Samuel Tai

Samuel Tai (Chinese: 邰正宵; pinyin: Tái Zhēngxiāo, born 6 November 1966) is a Hong Kong-born Taiwanese singer-songwriter.[1] Tai debuted in 1988 and then released his first solo album Good Boys (理想男孩) in 1990. In 1993, he wrote the song "999 Roses" (九佰九拾九朶玫瑰), which turned out to be a huge success and big hit. His most popular songs include "999 Roses", "Thousand Origami Cranes" (千紙鶴), "1001 Nights" (一千零一夜) and "Let You Hear My Heart Beating" (心要讓你聽見) etc. He subsequently released 30 albums. His latest album, In the Beginning was released on 31 August 2012.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Tai.
Samuel Tai
Born
邰正霄

(1966-11-06) 6 November 1966
Hong Kong
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer
Years active1988–present
Children1
ParentTai Li-ren (邰立任)
Chinese name
Musical career
GenresMandopop, Cantopop
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
LabelsDecca Records Taiwan, Rock Records

Early life

Tai was born in Hong Kong and spent his childhood on Shanghai Street in Mongkok. He was educated at Min Guang College and Wellington English Secondary School. He admires Bruce Lee and has studied Wing Chun from Lok Yiu for many years. While practicing Taekwondo he is qualified with First-Degree Black Belt. Due to an injury he had to stay at home to rest. During that time, his father bought a guitar to let him pass the time. Ever since then he becomes attached with the music.

Tai's father, Tai Li-ren, is a Chinese medicine practitioner. Influenced by his father, Samuel Tai also intended to become a doctor. However, he couldn't continue his study at the Faculty of Medicine of HKU due to poor grades, so he went to the Kaohsiung Medical College in Taiwan for his medical study in 1985. He sang in the café and pub weekly as a part-time job to support his study. Though it was hard, he continued with it.

After graduation, Tai got a medical technician[1] license in Hong Kong. But his heart has never stopped for longing for music. In 1988, Tai participated in a Pop music contest in Taiwan and won the 5th prize. After that, he signed a contract with UFO Records for 2 years. But it was not so successful. In 1993, he wrote the song 999 Roses (九百九拾九朶玫瑰),[1] which turned out to be a huge success and big hit. His most popular songs include: 999 Roses(九百九拾九朶玫瑰), Thousand origami cranes (千紙鶴), 1001 Nights (一千零一夜) and Let you listen to my heart (心要讓你聽見), and others.

Tai retreated behind the scenes for a while and is actively involved in church work. In recent years he is very active on stage in mainland China. His new album, In the Beginning was released on 31 August 2012.

Career

While at Kaohsiung Medical College in Kaohsiung, Taiwan studying medical technology, Tai also sang folk songs in restaurants. In 1988 he participated in the first session of Popular Music Competition and is one of the Winners (together with other winners, famous singer Chang Yu-sheng, Dave Wang, Jack Yao). Since then he entered the pop music field and became a singer. He published albums like Nomad, Ideal Boys, Devoted to You, Cheer for Me, and others.

In the early 1990s, Chinese songwriter-singers from Taiwan became more and more noticed. In 1993, Tai published the album To find a word to replace. The main hit song "999 Roses" became a big success, and was recognized as typical Chinese love song, even when the story was based on the story of him sending a rose to a female cancer patient he cared for that passed away. He later released "Feel so lonely when thinking of you", "Thousand origami cranes", "Let you listen to my heart" and "1001 Nights".

With Tai becoming so popular, his creative talent is well recognized. Even some songs that other singers covered were also regained concern,[1] such as the "Blue Street Lights" and "Love Movies Play" by Leon Lai, "Devoted to you as usual" by Leo Ku and "Goodbye Means Tears" by Alan Tam. Tai also re-interpreted of the two songs sung by Leon Lai in Cantonese and included them in the album Rekindle Love. He thanked Leon Lai for making his songs so popular.

“Feel so lonely when think of you" became a great hit on various radio station in Hong Kong in 1994. It's more than welcomed there in Hong Kong. Only by then the Hong Kong fans knew that Tai is a native Hong Kong person. Many of Tai's Mandarin songs were successfully introduced into the market of Hong Kong, making Tai more confident to expand the musical territory. He formally signed a contract with Cinepoly, and he returned to the Hong Kong stage. Tai's song "How can I make you like me"," Has to steal love" and " Soul too deep" were very popular. His debut Cantonese album "Soul too deep" was on the top sales charts after release.

In 1996, Tai launched his second Cantonese album. His company Cinepoly invited his idol Sam Hui (許冠傑) to write the hit song "Moonlight Ocean Dream". The album of the same name was with impressive sales.

1997 was the year of Hong Kong's reunification with mainland China. Tai's creation, "Pearl of the Orient – New Millenium", was selected as the theme song of the reunification event. Tai was welcomed and popular in Hong Kong, but the Cantonese song market is very small, so he decided to move his career center back to Taiwan.

In 2008, he released a charity song called "Smile Again",[1] which was dedicated to the survivors of the 12 May Sichuan earthquake. With the song, Tai hoped to raise money for Sichuan reconstruction and help the survivors of the devastating tragedy to find the strength to rebuild their lives.

In 2011, after 15 years, Tai re-introduced his third Cantonese album Love Songs. and he tried his best to let both fans and the younger generation in Hong Kong and Guangdong to know him again. It also said the Mandarin album, originally scheduled to be launched in early 2012.

In March 2012, Tai attended the event in Guangzhou, and revealed that his new Mandarin album In the Beginning would be released in September.

Tai knew that he cannot perform on stage forever. So he worked behind-the-scenes few years after he became famous. He started to explore new and talented singer. He successfully made Wallace Chung a super-star. After marriage, Tai focused on song production and behind-the-scenes work, but meanwhile he began to be more active in mainland China. He is not only active himself on stage, but also established the "heart-strings" music studio. He keeps on finding talented young singers. Gelijiefu (Inner Mongolia ) is one of these contracted promising singer.

Personal life

Tai has always kept a clean-cut image. He keeps a low profile personal life even after becoming a popular singer. Tai and his girlfriend got married in the United States after a decade-long relationship. The wedding was held at a Seattle church in 1988. In 1999 they welcomed the birth of their son Tai Zhen, also known as Henry.

Tai is a devout Christian.[2] Besides published many Gospel albums, he also involved in the gospel movie "Source of Love" performances. He played a troubled young man who had a stutter, and his acting is superb. Is worth mentioning that he wrote many gospel songs: "Source of love","Love is endless","I am special","Emptiness","This world is in countdown". These songs are very popular sung in the church.[2]

Discography

Featured/compilations

Filmography
  • 1989 – Seven Wolves (played little Tai)
  • 1989 – Seven Wolves (played little Tai, the memories of the long-haired and camels)
  • 2003 – Source to Love (played Ka Kit)
  • 2005 – Ping Pong (cameo, played a physician)
  • 2014 – The Break-Up Artist

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
19901st Golden Melody AwardsBest New Artist—Nominated

References
  1. "Samuel Tai, the prince of love songs". gbtimes. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  2. "基督日报". 基督日報有限公司 (The Gospel Herald Ltd.). 15 March 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
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