Li Shi Jue, the songwriter behind Quagmire, spoke with Billboard China to unravel the creative force that powered the chart-topping track.
With the single Quagmire, Mandarin singer Zi Yu secured first place in the inaugural September edition of the Star Power Monthly Selection — a collaborative project by Billboard China and Tencent Music’s QQ Music and JOOX platforms.
From constant experimentation to commanding the stage, Zi Yu has journeyed from being labelled a “newcomer” to becoming a “champion”. With Quagmire, he has achieved a remarkable breakthrough, establishing himself as one of the most promising rising voices in Chinese music.
The sound of Quagmire continues to linger as one of September’s defining musical memories. We look forward to seeing this young artist — who once rose from the mud — continue to explore wider horizons through his music.
Below, Li Shi Jue shares insights with Billboard China into the creation of the very first Star Power Monthly Selection champion track.
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The song Quagmire has resonated widely with listeners. Were you surprised? What do you think makes it so moving?
Li Shi Jue: I was somewhat surprised, though not entirely, as our team actually wrote this song a few years ago. Its theme and melody carry a retro yet catchy quality that naturally evokes emotional resonance. Songs from that same creative period included Dislocated Space-Time, which later became a big hit.
I think what truly touches people is the combination of a simple, memorable melody and straightforward, relatable lyrics, brought to life by Zi Yu’s heartfelt delivery. The overall listening experience flows effortlessly. When we wrote it, our only intention was to capture honestly that feeling of being trapped in a certain emotion or situation. We never imagined it would be embraced by so many people.
Looking back, I believe what moved listeners was its authenticity — that tangled feeling of “wanting to break free yet sinking deeper”, a struggle everyone faces at some point in life. The song doesn’t preach or moralise; it simply conveys the sensation of “breathing within the Quagmire”, allowing people to recognise their own reflections in it.
When writing Quagmire, what emotion or idea did you most wish to express? Where did the inspiration come from?
What I wanted to convey most was a particular emotional state — it could stem from my own experiences or the projection of many emotions. It’s about revisiting the past, being overwhelmed by sorrow, crying awake in the night, falling asleep only to wake in tears again. That repetitive pain mirrors the looping melody of the song.
The inspiration came naturally from life. Once you’ve endured something like that, you can’t help but write it down. I believe everyone has their own Quagmire moment — a low point in life. It’s not about escaping the Quagmire, but having the courage to stand firm within it.
The earliest ideas appeared in fragments: watching friends torment themselves after a failed goal; seeing someone repeatedly edit and delete late-night social media posts out of confusion; or my own frustration when I get creatively stuck — when the harder I try to write, the less I can. These scattered moments came together like scenes of people circling in their own Quagmires, and I suddenly wanted to tell them: it’s fine to be stuck. You don’t have to force your way out straightaway. Look at the ground beneath you — perhaps something new can grow there.
When creating music, what do you value most? Does Quagmire reflect that philosophy?
When writing songs, I value most the completeness and directness of the story, and the memorability of the melody. I used to pursue avant-garde arrangements to create niche works, but as I’ve matured, I’ve realised that simplicity often sounds best. Quagmire embodies that belief.
What I care about most is accuracy — not technical precision, but emotional truth. For instance, the line “tears reach my lips, a little salty” wasn’t written just to rhyme; it captures the physical detail of “trying to hold back tears midway through crying”. That specific pain carries more weight than simply saying “I’m sad”.
Quagmire succeeds in that regard — it doesn’t rely on ornate language. It sings of tangible feelings: “the darkness when you turn away”, and “the sweetness in dreams, the tears upon waking”. It’s about laying bare the creases of one’s heart for others to see, without concealment or pretence.
What special qualities does Zi Yu bring to this song?
Zi Yu infused this song with a unique kind of magic. He’s a young, vibrant artist from a new generation, while I wrote Quagmire with a deliberately retro sensibility. That clash between the “new” and the “old” gave the song a fresh soul.
There’s a restrained resilience in Zi Yu’s voice that perfectly matches the song’s mood. He doesn’t express the pain of being trapped through explosive power; instead, he shapes the emotion with soft, airy tones. In the line “repeating the sorrow again and again”, there’s a faint tremor that’s barely perceptible. That choice to hold back rather than cry out makes the struggle within the Quagmire feel more authentic.
In reality, people in pain rarely scream — they wrestle silently with themselves. Zi Yu managed to capture the weight of that silence beautifully.
For listeners who resonate with Quagmire, or who may be facing their own “Quagmire moment”, what would you like to say to them?
If you are currently in your own Quagmire, tell yourself: let the storm rage on. Only time can heal; there’s no shortcut. If you’ve parted from someone, don’t intrude on their life again. This experience may one day become a beautiful memory along your journey. And when you emerge from the storm, safe and whole, you will no longer be the same person you once were. Stay strong.
At the same time, remember this: you’re not the only one sinking. Everyone faces times when life feels impossible to move through. Don’t rush to judge yourself or ask “why haven’t I climbed out yet?” Don’t envy others who seem better off. First, acknowledge: “I’m here, right now.” Then look beneath your feet — the things that hurt or restrain you may be quietly helping you grow roots. One day, when courage returns, you’ll step out of the mire — slowly, but surely.
In your songwriting process, are there any principles you always follow? How do you handle doubts or criticism?
In my songwriting, I don’t have a fixed rule about whether lyrics or melody come first. Sometimes I start with words, sometimes with music — often they arise together. What I care about most is the first feeling. When a melody suddenly appears in my mind, I decide on it immediately, because the more you revise, the further you drift from your original intention. That’s why I tend to write quickly.
With Quagmire, the image of the quagmire itself came first, and from that, the melody and lyrics developed. For me, letting emotions flow naturally is far more important than following a strict creative formula.
Every song carries its own unique expression and emotional tone — each differs in theme, harmony, and arrangement. There are many works that sound similar in mood or atmosphere, but art always originates from life. Respecting that originality is what matters most.