Tuấn Lê’s “Mad at Him, Angry at Her” (“Hờn anh giận em,” 1970?) is a clever duet about a soldier and his wife in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, or South Vietnam). The song speaks to the burden that war imposed on soldiers and their romantic partners. “Mad at Him, Angry at Her” is the […]
Hoàng Thi Thơ’s “The Pin in My Hair” (“Cái trâm em cài,” 1971?) is a sweet song about a young woman whose boyfriend is away fighting, and she treasures the hairpin that he made for her as a memento of their love. The song was composed sometime in the early 1970s in the Republic of
Huy Thanh’s “A Girl’s Destiny” (“Duyên phận con gái,” year unknown) is yet another song in which love trumps wealth, similar to Nguyễn Trung Cang’s “Our Treasure” (“Kho tàng của chúng ta”). “A Girl’s Destiny” is the thirteenth track on Saigon Rock & Soul, and this post is a continuation of my mini-series translating the
Nguyễn Trung Cang’s song “Our Treasure” (“Kho tang của chúng ta,” 1971?) is an idealistic celebration of love and friendship that was composed in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, or South Vietnam) in the early 1970s. The song’s narrator considers such sentiments to be the greatest treasure of all, compares them to priceless jewels, and
Nguyễn Trung Cang’s “A Cocky Song” (“Bài Ca Ngông”) is an anthem to individualism. The song was released in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, or South Vietnam) sometime in the early 1970s. The narrator of the song is a cocky young man who insists on living his truth. He rejects all blandishments of wealth and
Saigon Rock & Soul: Classic Tracks 1968-1974 (2012) started a trend when it was released some ten years ago. The CD was the very first collection of remastered period recordings from the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, or South Vietnam) and heralded a wave of similar CDs that have appeared in the decade since. Saigon Rock
Nhã Ca’s At Night I Hear the Cannons (Đêm nghe tiếng đại bác, 1966) poignantly captures the moment when the Vietnam War began encroaching on civilian life in Saigon. Set in the mid-1960s, the novel centers on a northern Vietnamese family of modest means who emigrated to Saigon when the country was divided a decade