li Yapeng (李亚鹏), and their daughter, Li Yan (李嫣), were out shopping and dining in the shopping arcade of East Third Ring Road. (Source: Tencent Entertainment, 10.30.09)
Click here for more photos.

Faye Wong and Sally Yeh Duet — ‘Never Give Up’

This Faye Wong (王菲) and Sally Yeh (葉倩文) duet, “Never Give Up” (永不放棄), was added to YouTube by 1992wtk on 26 Oct. 2009. The video is audio only. The mp3 audio version below was ripped from the video. I’d never heard this before. At the 1:34 mark, the banter between the two is really cool. The song and tune are catchy. Look out. You won’t able to stop listening. Can you tell when Faye’s singing?

done

Faye’s Radical Approach to Fashion

Faye Wong (王菲) in a TV appearance, circa 1994, in an outfit that got everyone’s attention. Added to YouTube by zoe948 on 17 Oct 2009.

done

Faye and Yan at Wedding

Faye Wong (王菲) and Li Yan (李嫣) at the wedding of Wang Xue Bing (王学兵) and Sun Ning (孙宁) on 16 Oct. 2009. The event was held at Beijing’s East Third Ring Road. Yan caught the bouquet thrown by the bride.
done

done

Faye and Sandy – 1992 Revolving Mike Performance

In this 1992 video, Faye Wong (王菲) and Sandy Lam (林憶蓮) perform live on TV, taking turns at a revolving mike. The quality of this video is superior to anything that’s been available up until now. This video was added to YouTube by sandyandme3 on 4 Oct. 2009.

done

Anaesthesia Remix – Rare Bonus Track from Japan Release

Here’s a rare remix of Faye Wong’s (王菲) “Anaesthesia,” which was included as a bonus track in the Japan release of Scenic Tour (Chang You, Oct. 1998). The original version appeared in Faye Wong 1997 (Sep. 1997), which was Faye’s first EMI album. It was added to YouTube by wanderlustliu on 3 Oct. 2009. The audio below was ripped from the video.

done

Away – Six Rare Faye 2004 Concert Videos

away, on September 21st, 2009 said:

hey, sorry I know this isn’t relevant but I didn’t know how else to get in touch with feifan or post something.
There’s a YouTube user that has some videos of Faye’s most recent concert. It looks like the one in China. The videos are pretty short, but they have a really close spot. Faye even dances a little in New Tenant (xinfangke)! There’s 6 videos. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/sujuan70

Update: away, on September 22nd said:

cool, thanks for posting these. I thought they were quite a find. And I’m pretty sure this is her concert in Beijing, China, late August 2004, judging by the outfits. Either that or she wore the same outfits elsewhere (haha, not a chance!).

Hypnotize (Cui Mian)

done

If I’m Real (Jia Ru) and I Only Want to Keep a Promise to You (Zhi Yuan)

done

Sunflower (Yang Bao)

done

The Last Blossom (Kaidao Tu Mi)

done

To Love (Jiang Ai)

done

New Tenant (Xin Fang Ke)

done

Yan Kiat – Faye’s Rare 1994 Videos: ‘Cold War’ and ‘I’m Willing’

Yan Kiat uploaded these two Faye Wong (王菲) videos to YouTube on 21 August 2009. In his notes, he thanks kcskywelcome1, who uploaded the originals. “I’m Willing” (Mystery, Apr. 1994) was originally in two segments, but Yan Kiat combined the two in this version. He says that this video “Is very precious, and I have never seen it before.” He says that the original “Cold War” (Hundred Thousand Whys, Sep. 1993) had disappeared from YouTube so this is a re-upload.

done

done

Update: Dan, on September 20th, 2009 said:

She also sing ‘liu fei fei’ at this event with tony leung. [Click here for this video.]

And faye also sang ‘memories’ with sandy lam and sally yeh at the beginning of this event.

done

Faye Wong Photos – September 2009

Faye Wong Photo – August 2009

Faye Wong (王菲) and Li Yapeng (李亚鹏) gladly pose for reporters in a successful attempt to lure their attention away from Li Yan (李嫣), who is quietly being whisked away in another car.  The couple is leaving a birthday get together with Carina Lau (刘嘉玲). Faye celebrated her 40th birthday in August. (Source tianjinwe.com, 15 Sep. 2009)

Dan – Female Celebrities Poll – Vote for Faye!

Dan, on September 1st, 2009 said:

Hi feifan, here is another ongoing voting poll. Unsure when is the deadline for this poll.

Founding of New China’s 60 years Modern Era Female Celebrities Poll
新中国成立60年 时代女性人物评选

Scroll to below, search for faye’s photo (wongfei’1997 album photo), tick on the small box below the photo (blue circled), click submit (green circled), click the icon beside the ’submit’ to check latest results (black circled).

Faye is currently No.3 with 1,088 votes, Na Ying is at No.1 with 108,502 votes, No.2 is mainland artiste Tian Zhen with 89,849.

Each IP can only vote once daily. Please vote for faye, thanks!!!
http://eladies.sina.com.cn/z/sdnxrw/index.shtml

Snapshot of the website
http://img196.imageshack.us/i/95312358.jpg/

UPDATE: Dan, on September 2nd, 2009 said:
Anyone know the secret trick to vote repeatedly for this poll? It is obviously that Tian Zhen & Na Ying fans were using some trick to hide their IP so they can vote many times a day. Look at the votes, yesterday Na Ying(345,574) is leading many votes, but today Tian Zhen(391,316) overtook her.

UPDATE: Yin Sian, on September 6th, 2009 said:
There’s a software called smart hide I.P i guess. It can change your I.P address to anyone or any country I.P address. Can try google it. =D Faye Wong go go go!

Faye’s 1998-99 Scenic Tour DVD!

Anonymous, on August 28th, 2009 said:

Could this be the official elusive Scenic Tour DVD? click here for the ebay ad

Anyone have $259? :)

Dan – Vote for Faye – China’s Most Influential Celebrity!

Dan, on August 22nd, 2009 said:
Please help to vote for faye for the ‘China’s most influential celebrities poll’, faye is leading at first, but was overtaken by teresa teng these two days, the deadline is near, at Aug 31. You can vote many times, just block all cookies and go to this website, scroll down and you will see faye’s photo at last row, click the ‘red rose’ icon [that's under her photo] and use something heavy to press on the ‘enter’ button on your keyboard. Thanks to all fayenatics!!!

UPDATE: Dan, on August 23rd, 2009 said:
Too much people voted and the website’s server is currently down, please wait and vote again after it recovers. Thanks to feifan and all fayenatics!!!

UPDATE: Dan, on August 31st, 2009 said:
The voting is over, faye remains at no.2, thanks to feifan & all fayenatics who voted. Thanks!!!

Mark – Faye in New York in 1991

Mark, on August 21st, 2009 said:

I am interested in Faye’s move to NYC for a year in 1991 (arriving there in Dec 1990 as you mention above). I’ve never heard anything about her stay there. Where did she live? Did she make any friends? What did she do besides taking music classes? Did she have a caucasian boyfriend at the time? Isn’t anything known about her time there? I’m sure it was a “coming of age” and “self-identity” phase for Faye. Seems an important time in her life, I’d like to know more about it :-)

Feifan’s reply: Mark, this is a terrific question! This part of Faye’s life always intrigued me, too. In the next few days, I’ll dig up some info and append it to this article. The photos above are from one of Faye’s first MVs, “Everything,” the title track from her second album, released in June 1990 when she was 20. (Click here to see the video.) She actually left for NY in late 1991. The sentence with the 1990 date, in the article you’re referring to, was poorly written. I added a clarification.

Faye in New York – added 22 Aug. 2009

(Note: The following is made up of excerpts gathered from a document, found at Tripod.com, that seems to be an authentic autobiography written in 1994. Additional information is from her biography, A Portrait of Faye Wong (王菲画传), by Huang Xiaoyang, China Radio and Television Press, 11 Nov. 2004[?]; and from other sources. -feifan)

The third album “Still Waiting Again,” [You're the Only One, Dec. 1990] amid their struggling, did not make the grade. I felt that singing well was useless, and must think about other things. And if things did not change, I definitely could not make the grade. Emotions rise and fall, bored without compare.

Rushing back to Beijing when I had time, leaving behind all the worrisome realities. In Beijing, knowing there were music schools in USA, was like a little flame in my mind, letting it grow. When I returned to Hong Kong, the hurried feeling did not diminish a bit. Things are often like flowers, when they are at their fullest bloom, must begin to wither. If things were to change, then I must let that little flame I planted in Beijing grow into a fire, reducing everything to ashes, forgetting all the worries.

Three years ago [end of 1991], under the . . . dawn of winter, I stepped onto the plane destined for United States, leaving behind the worries of Hong Kong life, choosing a new life: enrollment in a music school. This choice, and my decision to become a singer, release records, was a turning point in my life, but I did not realize it at the time. When my parents signed my first record contract with Cinepoly, I was only 19 years old, and there were many things I didn’t understand. I was ignorant and naive.

I decided to study in the United States. When it happened, my moodiness had a place to go, and putting down my heavy worries was very comfortable. Although there were many voices which disagreed, I had made my decision. Happily, I went the road of Unites States. The turns and corners of people’s lives, there’s no way to hold. It seemed like I should not abandon, but abandonment has changed into a new life; just very lucky I guess!

America. Freedom. Excited and relaxed, I arrived in America. Alone I see the skyscrapers higher than the clouds, the people and cars fighting for the roads, and the rich flavors of a modern city. The hurried industrial nation also has a calm side: grand parks, quiet side streets, and even the underground cities exuded freedom. I came and went alone. Curious, fresh, wandering the streets as I please, savoring every moment. Buy an ice-cream, licking the flowing melted ice-cream, sweet and salty. Sitting on the park bench, even as my eyes filled with orange and yellow falling leaves, the killing cold of winter, yet my heart was filled with excitement, no winter cold.

What is missing, is the annoying struggling of Hong Kong, not feeling I cannot burst through the cage. That caged and self-doubting feeling was swept away with one stroke. Because here, everything starts as new, I can be like a newborn infant, everything starting from the beginning.

When I first arrived in America, I stayed at my aunt’s place for a while, then went to New York, starting some short-term classes for singing, dancing, living on my own in my little apartment. [From her biography: Because Faye's decision to enroll was made at the last minute, her understanding of what to expect was unclear. When she first arrived in New York in the fall and tried to register, she learned that the program had started in the summer. She would have to wait until the new term to enter the program. Thus, she decided to enroll in some short-term classes.]

Simple, as I please, I come and go. Although I did not have a car, but going as I please, seeing other pedestrians with self-confidence also filled me with self-confidence. Rules, enriching times, whenever I learned a new insight, a piece of self-confidence will be placed onto the jig-saw puzzle that is my heart. In the air of freedom, I dared to express the real me, without reservation.

[From a 1998 interview: When asked why she went to New York, Faye said, "There's lots of reason why I went to New york. First is I wanted to be myself, to know what I want." Faye remembered clearly that one day she was sitting at a coffee shop watching people on the streets running around, very busy, not knowing what they wanted or what they were doing. Faye asked herself why she should be like them. Why did she become like that? She wanted to be herself again. Faye said, "I should be what I want to be. If the audience doesn't accept me, I cannot do anything. I cannot change my true self just because they cannot accept the real me, doing something I don't like."]

[From another interview about her experiences in New York: "I wandered around, visited museums and sat at cafes," she recalls. "There were so many strange, confident-looking people. They didn't care what other people thought of them. I felt I was originally like that too, independent and a little rebellious. But in Hong Kong I lost myself. I was shaped by others and became like a machine, a dress hanger. I had no personality and no sense of direction."]

[From her biography: She left her aunt's home to move out alone into New York's Chinatown. From then on, Faye Wong was truly alone to face her life. When she first arrived in New York, everything was so new, soaring skyscrapers, huge advertising posters, the endless flow of people. While the streets were busy, the leisure parks were relatively quiet, elegant. The people here were very independent, not so many disputes, not so many conflicts. She was therefore in a very cheerful mood. Coming to the United States, she suddenly realized that her character was not suitable for Beijing, not suitable for Hong Kong. The most suitable place for her was the United States. The United States encouraged a free personality and a free society. In both Beijing and Hong Kong, her personality was incompatible with the mainstream society, often conflicting with others. But the United States provided unlimited space to live as an independent person.]

There were also times of loneliness. I remember Chinese New Year’s Eve [13 Feb. 1991] I was sick. Fever brought difficulty breathing, dizziness, and I stayed home. [From her biography: Soon in the United States the first Spring Festival approached. She went out on that day (12 Feb. 1991) when the morning sky was still good, and did not expect the New York day would become cold with snow fall. The temperature suddenly dropped. That night, she was feeling unwell, and the next day's Eve, she was knocked down by flu.]

That big night, I stayed home my lonely self. Especially, I missed old Beijing, the cold new year breeze being called away by the neighbor’s loud fire-crackers. Little children wearing big red coats, getting lucky money from their parents. Family gather for hot soup, eat dumplings, running from one alleyway through to another, knocking on doors, getting lucking money. I really miss the home village. Lying on my bed, popping of fire-crackers sounding from the nearby Chinatown, filling my sentimental heart. Whispering to the quiet empty apartment one phrase, “Happy New Year to everybody!” Those days when I was ill, I knew must tend to my health, and must not deteriorate. Although I did not know how to cook, I made sandwiches, and willed myself eat it. I was really growing up, and must take care of myself. Those American days made me more independent, more self-confident. Certainly it affected me, changed me, not in a this that fashion, but many cracks I had between people and things, gluing them together, making the person that is me today. The American days were a shelter on this long road.

As I have said, life is not to experience one thing. One person’s influence is walking hundreds of thousands of streets, occasionally discovering a piece, pieces intricately flow together to form a whole. Realizing my American spirit, undoubtedly added to my self-confidence; but other than those days, there were also people who gave me that feeling. . . .

[From her biography: While she was in New York, a vicious rumor was started in the Hong Kong press, implying that Faye didn't go to New York to study but to get an abortion. This was the first time Faye experienced such an attack from the press, and journalist's even harassed her parents. Her mother was opposed to her going to New York and felt that her worry was justified. She called Faye, and they quarreled over the phone. In tears, Faye hung up. Later, she called her mother and apologized. Her mother wasn't used to hearing apologies from Faye so she was moved. At this moment, the ten years of tension between them suddenly fell away, and they became close.]

Returning to Hong Kong to release records, my feelings were simply to complete the record contract. At the time, I did not drop out of school, but wrote a letter saying I want to postpone my education temporarily. I was prepared to finish the record, then return to school. But the album “Coming Home” [Aug. 1992] changed my situation, especially the song “Fragile Woman.” It made me widely recognized, and the popular notion was “She’s Hot!” But the person in the middle of all this, me, had another feeling. Actually I did not feel any different. Without question, this song gave me much hoopla, but I did not echo that feeling. And that many people started to like me, that feeling was not immediate, but came very slowly, trickling into my life.

From that rose the question, should I go [back to New York] or stay, go or not go? Emotional instability! Go, I could finish what I wanted, nurturing myself, and learn what I felt to be insufficient music knowledge. Stay, I would miss my chance to study, but I could try what I wanted to do.

Finally, perhaps as fate had planned, I stayed, and became what I am today. That day, the most important reason for me to stay was that I be involved with the creation of the music. Feeling I could express what I thought and felt, gave me a kind of exuberance. I very much wished I could express more, contribute more. These years, everything was successful. The popular exterior, in the depth of my heart, sometimes regret that day when I chose not to leave.

In the paths of my life, Buddhist philosophies have enlightened me, and reaching them are an occasional opportunity. Those times in United States, strolling the Chinatown streets and bookstores, I saw books concerning Buddhist teachings. I bought them and read about the sorrows of the Buddhist people. The concept of reincarnation gave me a better comprehension of compassion. It gives everyone the opportunity to change and pacify their hearts. Today’s every tragedy, previous life’s every cause. Understand human goodness and evil. These thoughts help me face difficulties, disappointments, and from the roots, look at the world. Although many people see me today, and feel that I am not bad, but I know I am still inadequate. I still want to improve my music. I know I will finally one day return overseas.

Rumor: Faye to Star in ‘Journey to the West’

At a recent news conference, Zhang Jizhong (张纪中), producer and director of the upcoming mega-film and 50-episode TV drama “Journey to the West” (西游记), was asked if he wanted to have Faye Wong (王菲) play the critical role of the Goddess of Mercy (观音 Kuan Yin). He seemed to be surprised, with eyes wide open, and repeatedly asked, “Who said that?” He pondered the question for a moment, then said he had not decided but would be interested in discussing it. He said she would definitely be within the scope of possibilities.

For many, Faye seems like the perfect match for the role because of her recent appearance in a Buddhist performance. The photo below is an artist’s conception of how Faye might look in the part.

The following is from Wikipedia: “Zhang Jizhong is in the pre-production phase of his adaptation of Journey to the West movie trilogy, another one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature, with the story focusing on the Monkey King, a household name in China and in other Asian countries like Japan and South Korea. Each of the three films in the trilogy are expected to have a budget of $100 million, which would make them the most expensive movies made in Chinese history. . . . The high budget for the Monkey King will be used for the visual effects and foreign talent, which will rival those Hollywood fantasy trilogies such as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter film series. Zhang Jizhong is also developing a theme park, an online game and a television series based on his company’s digitized content of the Monkey King and Journey to the West.”

(Source epochtimes 8.18.09)

Wubing & Faye – A Birthday Dream!

Wubing, on August 13th, 2009 said:

Hey Fei fan,

As August 13 is my birthday, my good friend / colleague designed a birthday card for me which is so funny, and I wanna share it with you. It is actually a pic of me driving my dream car, a Jeep, than beside me is FAYE WONG, and also my fav X-Men, Storm together with Mickey as I love Disney….Hope you enjoy it too…it look so real. Hahaha.

http://wubing80.blogspot.com/2009/08/super-happy-on-my-birthday.html

Zach – Photos from Faye’s B’day Celebration!

Zach, on August 12th, 2009 said:

Here are tons of photos from Faye’s birthday celebration! :)

http://pic.yule.sohu.com/group-168733.shtml#g=168733&p=1337232

The photos were taken on 10 August 2009, at Beijing’s Kunlun Hotel.
Click here for more photos.