Faye Wong’s 18 best songs – from Cantopop to grunge, Chungking Express to Final Fantasy VIII – Hong Kong’s ultimate 90s diva
From her Chinese-language covers of The Cranberries, Tori Amos and Cocteau Twins to her iconic statement album Di-Dar, Pledge and 100,000 Whys, Faye Wong left an enduring mark on the Asian music scene – strafing from alternative Western styles to big balling ballads, and embracing Cantonese before returning to her native Mandarin
Faye Wong was the ultimate Hong Kong diva of the 1990s. Her nightingale voice, artistic persistence, indifference to fame and unmistakable style made her one of the city’s most singular celebrities.
While most of us might know her for that cover of The Cranberries’ Dreams, or providing the vocals to Eyes On Me, the ending theme song for Final Fantasy VIII , Wong didn’t hit the big time until her fourth studio album “Coming Home”. After a modelling stint and coming third in a singing competition, Wong had been signed by Cinepoly and came under the tutelage of Tai See-chung, who also trained Hong Kong megastars such as Anita Mui, Aaron Kwok, Andy Lau and Leon Lai.
Her original name Wang Fei was considered too mainland-sounding for the Hong Kong market and her record label gave her the name Shirley Wong. However, given the mediocre success of her first three albums, she was sent to New York to undertake vocal training and as a cultural exchange. It was in the Big Apple where the artist found herself, saying in an interview:
“I wandered around, visited museums and sat at cafes. 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.”
It was this realisation that led to her becoming the idol that she is today, a performer who gradually transitioned from Cantopop love ballads to composing alternative tunes for her own albums. While she has taken a step back from the limelight since her second marriage in 2005, here are our favourite songs by the Cantopop queen turned alternative musician.
Vulnerable Woman
In 1992, Greed of Man was TVB’s big budget show of the year and is still lauded as one of the network’s best dramas. Faye Wong’s Vulnerable Woman was the music played when the heroine tragically died. The song immortalised the scene in the hearts of viewers all over Hong Kong.
No Regrets
“No Regrets” was the follow up album to “Coming Home” and it didn’t disappoint. The eponymous single was a huge hit.
Monsoon