Although he was unable to switch departments due to a lack of credits in his undergraduate degree in mathematics, this experience laid the groundwork for his future work in art and literature.
In 1972, Li began working in Taipei to make a living and frequented the Embassy of Colombia's café, where young people like him, including Parangalan, Yang Xian, Han Zhenghao, Wu Chu-chu,[4] and others, would gather.
About the café, Li said, “I had never had the chance to enter such a glamorous place when I was abroad: it had mahogany carved tables and chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows with bright red carpets; elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen, jeweled and glamorous; the sizzling steaks, interlaced with the sound of forks and knives against plates, and Parangalan was behind the piano, which spun on a revolving base.” It was a time of gradual international decline in Taiwan's international standing, since the Republic of China had just broken off diplomatic relations with Japan and withdrawn from the United Nations.
During his travels to Spain, the UK, France, Germany, and the United States, Li witnessed social inequality and racial discrimination, which he likened to "the dark shadows of a bright world."
On December 3, 1976, Tamkang College of Arts and Sciences held a "Western Folk Music Concert" on campus, hosted by Tao Xiaoqing.
After the first singer, Huang Huaqin (黃華勤) finished performing, Li went on stage with a bottle of Coca-Cola in his hand and a guitar on his back.
"The Beautiful Island" and "Young China" had both been submitted to the Government Information Office for approval but had been denied; "The Beautiful Island" was denied on the grounds that it was sung by members of the tangwai movement, and was declared to have pro-Taiwan Independence ideology; "Young China" was declared to be a pro-communist song because it was sung by those who favored unification with the CCP.
Amidst the pushing and shoving, Yang Zujun started singing Li Shuang-ze's apolitical, nonviolent song "The Beautiful Island".
"[23] In 1987, The Beautiful Island and Young China, a collection of writings on the tenth anniversary of Li Shuang-ze's death was published.
[14] On October 1, 2007, Tamkang University dedicated a memorial plaque to Li Shuang-ze, donated by his friend Jiang Xun, on the campus's Shepherd's Meadow.
Sing Our Own Songs" produced by Thirty-Seven Degrees Productions won the 20th Golden Melody Award in the pop music category.