Sung

Let us begin by turning the volume down for a moment while we discuss the wondrous creature before us. When we do so momentarily, clarity emerges from a foggy noise, and certain truths present themselves for the taking. First and foremost, Sung is explosively expressive, existing in a plane of perfume reality that lies just past over-the-top, but is nonetheless composed with heavy-handed balance and grace. Exercising a restrained spray is essential. Read that again. I laugh at myself, bred into the American way of thinking, that if the world entire says to apply two sprays, we in the US of A tend to feel that number should be doubled at the very least. We pride ourselves in all forms of excess, and gloss over any lament from the practice of such gluttony. So, naturally overly joyed with the arrival of a new vintage, I allowed the sprayer to mist my body entire. This baptizing might as well have been the flames of hell's inferno, because the sillage spread through my two-story like smoke from a structure fire. Yeah, I thought I could handle it, and like asking for extra spicy Jerk chicken, my arrogance again betrayed me. Floral components decant effortlessly, and manage to linger in suspension for the better part of eternity. They can either capture exquisite beauty, or suffocate any function encountered - so buyer be warned; and for God's sake, take it one spray at a time! Secondly, we become aware of its masterful blending. Which poses no simple task, as Sung is the sum of an immense menagerie. Flora and fruits harmonize in such a way that's melodically joyful, and validates its name. Yet, if one were so inclined, individual flowers may be plucked for specific analysis. A delightful example of this would be my mother. Being the saint she is, manages to show attention whenever I dribble on about perfumery and the manufacture of its ingredients. She emphatically denied Hyacinth had any odor, and immediately dismissed its scent profile's cogency. I ran to Sung to oppose such a claim. It was exhilarating to watch as her eyes lit up in recognition, and a firm understanding was achieved. Hyacinth and jasmine bust through the opening like the KoolAid man, enveloping the wearer with indolically animalic accords. It's here where bright citrus notes become an equally important counterbalance, offering necessary bitterness to a naturally saccharine construct. The heart projects infinite fields milled with Osmanthus, Galbanum, and soapy-sweet Lily of the Valley. A base of vetiver, oakmoss, and musk provide a funky gravity, while notes of Ylang Ylang, Iris, and Carnation seemingly levitate. The continuity of all its parts comprise a spherical presence that is absolutely breathtaking. Allowing for endless hours of introvert analysis, this fragrance never disappoints to engage me. But if that seems like work to you, fear not. Mindless swooning can still exist peacefully within the orb of its magnificence, and indiscreet charm.

As a amber/spicy/floriental lover myself, I have a hard time finding floral scents that work on my skin, although I’m realizing there are some common themes that help. I’m also realizing that application with a light hand is very important, at least with my skin. That said, Sung is an incredibly delightful white floral. It smells like vanilla-hyacinth from the very beginning, and seems to be staying with that harmony and not developing much. Sung never shrieked on my skin (which is my usual problem); instead, it started immediately with a soft, husky whisper of scent that carries remarkably well for all of its softness. It reminds me of the drydown of Wings, the luscious last hour or so that is lilac with a bit of sandalwood. I don’t know why I’m detecting vanilla in Sung (it’s not listed), but there is a warm, sweet quality to the fragrance—I suppose it could be the orchids, or possibly the nature of the amber used, in combination with the sandalwood. Sniffing my wrist, I get the orange blossom and the lily of the valley; if jasmine is there, it’s faint and not indolic. This is a clean scent, but not a squeaky-clean scent; a comfortable freshness, not an uptight scent. Initially, looking at the notes, I wondered if it would smell like Fidji (another floral I do enjoy, which shares some similar notes—the galbanum, jasmine and hyacinth) but Sung is not as cool as Fidji; and where Fidji got a tad powdery and then a tad indolic, Sung doesn’t move in either direction. However, I think fans of Fidji, and fans of Wings, would enjoy Sung. Other reviewers have gathered images of white lace, white brides, dewy gardens—and I completely concur. This is a wonderful, feminine fragrance with the unusual combination of good sillage and light, soft character; I don’t think you are going to offend anyone by wearing this, but they will notice it. I think this fragrance would work in a variety of situations, from work to social events. Longevity is >4 hours.

I knew I loved this, and purchased the largest bottle. When I sprayed it, it was lethal...Whaaaaaa? It's taken a year, spraying every so often, before I got the scent I fell in love with. I'm so glad I didn't give it away. I might have smelled this lovely, lovely perfume for years on a friend and think it just never worked on me. It's a case of emptying the sprayer. It's clear of the old perfume caught in sprayer and it's just beautiful as ever now. I'm one of few that doesn't find this to be a spring scent. It's just too big and proud for me in the heat, that, and it DOES smell like sparkling things, (tenderhearted) which gives me a vivid image of shopping in the 60's. Tinsel glistening and pastel colors. I don't mean this to read "dated". It can never be dated...ever. This and 5th Ave will always be beautiful, unless of course they tamper with them. I like 5th Ave in the winter also. The fresh cold air just give these two scents to me, a vibrant airy feel. In the heat, even though they are spring scents and flowery, they smell more like flowery perfume instead of just picked flowers. I am not saying these aren't exquisite on everyone that wears them in warm weather. This is just how I enjoy them. I think this is just grand buy for the price. I would imagine this to last around fifty years and be a proud vintage buy for someone in the future. I have nothing to back this up mind you. This is just MY belief. For a comparison, I would put this on a shelf with Avon's Haiku. I feel as most, the hyacinth and lily of the valley stand out. My nose detects the lily of the valley just a bit more....which I find VERY similar to Haiku. Haiku being a light lily of the valley which makes me wear it in the spring or summer more often. Enough! I just need to say I agree with all the reviews that love this as I do. It's a must for a flower loving lady!

Is it possible for a fragrance to be floral, sweet, fruity, clean and powdery all at the same time ?? The initial spray will make you pause, but wait for it...the dry down is a beautifully blended masterpiece. The price is a steal ! This has a comforting scent that I suspect will stay in your core memory forever. It’s one of those scents that tickles the happiest part of your brain. You know the scent...that pretty teacher you loved, the one who when she would lean down to help you with your work left a scent trail around you. Or the fancy carefree aunt you adored, your mother’s hug when she’d get all dressed up for something special, the popular girl in high school who was rich and pretty but also really really nice. This fragrance is both vintage and modern, great for daily wear and could easily be a signature scent. This is for the person who truly appreciates fragrance. I originally purchased this for my 18 year old daughter, but after opening it I knew I needed to order several more bottles. The scent hit me before I even took off the outer wrapper. I sprayed it in the air, and my goodness....love ! (it sprays wonderfully btw) I tapped the excess onto the back of my hand and have been sniffing on myself for hours. I plan to gift this bottle to my 80yr old mom for Mother’s Day, and also gift another bottle to my 18 yr old daughter for her birthday...and I never do this BUT I will also be purchasing a bottle for myself. I am a stern believer in not owning fragrances that I gift to other people, nor do I gift the same fragrance to multiple people, but this just smells too lovely not to share. This is a fragrance that I would get excited about wearing. I’d plan my entire outfit around this gem. Day, night, and every season is when I’d suggest wearing it. I love when I find a fragrance that excites me.

Having boasted of this vintage beauty's aromatic strength in my other perfume reviews, I felt it only politically-correct to justify why, here. Both ladies and men's fragrances in the 1980's were particularly sharp, across the board. Giorgio Beverly Hills, Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent--nearly all of their top-sellers had the power in a single spray to the pulse points to either turn all eyes in a room onto the wearer, or to sedate an elephant in a single whiff. Formulated in '86, Sung was far from the exception to this principle. It's a prime example of a pure, white floral eau de toilette that holds the sillage of a concentrated parfum. I'm reminded so well of my preferred Haus of Elizabeth Taylor's Gardenia. It's a well-focused stroll through your finest garden of spring lilies, in full bloom, with no syrupy fruits that seem to control the market for younger wearers today. Opening up with dominant lily-of-the-valley and hiacynth, Sung is a fresh, dominantly green formula whose citrus notes add a subtle boost (as though they need it) to the top white florals that remain delightfully steady, even in the drydown. Incidentally, the oakmoss, amber and veniver notes listed in the base of this Fragrantica entry are ones I can barely register, even late into the drydown. As a cautionary note, it's worth mentioning that Alfred Sung's Sung remains today, just as boldly in the 1980's, one of those many fragrances that require an extremely minute amount to bring out the beast within this exquisite bottle. Know that it's not aldehydic or "soapy," but a sharp and fresh bouquet of spring orchids that may not appeal to the young chicks wanting something that resembles candy, fruit juices or sweet citrus. Overall, for the flower-lover, though, it's a dream-come-true!