David Tao was born on 11 July 1969. He is the oldest singer among the three other major stars in the "Mando" media. He speaks English fluently and has a Master degree from UCLA. David Tao is a typical perfectionist who does everything to achieve perfection. His hobbies are watching movies & dramas, visiting museums and reading psychology books. David Tao studied in Taiwan from kindergarten to junior high school, then returned to America from high school onward. In 1997, David Tao entered the entertainment business.
"Airport 10.30" was the first song to catch people's attention, but it was the simply arranged, melodic "I Love You" that became Tao's signature tune. The album also featured an a cappella song, "Spring Wind", which was a new R&B cover of a classic Taiwanese song. David sang all the vocals in this song which remained one of the best a cappella songs in Mandarin Chinese. "Airport 10:30" was also nominated for MTV award for Best Chinese Video in 1998 along with Coco Lee, who was the winner. Tao became famous overnight; unable to cope with the media attention, he went back to Los Angeles. Other then releasing a remixed "Bastard" pop EP, writing and producing songs for Taiwanese singers such as A-Mei, and producing theme for Ford cm which was later to become one of Tension's hit songs, "I'll Be With You," David disappeared from the Chinese language entertainment scene.
In 1999, two years after his first album, Tao released his second album "I'm OK". Although this was his best selling album, many still considered his first album to be his best, despite the fact that "I'm OK" had more hit singles, from the rock ballad "Rain," the country flavored "Small Town Girl," the classic R&B "Ordinary Friends," the soulful "Leave", to the love ballad "Close to You." In this album Tao tried many musical styles, including his favorite, rock music. Each song is different in their style and music arrangement. David was nominated for six GMA awards - Best Album, Best Producer, Best Singer, Best Video, Best Song and Best Song Arrangement. He only won the Best Producer Award, but he had the last laugh as "Rain" went on to win Best Chinese Video at the 2000 MTV Music Awards. His critically acclaimed third album, "Black Tangerine," was not nominated for any GMA awards.
In the second part of 2002, Tao released "Black Tangerine," an album that cannot be easily categorised although it was a classic David Tao album. It has a hardhitting rock song, "Black Tangerine," an updated old Mandarin hit in R&B style, "Moon Over My Heart," a rousing song that makes you smile, "My Anata," a love ballad, "Angel," some great tunes, "22" and "Butterfly," and a few alternative songs, "Dear God" and "Lullaby," as well as a surprise hit in the English demo, "Katrina". What set "Black Tangerine apart" was the strong social commentary including a track consisting of news snippets. While "Black Tangerine" did not have the wonderful melodic feel of his first album or the hits of "I'm OK," it was an album that wanted to reach out to people's hearts and minds with the power of music. It's one of the few Chinese language albums that has no intentions of inducing hits for the karaoke lounge. "Black Tangerine" won a slew of awards in Asia but was overlooked for the GMA in Taiwan.
David has since held a series of successful concerts in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore in 2003. His concerts like his music are simple in concept but dynamic in delivering 100% of pure music to his audience.
After almost 3 years since David's last major album release, David Tao teamed up with producer Li Zhuoxiong to release his long awaited fourth album, "The Great Leap 2005". His latest principal track "Ghost" describes a person's fears among a mass media driven society that is getting too close for comfort. "Susan Says" is a track that skillfully combines Beijing Opera sounds with David's exceptional contemporary music style. "The Great Leap 2005" is David's most successful album so far.
Do I Do I
陶喆 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Peace to my street niggas
My hand in hand dudes
That follow man rules
And give out samples
Yea, see I was you 10 years ago
But bloodshed, time served many years ago
Brown skin but I could mix with a Spanish group (why?)
I'm half of that, so half of that you can't recoup
You can't find nothing to live for
You should find something to die for, therefore
You should never hang around thieves
'Cause you are who you hang with
Like trees to the leaves
I used to sell dope to the dope fiends
And crack to the crack heads by all means
Hustling, getting money was a part of me
Right through my blood, like some veins and the arteries
Apparently, the streets for the love wanna marry me
Down the alley, carry me
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I got the dope man blues
Still out here playin' dope man dudes
So come and take a walk off in my dope man shoes
So I can show you motherfuckers how the dope man do
Got niggas I've been down with deep
What I say that they down, don't sleep
Ask you got bloodstained hands, for my homeboys I lost to this fucked up plan
Goddamn, I think if I had one last wish
I want rance up out this shit
And resurrect the ones run down, in the streets gunned down,
Put the slick one round now
Imagine your cocaine sold out
You get reckless and get your brains blown out
Street life's so deep and we might not eat
A dead man won't speak and revenge is so sweet
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
陶喆's song Do I Do I is a powerful reflection on the artist's past experiences growing up in less-than-privileged neighborhoods, engaging in criminal activity, and being surrounded by a culture of violence. The phrase "rag of the dark" can be interpreted as referring to one's background or upbringing that may be seen as rough or undesirable by others. Despite, or perhaps because of, these circumstances, the artist emphasizes his pride in being a soldier and doing what he has to do to survive.
The lyrics also touch on themes of loyalty, regret, and the harsh realities of street life. The artist acknowledges that he has lost friends in the pursuit of wealth and success, and he contemplates what he would do if he could turn back time. The line "you are who you hang with" highlights the importance of choosing your friends wisely and recognizing how your surroundings can shape your identity.
Overall, Do I Do I is a raw and emotional song that gives listeners a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of someone who has faced adversity and come out on the other side changed but still proud of who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, I grew up like the rag of the dark, so what?
Yes, I had a difficult and disadvantaged upbringing, but I do not let that define me or bring me down.
Soldier, proud about it, that's just what I gotta do
I have a strong mentality and approach life with a soldier-like attitude, proud and determined to overcome obstacles and succeed.
Peace to my street niggas
I offer peace and respect to those who come from the same background and environment as me.
My hand in hand dudes
My comrades and peers who have gone through similar struggles and experiences.
That follow man rules
We abide by a certain code and set of principles within our community and in life.
And give out samples
We may have made mistakes or engaged in illegal activities, but we also try to help and support others in our circle.
You should never hang around thieves
It is important to surround oneself with positive and trustworthy individuals, as we are shaped by those we associate with.
Like trees to the leaves
Just as leaves are connected to and dependent on trees, we are connected to those around us and our environment influences us greatly.
Hustling, getting money was a part of me
I was involved in hustling and illegal activities to make money, as it was a part of my survival and way of life.
Right through my blood, like some veins and the arteries
My involvement in hustling and street life runs deep within me, like blood through my veins.
Apparently, the streets for the love wanna marry me
Despite the dangers and difficulties of street life, it holds a certain allure and attraction for me.
Down the alley, carry me
I am drawn to the darkness and risk that comes with street life, like a path down a dark alley.
Yea, I got the dope man blues
I struggle with the consequences and regrets of my involvement in selling drugs.
So come and take a walk off in my dope man shoes
I invite others to try to understand and empathize with my experiences and choices as a drug dealer.
So I can show you motherfuckers how the dope man do
I want to demonstrate my expertise and success as a drug dealer, while acknowledging the negative impact it has had on my life and those around me.
Put the slick one round now
I wish to avenge the death of my friends and loved ones who have been killed on the streets.
Street life's so deep and we might not eat
Life on the streets is dangerous and uncertain, and we may have to struggle to survive and provide for ourselves and our families.
A dead man won't speak and revenge is so sweet
Those who have been killed on the streets cannot speak for themselves, and there is a desire for revenge and justice for their deaths.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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