"Common Jasmine Orange" (Chinese: 七里香; pinyin: Qī Lǐ Xiāng) is a song by Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jay Chou, from his fifth studio album of the same name (2004). "Common Jasmine Orange" was written by frequent collaborator Vincent Fang while production and composition was handled by Chou. It premiered on various radio stations in Asia on July 21, 2004, as the lead single from the album. The title of the single and the album took inspiration from the poem Seven Miles of Fragrance by Xi Murong.
Musically, "Common Jasmine Orange" is a soft rock number that incorporates elements of R&B and traditional Chinese instrumentations. Music critics praised the song for its composition and lyrics, drawing parallels with Chinese music and influences. The single performed well in Taiwan, ranking number one on the Hit FM Top 100 Singles of the Year list for 2004. In 2023, it reached number four on the Malaysian Chinese Chart compiled by RIM.
"Common Jasmine Orange" is a Chinese-style poetic love song that was inspired by the poem Seven Miles of Fragrance by Xi Murong.[1] Commentators have described the song as a romantic summer number that captures the feelings one gets from a love interest.[2]
Music video
The music video for the song was filmed in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The chosen locations for the shoot included local shrines, rice paddies, and fields of flowers. During the filming of the movie Initial D in Japan, Chou requested a day off from the crew to shoot the music video. In the video, he and actress Chie Tanaka are shown running through the garden hand in hand and sitting on a swing.[3]
Usage in education
In 2007, the lyrics of "Common Jasmine Orange" appeared on an exam at Xuhui High School in Taipei. In the exam, the questions asked: "In Jay Chou's song 'Common Jasmine Orange', he creates the image of 'summer' to express his love for a woman. What is the symbolic meaning?", as well as: "In the line 'The taste of saury, both the cat and you want to know', what techniques does the author use to express the man's passion for a woman?" In response, lyricist Vincent Fang said that even he could not answer the questions, and in the end only five students passed.[4]
Accolades
Awards and nominations for "Common Jasmine Orange"
^Tan, John (June 28, 2022). "The king of Mandapop". The Sun Malaysia. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
^"周杰伦新专辑下周预购 "七里香"飘溢抒情摇滚" [Jay Chou's new album is available for pre-order next week. "Seven Miles of Fragrance" is full of lyrical rock]. Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). July 16, 2004. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
^"周董歌词成考题一中学仅五人及格" [Jay Chou's lyrics became a test question, only five students from a secondary school passed]. Sina News (in Chinese). February 1, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
^"组图：周杰伦身穿黑衣隆重上台领奖" [Photo: Jay Chou dressed in black and went on stage to receive the award]. Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 11, 2005. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
^"第五届全球华语歌曲排行榜完全获奖名单_影音娱乐_新浪网" [The complete list of winners of the 5th Global Chinese Songs Chart]. Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). September 4, 2005. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
^"香港TVB8金曲榜颁奖礼:刘德华横扫6大奖(图)" [Hong Kong TVB8 Golden Songs Awards Ceremony: Andy Lau swept 6 awards (Photo)]. China Economic Net (in Chinese). December 20, 2004. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
^"第十二届中国歌曲排行榜颁奖典礼完全名单" [The complete list of the 12th China Song Chart Awards]. Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 22, 2005. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
^"第27届香港十大中文金曲获奖完全名单_影音娱乐_新浪网" [The complete list of winners of the 27th Hong Kong Top Ten Chinese Golden Songs Awards]. Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). January 19, 2005. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
