1991: The Era of Hong Kong Dramas

Huo Sheng touched his nose, wanting to laugh but knowing it would be impolite.

The more he likes it, the better price he can get for it.

"Very good!"

After a while, Liang Rongjun confirmed that every word was correct and sighed, "The lyrics are also wonderful. I thought the final result would be outdated, but it turned out to be a perfect match. Especially the chorus, it's really good."

A song like this would be a huge hit if used as an album's title track or a TV drama's theme song.

No wonder he's a musician.

Once Huo Sheng put that label on someone, nobody except those in the music industry would say that.

"The music scene is all about avant-garde music these days, and nobody's writing a popular love song that resonates with listeners anymore. And the good ones are even rarer."

Leung Wing-Chun held the lyrics sheet in his hand, his eyes shining, and said, "Your song 'Easily Hurt Woman' has simple lyrics but profound meaning; every line touches the heart. It's a rare find. If you're willing to hand over these lyrics to Cinepoly Records, I guarantee the singer won't let it down."

"You flatter me. I'm a newbie, and it's good enough if I can even use the words."

"So, when will the other half of the lyrics be available?"

"Three days."

"The same level?"

"The same level."

After listening, Liang Rongjun folded the lyrics, put them in his suit pocket, leaned back in his chair, stared at Huo Sheng for a few seconds, and suddenly smiled.

He was determined to get the song before he came, and now he's solved the problem of the melody and lyrics all at once.

As the saying goes, "spend a fortune to buy a horse's bones," Leung Wing-Chun felt that was about right and said with a smile, "I am very happy to cooperate with you. 5% copyright fee. TVB also has a record company, so you should be familiar with the industry."

"What about karaoke, public performances, and movie/TV theme songs?"

"The usual 50/50 split. We won't participate in the theme song for 'The Greed of Man,' it's all yours."

As expected of someone in the music industry, they are so generous!

Huo Sheng sighed again, extended his hand, and said with a smile, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

Secretly pleased, OK, I've got my long-term meal ticket!

"Easily Hurt Woman" sold 15 copies in 1992 alone, making it the best-selling Cantonese album in Taiwan that year. With sales in Singapore and Malaysia, the album alone brought in more than 30 in royalties.

In addition to live performances, the show is played very frequently in KTVs, radio stations, shopping malls, and other places, generating an income of approximately 10 yuan.

The initial investment of 8 yuan multiplied several times over, and in just six months in 1992, it could have yielded nearly 50 yuan.

Not to mention the long tail effect; albums like "Stubborn to the end" will also include "Easily Hurt Woman," which will further increase revenue sharing.

It's extremely cost-effective, and he can earn around 200 million in total, all while enjoying a relaxed and pleasant experience.

Most importantly, this success means that Huo Sheng can leverage this model to acquire another batch of copyrights. For example, "Ambiguous," "Human World," "Unrepentant," etc.

Take off with the diva.

Alas!

Liang Rongjun was quite satisfied. He took out a small notebook from the inside pocket of his suit, turned to a blank page, picked up a pen on the table, wrote a few lines, tore it off, and handed it to Huo Sheng.

"This is a summary of the terms. Keep a copy for me, and I'll have my legal department draft the formal contract later."

Huo Sheng took it, glanced at it, folded it, and put it in his pocket.

"Let's leave it at that for now. We'll go over the details once the official contract is ready."

"OK."

Liang Rongjun stood up, picked up his briefcase, and suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, the lyrics will be out in three days. Why don't you come to our recording studio and take a look? The singers will audition, and you can hear how it sounds. If there's anything wrong, we can fix it on the spot, so we don't have to keep relaying messages back and forth."

Besides, the song is yours, the lyrics are yours. If you don't come, and we sing it but you're not satisfied, we'll end up arguing again.

Huo Sheng considered the time and, realizing it wouldn't interfere with filming, nodded: "Okay."

"It's settled then. See you in three days."

See you in three days.

Liang Rongjun patted his briefcase, turned around and left.

……

The day after he returned, Leung Wing-Chun began the formal production of the album.

This fourth album by Faye Wong is called "Coming Home". It is expected to be released in August. The recording was completed in May, so Huo Sheng sold it at just the right time.

The album contains a total of ten songs, including six covers and four original compositions.

In addition to Miyuki Nakajima's "Luju", the cover songs include several other songs with different origins.

Marino Perez's Spanish song "Soy libre" was rewritten with lyrics by Poon Yuen-leung and changed to "Put the Key in the Mailbox"; American singer Yuri's original song was rewritten with lyrics by Chow Lai-mau and became "Miss You Night & Day"; Japanese singer EPO's work was rewritten with lyrics by Lam Chun-keung and became "These and Those".

Among the four original songs, there are "An Unfamiliar Date" and "Reignition" with lyrics by Chen Shaoqi, as well as two English songs, "Kisses in the Wind" and "Romantic Storm".

They were all pretty bad, mostly R&B/American style, which belonged to Faye Wong's early personal style and wasn't something her fans really liked to listen to.

With the music track finalized, the selection of the arranger was also finalized.

Lu Dongni took on "Easily Hurt Woman" and "Put the Key in the Mailbox", Tang Yicong worked on "Romantic Storm" and "Happy Tears", and Wang Liming worked on "Reignition" and "Unfamiliar Date".

Liang Rongjun wrote down the names of these people one by one next to the program list, and pondered for a moment.

Tony Lo is a top arranger in Hong Kong. He arranged "Helpless That Day" from Faye Wong's first album. They have collaborated several times and have developed a good rapport.

Actually, Leung Wing-Chun had ideas for this album, but he wasn't particularly satisfied with it.

The ten songs are a mix of styles, but the R&B foundation is still there. Six of them are covers, and the original songs are not particularly outstanding.

He had listened to them many times and thought they were all okay, but he couldn't say which one could change Faye Wong's personality.

Although the arrangements of these songs are all very good, he always felt that something was missing. He lacked an emotion that could connect the whole album, and he lacked a moment that would make listeners remember it after listening to it.

Huo Sheng's lines, "As one grows drunk, the night deepens," were simple in wording but profound in meaning, each line striking a chord deep within his heart. He read them over and over again, and the more he read, the more he felt that this was it.

He carefully put away the fax paper, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed Chen Jiaying's number.

Chen Jiaying is efficient and straightforward; she answered the phone after it rang twice.

"Alvin, how are you?"

Chan Ka-ying's voice carried a hint of anticipation.

"The songs have all been decided," Liang Rongjun said.

"What's the title track?"

"The Woman Who Is Easily Hurt"

Who wrote it?

"It's an adaptation of Miyuki Nakajima's 'Luju.' The lyricist is a newcomer, but the lyrics are quite good. The full lyrics are due in two days. Come to AVON Recording Studio on Nanjing Street in Jordan then, and let Jingwen give it a try."

"Who wrote it?" Chan Ka-ying asked.

"TVB's...screenwriter."

After saying that, Liang Rongjun also felt quite confused. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, I think it's fine."

"it is good."

Chan Ka-ying didn't ask any further questions and hung up the phone.