Never Want to Give You Up (Cantonese: 放不低) is the ninth Cantonese studio album by Hong Kong singer Sammi Cheng. Released on May 29, 1996, by Warner Music Hong Kong,[2] the album features a mix of Earworm Dance tracks and Catchy Sad ballads, showcasing Cheng's versatility and emotional depth. In Hong Kong,The album was a commercial success, achieving double platinum status shortly after its release.[3] A few weeks later, it almost achieved triple platinum.making it the best-selling Cantonese album by female artist that year.[4][5]
The album incorporates a range of contemporary Cantopop styles, blending sentimental ballads, Dance pop with up-tempo tracks. Cheng worked with several prominent producers and songwriters, including Alvin Leong,Mark Lui,Mahmood Rumjahn,Stanley Leung, Vicky Fung,C.Y. Kong and Andrew Lam.
Sammi Cheng promoted the album through various live performances, including events and TV appearances. One of the key promotional strategies was extensive media coverage, including interviews and features in magazines and newspapers. Additionally, a giant outdoor billboard of the album was hung on the HMV building in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.[6]
The title track "《Never Want to Give You Up》" was used as the theme song for the TV drama "When a Woman Loves a Man" and was also featured in a commercial for Panasonic Discman,[7] which helped it reach a wider audience.
Additionally, "《Disagreement》" served as the interlude for the same TV drama.
Shortly thereafter, the film "《Feel 100% 1》" starring Sammi Cheng as the female lead was released and became highly popular. In addition to its impressive box office performance, the film's theme song "《Owe You Nothing》" and the interludes "《Asking Me》" and "《Colour... Scent》",[8] all performed by Sammi Cheng, quickly boosted the visibility and popularity.
In Hong Kong,Six singles were released from the album. The first three, "《Beware Of Woman》," "《Never Want to Give You Up》," and "《Owe You Nothing》" (from Feel 100% 1), are commercial singles intended for radios, TVs, and karaoke bars. The last three, "《Asking Me》" (from Feel 100% 1), "《Colour ... Scent》," and "《Disagreement》," are promotional singles intended solely for karaoke bars.
"《Beware Of Woman》" was chosen as the album's lead single, topping four major charts. "《Never Want to Give You Up》" was released as the second single, peaking at number one on three major charts. "《Owe You Nothing》" (from Feel 100% 1) was released as the third and final commercial single, reaching number one on one major chart. It was also so popular in karaoke bars that it shot straight to the top of the karaoke charts for eight weeks.
Never Want To Give You Up debuted at number one on IFPI (Hong Kong Group),It maintained that position for one week,[14] and it stayed in the chart for 12 weeks.
^- 26 Oct 1996 - Page 50 " Her first two albums for the label in Cantonese, including her last, "Never Give It Up," did a tidy 100,000 each, says Warner VP of marketing David Gilchrist"
