Someday, Somewhere (Jolin Tsai song)

Last updated
"Someday, Somewhere"
Jolin Tsai - Someday, Somewhere.jpg
Single by Jolin Tsai
LanguageMandarin
ReleasedDecember 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)
Studio BB Road (Taipei)
Genre Pop
Length4:03
Label Eternal
Composer(s)
  • Jolin Tsai
  • Richard Craker
Lyricist(s)
  • Jolin Tsai
  • Jen Chih
Producer(s)
  • Jolin Tsai
  • Howe Chen
Jolin Tsai singles chronology
"Untitled"
(2022)
"Someday, Somewhere"
(2022)
"Oh La La La"
(2023)
Music video
"Someday, Somewhere" on YouTube

"Someday, Somewhere" is a song by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai. Written by Tsai, Richard Craker, and Jen Chih, and produced by Tsai and Howe Chen, the track was released as a standalone single on October 31, 2023, by Eternal. It serves as the theme song for the Netflix series At the Moment (2023). [1]

Contents

Tsai and Richard Craker received a nomination for Best Composer at the 35th Golden Melody Awards for their work on the track. [2]

Background and release

On September 27, 2023, Tsai hinted to reporters that she might release a new single later that year. [3] On October 5, 2023, Netflix unveiled the trailer for At the Moment, which featured Tsai's new theme song, "Someday, Somewhere". [4] On October 29, 2023, Warner announced via Facebook and Instagram that the single would be released at midnight on October 31. [5] [6] On November 9, 2023, Tsai released a cinematic music video of the track on her YouTube channel.

Composition and recording

Tsai co-wrote the track with Richard Craker, with whom she had previously collaborated on "Ugly Beauty" and "Hubby." The two also co-composed the song, with production handled by Tsai and Howe Chen. [7] Built around gentle, slow piano and lush string arrangements, the song layers Tsai's vocals with the show's narrative themes, conveying longing for love alongside the regret of emotions left unspoken in the moment. Its lyrical concept has been described as a future self whispering to the present self, embodying sincerity, connection, and reflection on love and the passage of time. [8]

During the creative process, Tsai frequently consulted with the series' director and production team. Lead director Lien Yi-chi shared the script and suggested she approach the theme from an angel's perspective, quietly observing urban romance on public transportation. [9] Drawing from her own observations and the director's guidance, Tsai crafted a wistful ballad that intertwines beauty and regret, aiming to align both lyrics and melody with the show's core themes. [10]

For the first time, Tsai also served as her own vocal producer. Co-producer Howe Chen explained that while her demo recordings already displayed strong delivery, the official sessions required adjustments in resonance, rhythm, and dynamics to achieve the final, moving performance. [11] He noted that Tsai had even built a small home studio to rehearse, often self-recording multiple takes before entering the studio. On the track, her early phrasing is subdued yet emotionally charged, while the soaring high notes of the latter half release a yearning intensity that draws listeners into the music's emotional arc. [12]

Critical reception

Musician Zhao Buyi praised Tsai's involvement in both lyrics and composition, calling the single a healing ballad for autumn that conveys courage and strength through its impassioned vocals and the lyric line "confess bravely, turn away bravely, be brave wholeheartedly". [13] Musician Hu Zhimin described the melody as both beautiful and reflective of hesitation and determination in love. [14] Musician Zhong Wanyun noted that the track evokes the atmosphere of the early 2000s, when music was created with a slower pace and greater focus on detail. [14]

Reviewer Dai Ruo My Yi remarked that Tsai's vocals sounded more delicate and airy, blending warmth with grandeur and clarity. [15] Critic San Shi Yi Sheng observed that the song showcased Tsai's ethereal ballad style not heard in years, likening her pure, girlish tone to that of her 1019 era, though now with more refined breath control. [16]

Creamypolly from PlayMusic described the track as Tsai's first effort combining lyric-writing, composition, and production. The review highlighted the song's rare softness and near a cappella style without choreography, praising Tsai's vocal timbre as tender yet resilient, highly infectious, and overall "very beautiful to listen to". [17]

Awards

On May 16, 2024, Tsai and Richard Craker received a nomination for Best Composer at the 35th Golden Melody Awards for "Someday, Somewhere". [2]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Someday, Somewhere"
Chart (2023)Peak
position
China (Tencent) [18] 60

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tsai's official Facebook. [19] [20]

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Distributor
VariousOctober 31, 2023 Eternal
ChinaStreamingYDX

References

  1. 聯合新聞網 (2023-10-31). "天后密室曝光! 蔡依林獻處女作:對愛真的很渴望!". 噓!星聞 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  2. 1 2 NOWnews今日新聞 (2024-05-16). "金曲35完整入圍名單!林俊傑、熱狗搶歌王 蔡依林力拚最佳作曲人 | 娛樂". NOWnews今日新聞 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  3. 聯合新聞網 (2023-09-27). "無預警取消3場演出…蔡依林露面道歉了!突揭重大喜訊 | 噓!星聞". 噓!星聞 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 2025-04-28. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  4. 中央通訊社 (2023-10-05). "林心如林熙蕾「此時此刻」陷苦戀 蔡依林受邀獻唱 | 娛樂". 中央社 CNA (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  5. "蔡依林 Jolin Tsai〈Someday,... - Warner Music Taiwan 華納音樂". Archived from the original on 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  6. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  7. 黃閔 (2023-10-31). "蔡依林不藏了 罕公開「感情故事」:對愛很渴望|壹蘋新聞網". Nextapple (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  8. Someday, Somewhere (Netflix影集 此時此刻 主題曲) – 蔡依林|MyMusic (in Chinese (Taiwan)), 2023-10-31, archived from the original on 2023-10-31, retrieved 2025-09-28
  9. 自由時報電子報 (2023-10-31). "(影音)蔡依林出手了!助陣林心如賈靜雯 對愛渴望天使視角曝光 - 自由娛樂". 自由時報電子報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  10. TVBS. "蔡依林感情不藏了!半夜無預警公開「喜事」 羞喊:想痛快說愛│TVBS新聞網". TVBS (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  11. ETtoday新聞雲 (2023-10-31). "蔡依林深夜曝重磅喜訊! 罕見聊感情突認:想痛快說愛 | ETtoday星光雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". star.ettoday.net (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  12. 娛樂星聞 (2023-10-31). "蔡依林深夜發文曝喜訊!罕公開「聊感情」 側身半臉入鏡網全暴動 | 娛樂星聞". star.setn.com (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  13. "Sina Visitor System". passport.weibo.com. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  14. 1 2 "腾讯音乐榜". yobang.tencentmusic.com. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  15. "Sina Visitor System". passport.weibo.com. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  16. "Sina Visitor System". passport.weibo.com. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  17. "PlayMusic音樂網 - 2023年第44週華語歌曲推薦 (10/30~11/05)". Play Music. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  18. "腾讯音乐榜". yobang.tencentmusic.com. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  19. NOWnews今日新聞 (2023-10-31). "蔡依林凌晨突發文談愛情 宣布「天大喜訊」引來5.6萬人狂賀 | 娛樂". NOWnews今日新聞 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  20. "蔡依林 Jolin Tsai - 愛情,是件奢華的奢侈品 此時,配戴上它的我,得到了全世界的注目..." Archived from the original on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2025-09-28.