"Rice Field" ( zh, t=稻香, p=Dào xiāng, l=Rice Fragrance) is a song by Taiwanese recording artist

Jay Chou Jay Chou Chieh-lun ( zh, s=周杰伦, t=周杰倫, first=t, p=Zhōu Jiélún; born 18 January 1979) is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter, actor, director, and businessman. Regarded as one of the most influential artists in the Chinese-speaking worl ...

. It premiered in Asia on September 22, 2008, serving as the

lead single A lead single (or first single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. A similar term, "debut ...

for the singer's ninth studio album '' Capricorn'' (2008). Written and produced by Chou, "Rice Field" was conceived based on the singer's childhood memories. It is a pop number that blends elements of

folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes #Traditional folk music, traditional folk music and the Contemporary folk music, contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be ca ...

and

hip-hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hi ...

, with lyrics looking back towards a more simple life amidst contemporary hardships. "Rice Field" received positive reviews from music critics, with NetEase complimenting the song's lyrics and composition. "Rice Field" appeared at number three on the Hit FM's top 100 singles of the year ranking, and won Song of the Year at the

Golden Melody Awards The Golden Melody Awards (), commonly abbreviated as GMA, is an honor awarded by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture to recognize outstanding achievement in the Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and Formosan-languages popular and traditional music ...

and

Beijing Pop Music Awards The Beijing Pop Music Awards (), formerly known as Chinese Music Radio Awards () between 2000 and 2006, is a Chinese music awards founded by Beijing Music Radio in 1993 to recognize Chinese popular music. It was on hiatus from 2013-2017 before resu ...

. Its accompanying music video is set in a rural area with ox carts, country lanes, and rice paddies while Chou donned folk attire. A rock remix of the song was released by JVR on July 2, 2024.

Background and release

"Rice Field" premiered on radio stations in Taiwan and Asia on September 22, 2008.

Development

"Rice Field" draws inspiration from Chou's childhood memories. It depicts contemporary urban city dwellers burdened by societal and life pressures, and their growing desire to retreat to a simpler, rural existence. Chou intended to illustrate an idyllic countryside setting, running barefoot through fields, stealing fruits, and carefree childhood play. He elaborated on the message behind the song: "Do not give up so easily. Just like I've always said before, if your dream seems to be too far away, do not hesitate to redefine it. Success and fame are not the ultimate goals. Work towards your personal happiness, as that is the true essence of life." In a 2013 interview with ''

Southern Weekly ''Southern Weekly'' () is a Chinese weekly newspaper based in Guangzhou, and is a sister publication of the newspaper '' Nanfang Daily''. From the 1990s to the early 2010s, the newspaper was renowned for its investigative journalism, liberal ...

'', Chou commented that the song was created to cheer people up amidst the

2008 Sichuan earthquake An earthquake occurred in the province of Sichuan, China at 14:28:01 China Standard Time on May 12, 2008. Measuring at 8.0 (7.9–8.3 ), the earthquake's epicenter was located boxing the compass, west-northwest of Chengdu, the provincial ...

and the

2008 financial crisis The 2008 financial crisis, also known as the global financial crisis (GFC), was a major worldwide financial crisis centered in the United States. The causes of the 2008 crisis included excessive speculation on housing values by both homeowners ...

Reception

NetEase NetEase, Inc. () is a Chinese Internet technology company founded by Ding Lei in June 1997. It provides online services with content, community, communications, and commerce. The company develops and operates online PC and mobile games, adverti ...

complimented the song's composition and Chou's songwriting on the track. On year-end charts in Taiwan, "Rice Field" was ranked at number 3 on the Hit FM Top 100 Singles of the Year chart in 2008.

Music video

In order to bring out the essence of the concept behind "Rice Field" in the music video, Chou chose a rural courtyard house as the filming location to represent his childhood memories. The video tells the story of a middle-aged man, frustrated with work-related stress, venting his frustrations on his wife and children. He later retreats to his rural hometown, where the affectionate welcome from his mother and relatives offers him strength. The video features two individuals leisurely singing and playing music on an ox cart, although the cart is propelled by staff members, not an ox. The video blends rural scenery with hip-hop elements. Chou, donned in folk attire, lip-syncs on ox carts, country lanes, and amidst rice paddies. The video was filmed in Xinwu Township,

Zhongli District Zhongli District () is a District (Taiwan), district in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. Zhongli is spelled variously as ''Jungli'', ''Jongli'', ''Jhongli'' or ''Chungli'' on railway stations, bus stops and road signs. Historically, the city is the site of t ...

in Taoyuan. On the day of filming, over 30 actors were enlisted to portray individuals of various ages in the courtyard. Chou and Yang Ruidai played wooden box drums and guitars. The folk-style clothing he wore were from Thailand, acquired during an advertisement shoot.

Accolades

Parodies

In November 2008, netizens adapted the lyrics of the song to "Meat Fragrance" to satirize the poor quality of the food at school cafeterias.

Release history

References

{{authority control 2008 songs 2008 singles Jay Chou songs