"Dancing Diva" Released: April 26, 2006 (2006-04-26)
Dancing Diva (Chinese: 舞孃) is the eighth studio album by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai, released on May 12, 2006, by EMI and Mars.[1] The album was produced by Adia, Paul Lee, Peter Lee, Paula Ma, Yuri Chan, and Stanley Huang.[2] Rooted in pop and electronic music, the album features a diverse range of musical styles.
Dancing Diva was met with positive reviews from music critics for its production and composition.[3][4] Commentators noted that it helped solidify Tsai's position as one of the top dance recording artists in the Chinese music industry.[5]
The album sold over 300,000 copies in Taiwan and more than 2.5 million copies across Asia.[6][7] It was the best-selling album in Taiwan in 2006 and was nominated for the Best Mandarin Album at the 18th Golden Melody Awards.[8] Tsai also received a nomination for Best Female Mandarin Singer, while Adiai received a nomination for Best Single Producer for the track "Dancing Diva".[9] At the awards ceremony, Tsai won both the Best Female Mandarin Singer and the Most Popular Female Singer awards.[10]
On December 21, 2005, media outlets reported that Tsai had begun collecting songs for her new album, which was expected to be released in March or April of the following year.[13] On February 14, 2006, Tsai signed with EMI and announced that she had already started recording the new album.[14] She also revealed that the album would be released on May 12, 2006, stating, "EMI Capitol offers a fresh environment with abundant musical resources, which has given me great freedom to pursue the music I want to create."[15]
On February 22, 2006, Ashin disclosed that he would be writing a song for Tsai's upcoming album.[16] By March 15, 2006, media sources reported that the album's recording was 80% complete, and it was confirmed that the lead single had already been chosen.[17]
On March 25, 2006, it was announced that Tsai had completed the recording of the album and would be flying to Budapest, Hungary, to shoot music videos for song from the album.[18] On April 11, 2006, it was revealed that Tsai had written the lyrics for the song "The Prologue" in September of the previous year. Her manager, Howard Chiang, explained that Tsai had searched for the right melody to accompany the lyrics for an extended period.[19]
On April 24, 2006, it was reported that Tsai had traveled to Los Angeles to learn choreography for two of the album's tracks, "Pulchritude" and "Mr. Q".[20] On April 28, 2006, it was further revealed that Stanley Huang had written the song "Good Guy" for Tsai's album.[21]
The lead single, "Dancing Diva", features a smooth, rhythmic beat paired with exotic influences, delivering a strong sense of rhythm and catchy lyrics. "Pretend" explores the emotional complexity of a woman who, despite feeling wronged in a relationship, pretends everything is fine. "A Wonder in Madrid" uses imagery such as "arched rooftops" and "fiery red dance costumes" to symbolize pure emotions, while the crisp sounds of a xylophone evoke a sense of youthful beauty.
"Mr. Q" is an American-style dance track, for which Tsai also penned the English rap section. "The Prologue" is a melancholic yet moving ballad, with lyrics describing the bittersweet reality of breaking up but remaining friends.
"Pulchritude" expresses the 21st-century woman's autonomy in fashion and love, asserting that women should not rely on emotions or blindly follow trends. "Good Guy" is a high-energy rock track performed in collaboration with Stanley Huang. "Love in the Shape of a Heart" is a beautiful, delicate ballad.
"Heart Breaking Day" addresses the sorrowful feelings of longing and separation, offering a counterpoint to traditional Valentine's Day sentiments. "The Finale" is an emotionally charged ballad with deeply heartfelt lyrics. Tsai's soulful delivery, marked by a calm and introspective vocal style, further emphasizes the song's emotional depth. Additionally, "Attraction of Sexy Lips" was featured as the theme song for the cosmetic brand Max Factor's lip gloss commercial. The song's strong rhythm complements Tsai's sensual image, aligning with the product's branding.[22]
Title and artwork
The album title "Dancing Diva" not only refers to a woman who can dance but also embodies the concept of "a girl who transforms her energy into movement, dancing through life."[23] Tsai expressed her desire to showcase a more personal style through the music and performances of the album. In addition to the emotional and touching ballads that resonate with listeners, the dynamic dance tracks and choreography also garnered significant attention and sparked conversation.[24] Tsai mentioned that the album carries a semi-autobiographical meaning, with the concept of "Dancing Diva"—where song and dance are central to life—reflecting her own life and career.[25] She stated, "Dance is a very important part of my performances and something I am very confident in. This time, I will bring new, incredible dance moves, so stay tuned!"[26] The official album cover features Tsai wearing a transparent shirt, a white bikini, hot pants, and over-the-knee socks, while holding a 3-foot ribbon. The image is both powerful and graceful, perfectly capturing the essence of the album's theme.[27]
Release and Promotion
On April 12, 2006, Tsai held a countdown event in Taipei, Taiwan, to celebrate the upcoming release of her album.[26] On April 26, EMI announced that the album was available for pre-order.[28] By April 29, it was revealed that over 100,000 copies of the album had been pre-ordered within the first three days of availability.[29]
On May 12, 2006, Tsai hosted a press conference in Taipei to officially launch the album.[30] She commented, "This album features many different musical styles, making it hard to define a single genre. However, it will definitely offer listeners a fresh experience, as I have incorporated many upbeat songs that I have never tried before. Previously, my fast-paced tracks were mostly electronic dance music, but this time, there are various styles, including rock and rhythm-heavy tracks. I hope Dancing Diva will spark people's interest and encourage them to learn the dance moves and songs from the album."[31]
The album quickly achieved commercial success, debuting at number one on the weekly sales charts from major Taiwanese record stores, including G-Music and Five Music, during its first week of release.[32][33] By May 28, it was reported that the album had sold over 1 million copies across Asia.[34] On June 20, 2006, Tsai held a press conference in Taipei, where she announced that the album's total sales in Asia had surpassed 2 million copies.[35] On July 1, 2006, she held the Pulchritude Concert in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.[36] On July 7, 2006, Tsai released a special edition of the album, titled "Perfect Celebration Edition", which included 11 additional music videos.[37]
By November 23, 2006, it was reported that the album had sold over 230,000 copies in Taiwan and over 2.5 million copies across Asia, making it the best-selling album in Taiwan for 2006.[6] On January 12, 2007, the album ranked number two on Five Music's annual sales chart for 2006.[38] On January 22, 2007, it also topped G-Music's annual sales chart for 2006.[39] On February 12, 2007, it was revealed that the album ranked number six on Singapore's 2006 year-end Chinese album sales chart.[40]
Live performances
On April 24, 2006, Tsai attended the 2005 Music Radio China Top Charts Awards, where she performed "Attraction of Sexy Lips".[41] On May 6, 2006, she participated in the MTV Asia Awards 2006, performing "Dancing Diva".[42] On May 26, 2006, Tsai took part in the Golden Melody Orz Concert, where she performed "Dancing Diva", "Pretence", and "A Wonder in Madrid".[43] The following day, May 27, she performed "Pretence", " Wonder in Madrid", and "Dancing Diva" at the Le Party.[44] On May 30, 2006, Tsai appeared on the Taiwanese variety show Variety Big Brother, where she performed "Dancing Diva" and "Mr. Q".[45] On June 4, 2006, she participated in the Shandong-based variety show Fans Party, performing "Dancing Diva".[46]
On July 13, 2006, Tsai performed "Dancing Diva", "Mr. Q", and "A Wonder in Madrid" at the 2006 Volunteer Beijing Concert.[47] On July 21, 2006, she joined the ZPop Charity Concert, where she performed "Pulchritude", "Love in the Shape of a Heart", "Dancing Diva", and "Mr. Q".[48] On July 24, 2006, Tsai recorded a segment for the Chinese variety show Heaven and Earth Heroes Campus Tour, where she performed "Pulchritude", "A Wonder in Madrid", "Pretence", "Love in the Shape of a Heart", "Dancing Diva", and "Mr. Q".[49]
On July 25, 2006, Tsai performed "Dancing Diva", "Pretence", and "Mr. Q" at the Summer Music Festival.[50] On July 26, 2006, she held a special online concert for Sohu Music in Beijing, where she performed "Pulchritude", "A Wonder in Madrid", "Pretence", "Dancing Diva", and "Mr. Q".[51] On August 5, 2006, Tsai participated in the Nine Planets Concert, where she performed "Mr. Q" and "A Wonder in Madrid".[52] On August 6, 2006, she attended the Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards 2006, where she performed "Dancing Diva". On August 9, 2006, Tsai appeared on the Hong Kong variety show Jade Solid Gold, performing "Dancing Diva" and "Mr. Q".[53]
On August 14, 2006, she performed "Pulchritude", "A Wonder in Madrid", "Dancing Diva", and "Mr. Q" at My FM 8th Anniversary Music Magic Tour.[54] On September 1, 2006, Tsai performed "Dancing Diva", "Kiss Me", "Mr. Q", and "Pretence" at the MTV Mandarin Awards.[55] Subsequently, Tsai continued to participate in various events, performing tracks from the album at each.
Singles and music videos
Szentendre's Main Square, one of the locations featured in the music video for "A Wonder in Madrid"
On April 26, 2006, Tsai released the single "Dancing Diva".[24] The music video for the song was released on April 27, 2006, directed by Marlboro Lai and Bill Chia.[56] The choreography in the video blends reggae, hip-hop, and Middle Eastern dance styles, creating a "light-wave dance" that combines powerful hip and chest movements with fluid and explosive motions.[57] Tsai incorporated rhythmic gymnastics ribbons into the video for a unique visual effect, stating, "I saw the ribbon gymnastics on TV while promoting and thought it looked beautiful. I told my manager I wanted to learn it and include it in my future dances. After the album was finished, we felt that the ribbon dance was a perfect fit for 'Dancing Diva.'"[58] She also shared, "Gymnastics is very intense, and the physical demands are quite scary. I had to push myself to do different physical training, like stretching my legs to 180 degrees. After each gymnastics session, I was so exhausted I could barely breathe."[59]
On May 9, 2006, Tsai released the music video for "Pretence", directed by Leste Chen.[60] This video marked her first attempt at a narrative-based music video, featuring a storyline that closely mirrors real life. The aesthetic of the video, with its strong influence from director Shunji Iwai, tells the story of a woman who accidentally encounters her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend on a bus, triggering memories of their past romance.[61] On May 15, 2006, Tsai released the music video for "A Wonder in Madrid", directed by Terry a& Friends and filmed in Szentendre, Hungary.[62] On May 30, 2006, she released the music video for "Mr. Q", directed by Kuang Sheng, with a special appearance by Edison Chen.[63]
On June 12, 2006, Tsai released the music video for "The Prologue", directed by May Wen, with a guest appearance by Waser Chou.[64] On June 20, 2006, she released the music video for "Pulchritude", directed by Marlboro Lai, featuring a predominantly red background and lighting effects that created a dazzling atmosphere.[65] The music video for "Good Guy" was directed by Chen Hung-i, while the videos for "Love in the Shape of a Heart" and Heart Breaking Day" were both directed by May Wen. The video for "The Finale" was directed by JP Huang, and the video for "Attraction of Sexy Lips" was once again directed by Marlboro Lai.
"Dancing Diva" ranked number 33 on the 2006 Taiwan's Hit FM Top 100 Singles chart, while "Pretence" and "A Wonder in Madrid" ranked number 3 and 14, respectively.[66]
On May 31, 2006, Tsai's manager, Howard Chiang, revealed that Tsai was planning to launch a new tour in the second half of the year.[67] On July 17, 2006, Tsai announced that her second world tour, the Dancing Forever World Tour, would kick off on September 15, 2006, at Hong Kong Coliseum.[11]
On June 8, 2007, Tsai released a live video album and documentary titled If You Think You Can, You Can!, which featured select live performances from the tour's Taipei stop at Taipei Arena from November 17–19, 2006. The album also included a documentary about the tour and music videos for four songs from her 2006 album Dancing Forever.[68]
On February 8, 2009, the Dancing Forever World Tour concluded at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, United States.[12] The tour, which lasted two and a half years, visited 20 cities across Asia, North America, and Oceania, with a total of 28 shows. It attracted over 500,000 attendees and grossed over NT$1 billion in ticket sales.[69]
Critical reception
Taiwan's Marie Claire praised the album, stating: "The release of Dancing Diva marks Jolin Tsai's evolution. From her music to her music videos, her image as both a talented singer and dancer has become more established. After studying dance in the United States, she combined dance and gymnastics to deliver breathtaking performances, winning her the Best Female Mandarin Singer award—the first of her career. The critics praised her for 'breaking free and becoming a true artist,' a sharp contrast to the past when she was ridiculed as a 'bad singer' by some musicians. With this album, she proved her immense talent."[70]Qianjiang Evening News music critic Chen Yuhao remarked: "The album Dancing Diva holds significant meaning for Jolin Tsai. Strictly speaking, it is from this album onward that she truly established her image as a 'singer-dancer diva'."
Tencent Music's Yo! Bang chart noted: "With its exotic influences, smooth and sharp rhythms, and Jolin Tsai's stunning dance performances, Dancing Diva solidified her position as a leading dancing singer in the pop industry."[5]Tencent Entertainment's music critic Shu Wa highlighted: "The standout feature of Dancing Diva is its grandiosity, something that previous Jolin Tsai works could not compare to. This grandeur is not just reflected in her styling and dancing but also in the musical arrangements. The fast-paced songs showcase bold, sophisticated arrangements that leave a lasting impression. Meanwhile, in the slower, more emotional songs, Tsai no longer limits herself to the 'young girl' persona of her earlier work, instead showing a more mature side. The production, particularly under the guidance of the producer Adia, demonstrated a high level of understanding of Jolin Tsai's dance music, giving this album great listenability and commercial appeal."[4]
Sina Music's critic Stephen Lee compared the album to her previous work, J-Game (2005), and noted: "Compared to J-Game, Jolin Tsai's new album shows significant improvement in song quality, overall effect, vocal delivery, and the breakthroughs in her music. While not radically new, the album offers refreshing elements and surprises. The variety of musical styles and themes provides a rich listening experience that is far more engaging than her previous album."[71] Voice of Taipei's review praised the album's careful selection of songs and concept, stating: "The album's accurate choice of songs and planning added a new level of femininity to Jolin Tsai's image. The production is polished, and frankly, it is a high-caliber Mandarin pop album."[72]
3C Music website commented: "The success of Jolin Tsai's album is understandable—her sexy image, catchy and easy-to-dance-to songs, stable quality across both fast and slow tracks, and exquisite packaging all contributed to her massive popularity in Taiwan. The quality improvement of the album's fast-paced songs is also a noteworthy aspect."[73] Csheila website remarked: "Dancing Diva goes beyond simple R&B dance tracks. The fusion of psychedelic electronic music and exotic influences creates an innovative sound for Jolin Tsai's dance tracks. The trend sparked by this album was a major sensation that resonated among teenagers."[74]
Music Copyright Society of Chinese Taipei's critic, Yeh Chun-pu, stated: "Dancing Diva established a beautiful and splendid new style of dance music for Jolin Tsai, not only making a huge impact but also propelling her to the throne of Best Female Singer at the Golden Melody Awards."[75] Liu Ya-wen, president of the jury of the 18th Golden Melody Awards, noted: "Jolin Tsai has led the way with her clever, versatile performances, especially with Dancing Diva. This album's rich content allowed her to break free from the constraints of being just a 'pop idol' and become a true singer. Her victory lies in her multifaceted qualities, especially in the context of changing music platforms, where online downloads are dominant. She embodies this all-around trend."[3]
Taiwan's Apple Music described: "The album features dynamic dance tracks infused with rich exotic influences. With a foundation of electronic and pop music, the style is diverse and varied. Tsai's Best Female Mandarin Singer Award at the 18th Golden Melody Awards was a result of this album's success, which sparked much discussion, especially with tracks like the title song "Dancing Diva", "A Wonder in Madrid", and "Pretence". The strong rhythms, catchy lyrics, and smooth melodies left a lasting impression."[76] Tencent Music's Wave panel ranked the album 42nd on its list of Top 200 Mandarin Albums from 2001–2020 for the 2001–2010 period.
Accolades
On August 6, 2006, Tsai won the Best Asian Singer and Best Stage Performance awards at the 2006 Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards. Her song "Dancing Diva" received both the Song of the Year and Top Songs awards. Additionally, her track "Pretence" was awarded Top Songs.[77] On August 31, 2006, Tsai also earned the MTV Mandarin Award for Top 20 Most Popular Singer award.[78] On October 28, 2006, she was recognized as one of the Top 5 Most Outstanding Taiwanese Singers at the 6th Global Chinese Music Awards in Taiwan, with "Dancing Diva" being named one of the Top 20 Most Popular Songs.[79] On November 10, 2006, Tsai received the China Fashion Awards for Hong Kong/Taiwan Fashion Female Singer and Asian Breakthrough Singer.[80] On December 15, 2006, Tsai was awarded Most Popular Singer at the Music Pioneer Awards, with "Dancing Diva" also being honored as one of the Top 10 Hong Kong/Taiwan Songs.[81] On January 18, 2007, Tsai won Most Admired Mandarin Female Singer at the Canadian Chinese Pop Music Awards, while "Pretence" was named one of the Top 10 Most Admired Mandarin Songs.[82] On January 25, 2007, "Dancing Diva" was awarded Best Taiwan Song of the Year at the 13th China Music Awards.[83]
On February 2, 2007, Tsai received multiple honors at the KKBox Music Awards, including Best Female Artist of the Year, with the album also taking home Album of the Year honors. Songs "Dancing Diva" and "Pretence" were recognized among the Top 20 Songs of the Year, while "A Wonder in Madrid" earned Top 20 Songs of the Year and Most Consecutive Chart-Topping Song accolades.[84] On February 3, 2007, she won Best Female Singer, Most Popular Female Singer, and Internet Premier Song Popularity Award at the Hito Music Awards. The album was recognized as Most Long-Lasting Album of the Year, and "Dancing Diva" was named one of the Top 10 Chinese Songs of the Year.[85] On February 24, 2007, she won Most Popular Taiwanese Singer and Top 10 Singers at the 1st Family Music Awards, with the album also recognized as one of the Top 10 Albums. "Pretence" earned a Top 10 Songs award, and "A Wonder in Madrid" received the Most Popular Karaoke Song award.[86]
On March 22, 2007, the album was named one of the Top 10 Best Selling Mandarin Albums of 2006 at the IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Awards.[87] On March 25, 2007, Tsai won Top 5 Chinese Singer of the Year at the 14th Chinese Top Ten Music Awards.[88] On May 4, 2007, the 18th Golden Melody Awards announced Tsai's nominations, including Best Female Mandarin Singer and Best Mandarin Album. Additionally, producer Adia was nominated for Best Single Producer for "Dancing Diva".[9] On May 20, 2007, Tsai received the Most Popular Taiwanese Female Singer and Best Stage Performance Award at the 4th Music King Awards, with "Dancing Diva" winning Top Mandarin Songs.[89] On June 16, 2007, Tsai won Best Female Mandarin Singer and Most Popular Female Singer at the 18th Golden Melody Awards.[10] On June 29, 2007, she also received the Music Radio China Top Chart Awards, including Best Album Sales Female Singer and Best Hong Kong/Taiwan Album of the Year, with "Dancing Diva" named Best Song of the Year.[90]
