Jump to content

I Want Happiness?

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I Want Happiness?
Studio album by
A-Mei
ReleasedFebruary 17, 2006 (2006-02-17)
Recorded2005–2006
Studio
  • Platinum Studio (Taipei)
  • Incredible Ear Studio (Beijing)
  • Atomic Studios (Singapore)
  • Resonance Audio (Singapore)
  • YYYD Studio (Beijing)
  • Audio Plex (Singapore)
GenrePop
Length40:58
LabelWarner Music Taiwan
ProducerEric Chen
A-Mei chronology
Maybe Tomorrow
(2004) 		I Want Happiness?
(2006) 		Star
(2007)
Alternative cover
Singles from I Want Happiness?
  1. "Hostage"
    Released: January 29, 2006
  2. "I Want Happiness?"
    Released: February 17, 2006

I Want Happiness? (Chinese: 我要快樂; pinyin: Wǒ Yào Kuàilè) is the thirteenth studio album by Taiwanese recording artist A-Mei. It was released on February 17, 2006, by Warner Music Taiwan and was her final release with the label.[1] After her 2004 album Maybe Tomorrow underperformed on the record charts,[2] A-Mei took a one-year hiatus from the entertainment industry to study abroad in Boston, Massachusetts to return afresh.[3] Eric Chen served as the sole producer of I Want Happiness. Following the release of Maybe Tomorrow, I Want Happiness? saw A-Mei return to her early lyrical style, setting aside her image as a Chinese pop diva. With a simple microphone and her unadorned voice, she sought to connect with her audience through heartfelt love songs that resonated with her fans.[4]

In contrast to Maybe Tomorrow, which fell short of sales expectations and led to a career slump,[5] I Want Happiness saw success in both sales and critical reception upon release, propelling A-Mei to another peak in her music career.[6] The album sold 160,000 copies in Taiwan,[7] becoming the country's seventh best-selling album of the year.[8] In mainland China, it won the annual album sales championship in 2006 with total sales of 970,000 copies.[9] The album went on to sell over 2 million copies across Asia.[10][11] A-Mei promoted I Want Happiness with a series of live performances throughout 2006.

Background and development

[edit]

In September 2004, A-Mei released her twelfth studio album Maybe Tomorrow.[12] The album premiered with minimal fanfare and struggled in the record charts due to lack of promotion and stiff competition by other artists at the time.[13] Her steep decline in popularity during this era convinced her to take a one-year hiatus from showbusiness to study abroad in Boston, Massachusetts.[14] She left for the United States to study on January 18, 2005.[15] Without an assistant, an agent, or family or friends around her while in Boston, she lived in a small apartment rented by a friend.[16] During her stay, she took a three-month language study through Boston University's Center for English Language & Orientation Programs.[17] This experience allowed her life to return to a simple starting point, and the emotional stories during that period were collected into I Want Happiness?.[18] After returning to Taiwan, with the encouragement of producer Eric Chen, A-Mei abandoned many heavy arrangements and complicated productions, and simply used her voice to interpret the songs directly.[9] Warner Music titled the album "A-Mei's private song, dedicated to all the sisters struggling in love."[19]

The production of the entire album was coordinated by Eric Chen, and the text was coordinated by Wu Yukang.[20] All ten songs in the album were tailor-made for A-Mei. Wu Yukang is a musician who A-Mei had worked with during her time at Forward Music, and therefore knows A-Mei very well, so he created the album's title track "I Want Happiness?" from A-Mei's perspective.[21] On January 24, 2006, it was revealed that A-Mei would release a new studio album in February 2006.[22]

Writing and recording

[edit]

The opening track "As Usual" is a lyrical song of A-Mei style.[23] "Hostage" is a pop ballad with a guitar that is matched with a string quartet, a simple melody, and low-pitched vocals; the song lyrically depicts a woman's helplessness in love.[23] She previously admitted that "Hostage" describes her ex-boyfriend Zhou Liping.[24] "Acting Like a Child" is a midtempo folk song.[23] "Because You" is a folk pop song. "I Want Happiness?" is a lyrical and heartfelt power ballad that depicts A-Mei's inner innocence and longing.[23]

"Chinese Girl" is a unique combination of disco beat and rock style, with a bright and light rhythm, creating a very different space of imagination.[23] "Shut It" is a song with rock and traditional Chinese music influences. The arrangement of "Simple" is based on rock and roll, combined with a relaxed flavor. "So I'm Willing To" is an AOR ballad. The album's final track is a cover of the famous 1993 song "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" by Beyond.

Title and artwork

[edit]

The album was named I Want Happiness? to remind listeners to pursue their own happiness, so A-Mei specially added a question mark in the album's title.[25] On the album cover, A-Mei sports fluffy black long curly hair.[26] For this album release, Warner Music specially invited Hong Kong's famous photographer CK to shoot A-Mei's album cover.[25]

Release and promotion

[edit]

On January 24, 2006, Warner Music announced that the album would be released in February 2006.[27] Pre-orders became available on January 27.[28] The album reportedly sold over 100,000 pre-orders on the first day.[29] The album's sales ratio on the G-Music chart in the first week accounted for nearly 30% of the total sales, 11.82% higher than the runner-up.[30] On February 19, 2006, A-Mei attended a new album press conference, with many fans participating enthusiastically.[31] On February 25, 2006, in Taipei, A-Mei held a new album celebration and signing event in Ximending, attracting hundreds of fans to come and almost packed the Ximending signing venue.[32] On the evening of March 20, 2006, A-Mei held a fan meeting at Shandong Theater in Jinan.[33] On the evening of March 21, 2006, A-Mei held a media meeting and autograph session in Beijing with her new album I Want Happiness?, attracting dozens of media outlets and nearly a hundred fans.[18] On January 12, 2007, the album was placed at number ten on the annual album sales chart of 2006 for Five Music.[34] On January 22, 2007, the album took the tenth place spot on the album sales chart of 2006 for G-Music.[35]

On the evening of May 13, 2006, A-Mei performed at the "Passionate May Stars Shine the Sky" concert at Wuhan Sports Center with Jay Chou.[36] On May 27, 2006, a ticketed concert was held at the Aladdin Theatre in Las Vegas, with all of the 7,000 tickets sold out entirely.[37] The organizers also specially arranged for A-Mei to take a helicopter to the press conference venue to enjoy diva-level treatment.[37] In June 2006, A-Mei participated in the finale performance titled "Music ORZ" at the 17th Golden Melody Awards.[38]

Singles and music videos

[edit]

On January 29, 2006, A-Mei released the single, "Hostage."[39] The music video of the song was directed by Teng Yung-Shing. It was filmed in black and white, depicting A-Mei singing in a white dress in an empty room.[40] The music video for "I Want Happiness?" was directed by Jinhe Lin.[41] A-Mei showed her home life in the "I Want Happiness?" music video, lying on a large double bed, showing the loneliness of a single woman in the city.[42] Kuang Sheng directed the music video for "Shut It."[43] She plays two roles in the music video; one is a charming woman in a mini skirt, and the other is a woman with a ponytail and personality. A strong urban woman, in one scene she teases a male model sitting on the sofa, rubbing her body against him continuously.[44] Jinhe Lin directed the music video for "As Usual."[45]

In January 2007, the tracks "I Want Happiness?" and "Hostage" were listed at number 25 and number 93 respectively on the 2006 Hit FM Top 100 Singles of the Year chart.[46][47]

Critical reception

[edit]

I Want Happiness? received positive reviews from music critics. Nala from Sina Entertainment commented that I Want Happiness? is so "moving" that every song is so "touching" that the more one listens to it, the more they like it.[48] Stephan Lee from Sina Music commented that the feelings expressed in the songs are real and concrete, not exaggerated and pretentious. He also believe they will have high popularity, and that their popularity would be higher the songs from her previous record Maybe Tomorrow.[49] Yeh Chun-pu from the Music Copyright Society of Chinese Taipei praised Eric Chen's production and claimed "it is a beautiful return of the queen."[50]

Accolades

[edit]

In 2007, the album won the "Hong Kong and Taiwan Recommended Record Award" of the China Top Chart, also winning the All-Around Artist Award at the same ceremony.[51] A-Mei received a nomination for Best Female Mandarin Singer at the 18th Golden Melody Awards.[52]

Track listing

[edit]
I Want Happiness? track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."As Usual" (平常心; Píngcháng xīn)XiaohanDreamz FMGoh Kheng Long4:11
2."Hostage" (人質; Rénzhì)Coldplay SisterEric NgEric Ng3:52
3."Acting Like a Child" (不像個大人; Bù xiàng gè dàrén)Francis WangKevin QTheo Chou4:27
4."Because You" (因為你在; Yīnwèi nǐ zài)YufangAndrew ChenAndrew Chen3:18
5."I Want Happiness?" (我要快樂?; Wǒ yào kuàilè?)Yu-Kang WuDreamz FMGoh Kheng Long4:11
6."Chinese Girl"
  • Yu-Kang Wu
  • Luke Tsui
Chen HsiRay Huang4:28
7."Shut It" (不要亂說; Bù yào luàn shuō)
Biung WangAndrew Chen3:20
8."Simple" (單純; Dān chún)Kate LiaoAndrew ChuGoh Kheng Long3:50
9."So I'm Willing To" (所以我願意; Suǒ yǐ wǒ yuànyì)XiaohanDreamz FMRay Huang4:34
10."Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" (海闊天空; Hǎi kuò tiān kōng)YufangTan Boon WahTerence Teo4:42
Total length:40:58

Charts

[edit]

Sales and certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Taiwan — 160,000[54]
Summaries
Asia — 2,000,000[55]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "张惠妹最新国语专辑《我要快乐?》". music.yule.sohu.com (in Chinese). February 20, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "张惠妹人气暴跌引争议 前男友难脱其咎(组图)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). November 29, 2004.
  3. ^ "孙燕姿抢尽风头 张惠妹难敌负面赴美充电(图)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). November 30, 2004.
  4. ^ "张惠妹最新国语专辑《我要快乐?》" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). February 20, 2006.
  5. ^ "张惠妹新专辑销量不佳 将暂别歌坛休息1年(图)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). October 19, 2004.
  6. ^ "專輯銷售不佳 華納唱片建議阿妹休息". tvbs (in Chinese (Taiwan)). October 19, 2004. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "張惠妹攻陷小巨蛋　細數阿妹經典情歌" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). April 6, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  8. ^ a b 网易 (December 13, 2006). "蔡依林台湾销售夺冠 两张专辑入年度10大". www.163.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "《我要快樂》 2006.02.17——發行十四周年". PTT Bulletin Board System (in Chinese). February 17, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "【岁月有歌】2006年的今天：'我要快乐'" [Today in 2006: 'I Want Happiness']. Nanyang Siang Pau (in Chinese). February 17, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "2014.04.06紀錄台灣／阿妹巡迴跑透透 一線大咖來站台". youtube.com (in Chinese (Taiwan)). April 7, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  12. ^ "等待一年 張惠妹推出新專輯《也許明天》（圖）". China News Service. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "张惠妹人气暴跌引争议 前男友难脱其咎(组图)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). November 29, 2004.
  14. ^ "孙燕姿抢尽风头 张惠妹难敌负面赴美充电(图)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). November 30, 2004.
  15. ^ "张惠妹期待异国恋情 为赴美充电婉拒春晚(附图)". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 19, 2005. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "张惠妹波士顿暴风雪中边走边抖 不怕寒冷怕英文". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 1, 2005. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  17. ^ "阿妹畢業唱 美國校方戒嚴". ent.ltn.com.tw (in Chinese). April 22, 2005. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "组图：张惠妹北京宣传新专辑 自称过得很快乐". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). March 22, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  19. ^ "齐鲁晚报：张惠妹洗尽铅华素面迎人". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). March 13, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  20. ^ "专辑：张惠妹--《我要快乐?(纪念限定盘…》". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 20, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  21. ^ "阿妹，张惠妹十大经典歌曲盘点". China News Service. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  22. ^ "张惠妹下月发行新专辑 钱柜砸下2300万挖阿妹". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 24, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e "張惠妹『我要快樂？』專輯" (in Chinese). February 17, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  24. ^ "张惠妹新歌宣泄情绪 主打歌《人质》描述前男友". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 2, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "张惠妹过回艺人生活 发新专辑《我要快乐?》". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). March 22, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  26. ^ "张惠妹《我要快乐?》面世 专辑造型众说纷纭" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). February 25, 2006.
  27. ^ "张惠妹下月发行新专辑". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 24, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "榜评：G-music音乐排行榜06年第三期". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 10, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  29. ^ "阿妹預售10萬張 速撈三百萬". Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  30. ^ "新浪榜評：G-music音樂排行榜06年第七期". PTT Bulletin Board System (in Chinese). February 28, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  31. ^ "组图：张惠妹出席发表会 歌迷捧场阿妹感动落泪". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 20, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  32. ^ "组图：张惠妹新专辑签唱会 热情歌迷挤爆会场". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 26, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  33. ^ "张惠妹济南举办歌友会 宣传新专辑"妹力"不减". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). March 21, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  34. ^ "Five Music – 五大唱片(5大唱片) -五大金榜". January 17, 2007. Archived from the original on January 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  35. ^ "::: g-music 2006年度銷售榜 :::". February 4, 2007. Archived from the original on February 4, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  36. ^ "张惠妹周杰伦武汉激情献唱 张靓颖飙海豚音(图)". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). May 14, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  37. ^ a b "張惠妹賭城開唱七千張票銷售一空". mypaper.pchome.com (in Chinese (Taiwan)). June 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  38. ^ "歌王王力宏 歌后蔡健雅". leehomwang.exblog.jp (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  39. ^ "张惠妹拍MV白裙露玉腿 吊钢丝自然落泪(附图)". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 29, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  40. ^ "張惠妹 A-Mei – 人質 Hostage (official 官方完整版MV)". YouTube. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  41. ^ "張惠妹 A-Mei – 我要快樂？I Want Happiness (official 官方完整版MV)". YouTube. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  42. ^ "张惠妹性感装扮不怕走光 贴身裤加低胸背心(图)". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). February 20, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  43. ^ "張惠妹 A-Mei – 不要亂說 Shut It (official 官方完整版MV)". YouTube. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  44. ^ "张惠妹MV中饰双面娇娃 情挑男模热血沸腾(图)". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). March 3, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  45. ^ "張惠妹 A-Mei – 平常心 As Usual (official 官方完整版MV)". YouTube (in Chinese). Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  46. ^ "Hitoradio‧Hit Fm --華人音樂入口指標". www.hitoradio.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  47. ^ "Hitoradio‧Hit Fm --華人音樂入口指標". www.hitoradio.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  48. ^ "热力推荐：张惠妹《我要快乐？》". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). March 18, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  49. ^ "新浪網 – 音樂 – 我要快樂?". May 4, 2007. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  50. ^ Müst音樂著作典藏計畫 (July 1, 2016). "我要快樂－延續天后歌唱生命的重要轉捩點". MÜST音樂著作典藏計劃. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  51. ^ "Top榜颁奖礼圆满落幕 群星聚会看点十足(图)". Tencent (in Chinese). June 30, 2007. Archived from the original on September 15, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  52. ^ "第十八屆金曲獎入圍名單 – 文化部影視及流行音樂產業局". www.bamid.gov.tw (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  53. ^ "G-Music Combo Album Chart – Week 8 of 2006" (in Chinese). G-Music. March 2, 2006. Archived from the original on March 5, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  54. ^ "張惠妹攻陷小巨蛋 細數阿妹經典情歌" [A-Mei captured the Little Arena and recounted her classic love songs]. hk.on.cc (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  55. ^ "【岁月有歌】2006年的今天：'我要快乐'" [Today in 2006: 'I Want Happiness']. Nanyang Siang Pau (in Chinese). February 17, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=I_Want_Happiness%3F&oldid=1245269779"