Chinese entertainment, from radio love songs to superstars

Chapter 43, Exploding Thoughts
This is Shen Lang’s first New Year’s Eve since he traveled here.

Although I had experienced the transition from 2000 to 2001 in my previous life, this time the feeling was completely different.

Age has changed, identity has changed, the people around me have changed, everything has changed.

New Year’s Eve concerts were not yet popular in this era, but there were still many activities, including singing parties.

After dinner, we went to a KTV.

There were not many people, just six: Shen Lang, Gao Yuanyuan, Zhou Xun, Chen Yaochuan, Du Ting, and Li Xiaowan (Zhou Xun's agent).

"Just once, I will take you to see the world

Laughing on a sunny day
Noisy in the free air

You know the only thing I want is..."

Chen Yaochuan, who wears black-framed glasses and appears to be a gentle and refined man, is actually an absolute microphone master.

From here on, the microphone has never left my hand.

He is the boss, so naturally he has to be more accommodating.

Shen Lang was in a good mood, but one bad thing was that KTV played all his songs but did not pay a penny for the copyrights.

In the 80s, the first KTV appeared in Guangzhou, causing a sensation and instantly overturning the status of dance halls in the past.

By this year, with economic growth, KTVs have rapidly sprung up in cities across the country, reaching more than 100,000 at one point, becoming the main place for white-collar workers to socialize and relax.

Just think about how much income this is.

However, the reason for this result is that after so many years, the domestic music industry has still not established a good distribution system and copyright system.

The original Li Jian once said in an interview that after Wang Jingfei made the song "Legend" popular, he did not receive much in copyright fees.

What’s even more outrageous is that the copyright fees KTV gave him totaled only 90 yuan, but he refused it because he felt it was a humiliation to him.

It’s not pleasant to think that you have to pay KTV to sing your own songs.

However, Shen Lang could do nothing about it.

The copyright issue is actually the same as the piracy issue, and even as of 2024, it has not been resolved.

"Why don't you sing? My voice is hoarse. Come on, Xiao Zhou."

Chen Yaochuan handed the microphone to Zhou Xun, sat down next to Shen Lang, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, "I heard from Du Ting that you're looking for any TV series or singers who need songs? What's going on? Are you short of money?"

Shen Lang made up an excuse and said, "I plan to buy a courtyard house to live in, but I'm short of some money."

Chen Yaochuan said, "Tell me about this. How much is the difference? I'll transfer it to you."

Shen Lang heard what he meant and waved his hand, "Mr. Chen, thank you for your kindness. It's more comfortable to spend the money you earn yourself."

"Haha." Chen Yaochuan smiled and said, "Same personality as me. In that case, an old friend just found me a few days ago and wanted to buy a title song for an album for one of his singers from you."

Shen Lang blurted out: "Sure."

Chen Yaochuan continued: "Do you know Xiao Yaxuan?"

Shen Lang nodded and said, "I know. She's the singing and dancing queen from Formosa Province."

Chen Yaochuan smiled and said, "Yes, I bought it for her. I didn't know you haven't written a song in this dance style before."

Shen Lang said confidently: "No problem, I can do it all."

Chen Yaochuan patted his shoulder and said, "It's settled then. I will definitely give you a good price."

Shen Lang thanked him. This was a very simple job and the money came quickly.

His memory of Elva Hsiao is that she was loyal in love and always liked young and handsome guys. She enjoyed the title of "fresh meat harvester" in the entertainment industry.

Almost everyone born in the 90s has heard her songs to some extent, and she was once considered to be Li Wen's successor.

But the peak period was short, lasting only three years from 2000 to 2003.

In 2004, Elva Hsiao terminated her contract with Viking Records, and she began to try to transform herself from a girly and energetic style to a mature urban style. She went further and further on the road of dance music, with more and more electronic music, and thus went on a downward slope.

At present, she still has several unreleased popular songs, such as "The Main Theme of Love", "Similar to Love", "Lost Heartbeat" and so on.

Just pick one from them.

Recalling this, Shen Lang suddenly had a bold idea in his mind, and he immediately said: "Mr. Chen, I have an idea for the new album."

Chen Yaochuan immediately perked up when he heard this and said, "What are your ideas? Tell me." Shen Lang raised his lips and said, "I plan to release an album of male and female duets first."

Chen Yaochuan asked, "Are all ten songs duets between a man and a woman?"

Shen Lang nodded, and then spoke out his complete thoughts, saying: "The four little divas from Formosa Province are Stefanie Sun, Elva Hsiao, Cai Yilin, and Fish Leong; Hong Kong's Anita Mui, Wang Jingfei, Li Wen, and Chen Huilin; and mainland China's Tian Zhen and Jin Haixin. All of them are popular. Isn't this a lineup that's explosive enough?"

The idea just exploded and Chen Yaochuan was stunned.

Putting aside the question of whether it is possible to invite this lineup, just singing 10 duets is extremely difficult.

Usually there are one or two songs in an album.

After a long silence, Chen Yaochuan finally asked, "Do you speak Cantonese?"

Shen Lang directly said in Cantonese: "Cantonese, it's so confusing, do you think I speak it standardly?"

Chen Yaochuan gave a thumbs up and said, "You are awesome."

Immediately, he began to consider the feasibility of this idea.

The four little divas of Formosa Province are the easiest to invite, and he knows the bosses of several companies.

Mainly a few from Hong Kong and the Mainland, all of them are superstars. Firstly, they are expensive, and secondly, they are difficult to get.

Shen Lang naturally knew the difficulty in making this happen, but as long as it succeeded, this album would definitely sell well. He said, "Mr. Chen, everything depends on human effort. I believe my song can impress them."

Chen Yaochuan was quite impressed by his confidence, and slapped his thigh, saying, "Okay, I'll go crazy with you!"

Why sign Shen Lang?

It's just because of his musical talent and unique temperament.

With such a great general, if you are still timid, it would be better for you to quit the circle and change careers as soon as possible.

Shen Lang worked hard to make money, and said enthusiastically: "I will prepare the songs before the Spring Festival and contact these singers. I'll trouble Mr. Chen."

Chen Yaochuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Hey, you are being too polite. Your business is my business, and my business is the company's business. Don't worry, I will use all my connections and resources to help you take them down!"

After all, he is the "Pope", a superb producer in the Chinese pop music scene, and knows many big names in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

When they finished chatting, Gao Yuanyuan came over and pulled Shen Lang, saying, "Come on, it's time for the song we ordered."

Shen Lang sat down with her, picked up another microphone, and sang with her.

Play until eleven o'clock.

Shen Lang stood up and was going to "Midnight Music Talk".

At the entrance of the KTV, he first said goodbye to Chen Yaochuan and Zhou Xun.

He also asked Du Ting to help take care of Gao Yuanyuan.

Then he winked at Gao Yuanyuan, and waited until everyone else went in before he took out a black plastic bag from his bag and gave it to her.

"For me?"

"Ah."

"What is it?"

"Your New Year's gift."

"Can I take it apart now?"

"Why don't you keep it a little mysterious and take it apart when you get home? After all, it's the only thing in the world."

……

Shen Lang blinked at Gao Yuanyuan and said, "Okay, I'm leaving now."

Gao Yuanyuan saw that he only prepared a New Year gift for herself. She was afraid that it would be difficult to explain if others saw it, so she put it in her bag first, then smiled and said, "Thank you, be careful."

Watching Shen Lang leave, her heart began to itch. She wanted to open it right now, immediately, and see what was inside.

After returning to the KTV room and sitting for a while, she felt it was boring without Shen Lang, so she found an excuse to go home first.

When she got home, she rushed into the room quickly and couldn't wait to open the black plastic bag.

(End of this chapter)