Chapter 55 - I Will Survive
Chapter 55: I Will Survive
After the initial interview, Iris performed "Phantom of Your Love" to promote her upcoming album "Rebirth".
DJ Song looked solemn as he watched and listened to her singing opposite him with so much emotion. Some of the staff, especially the female ones, working on the other side of the studio's glass partition were crying as they listened to such a heartbreaking song.
Tang Yiyi and Dom were with the staff. Dom clasped his hands tightly together while looking at his boss like a proud mama. He would wipe tears from his red eyes with a handkerchief now and then.
After the song, DJ Song interviewed her again briefly about "Phantom of Your Love."
Iris: "This is actually the song that I performed when Mr. JJ dared me at the restaurant."
DJ Song: "Oh really? So this is your audition song. Now I see why Old J would sign you up after hearing you sing this song. Wow. Such a beautiful song, Iris. Now I really believe that you have talent as a composer."
Iris: "Thank you very much, DJ Song. I appreciate it. But I know that I still have a long way to go, so I will work harder."
DJ Song: "Good to hear. So what are you going to sing for us next, Iris?"
Iris: "I'm going to sing a cover."
DJ Song: "Oh? Interesting. What is it?"
Iris: "It's an English song. I won't say the title because I think that everyone will recognize it once I start singing."
DJ Song: "Now I'm getting excited. Can you tell us why you chose to sing this cover?"
Iris: "All the songs from my album 'Rebirth' are very emotional, so I thought that I should sing something upbeat for a change of pace. And also the song itself, especially the title when you hear me sing it shortly, is relevant to me…to what happened to me. It is also to show my determination in coming back."
DJ Song: "Alright. Let's hear it, then. Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up again for Iris Long!"
A familiar piano melody reverberated, then the beat changed and Iris began singing this classic English song.
"At first I was afraid, I was petrified…"
DJ Song's eyebrows rose and his entire face brightened. The staff, Dom and Tang Yiyi began cheering and clapping on the other side of the glass partition. Their bodies started to bounce in time with the beat of the music.
"I've got all my life to live
And I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive, hey, hey!"
Iris was dancing while singing on her seat. She performed like it was a concert, gesturing and looking at her audience. DJ Song was clearly enjoying himself. She turned and saw her manager and assistant together with the staff on the other side of the glass partition. Dom was busting his best moves, shaking his booty.
Everyone was enjoying themselves. Even the cameraman couldn't help but shake his hips, but had to hold himself back because viewers would complain if the camera view wasn't steady. It was very difficult not to dance with this song.
It was at this moment that the listener and viewer counts skyrocketed.
The musical arrangement was a little different from the original version. Iris personally customized it for herself. She removed the original disco vibe and made it sound more modern. It showcased the power and range of her vocals, even adding a small portion to display some unexpected vocal acrobatics, reaching such high notes that shocked everyone.
DJ Song abruptly stood up from his seat, his eyes and mouth wide open, as he looked in shock at Iris. He felt goosebumps all over his body.
"I will survive!"
When the song ended, everyone stood up, clapping and cheering enthusiastically.
Iris also stood up and bowed to everyone. She waved to the cameraman, to the online viewers watching the livestream.
Iris: "Thank you. Thank you very much!"
Her light laughter tinkled like crystal bells. She also enjoyed herself.
It took almost a minute before DJ song was able to regain his senses.
DJ Song: "Wow. Wow! What was that? What just happened? Iris Long, you are on fire! Amazing!"
Iris: "Thank you, DJ Song."
DJ Song: "You are so full of surprises. I am so shocked. I'm sure everyone is as shocked as everyone of us here in the studio. Wow."
They talked for a few more moments.
For her final song, Iris sang another song from her album. She sang "Black Star". It was currently the most anticipated song from her album, especially after her performance on last night's episode of "MusicFest Tonight".
After singing, Iris and DJ Song talked a bit more before easing to the end of the radio show. Iris said a few words to promote her album before saying her thanks and goodbye to the listeners and the online viewers.
Finally, the radio show ended and everyone stood up and clapped. DJ Song, especially the staff, were all feeling ecstatic because they didn't expect to receive such high listener and viewer counts for this episode.
It may not be a record-breaker, but it was already impressive especially when the guest was not an A-lister.
The anticipation towards Iris Long's upcoming album "Rebirth" exploded almost to fever pitch. Its momentum was unstoppable.