Shirley Kwan's "Love is Hard to Come By" Vinyl Record Collector's Value - 9 Music Boxes
Singer: Shirley Kwan
Record company: PolyGram
Release year: 1989
Producer: Alvin Leong

01. Lovers Under the Starry Sky
02. The Most Memorable Time
03. Drawing Stars
04. Endless Entanglement
05. A Rare Lover
06. How Can My Devotion Be Alone
07. Doubt
08. Secret Love
09. Bloody Mary
10. Pop Style

- In 1988,PolyGram executive Alvin Leong arranged for a new artist to audition in the recording studio. Chan Kim Wo (Xiang Xue Huai) and other record producers heard about it and came to watch. They heard that this new artist,who had won a major award in a singing competition in Japan,was a skilled singer,and everyone wanted to see her. With long hair,a red mini-skirt,high heels,and a swaying figure,she walked into the recording studio step by step. Her composure and grace made all the producers present nod in admiration. She chose to sing Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All," using the original key. Her outstanding performance was no less impressive than the original,and the rich and varied vocal tones further enhanced the song's appeal. After the song,everyone applauded continuously. This new artist,who stunned everyone with her skills,was Shirley Kwan.
- As early as June 1986,twenty-year-old Shirley Kwan participated in the 5th New Talent Singing Awards but failed to advance to the finals. In August 1988,Shirley Kwan participated in the 5th "Marine Blue Singing Contest" held in Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan,and won the championship with the song "We."
- In March 1989,Shirley Kwan released her first Cantonese album "Winter Love" after signing with PolyGram,which immediately achieved gold sales. The lead fast song "Rebellious Man" with "Oh Andy Andy..." made music fans begin to notice this new artist.
- In November 1989,Shirley Kwan released her second Cantonese album "A Rare Lover," and also released the album "Save Goodbye" in Japan.
- "A Rare Lover" is inspired by the Tang Dynasty poet Yu Xuanji's "To a Neighboring Girl," which contains the line "Precious treasures are easy to find,a loving heart is hard to obtain." Xiang Xue Huai did not write it as a tragic song; even if love is not going well,it reveals a positive view of love. Xiang Xue Huai compared the coming love to early spring awakening,contrasting with his song "Late Spring" for Alan Tam,creating an interesting parallel. Xiang Xue Huai used a large number of words related to happy love,describing the sweetness of love with an overwhelming force,and used the classic romantic scene "running in the wind" in the lyrics. The lyrics are so beautiful that they fill the mind with vivid images. The lyrics and music blend perfectly,the lyrical concept combined with the light and lyrical melody,plus Shirley Kwan's emotional performance,made the song an instant hit upon release.
- The avant-garde and alternative "Bloody Mary" is a work by Andrew Cheung,with a rock feel. The dense and short lyrics and intense rhythm reveal Shirley Kwan's cool and aloof side. "Drawing Stars" and "Pop Style" are adapted from Roxette's second album "Look Sharp!" songs "Paint" and "Dressed For Success." The dynamic and rhythmic "Drawing Stars" was a duet by Hacken Lee and Shirley Kwan.
- Shirley Kwan's voice is as clear as water,captivating and sensual. She is skilled at controlling the nuances of songs,and her "signature" singing style is unique. Whether it's melancholic slow songs or lively dance-style fast songs,she can handle them with ease,demonstrating her ability to master various musical styles and showcasing her profound vocal skills.
- Shirley Kwan had a fruitful year at the three major award ceremonies,winning the "Most Promising Newcomer Award - Silver" at the Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs,the "Most Popular Newcomer Award" at the Top Ten Gold Songs Awards,and the "Commercial Radio New Artist Gold Award" at the Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation. "A Rare Lover" was selected as one of the Top Ten Gold Songs,and the composer Lowell Lo won the "Best Chinese Pop Song Award" at the 12th Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs.
- In 1989,Priscilla Chan announced she was going to study in the US and temporarily left the music scene,while Cally Kwong moved to DMI. As a newcomer,Shirley Kwan immediately became PolyGram's favored artist,molded into a new generation of music idols.
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