Lin Yu-chun (); born 9 March 1986 in
Taipei
Taipei (), officially Taipei City, is the capital and a special municipality of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Located in Northern Taiwan, Taipei City is an enclave of the municipality of New Taipei City that sits about southwest of the ...
) is a
Taiwanese
Taiwanese may refer to:
* Taiwanese language, another name for Taiwanese Hokkien
* Something from or related to Taiwan (Formosa)
* Taiwanese aborigines, the indigenous people of Taiwan
* Han Taiwanese, the Han people of Taiwan
* Taiwanese people, r ...
singer, who gained fame by appearing on a Taiwanese talent show, ''
One Million Star
''One Million Star'' () is a television singing competition in Taiwan broadcast on China Television (CTV). It debuted on 5 January 2007, filling the 10pm to midnight time slot on Friday evenings. The show is hosted by Tao Ching-Ying (陶晶瑩) a ...
'' (超級星光大道), singing "
I Will Always Love You
"I Will Always Love You" is a song written and originally recorded in 1973 by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Written as a farewell to her business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, expressing Parton's decision to pursue a solo caree ...
" (written and originally sung by
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...
) in the style of
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "Honorific nicknames in popular music, The Voice", she is Whitney Houston albums discography, one of the bestselling music artists ...
's
cover version
In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song relea ...
. Lin is well known for his
mezzo-soprano-like, and sometimes,
contralto
A contralto () is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type.
The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typical ...
-like
countertenor
A countertenor (also contra tenor) is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types, generally extending from around G3 to D5 or E5, although a sopranist ( ...
singing voice, although he has an adult speaking voice. According to many sources, Lin's voice is usually described as a mixture of Whitney Houston and Susan Boyle, with a dash of
Cher
Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female autonomy in a male-dominated industr ...
. When Lin sings in his normal masculine voice rather than in a
falsetto
''Falsetto'' (, ; Italian diminutive of , "false") is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave.
It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentou ...
range, his voice actually somewhat sounds like
Jamie Walters
James Leland Walters Jr. (born June 13, 1969) is an American actor and singer, best known for his roles on ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' and '' The Heights'' and singing lead vocal on " How Do You Talk to an Angel".
Career
Walters was born in Boston ...
, or even possibly like
Jackson Browne, and to a lesser extent,
George Harrison. . In 2013, he competed in the second season of ''
The Voice of China
''The Voice of China'' () is a Chinese reality television singing competition broadcast on Zhejiang Television. Based on the original ''The Voice of Holland'', the concept of the series is to find new singing talent (solo or duets) contested by as ...
''.
Biography
Lin was voted off the show, but after a video of Lin singing the song made it onto YouTube, Lin became an
internet celebrity
An Internet celebrity (also known as a social media influencer, social media personality, internet personality, or simply influencer) is a celebrity who has acquired or developed their fame and notability through the Internet. The rise of socia ...
, receiving more than 10,000,000 views of his performance. Many news sources dubbed Lin "Taiwan's
Susan Boyle
Susan Magdalane Boyle (born 1 April 1961) is a Scottish singer. She rose to fame in 2009 after appearing as a contestant on the third series of ''Britain's Got Talent'', singing " I Dreamed a Dream" from '.
Boyle's debut studio album, ''I D ...
". In an interview, Lin Yu Chun explained that he selected
"I Will Always Love You" to show his gratitude to his grandmother for taking care of Lin over the years.
In April 2010, he visited the United States and performed "I Will Always Love You" and
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is an immensely popular hymn, particularly in the United States, where it is used for bot ...
on ''
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' (often shortened to ''Ellen'' or ''The Ellen Show'') is an American daytime television variety comedy talk show that was created and hosted by its namesake Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it was pr ...
''. On the same trip, he attended ''
Lopez Tonight
''Lopez Tonight'' is an American late-night television talk show that was hosted by the comedian George Lopez. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network TBS. Lopez was the first Mexican-American to host a late-nigh ...
'' and performed "
Saving All My Love for You
"Saving All My Love for You" is a song written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. for their album ''Marilyn & Billy'' (1978). American singer Whitney Houston recorded a cover of the song ...
" (also a Whitney Houston cover) and
Total Eclipse of the Heart
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was written and produced by Jim Steinman, and released on Tyler's fifth studio album, '' Faster Than the Speed of Night'' (1983). The song was released as a single ...
(originally by
Bonnie Tyler
Gaynor Sullivan (née Hopkins; born 8 June 1951), known professionally as Bonnie Tyler, is a Welsh people, Welsh singer who is known for her distinctive husky voice. Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album ''The World Start ...
) as a duet with
William Shatner
William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship ''Enterpri ...
.
Sony Music Taiwan
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), also known as simply Sony Music, is an American multinational music company. Being owned by the parent conglomerate Sony Group Corporation, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is owned by Sony Entertainment ...
announced they had signed Lin Yu Chun to a record deal. Lin Yu-chun's signing press conference occurred on 13 May 2010, and was held in Shanghai San Want Hotel.
On 22 May 2010, at
Dodgers Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ( ...
during a
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brookly ...
game, he sang "
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bo ...
", "
God Bless America
"God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin during World War I in 1918 and revised by him in the run up to World War II in 1938. The later version was notably recorded by Kate Smith, becoming her signature s ...
" and "Taiwan, Touch Your Heart". On 11 August 2010 Lin sang
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "Honorific nicknames in popular music, The Voice", she is Whitney Houston albums discography, one of the bestselling music artists ...
's "
I Will Always Love You
"I Will Always Love You" is a song written and originally recorded in 1973 by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Written as a farewell to her business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, expressing Parton's decision to pursue a solo caree ...
" on
America's Got Talent season 5 on the YouTube selection episode, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Lin has been slated to play the role of
Liu Lucy for the
HBO Asia
HBO Asia is the Asian division of HBO, based out of Singapore. It was originally launched on 1 May 1992 as MovieVision, later rebranding on 1 June 1995 to its current name after being purchased by Home Box Office, Inc. The Singapore-based broa ...
produced miniseries
Untold Stories of 1949
''Big River, Big Sea — Untold Stories of 1949'' () is a collection of stories written by Taiwanese author Lung Ying-tai published in August 2009. It tells in detail, the events from the surrounding the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War includin ...
. In 2013, he competed in the second season of ''
The Voice of China
''The Voice of China'' () is a Chinese reality television singing competition broadcast on Zhejiang Television. Based on the original ''The Voice of Holland'', the concept of the series is to find new singing talent (solo or duets) contested by as ...
''.
One Million Star
On 26 March 2010, Lin sang
John Newton
John Newton (; – 21 December 1807) was an English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist. He had previously been a captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. He served as a sailor in the Royal Navy (after forc ...
's "
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is an immensely popular hymn, particularly in the United States, where it is used for bot ...
", earning Lin 24 points (his opponent, Zhang Shi-Tang, got 19 points).
On 2 April 2010, Lin sang
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "Honorific nicknames in popular music, The Voice", she is Whitney Houston albums discography, one of the bestselling music artists ...
's "
I Will Always Love You
"I Will Always Love You" is a song written and originally recorded in 1973 by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Written as a farewell to her business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, expressing Parton's decision to pursue a solo caree ...
", earning Lin 25 points (his opponent, Su Zhi-Yu, got 22 points).
On 9 April 2010, Lin sang
Shunza
Shunza (born 1973) is a Chinese–American singer-songwriter known for her "velvet" voice and love ballads. Unlike most pop idols who perform in front of screaming fans, Shunza's concerts are more intimate and cocktail-style. Over the course of h ...
's "Coming Home" – 17 points (his opponent, Zhang Shi-Tang, got 20 points)
On 30 April 2010,Lin sang
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion ( ; born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Noted for her powerful and technically skilled vocals, Dion is the best-selling Canadian recording artist, and the best-selling French-language artist of all time. Her ...
's "
My Heart Will Go On
"My Heart Will Go On" is a 1997 song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion. The song serves as the main theme to James Cameron's blockbuster film '' Titanic'', based on an account of the transatlantic ocean liner of the same name which ...
" as a guest performer.
On 14 May 2010, Lin sang "
I Dreamed a Dream
"I Dreamed a Dream" is a song from the 1980 musical ''Les Misérables''. It is a solo that is sung by the character Fantine during the first act. The music is by Claude-Michel Schönberg, with orchestrations by John Cameron. The English lyric ...
" from
Les Misérables
''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.
In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original ...
as a guest performer.
Lin also sang a duet with
Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick (born June 5, 1956), known professionally as Kenny G, is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. His 1986 album '' Duotones'' brought him commercial success. Kenny G is one of the best-selling arti ...
., performing Whitney Houston's "
Saving All My Love For You
"Saving All My Love for You" is a song written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. for their album ''Marilyn & Billy'' (1978). American singer Whitney Houston recorded a cover of the song ...
".
Discography
''I Will Always Love You'' (2010) SICP-2778
Lin Yu Chun's debut is a mini-album, ''I Will Always Love You'', released in Japanese on 8 September 2010 specially for the Japanese market. It contains 4 songs from Lin's upcoming international debut, ''It's My Time'', and a Japanese-only bonus track, "
Hello
''Hello'' is a salutation or greeting in the English language. It is first attested in writing from 1826. Early uses
''Hello'', with that spelling, was used in publications in the U.S. as early as the 18 October 1826 edition of the '' Norwi ...
," a Japanese cover of
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of funk band the Commodores; writing and recor ...
's hit from 1984.
Track listing
''It's My Time'' (2010)
Lin's full-length international debut album, ''It's My Time'', was released on 17 September 2010, as a compilation of English-language pop songs previously recorded by major artists such as
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the ...
,
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of '' American Idol'' in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her de ...
, etc. The song "Under Your Wings" was written new for this album by Grammy-winning musician
Walter Afanasieff
Walter Afanasieff (born Vladimir Nikitich Afanasyev; February 10, 1958), formerly nicknamed Baby Love in the 1980s, is an American record producer and songwriter of Russian-Chinese descent. He was a collaborator with Mariah Carey on her first ...
.
Track listing
未來的第一站 (2010)
Track listing
''Endlessly'' (2011)
Track listing
MV Performance
Guest Performance
* 2009 - "H2H" by
Cyndi Wang
Cyndi Wang Hsin-ling (; born 5 September 1982) is a Taiwanese singer and actress. Wang debuted her musical career as she released her debut album, ''Begin...'' (2003). Besides her musical career, Wang has starred in many TV dramas, including ...
* 2021 - "Ain't Gonna Wait" by Rose Liu (
Liu Mingxiang 刘明湘)
Promo Videos
* May 2010 -
Haagon Dazs advertisement
* October 2010 - VL Sports (
緯來體育台) advertisement
* January 2011 - The Body Shop advertisement
* January 2014 - "Carchs" advertisement
* June 2015 -
Yanjing Beer
Beijing Yanjing Brewery () is a brewing company founded in 1980 in Beijing, China. Yanjing Beer was designated as the official beer served at state banquets in the Great Hall of the People in February 1995.
The company produced 57.1 million hecto ...
advertisement
References
External links
Lin Yu Chun's Official WebsiteLin Yu Chun【I will Always Love You】 Music Video (HD).Ellen Show Lin (Jimmy) Yu Chun sings I Will Always Love You.Lin Yu Chun "Under Your Wings" Official MVDolly Parton watches Lin Yu Chun sings I Will Always Love You.Lin Yu Chun's personal album
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lin, Yu-chun
1986 births
Countertenors
Living people
Musicians from Taipei
One Million Star contestants
The Voice of China contestants
21st-century Taiwanese male singers