After a sold-out concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall last November, veteran Taiwanese singer YuYa is back to serenade her fans at a larger venue.
The 1,600 tickets to the 54-year-old's concert last year were snapped up in just three weeks. This time, she will be performing at the 5,000-seat Suntec City Convention Hall on Oct 1.
The protege of Taiwanese composer-film director Liu Chia-chang shot to fame with Memories Can Only Be Reminisced in 1970.
YuYa, whose real name is Lin Li-hung, says: 'It's the one song I can't forget about even if I wanted to. It was my first Mandarin song, it introduced me to audiences and enabled me to perform around the world.'
Over the course of her career, she has chalked up more than 120 albums. Her last record was 2003's Fantasy Tunes, a jazzed-up compilation of Mandarin covers of English evergreen hits such as Summer Kisses, Winter Tears.
She married a Chinese-American in 1981 but they divorced in less than a year. Her son, who is in his 20s, has recently graduated from college and is now working in San Francisco.
She currently splits her time between the United States and Taipei.
1. Have you ever felt typecast by your stage name YuYa, which sounds like the Mandarin term for elegance?
Oh, not at all, people have said that my name is just like me.
I didn't know that this was the name that the record company had chosen but I didn't change myself because of the name. There has to be a match between one's stage name and actual character.
2. You have been singing since 16. To you, what is the definition of a good song?
A good song is one that suits you.
You have to truly understand what is moving about it and not just follow how some teacher has taught you to sing it. In the latter case, you have not fully immersed yourself in the song.
If you can interpret a song well and make it popular, you feel a sense of achievement.
3. What's the difference between singing Memories Can Only Be Reminisced then and now?
There's definitely a big difference. After all, I was only a teenage girl then. I felt that I had no memories to reminisce about as I had not even been in love.
Halfway through the recording, I was scolded by Liu for not putting enough feeling into the song and I cried. But when I went back to continue the recording, the emotion was there.
Singing it now, I have lots of memories. From the stage, I can see that everyone is absorbed in his own memory as well.
4. How much did you earn from that song?
It's not about the financial returns but the value of the song. If I had first sung it today, I might be able to earn a lot of money but deep in my heart, it might not be worth as much.
I'm glad I sang it over 30 years ago and entered showbiz. I'm satisfied with what I've received and feel that it has been bountiful, so my wealth is immense.
5. What do you think of the music scene today?
Singers now can become famous for a number of reasons. Their albums sell not necessarily because fans like the songs but because they think 'hey, that's a really strange song' or even 'wow, how daring of them to sing something like that'. The curiosity factor drives sales.
But back in the day, if a song was pleasant to listen to, it was pleasant to listen to. There were no other factors. It was simply the singer and the song.
6. Will you cut another record?
There are plans to do so, but the songs have to suit me. People might say you need a breakthrough, but the change has to be right for you as well. If the audience can't see your good points as a result, what's the point of changing?
7. How is your love life?
Not bad, quite good. I have lots of friends, but it's up to fate really.
If it's destined, you'll meet the right person wherever you are.
8. Complete this sentence: If I could live my life all over again, I would...
Still accept the things I needed to do. I would have no regrets because before doing something, I would have thought it through. Even if I did something wrong, I would have learnt a lesson from it. The most important lesson I've learnt is not be too hasty in matters of the heart.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Sep 1, 2008.
