On this day... July 16th

The King himself.

On this day in 2003, more than 50 radio stations across Asia declared July 16th as Jay Chou Day and simultaneously broadcast his latest song, 'In the Name of the Father', the first track in his fourth album Yeh Hui-mei. More than 800 million people tuned in to take part in the event.

Jay Chou is a highly influential Taiwanese singer-songwriter who is known as the ‘King of Asian Pop,’ having sold 30 million albums to date. He is also a music and film producer, actor and director, having appeared in Hollywood blockbusters like Green Hornet and The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. He is well-known for composing techniques and is regarded as one of the greatest musicians in East Asia.

'In the Name of the Father' is one of Chou’s signature tracks, a Mandopop classic that integrates retro and operatic musical elements throughout. The tune of the song, which is uncharacteristic of its genre, was regarded as fresh and impressive by critics when it was first released. The song revolves around the ‘Heaven Father,’ ‘Godfather’ and ‘Father’; the Godfather's helplessness, His father's kindness, and the Heaven Father's selflessness are discussed. It reveals that those who aim for glory must give up some of their freedom and previous conceptions, and that the feeling behind the glory is often accompanied by loneliness.

'In the Name of the Father; is loved by fans because in just 5 minutes and 42 seconds, Chou creates a three-dimensional and realistic character in the Godfather through numerous scenes depicting the his miserable mind. The song’s timeless themes will be sure to entice future generations of Mandopop listeners both domestic and international.

Listen to the track here.