He sings! Writes his own music! Plays a zillion instruments! Self produced his new Mandarin album, Forever's First Day! And get this: he's also been voted the guy that Taiwanese fals would most like to meet...in bed!(Jeepers!) So when American-born Asian heart-throb LEE HOM tells Stella Thng he reckons he'll "make a fine father someday", we couldn't help but holler: "Over-achiever!"
It's been over a year since you last released an album - that's a loong time in the Mandopop biz! Why the delay?
Leehom: I wrote like 40 songs for my new record, Forever's First Day but picked only 10. I did all the arrangements and played almost all the instruments myself!
You wrote, arranged, composed, programmed and produced almost every track. Did you design the album cover as well?
Actually, I did a little bit of that too - I selected the pictures! Haha!
Were you dying to show off all your talents at once or just er...cutting costs?
No, no, no! (Very seriously)It's about sincerity. It's different when an artist writes his own music. I play my own instruments piano, guitar, violin, etc) so my skills don't get rusty. More importantly, it's to create an unique Lee Hom sound. (Dramatically)This albums is like a baby to me. I care so much about it, I wouldn't let anybody else mess with it! (Suddenly)I think I'll be a good father one day.
You're sporting some stubby bits on your album cover. IS that a new look for you?
(Sheepishly)Actually, it was because I was so busy with the album, I didn't shave for three months!
What track on Forever's First Day would really annoy my parents?
It has to be "Love is a stage". That's a real rock 'n' roll number. (Warns)It's very, very loud!
What's a good track to make out to?
Aha! Play my ballad "Don't be afraid". It's a smoochy song I wrote in Boston. There's a beautiful park right outside my apartment, One day, I was lying on the grass, watching the sun set and I started thinking about having someone next to me, sharing a bottle of red wine, telling her she can trust me and not be afraid to fall in love with me...(Trails off dreamily)I eventually wrote it into a romantic ballad!
Do you ever make out to your own music?
(Embarrassed silence)Yeah, I do, actually! I have done it before, but not all the time! Haha!
According to your press release, you're "locked in a bear hug with a pretty extra for two whole days" while shooting for your MTV for first single "Forever's First Day"....
(Protests)Whaat? That's bull! It wasn't two days, I only hugged her for like, two hours! Hrrmmph!
What's your take on recent Billboard gits like, say, Madonna's 'Music' and 'Give Me Just One Night' by 98 degrees?
(Agreebly)They are all well-written songs. And like the Beatles said, the only formula is a good song with good lyrics and melody. I have the Madonna record. As for 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera...I'm not a fan but I listen to different music for the album's production quality. I really like Robbie Williams, I own a few of his albums!
Which pop-star crime are you guilty of: dating famous girls, never queuing at restaurants or wearing shades indoors?
All of them! But you're not supposed to know about it. Shhh!
You'll be appearing in two action movies next year, including the Stanley Tong film "China's Strike Force" co starring Grammy winner, Coolio! Did you exchange any music tips with the ghetto gangsta?
We're working out on the soundtrack together, I'll be doing the music and he'll write the lyrics. We've already written three songs. (Gushes)Coolio's awesome, he's such a nice guy and so smart and creative!
What's this we hear about you kicking butt in your movies?
I'm okay at the kungfu stuff but I'm no Jet Li! It's not really Chinese kungfu fighting anyway, just a lot of stunts and big-action guns. It's pretty hard work. Look! I've got a new bruise! (Shows off huge, purplish patch)
You're in Singapore to perform for a TV charity show. What's the kindest thing anyone has done for you?
I'm very grateful to my parents. In one of my songs, "Descendants of the Dragon", I rapped about them leaving Taiwan and arriving in America with "no money, no job, no speak English". (Emotionally)They worked very hard to provide me with music lessons and paid for all my training to make me what I am today.
You've recently been voted the guy most Taiwanese girls want to (ahem!) get frisky with. Is that the highest compliment anyone can pay you?
(Annoyed)That's a pretty high compliment but...geez! It's not like that's my goal! I don't usually talk about these...things. I want to talk about my music! Being No 1. on a list like that is very amusing but when you've won awards like the Singapore Hits Awards, I mean, those are what I'm working for!