The 37th Golden Melody Awards took place on June 27 at Taipei Arena. Renowned Singaporean lyricist Xiao Han, after five nominations, finally won her first Best Lyricist Award for the song “Cheng Ren Zhi Mei,” performed by Julia Peng, adding a Singaporean touch to the ceremony. The Best Mandarin Male and Female Singer awards went to Chang Chen-Yue and Jolin Tsai, respectively, both taking home three trophies and becoming the biggest winners of the night.
Xiao Han was previously nominated four times for the Golden Melody Award, for works including “Darwin” sung by Tanya Chua, “Long Lens” by Na Ying, “Fiber” by Sandy Lam, and “Survivor” by JJ Lin, all showcasing her profound lyrical skills. Unexpectedly, this time she was absent from the ceremony yet won; the award was accepted on her behalf by singer Julia Peng.
Xiao Han Grateful for Judges’ Appreciation in Interview
In an interview, Xiao Han could hardly contain her excitement: “The moment I found out I’d won, I was a bit at a loss and was overwhelmed with emotion.” It turned out that when the results were announced, she was at a Zhang Jie concert in Singapore, having just heard him perform “You Deserve Better,” a song she co-wrote with Huang Yun Ren. Before she could process the emotion from that, she received the good news.
Why didn’t she attend the Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan? She explained, “I really wanted to attend, but I’ve recently needed to be in Hangzhou to film the music variety show ‘The Unparalleled Traditional Music’. So when I was invited to the Golden Melody Awards, I had to politely decline.” However, the recording dates for ‘The Unparalleled Traditional Music’ were uncertain, and she happened to have a free slot these past couple of days, but she didn’t want to trouble the Golden Melody organizers with last-minute arrangements, so she decided to return to Singapore.
Regarding her win, Xiao Han felt very lucky: “Because my competitors were so strong! I believe I must have had strong support from the judges—thank you for their kindness.” As for missing out on the “Song of the Year” award, she said, “Of course I hoped ‘My Existence Is Loving You’ would win too, but ‘Happiness Sings’ successfully brought out the feeling of the film ‘Sunshine Women’s Choir’. The definition of Song of the Year includes infectiousness and singability, so it truly deserved the award.”
Asked how she would celebrate, Xiao Han laughed—hungry after the concert—“Huang Yun Ren wants me to treat everyone to hotpot!”
Jolin Tsai Sweeps Three Major Awards
Jolin Tsai claimed her second Best Mandarin Female Singer title with the album “Pleasure,” 19 years after her first, and also took home Album of the Year and Best Vocal Recording Album. Chang Chen-Yue won three awards with the album “Go With The Feeling,” taking Best Composer for the song “Wanderer’s...,” then defeating heavy favorite Nick Chou to be named Best Mandarin Male Singer for the first time in his 33-year career, and finally snatching up Best Mandarin Album.
The Best Taiwanese Album and Best Taiwanese Male Singer both went to the same singer-songwriter—Ricky Hsiao, with the album “Be a Softhearted Man Who Borrows Love.” This is his fifth time as Best Male Taiwanese Singer, continuing to hold the record for most wins in this category.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by A-Lin, who also won Song of the Year with “Happiness Sings.”
The Golden Melody Awards were a lively affair, with a typhoon joining the fun. Heavy rains hit before the start of the red carpet, and despite proper contingency plans by the organizers, a large puddle formed at the entrance, forcing guests to wade across. Netizens dubbed the scene the “Golden Melody Obstacle Course.”
The large water puddle was a major challenge for all nominees, especially those in long dresses who had to proceed with utmost caution—some almost slipped.
Other major Golden Melody Awards:
Best Vocal Group: GENBLUE Fantasia “Mirror”
Best Band: Sunset Rollercoaster “Quit Quietly”
Best New Artist: Chen Xianjing “If Every Day Could Be Happy Happy Who Wants Sad :*- The Secret of Cooperation”
Best Album Producer: Chang Shilei “Pure Sister”
Best Single Producer: ØZI, The Crane “Final Final Final”
Best Arranger: Jude Chiu, Tsui Chin Hung “Silver Wasteland”
Jury Award: Chen Xiaoxia “Old Wings” album
Best Taiwanese Female Singer: PiA Wu Bei Ya “First Divorce Experience”
Special Contribution Award: Lin Huangkun, Tu Ying
Xiao Han Grateful for Judges’ Appreciation in Interview
In an interview, Xiao Han could hardly contain her excitement: “The moment I found out I’d won, I was a bit at a loss and was overwhelmed with emotion.” It turned out that when the results were announced, she was at a Zhang Jie concert in Singapore, having just heard him perform “You Deserve Better,” a song she co-wrote with Huang Yun Ren. Before she could process the emotion from that, she received the good news.
Why didn’t she attend the Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan? She explained, “I really wanted to attend, but I’ve recently needed to be in Hangzhou to film the music variety show ‘The Unparalleled Traditional Music’. So when I was invited to the Golden Melody Awards, I had to politely decline.” However, the recording dates for ‘The Unparalleled Traditional Music’ were uncertain, and she happened to have a free slot these past couple of days, but she didn’t want to trouble the Golden Melody organizers with last-minute arrangements, so she decided to return to Singapore.
Regarding her win, Xiao Han felt very lucky: “Because my competitors were so strong! I believe I must have had strong support from the judges—thank you for their kindness.” As for missing out on the “Song of the Year” award, she said, “Of course I hoped ‘My Existence Is Loving You’ would win too, but ‘Happiness Sings’ successfully brought out the feeling of the film ‘Sunshine Women’s Choir’. The definition of Song of the Year includes infectiousness and singability, so it truly deserved the award.”
Asked how she would celebrate, Xiao Han laughed—hungry after the concert—“Huang Yun Ren wants me to treat everyone to hotpot!”
Jolin Tsai Sweeps Three Major Awards
Jolin Tsai claimed her second Best Mandarin Female Singer title with the album “Pleasure,” 19 years after her first, and also took home Album of the Year and Best Vocal Recording Album. Chang Chen-Yue won three awards with the album “Go With The Feeling,” taking Best Composer for the song “Wanderer’s...,” then defeating heavy favorite Nick Chou to be named Best Mandarin Male Singer for the first time in his 33-year career, and finally snatching up Best Mandarin Album.
The Best Taiwanese Album and Best Taiwanese Male Singer both went to the same singer-songwriter—Ricky Hsiao, with the album “Be a Softhearted Man Who Borrows Love.” This is his fifth time as Best Male Taiwanese Singer, continuing to hold the record for most wins in this category.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by A-Lin, who also won Song of the Year with “Happiness Sings.”
The Golden Melody Awards were a lively affair, with a typhoon joining the fun. Heavy rains hit before the start of the red carpet, and despite proper contingency plans by the organizers, a large puddle formed at the entrance, forcing guests to wade across. Netizens dubbed the scene the “Golden Melody Obstacle Course.”
The large water puddle was a major challenge for all nominees, especially those in long dresses who had to proceed with utmost caution—some almost slipped.
Other major Golden Melody Awards:
Best Vocal Group: GENBLUE Fantasia “Mirror”
Best Band: Sunset Rollercoaster “Quit Quietly”
Best New Artist: Chen Xianjing “If Every Day Could Be Happy Happy Who Wants Sad :*- The Secret of Cooperation”
Best Album Producer: Chang Shilei “Pure Sister”
Best Single Producer: ØZI, The Crane “Final Final Final”
Best Arranger: Jude Chiu, Tsui Chin Hung “Silver Wasteland”
Jury Award: Chen Xiaoxia “Old Wings” album
Best Taiwanese Female Singer: PiA Wu Bei Ya “First Divorce Experience”
Special Contribution Award: Lin Huangkun, Tu Ying