Roy Lockley attentively observed the Studio Eleven before him. The unique decor preserved the building's original style while incorporating the artist's touch. Every corner was filled with personality, exuding youthful vigor amidst the free-spirited atmosphere. Upon closer inspection, one could capture the contemplation within the soul.
He couldn't help but wonder how the journalists, who had recently always appeared as mere backgrounds to this building, would react upon realizing that this structure was the latest masterpiece in which Renly was wholeheartedly invested. Their expressions must have been quite intriguing.
As one of the hottest "new stars" in recent times, Renly seemed to be perpetually veiled in mystery. Journalists racked their brains trying to unearth the depths of this emerging actor, and internet users were fervently discussing various topics. But Roy believed that what people perceived as mysterious was merely a lack of perceptive eyes.
From "Buried" to "Like Crazy" and "50/50", from "Cleopatra" to "Ophelia" and "Your Bones", each of Renly's choices hinted at his aspirations and persistence. Especially Renly's music, those notes and lyrics that emanated from the depths of his soul revealed his determination and pain. By slowing down and truly listening, one could gradually enter Renly's world.
Unfortunately, today's society is too superficial and impatient. No one is willing to slow down and truly listen.
In reality, this statement wasn't entirely accurate. "Cleopatra" was an exception, and it could even be called a miracle.
Earlier this year, thanks to the chain reaction from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, after an impressive 32 weeks on the charts, "Cleopatra" impressively entered the top twenty of the Billboard singles chart. Its outstanding performance shattered countless expectations, setting its own record. This folk song, without any publicity, physical release, or music video, achieved such an astonishing feat. It was undoubtedly a significant miracle in the world of independent music.
Yet this was not the end of the story. Afterward, amidst an Oscar frenzy and endless discussions surrounding "50/50", the spotlight on Renly never waned. "Cleopatra" continued its streak, further breaking its own records. After 41 weeks on the charts, it officially entered the top ten!
The top ten of the Billboard chart!
And it did so after an astonishing 41 weeks! In the era of digital singles, many songs couldn't stay on the charts for more than 20 weeks, even for the most popular chart-toppers. Now, when most other songs had already exited the charts, "Cleopatra" not only remained but also miraculously reached the top ten!
Someone once jokingly said that for independent musicians, having a single reach the top ten would earn them enough royalties to live comfortably for a lifetime. They could then make music they liked without any concerns, fulfilling a dream come true. From this perspective, the achievements of "Cleopatra" were truly extraordinary.
What was even more remarkable was that after "Cleopatra" successfully entered the top ten, it didn't merely have a brief stay. It continued to linger on the charts for a total of five weeks. No one could forget that this period coincided with the high-profile "scriptgate" controversy, especially the opening match, during which discussions were most intense. "Cleopatra's" digital download popularity remained consistently high, causing the single's position on the Billboard chart to slowly but continuously climb.
In the second week of May, "Cleopatra" reached its peak, ranking sixth. This achievement equaled the highest record for Jason Mraz' hit single "I'm Yours" and once again scripted a folk music fairytale in the 21st century. However, what made "Cleopatra" even more astonishing than Jason was the fact that Renly had still not launched any promotions!
This marked the first time in the history of the Billboard charts that a single, without a physical CD, radio airplay, music video, physical store availability, or any form of promotion, managed to secure a spot in the top ten. To be more precise, you couldn't find such a record throughout the historical top fifty charts.
Though it dropped out of the top ten the following week, it still held the fourteenth position. It remained in the top twenty until today, where it currently ranks nineteenth, never leaving the chart. This marked the forty-ninth week of "Cleopatra" on the charts.
A year consists of fifty-two weeks, and no one would doubt that "Cleopatra" could stay on the charts for a full year. However, the only question now is whether, after fifty-two weeks, this single can continue to stay in the top twenty-five. Can it break the record of seventy-six weeks on the chart held by "I'm Yours"? Now, each week of the journey of "Cleopatra" is about creating history, and it's potentially creating a history that may never be surpassed.
Without exaggeration, "Cleopatra" is now a phenomenal single in the music industry, even though it's a neglected folk song, or perhaps precisely because it's a folk song out of sync with the times.
In terms of achievements, "Cleopatra" reached heights that many chart-topping singles couldn't attain, collecting countless records along the way. People should have heard about Renly recording his first solo album, but, in fact, it was the opposite.
Just look at the reporters crowding around Studio Eleven's entrance. They never associated these two events together.
The miracle of "Cleopatra" on the singles chart wasn't because people understood the song's meaning or comprehended Renly's original intent. It was merely due to the power of trending topics, blind imitation, and sensationalism. In simple terms, it was just a byproduct, devoid of any substantial significance.
Roy didn't know if this was Renly's sadness, the music industry's sorrow, or society's collective lament. It wasn't just about music or movies; it extended to people's lifestyles, modes of communication, and values. The upheaval and turbulence of the internet age had everyone striving to adapt, but no one knew where the future would lead.
Yet, against this backdrop, Renly remained dedicated to artistic creation, both in film and music. Especially after the outstanding success of "Fast 5", his commitment became even more commendable. Roy knew Renly was unique; he had sensed it when they first met at SAG, but he didn't fully understand just how different Renly truly was.
Staring at the recording studio with a sign that read "Fool" hanging above it, Roy suddenly found it somewhat ironic, yet also amusing, with Renly's signature sense of humor. He began to grasp why Renly had chosen Studio Eleven for recording his album.
He knocked lightly on the door, waited for a moment, and then gently pushed it open, peering inside, taking in the surroundings.
In the spacious and well-lit recording studio, three people were sitting on a sofa against the wall, one person sat in front of the control panel, and another person was on a nearby stool. Roy recognized Nathan Pryer, the one sitting on the stool. At this moment, all five people remained silent, sitting motionless, and didn't even notice Roy's entrance.
The sound of a guitar filled the air; it was an acoustic folk guitar. Its crystal-clear strings danced gracefully under the lemon-yellow lighting. The faint melancholy it carried fluttered like butterfly wings, rising and falling gently, casting sparkling glimmers that filled the entire world with a dreamy haze.
Roy couldn't help but lift his head to look in the direction of the music. He saw Renly sitting in the recording booth, cradling a guitar in his arms, completely engrossed in playing. His slightly lowered face was hidden in the shadows, and only the reflection of his dense eyelashes could be vaguely seen. Roy's gaze fell upon those strong and slender fingers as he listened intently to Renly's singing.
[
My hands they still believe in you
My heart is lens, and I'm staring through
My back against the wall singing yesterday's lines
And I wish that you could see me through tomorrow's eyes
]
The faint melancholy flowed like a trickling stream within the guitar's strings. The gentle warmth it carried lightly traversed Renly's fingertips, making it impossible not to draw one's fingers together and touch it delicately. You could feel that faint warmth soothing the wounds ever so gently.
[
You're so in love with no one it seems
So clear your tears they drown your dreams
]
Roy could clearly see that Renly's eyelids were slightly lowered, shadowed with a touch of sorrow and bitterness. His voice, filled with worldly experience, gently plucked at the heartstrings deep within. Every time he plucked them, the golden glow that rested on his eyelashes would quiver, and before he realized it, the tip of his nose began to tingle slightly.
"So many times…" Renly's voice gently rose, with no hint of flatness, but rather it stirred up a tempestuous sea. "So many times I cross the line to get to you. No one loves you quite the way I do. Try to understand the songs that I sing to you. No one loves you quite the way I do." The tenderness in his gentle singing gave rise to faint ripples.
Roy couldn't help but spread open his palm. His palm bore the lines of pain and the scars of pride. Tears flowed, and the bitter ache swelled, yet there was nowhere to place it. Then, he clasped his palm shut again, and the warmth at his fingertips clearly felt the deep and shallow grooves. The torrent of memories gradually subsided, and the tears still hung in his eyes, but the smile at the corner of his mouth gently lifted.
Closing his eyes, in his mind, he could see the familiar yet unfamiliar scenes: big hands holding small ones, standing silently in the background, unwaveringly guarding against all dangers, shielding against all storms, walking side by side until the end of time. The warmth in those palms was always the last sanctuary of his heart.
That was maternal love, that was unrequited love, that was true friendship.