International Counterculture music (1960s-1990s)
Ok, now that we've looked at a few international covers of English-language Counterculture songs, what about original pieces of music that originated outside of the US, UK, and other Anglosphere nations?
The Counterculture ignited a particular spirit among the youths around the world, from the Soviet Union, to Japan, to Papua New Guinea. The similarities are apparent in many different ways, but one of the clearest is the emotion of the era's music.
While international cover songs may have had the same sound as the English-language originals, the songs listed on this page demonstrate that rock and roll (and all of its sub-genres and descendants) allowed individuals around the world to express the same soul as English-speaking Counterculturalists as well.
This is immediately apparent upon hearing the music. Going further, translating the lyrics reveals the same themes of life, love, broken hearts, war, peace, hopes, dreams, and wondering about our place in the world.
![Screenshot of a social media comment which says, 'Don't understand a word but feel every second...'](../img/international-counterculture-music/i-feel-every-second.png)
This is not to say that rock and roll is the sole style capable of this, or that such a phenomenon cannot happen again. But this is how the Counterculture unfolded, and the music is worth studying.
I probably found most of these songs on https://radiooooo.com/, which has songs from nearly every country in each decade from 1900 to the 2020s.
Any other song suggestions?
If any songs here are actually covers of English-language songs, please message me and I'll move them.
Language | Location | Year | Song |
---|---|---|---|
Mandarin (Chinese) | Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore |
1985 | Various artists - Tomorrow Will Be Better |
Mandarin (Chinese) | Taiwan | 1992 | 林良樂 (Jessey Lin) - 溫柔的慈悲 |
Cantonese (Chinese) | Hong Kong | 1994 | 王菲 (Faye Wong) - 藍色時份 |
Japanese | Japan | 1976 | 山崎ハコ (Hako Yamasaki) - ヘルプミー (Help Me) |
Cantonese (Chinese) | Hong Kong | 1980 | Frances Yip - 上海灘 - 無線電視劇[上海灘]主題曲 |
Chinese Japanese |
Taiwan Japan |
1970s/80s 1978 |
Cheng Qiong Mei (陳瓊美) - Going To America 福島邦子 (Kuniko Fukushima) - スロー・ダンサー (Slow Dancer) |
Russian | USSR | 1982 | Kino - Бездельник №1 |
Japanese | Japan | 1978 | Taeko Onuki - じゃじゃ馬娘 |
Japanese | Japan | 1987 | Mariya Takeuchi - OH NO,OH YES! |
Mandarin (Chinese) | Taiwan | 1983 | Fei Yu-ching - 一剪梅 |
Mandarin (Chinese) | Taiwan | 2007 | Fei Yu-ching - 千里之外 |
Cantonese (Chinese) | Hong Kong | 1985 | Alan Tam - 朋友 - 電影「龍兄虎弟」歌曲 |
Cantonese (Chinese) | Hong Kong | 1990 | Alan Tam - 卡拉永遠OK |
Cantonese (Chinese) | Hong Kong | 1985 | Alan Tam - 愛情陷阱 |
Russian | USSR | 1985 | Forum - Белая ночь |
Korean | South Korea | 1973 | Kim Jung Mi - Wind |
Spanish | Peru | 1985 | Grupo Celeste - Gaviota |
Spanish | Peru | 1980 | Juaneco y Su Combo - Juanita Linda |
Spanish | Peru | 1979 | Juaneco y Su Combo - Ya Se Ha Muerto Mi Abuelo |
Khmer | USA | 2011 | Dengue Fever - Uku |
On the page about international cover songs, I left off with a song that wasn't actually a cover.
Let's begin by looking at that song. Here, we can see very clearly that the same spirit was behind this song as similar English-language ones.
Various artists - Tomorrow Will Be Better (1985)
"Tomorrow will be Better (simplified Chinese: 明天会更好; traditional Chinese: 明天會更好; pinyin: Míngtiān huì Gènghǎo) is a Taiwanese Mandopop charity record written by Brendan Graham, Rolf Løvland and Lo Ta-yu and sung by over 60 artists. It was recorded on 15 September 1985 and released on 25 October 1985 and was directly inspired by the UK charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? and We Are the World in order to raise money for World Vision International to help with aid to Africa."
明天会更好
轻轻敲醒沉睡的心灵
慢慢张开你的眼睛
看看忙碌的世界
是否依然孤独的转个不停
春风不解风情
吹动少年的心
让昨日脸上的泪痕
随记忆风干了
抬头寻找天空的翅膀
候鸟出现它的影迹
带来远处的饥荒
无情的战火依然存在的消息
玉山白雪飘零
燃烧少年的心
使真情溶化成音符
倾诉遥远的祝福
唱出你的热情
伸出你的双手
让我拥抱着你的梦
让我拥有你真心的面孔
让我们的笑容
充满着青春的骄傲
为明天献出虔诚的祈祷
谁能不顾自己的家园
抛开记忆中的童年
谁能忍心看那昨日的忧愁
带走我们的笑容
青春不解红尘
胭脂沾染了灰
让久违不见的泪水
滋润了你的面容
唱出你的热情
伸出你的双手
让我拥抱着你的梦
让我拥有你真心的面孔
让我们的笑容
充满着青春的骄傲
为明天献出虔诚的祈祷
轻轻敲醒沉睡的心灵
慢慢张开你的眼睛
看看忙碌的世界
是否依然孤独的转个不停
日出唤醒清晨
大地光彩重生
让和风拂出的音响
谱成生命的乐章
唱出你的热情
伸出你的双手
让我拥抱着你的梦
让我拥有你真心的面孔
让我们的笑容
充满着青春的骄傲
让我们期待着明天会更好
míng tiān huì gèng hǎo
qīng qīng qiāo xǐng chén shuì de xīn líng
màn màn zhāng kāi nǐ de yǎn jīng
kàn kàn máng lù de shì jiè
shì fǒu yī rán gū dú de zhuǎn gè bù tíng
chūn fēng bù jiě fēng qíng
chuī dòng shǎo nián de xīn
ràng zuó rì liǎn shàng de lèi hén
suí jì yì fēng gàn le
tái tóu xún zhǎo tiān kōng de chì bǎng
hòu niǎo chū xiàn tā de yǐng jī
dài lái yuǎn chù de jī huāng
wú qíng de zhàn huǒ yī rán cún zài de xiāo xī
yù shān bái xuě piāo líng
rán shāo shǎo nián de xīn
shǐ zhēn qíng róng huà chéng yīn fú
qīng sù yáo yuǎn de zhù fú
chàng chū nǐ de rè qíng
shēn chū nǐ de shuāng shǒu
ràng wǒ yōng bào zhe nǐ de mèng
ràng wǒ yōng yǒu nǐ zhēn xīn de miàn kǒng
ràng wǒ men de xiào róng
chōng mǎn zhe qīng chūn de jiāo ào
wèi míng tiān xiàn chū qián chéng de qí dǎo
shéi néng bù gù zì jǐ de jiā yuán
pāo kāi jì yì zhōng de tóng nián
shéi néng rěn xīn kàn nà zuó rì de yōu chóu
dài zǒu wǒ men de xiào róng
qīng chūn bù jiě hóng chén
yān zhī zhān rǎn le huī
ràng jiǔ wéi bù jiàn de lèi shuǐ
zī rùn le nǐ de miàn róng
chàng chū nǐ de rè qíng
shēn chū nǐ de shuāng shǒu
ràng wǒ yōng bào zhe nǐ de mèng
ràng wǒ yōng yǒu nǐ zhēn xīn de miàn kǒng
ràng wǒ men de xiào róng
chōng mǎn zhe qīng chūn de jiāo ào
wèi míng tiān xiàn chū qián chéng de qí dǎo
qīng qīng qiāo xǐng chén shuì de xīn líng
màn màn zhāng kāi nǐ de yǎn jīng
kàn kàn máng lù de shì jiè
shì fǒu yī rán gū dú de zhuǎn gè bù tíng
rì chū huàn xǐng qīng chén
dà de guāng cǎi zhòng shēng
ràng hé fēng fú chū de yīn xiǎng
pǔ chéng shēng mìng de lè zhāng
chàng chū nǐ de rè qíng
shēn chū nǐ de shuāng shǒu
ràng wǒ yōng bào zhe nǐ de mèng
ràng wǒ yōng yǒu nǐ zhēn xīn de miàn kǒng
ràng wǒ men de xiào róng
chōng mǎn zhe qīng chūn de jiāo ào
ràng wǒ men qī dài zhe míng tiān huì gèng hǎo
Tomorrow will be better
Softly knock on and arouse your heart from slumber,
Slowly open up your eyes.
See if the busy world
Is still rotating alone and endlessly.
The spring breeze not understanding amorous feelings,
Blows on then bestirs the heart of youth;
Dried the tear marks of yesterday
And let it go with the memory.
Looking upwards for the wings in the sky,
The trace of migratory birds emerges,
Bringing us the messages about famine
And ruthless war fires that still exist afar.
The white snow melts on the Jade Mountain,
Igniting the heart of youth.
Dissolving the true feelings into music notes,
Confiding the blessing far away.
Sing your passion out,
Reach your hands out,
Let me embrace your dream;
Let me hold your face of true heart.
Fill our smiles
With the pride of youth;
Pray devoutly for tomorrow.
Who can disregard his own homeland
And cast his childhood in memory aside?
Who can tolerate the sorrow of yesterday
To take our laughter away?
Youth doesn't understand the mortal world,
Rouge is ash-stained;
Let the long lost tears
Moisten your countenance.
Sing your passion out,
Reach your hands out,
Let me embrace your dream;
Let me hold your face of true heart.
Fill our smiles
With the pride of youth;
Pray devoutly for tomorrow.
Softly knock on and arouse your heart from slumber,
Slowly open up your eyes.
See if the busy world
Is still rotating alone and endlessly.
Sunrise wakes the morning up,
The earth restores its color.
Let the ensemble of breezes
Form a melody of life.
Sing your passion out,
Reach your hands out,
Let me embrace your dream;
Let me hold your face of true heart.
Fill our smiles
With the pride of youth;
Let's expect; Tomorrow will be better.
林良樂 (Jessey Lin) - 溫柔的慈悲 (1992)
On Spotify, it seems this song first appears on the album "國語原聲帶-林良樂01" (Chinese Soundtrack - Lin Liangle 01) labelled as being from 1970. However, Lin Liang Le (林良樂), or Jessey Lin in English, was born in 1964, so this appears to be some kind of mislabeling.
Chinese-language Wikipedia lists the song 溫柔的慈悲 as being from 1992.
See a brief history of Taiwan on the international music covers page.
溫柔的慈悲
其實我早應該瞭解
你的溫柔是一種慈悲
但是我怎麼也學不會
如何能不被情網包圍
其實我早應該告別
你的溫柔和你的慈悲
但是我還深深的沈醉在
快樂痛苦的邊緣
你溫柔的慈悲
讓我不知該如何面對
再也不能給我任何安慰
再也阻擋不了我的淚水
你溫柔的慈悲
讓我不知道如何後悔
再也不可能有任何改變
再也癒合不了我的心碎
wēn róu de cí bēi
qí shí wǒ zǎo yīng gāi liǎo jiě
nǐ de wēn róu shì yī zhǒng cí bēi
dàn shì wǒ zěn me yě xué bù huì
rú hé néng bù bèi qíng wǎng bāo wéi
qí shí wǒ zǎo yīng gāi gào bié
nǐ de wēn róu hé nǐ de cí bēi
dàn shì wǒ hái shēn shēn de chén zuì zài
kuài lè tòng kǔ de biān yuán
nǐ wēn róu de cí bēi
ràng wǒ bù zhī gāi rú hé miàn duì
zài yě bù néng gěi wǒ rèn hé ān wèi
zài yě zǔ dǎng bù le wǒ de lèi shuǐ
nǐ wēn róu de cí bēi
ràng wǒ bù zhī dào rú hé hòu huǐ
zài yě bù kě néng yǒu rèn hé gǎi biàn
zài yě yù hé bù le wǒ de xīn suì
Tender Benevolence
In reality, I should have realized that your tenderness is a benevolence
But I have learned and learned, and never learned how not to be surrounded by this web of desires
In reality, I should have said goodbye to your tenderness and benevolence
But I am reveling in being drunk at the frontline between happiness and pain
Your tender benevolence, which took the ability to face the reality off me
Can neither anyhow comfort me nor stop my tears from falling anymore
Your tender benevolence, which took the ability to regret off me
Will neither ever change anything nor mend this broken heart of mine anyways
According to the website Lyrics Translate, Faye Wong released a Cantonese cover of the song.
王菲 (Faye Wong) - 藍色時份 (1994)
I like the emotion of the original version more, but what a fun music video of random daily life in the '90s.
Faye Wong moved to Hong Kong in 1987, beginning her career in music shortly thereafter.
In 1997, Hong Kong was to become reunited with China, ending 156 years of direct British control over the region. Macau followed in 1999, ending 442 years of Portuguese control.
Would you ever have thought that different Chinese dialects would have different covers of a song?
藍色時分
誰會想
夜深一個人
慈悲的你越擁越近
誰明白是愛是憐是憫
沒什麼比這更值得等
矛盾間欲問難再問
即使發覺你移情別戀
就當初相識一個陌生人
仍是動人和興奮
又是藍色時分
沒有清清楚楚的愛恨
就算這個世界即將轉暗
就算即將歸去
無須開燈
說別離的時分
又再一聲不響的接近
就算我已快要躲於黑暗
至少這剎那內
仍很相襯
人會走
像歌總會完
琴聲冰冷但酒漸暖
誰人在自唱自彈自怨
為什麼只得我在心酸
難再戀但亦難以斷
偏偏你兩臂餘情尚暖
在痛苦溫馨這美麗邊緣
還未絕情已心軟
又是藍色時分
沒有清清楚楚的愛恨
就算這個世界即將轉暗
就算即將歸去
無須開燈
說別離的時分
又再一聲不響的接近
就算我已快要躲於黑暗
至少這剎那內
仍很相襯
又是藍色時分
沒有清清楚楚的愛恨
就算這個世界即將轉暗
就算即將歸去
無須開燈
再回頭 愛更深
暫借的一刻短得過份
就算我這世界天色昏暗
至少這剎那是
曾經吸引
Laam sik si fan
Seoi wui soeng
Je sam jat go jan
Ci bei dik nei jyut jung jyut gan
Seoi ming baak si oi si lin si man
Mut sam mo bei ze gang zik dak dang
Maau teon gaan juk man naan zoi man
Zik si faat gok nei ji cing bit lyun
Zau dong co soeng sik jat go mak sang jan
Jing si dung jan wo hing fan
Jau si laam sik si fan
Mut jau cing cing co co dik oi han
Zau syun ze go sai gaai zik zoeng zyun am
Zau syun zik zoeng gwai heoi
Mou seoi hoi dang
Syut bit lei dik si fan
Jau zoi jat seng bat hoeng dik zip gan
Zau syun ngo ji faai jiu do jyu hak am
Zi siu ze caat naa noi
Jing han soeng can
Jan wui zau
Zoeng go zung wui jyun
Kam seng bing laang daan zau zim nyun
Seoi jan zoi zi coeng zi taan zi jyun
Wai sam mo zi dak ngo zoi sam syun
Naan zoi lyun daan jik naan ji dyun
Pin pin nei loeng bei jyu cing soeng nyun
Zoi tung fu wan hing ze mei lai bin jyun
Waan mei zyut cing ji sam jyun
Jau si laam sik si fan
Mut jau cing cing co co dik oi han
Zau syun ze go sai gaai zik zoeng zyun am
Zau syun zik zoeng gwai heoi
Mou seoi hoi dang
Syut bit lei dik si fan
Jau zoi jat seng bat hoeng dik zip gan
Zau syun ngo ji faai jiu do jyu hak am
Zi siu ze caat naa noi
Jing han soeng can
Jau si laam sik si fan
Mut jau cing cing co co dik oi han
Zau syun ze go sai gaai zik zoeng zyun am
Zau syun zik zoeng gwai heoi
Mou seoi hoi dang
Zoi wui tau oi gang sam
Zaam ze dik jat hak dyun dak gwo fan
Zau syun ngo ze sai gaai tin sik fan am
Zi siu ze caat naa si
Cang ging kap jan
Blue Hour
who would think
alone at night
Compassionate you are getting closer
Who understands that love is pity and mercy
Nothing is worth the wait
Between contradictions, it is difficult to ask again
Even if I find out that you are empathetic
I met a stranger
still moving and exciting
blue hour again
no clear love
Even if the world is about to turn dark
even if I'm going back
No need to turn on the lights
time to say goodbye
Approaching silently again
Even if I'm about to hide in the dark
At least for the moment
still very consistent
people will go
like a song will end
The sound of the piano is cold but the wine is getting warmer
Who is singing and playing and complaining
Why do I have to be sad
Hard to fall in love but hard to break
But your arms are still warm
On the edge of pain and warmth
not yet heartbroken
blue hour again
no clear love
Even if the world is about to turn dark
even if I'm going back
No need to turn on the lights
time to say goodbye
Approaching silently again
Even if I'm about to hide in the dark
At least for the moment
still very consistent
blue hour again
no clear love
Even if the world is about to turn dark
even if I'm going back
No need to turn on the lights
back again, love deeper
The borrowing moment is too short
Even if my world is dark
At least this moment
once attracted
山崎ハコ (Hako Yamasaki) - ヘルプミー (Help Me) (1976)
Hako Yamasaki (or Hako Yamazaki, as her name is spelled on Spotify and some other platforms) is a Japanese folk rock musician.
"In Japan, the early 1960s saw the popularity of the so-called “group sounds”, a new style of Japanese music which incorporated elements of rock into folk music. In the late 60’s, a certain group of folk music with a strong message such as anti-war prevailed. Eventually in the 70’s, folk songs experienced a huge boom and generated great sales.
Hako Yamazaki, with her small, skinny body of about five feet, called on the masses to address social issues, playing the guitar. With the melancholic and sad tone of songs, Yamasaki expressed a unique view of the world that no other singer had, with which she succeeded in exposing her human aspect and won the hearts of the great public."
https://en.facerecords.com/blogs/column/introducing-japanese-artist-hako-yamasaki
For a further, brief, history on Japan's political and economic history, see the description on the international music covers page.
In 1976 the album 綱渡り was released, which included the song ヘルプミー (Help Me).
Spotify does not have the her early albums, but has a "Best Collection" from 2008 (which Spotify lists as being from 2017 for some reason). This collection contains some of her hits from 1975 to 1984.
ヘルプミー
いろんな事を知りなさい
いろんな人も
そうすれば悩み 迷いもなくなる
誰かの声が
迷いのない日がくるなら
そんな日々になってしま うなら
何もかも知りたくない
心を閉じてる それもいいね
好き勝手にできる
悪くいえば まだ子供さ
誰かの声が
どこか子供でいたいな いつも
だけど 私
心を閉じても開いてもいないよ
何が毎日だ もうやめだ
私を助けて
そんな時に 起き上がって
歩こうとする自分がいる
それが好き だから叫ぼう
心の中で
自分に叫ぼう ヘルプ・ミー
Help me
Ironna koto o shiri nasai ironna hito mo
Sou sureba nayami mayoi mo nakunaru dareka no koe ga
Mayoi no nai hi ga kurunara
Sonna hibi ni natte shimaunara nanimokamo shiritakunai
Kokoro o toji teru sore mo ii ne suki katte ni dekiru
Waruku ieba mada kodomo sa dareka no koe ga
Doko ka kodomo de itai na itsumodakedo watashi
Kokoro o tojite mo hira aite mo inai yo
Nani ga mainichida mou yameda watashi o tasukete
Sonna toki ni okiagatte arukou to suru jibun ga iru
Sore ga suki dakara sakebou kokoro
No naka de jibun ni sakebou herupu mii
Nani ga mainichida mou yameda watashi o tasukete
Sonna toki ni okiagatte arukou to suru jibun ga iru
Sore ga suki dakara sakebou kokoro
No naka de jibun ni sakebou
Help me help me help me help me
Tasukete tasukete tasukete tasukete
Help me help me help me help me
Help me
Help me
"Get to know a lot of things,
and also many kinds of people.
This way your troubles and doubts will vanish",
said someone's voice.
If these days without doubt will come, and continue just the same,
I would rather not know anything at all.
"Closing your heart, that seems nice. You can do whatever you want. Honestly, just be a child.",
said someone's voice.
A part of me always remains in this desire,
but my heart is neither opened nor closed.
"What's it with these same days, I cannot stand them anymore. Please save me."
When those times come, I love the 'me' that just tries to rise up and start walking.
Because I want that, I shout into my heart, towards myself:
Help me, help me, help me, help me
(help me,...)
To go on a tangent, I would like to draw attention to the design of her first album, 飛・び・ま・す (1975).
The album cover with those small green Japanese characters reminds me of the "digital rain" from The Matrix (1999). (I would also like to draw attention to the fact that the album and The Matrix were released 24 years apart, and it has now been 24 years since The Matrix was released. Feeling ancient?)
![Album cover of Hako Yamasaki's 1975 album 飛・び・ま・す. Close-up of a Japanese woman's face with small green characters in a grid pattern.](../img/international-counterculture-music/Hako-Yamasaki-album-cover-1975.jpg)
You can listen to the album here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hboXXVfj24M
The Matrix was emulating the green phosphor afterglow of early computers. According to Wikipedia, such computers existed as early as the 1960s.
Wikipedia lists the 1989 film Meteo and 1995 film Ghost in the Shell as having similar digital rain designs, although I haven't seen these films yet.
Youtuber Oli's Random Retro Shed recreated the digital rain effect on a 1980s IBM 5151 monitor, and it looks quite impressive:
https://hackaday.com/2022/01/03/matrix-digital-rain-on-the-ibm-pc-with-a-high-persistence-monitor/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7nSAEbJGLo
There was also a real computer virus from the late 1980s to early 1990s which did something similar. Named Cascade, it infected the DOS operating system, making the letters displayed on screen fall to the bottom:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7g-v3d7-Gk
Anyway, do you think there are older examples of this early digital aesthetic?
Frances Yip - 上海灘 - 無線電視劇[上海灘]主題曲 (Shanghai Beach - TVB [Shanghai Beach] theme song) (1980)
Not bad for a TV show theme song.
"The Bund is a Hong Kong period drama television series first broadcast on TVB in 1980. It is praised as "The Godfather of the East" and spawned two sequels, two remakes, and a film adaptation. The theme song, which shares the same Chinese title as the series and was performed by Frances Yip, also became a memorable Cantopop hit."
上海灘
浪奔 浪流
萬里滔滔江水永不休
淘盡了 世間事
混作滔滔一片潮流
是喜 是愁
浪裡分不清歡笑悲憂
成功 失敗
浪裡看不出有未有
愛你恨你 問君知否
似大江一發不收
轉千灣 轉千灘
亦未平復此中爭鬥
又有喜 又有愁
浪裡(就算)分不清歡笑悲憂
仍願翻 百千浪
在我心中起伏夠
(仍願翻 百千浪
在我心中起伏夠)
Soeng hoi taan
long ban long lau
maan leoi tou tou gong seoi wing bat jau
tou zeon liu sai gaan si
wan zok tou tou jat pin ciu lau
si hei si sau
long leoi fan bat cing fun siu bei jau
sing gung sat baai
long leoi hon bat ceot jau mei jau
ngoi nei han nei
man gwan zi fau
ci daai gong jat faat bat sau
zyun cin waan zyun cin taan
jik mei ping fuk ci zung zang dau
jau jau hei jau jau sau
zau syun fan bat cing fun siu bei jau
jing jyun faan baak cin long
zoi ngo sam zung hei fuk gau
ngoi nei han nei
man gwan zi fau
ci daai gong jat faat bat sau
zyun cin waan zyun cin taan
jik mei ping fuk ci zung zang dau
jau jau hei jau jau sau
zau syun fan bat cing fun siu bei jau
jing jyun faan baak cin long
zoi ngo sam zung hei fuk gau
Shanghai Beach
The rushing water rhythms
It is a river stretching for thousands of miles,
flowing continuously for eternity.
Rinse away the stories of the world
The strong currents that mix together
Is it happiness or suffering?
It's tough to tell the difference between sadness and
suffering in the tides.
Success and defeat
It's difficult to see in the water
Love you or hate you
Ask you if you know
Like great blissfulness, when it flows, it will not return.
Flows through many banks of the seashore
Still cannot cease this fray
Both happiness and sorrow
Unable to distinguish between the two
Still hoping to conquer this crashing wave
My heart is ready for these ups and downs.
Love you or hate you
Ask you if you know
Like great blissfulness, when it flows, it will not return.
Flows through many banks of the seashore
Still cannot cease this fray
Both happiness and sorrow
Unable to distinguish between the two
Still hoping to conquer this crashing wave
My heart is ready for these ups and downs.
Cheng Qiong Mei (陳瓊美) - Going To America (1970s/80s)
Spotify and Youtube have a song by Cheng Qiong Mei (or Chen Qiong Mei) (陳瓊美) titled "Going To America."
The cover image on both Youtube and Spotify is from the album 走不完的路, which was released in 1979 and said to be reissued in 2019. But "Going To America" does not appear to be on this album.
A particular Youtube upload has an image of the album "嘉露 = Oh! Carlo" (1980), but none of the tracks on this album appear to translate to "Going to America."
The Youtube upload above lists the title as 美丽的女郞 (Beautiful Girl), which is track B4 (美麗的女郞) on the album 嘉露 = Oh! Carlo.
Spotify has some of her other songs uploaded under her Chinese name. It seems to have two uploads of the same album for some reason.
Who would have thought that even in the internet age it remains so difficult to find information on these albums?
Youtube and Spotify list the copyright as belonging to "Gunnars" (which I cannot find any information about).
Be sure to leave me a note if you have more information about this song. ... And write to Spotify and Label Worx Ltd and ask them what's goin' on.
I'm still no closer to finding out the real title of Chen Qiong Mei's song, but a commenter on Youtube says that it's actually a cover of a Japanese song!
福島邦子 (Kuniko Fukushima) - スロー・ダンサー (Slow Dancer) (1978)
And a fun live music video of the song:
Kino - Бездельник №1 (1982)
Although it's tempting to make some joke about the condition of Soviet society after reading the lyrics, I think they capture the similar lack of direction that American hippies felt after being alienated by mainstream society and dropping out.
Despite the lyrics being depressing and lost in the world, I think the beat and overall sound of the song has something oddly reassuring about it. The beat is like a march song where you can imagine him walking (or "prancing") down the sidewalk, aimlessly, but moving forward. There is a comfort in the repetitive aspects of the upbeat guitar and lyrics, suggesting that perhaps we will find our own way and things will be alright in the end, as long as we keep going.
At least that's how it makes me feel.
In 1982, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev died. During his final decade in office, the Soviet economy began to falter, the USSR became entangled in a war in Afghanistan to prop up a communist regime, and the country's leadership became progressively older and out of touch with society at large.
Бездельник №1
Гуляю.
Я один гуляю.
Что дальше делать, я не знаю.
Нет дома.
Никого нет дома.
Я лишний, словно куча лома, у-у.
Я бездельник, о-о, мама, мама,
Я бездельник, у-у...
Я бездельник, о-о, мама, мама.
В толпе я
Как иголка в сене.
Я снова человек без цели.
Болтаюсь,
Целый день гуляю.
Не знаю, я ничего не знаю, у-у.
Я бездельник, о-о, мама, мама,
Я бездельник, у-у...
Я бездельник, о-о, мама, мама.
Bezdelʹnik No. 1
Gulyayu.
Ya odin gulyayu.
Chto dalʹshe delatʹ, ya ne znayu.
Net doma.
Nikogo net doma.
Ya lishniy, slovno kucha loma, u-u.
Ya bezdelʹnik, o-o, mama, mama,
Ya bezdelʹnik, u-u...
Ya bezdelʹnik, o-o, mama, mama.
V tolpe ya
Kak igolka v sene.
Ya snova chelovek bez tseli.
Boltayusʹ,
Tselyy denʹ gulyayu.
Ne znayu, ya nichego ne znayu, u-u.
Ya bezdelʹnik, o-o, mama, mama,
Ya bezdelʹnik, u-u...
Ya bezdelʹnik, o-o, mama, mama.
Slacker No. 1
I'm prancing.
All alone I'm prancing.
What should I do next, oh, I don't know
But no one,
No one is at my home.
I'm [an] odd bone, like a pile of rubble, uh-uh.
I'm a slacker, oh-oh, mother, mother,
I'm a slacker, uh-uh...
I'm a slacker, oh-oh, mother, mother.
In crowd I'm [a]
Needle in a haystack.
Again I'm [a] bone without a purpose.
Day mooning,
All day long I'm prancing.
I don't know, know nothing is my answer, uh-uh.
I'm a slacker, oh-oh, mother, mother,
I'm a slacker, uh-uh...
I'm a slacker, oh-oh, mother, mother.
じゃじゃ馬娘
女の子の遊びなんか 嫌いよ
泥だらけで 走り回る
私のこと じゃじゃ馬娘と呼んで
相手にしてくれないならいいの
うしろから おどかして
むきになるところ
大好きよ からかって
わざと振向かせてみせるの
私のこと じゃじゃ馬娘と呼んで
相手にしてくれないならいいの
気になろの 年上の
イカシてる あいつ
知られたら 笑われる
だから打明けない 誰にも
私のこと じゃじゃ馬娘と呼んで
相手にしてくれないならいいの
私のこと お転婆娘と呼んで
柑手にしてくれないならいいの
Ja Ja Uma Musume
Onna no ko no asobi nanka kirai yo
Doro darake de hashirimawaru
Watashi no koto ja ja uma musume to yonde
Aite ni shite kurenai nara ii no
Ushiro kara odokashite
Muki ni naru tokoro
Daisuki yo karakatte
Wazato furimukasete miseru no
Watashi no koto ja ja uma musume to yonde
Aite ni shite kurenai nara ii no
Ki ni naru no toshi ue no
Ikashiteru aitsu
Shiraretara warawareru
Dakara uchiakenai dare ni mo
Watashi no koto ja ja uma musume to yonde
Aite ni shite kurenai nara ii no
Watashi no koto otenba musume to yonde
Aite ni shite kurenai nara ii no
Unruly Girl
I hate playing like a girl
Run around all covered in mud
You call me an unruly girl
And if you won't keep me company, fine by me
When I startle you from behind
I love how angry you get
With all the teasing
And I'll turn to look at you on purpose
You call me an unruly girl
And if you won't keep me company, fine by me
That older guy is always on my mind
And he is so fine
If he knew, he would laugh at me
That's why I'll never tell anyone
You call me an unruly girl
And if you won't keep me company, fine by me
You call me a tomboy
And if you won't keep me company, fine by me
Mariya Takeuchi - OH NO,OH YES! (1987)
In the 1980s, the valuation of Japan's economy rose rapidly, with many predicting it would soon surpass the United States as the world's largest economy. However, by the early 1990s, the bubble popped, leading to long-term stagnation. Beyond economic influence, elements of Japanese culture, such as animation, became increasingly popular outside of the nation.
OH NO,OH YES!
ひとつひとつ消えてゆく
オフィス街の窓灯り
ヒールの音もひそめて
あなたに会うために
足早に歩くの
薬指のリングより
人目忍ぶ恋選んだ
強い女に見えても
心の中いつも
切なさに揺れてる
Oh no, 罪なふたりね
But no, はなれられない
Oh yes, このまま愛されたい
Oh no, loving you is not right
But no, don't take me home tonight
Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight
さびれかけたテアトルや
扉を閉ざしてるファーマシー
通りを渡ればすぐに
あなたの待つホテル
でも戸惑っている……
道ゆく恋人達は
なんて幸せそうなの
いとしい胸に崩れて
遅すぎた出逢いを
涙でうめてゆく
Oh no, かなわぬ想い
But no, 何もいらない
Oh yes, あなたに抱かれるなら
Oh no, it's not the way I planned
But no, don't let it be 'one-night-stand'
Oh yes, so baby try to understand
Oh no, 罪なふたりね
But no, はなれられない
Oh yes, このまま愛されたい
Oh no, loving you is not right
But no, don't take me home tonight
Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight
Oh no, it's not the way I planned
But no, don't let it be' one-night-stand'
Oh yes, so baby try to understand
OH NO,OH YES!
Hitotsu hitotsu kiete yuku
Office gai no mado akari
Heel no otomo hisomete
Anata ni au tameni
Ashibaya ni aruku no
Kusuri yubi no ringu yori
Hitome shinobu koi eranda
Tsuyoi onna ni miete mo
Kokoro no naka itsumo
Setsunasa ni yureteru
Oh no, tsumi na futarine
But no, hanarerarenai
Oh yes, kono mama ai saretai
Oh no, loving you is not right
But no, don't take me home tonight
Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight?
Sabire kaketate atoru ya
Tobira wo tozashiteru pharmacy
Toori wo watare basuguni
Anata no matsu hotel
Demo tomadotte iru
Michi yuku koibito tachi wa
Nante shiawase sounano
Itoshii muneni kuzurete
Ososugita deai wo
Namida de umete yuku
Oh no, kanawanu omoi
But no, nanimo iranai
Oh yes, anata ni dakarerunara
Oh no, it's not the way I planned
But no, don't let it be one-night-stand
Oh yes, so baby try to understand
Oh no, tsumi na futarine
But no, hanarerarenai
Oh yes, kono mama ai saretai
Oh no, loving you is not right
But no, don't take me home tonight
Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight?
Oh no, it's not the way I planned
But no, don't let it be one-night-stand
Oh yes, so baby try to understand
OH NO,OH YES!
One by one are fading out
The lights of the windows at the office streets
Lowering the noise of my heels
To meet you
I go walking fast
More than a ring on a ring finger
I chose a love hidden to the public gaze
Even if I show that I'm a strong woman
Always in my heart
I'm shaking of pain
Oh no, we're two sinners
But no, we can't separate
Oh yes, I want to be loved this way
Oh no, loving you is not right
But no, don't take me home tonight
Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight
A theater that was left desolate
And a pharmacy that closed its doors
If I cross the street immediately
There's the hotel where you wait
But I'm bewildered
Lovers that walk down the road
How happy they seem
I fall in your lovely chest
A very late meeting
I'm burying with tears
Oh no, these are impossible affections
But no, I need nothing
Oh yes, if you embrace me
Oh no, it's not the way I planned
But no, don't let it be 'one-night-stand'
Oh yes, so baby try to understand
Oh no, we're two sinners
But no, we can't separate
Oh yes, I want to be loved this way
Oh no, loving you is not right
But no, don't take me home tonight
Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight
Oh no, it's not the way I planned
But no, don't let it be 'one-night-stand'
Oh yes, so baby try to understand
Fei Yu-ching - 一剪梅 (1983)
This song became a meme in the English-speaking world in 2020 after it was featured in a viral video.
However, it quickly became popular once people realized how great the song is.
一剪梅
真情 像草原廣闊
層層風雨 不能阻隔
總有雲開 日出時候
萬丈陽光 照耀你我
真情 像梅花開過
冷冷冰雪不能淹沒
就在最冷 枝頭綻放
看見春天 走向你我
雪花飄飄 北風蕭蕭
天地 一片蒼茫
一剪寒梅 傲立雪中
只為 伊人飄香
愛我所愛 無怨無悔
此情 長留心間
雪花飄飄 北風蕭蕭
天地 一片蒼茫
一剪寒梅 傲立雪中
只為 伊人飄香
愛我所愛 無怨無悔
此情 長留心間
Yī jiǎn méi
Zhēn qíng xiàng cǎo yuán guǎng kuò
Céng céng fēng yǔ bù néng zǔ gé
Zǒng yǒu yún kāi rì chū shí hoù
Wàn zhàng yáng guāng zhào yào nǐ wǒ
Zhēn qíng xiàng méi huā kāi guò
Lěng lěng bīng xuě bù néng yān mò
Jiù zài zuì lěng zhī tóu zhàn fàng
Kàn jiàn chūn tiān zǒu xiàng nǐ wǒ
Xuě huā piāo piāo běi fēng xiāo xiāo
Tiān dì yí piàn cāng máng
Yì jiǎn hán méi ào lì xuě zhōng
Zhǐ wéi yī rén piāo xiāng
Ài wǒ suǒ ài wú yuàn wú huǐ
Cǐ qíng cháng liú xīn jiān
Xuě huā piāo piāo běi fēng xiāo xiāo
Tiān dì yí piàn cāng máng
Yì jiǎn hán méi ào lì xuě zhōng
Zhǐ wéi yī rén piāo xiāng
Ài wǒ suǒ ài wú yuàn wú huǐ
Cǐ qíng cháng liú xīn jiān
A Spray of Plum Blossoms
My love is as wide as a grassland
Layers upon layer of wind and rain cannot separate us
The clouds eventually clear and the sun shines
The sun shines on you and me
My love is like a blossoming plum flower
The cold snow will never cover it
It blooms on the coldest day
And leads us to the spring
The snow falls and the north wind blows
The world is vast and boundless
A cut of plum blossoms stands proudly in the snow
Its perfume is only for one person
I will always love whom I love without complaint and regret
This love is always in my heart
The snow falls and the north wind blows
The world is vast and boundless
A cut of plum blossoms stands proudly in the snow
Its perfume is only for one person
I will always love whom I love without complaint and regret
This love is always in my heart
The snow falls and the north wind blows
The world is vast and boundless
A cut of plum blossoms stands proudly in the snow
Its perfume is only for one person
I will always love whom I love without complaint and regret
This love is always in my heart
Fei Yu-ching - 千里之外 (2007)
This album was released in 2007 (or, at least the remastered version was). Close enough to the Counterculture for Fei Yu-ching enjoyers to have a listen.
千里之外
屋簷如懸崖 風鈴如滄海 我等燕歸來
時間被安排 演一場意外 妳悄然走開
故事在城外 濃霧散不開 看不清對白
妳聽不出來 風聲不存在 是我在感慨
夢醒來 是誰在窗台 把結局打開
那薄如蟬翼的未來 禁不起誰來拆
我送你離開 千里之外 你無聲黑白
沉默年代 或許不該 太遙遠的相愛
我送妳離開 天涯之外 妳是否還在
琴聲何來 生死難猜 用一生 去等待
聞淚聲入林 尋梨花白 只得一行青苔
天在山之外 雨落花台 我兩鬢斑白
聞淚聲入林 尋梨花白 只得一行青苔
天在山之外 雨落花台 我等妳來
一身琉璃白 透明著塵埃 妳無瑕的愛
妳從雨中來 詩化了悲哀 我淋濕現在
芙蓉水面採 船行影猶在 妳卻不回來
被歲月覆蓋 妳說的花開 過去成空白
夢醒來 是誰在窗台 把結局打開
那薄如蟬翼的未來
禁不起誰來拆
我送你離開 千里之外 你無聲黑白 沉默年代 或許不該 太遙遠的相愛
我送妳離開 天涯之外 妳是否還在 琴聲何來 生死難猜 用一生
我送妳離開 千里之外 妳無聲黑白 沉默年代 或許不該 太遙遠的相愛
我送妳離開 天涯之外
妳是否還在
琴聲何來
生死難猜
用一生去等待
Qiān Lǐ Zhī Wài
wū yán rú xuán yá fēng líng rú cāng hǎi wǒ děng yàn guī lái
shí jiān bèi ān pái yǎn yī chǎng yì wài nǐ qiāo rán zǒu kāi
gù shì zài chéng wài nóng wù sàn bú kāi kàn bú qīng duì bái
nǐ tīng bú chū lái fēng shēng bú cún zài shì wǒ zài gǎn kǎi
mèng xǐng lái shì shuí zài chuāng tái bǎ jié jú dǎ kāi
nà báo rú chán yì de wèi lái jīng bú qǐ shuí lái chāi
wǒ sòng nǐ lí kāi qiān lǐ zhī wài nǐ wú shēng hēi bái
chén mò nián dài huò xǔ bú gāi tài yáo yuǎn de xiàng ài
wǒ sòng nǐ lí kāi tiān yá zhī wài nǐ shì fǒu hái zài
qín shēng hé lái shēng sǐ nán cāi yòng yī shēng qù děng dài
wén lèi shēng rù lín xún lí huā bái zhī dé yī háng qīng tái
tiān zài shān zhī wài yǔ luò huā tái wǒ liǎng bìn bān bái
wén lèi shēng rù lín xún lí huā bái zhī dé yī háng qīng tái
tiān zài shān zhī wài yǔ luò huā tái wǒ děng nǐ lái
yī shēn liú lí bái tòu míng zhe chén āi nǐ wú xiá de ài
nǐ cóng yǔ zhōng lái shī huà le bēi āi wǒ lín shī xiàn zài
fú róng shuǐ miàn cǎi chuán háng yǐng yóu zài nǐ què bú huí lái
bèi suì yuè fù gài nǐ shuō de huā kāi guò qù chéng kōng bái
mèng xǐng lái shì shuí zài chuāng tái bǎ jié jú dǎ kāi
nà báo rú chán yì de wèi lái
jīng bú qǐ shuí lái chāi
wǒ sòng nǐ lí kāi qiān lǐ zhī wài nǐ wú shēng hēi bái chén mò nián dài huò xǔ bú gāi tài yáo yuǎn de xiàng ài
wǒ sòng nǐ lí kāi tiān yá zhī wài nǐ shì fǒu hái zài qín shēng hé lái shēng sǐ nán cāi yòng yī shēng
wǒ sòng nǐ lí kāi qiān lǐ zhī wài nǐ wú shēng hēi bái chén mò nián dài huò xǔ bú gāi tài yáo yuǎn de xiàng ài
wǒ sòng nǐ lí kāi tiān yá zhī wài
nǐ shì fǒu hái zài
qín shēng hé lái
shēng sǐ nán cāi
yòng yī shēng qù děng dài
Beyond A Thousand Miles (Faraway)
The roof is like a cliff, the wind chimes are like the blue sea I wait for the swallow to return
The time has been arranged to act out an accident you quietly leave
The story is outside the city, the heavy fog won't disperse, can't see the dialogue clearly
You cannot tell by listening the sound of the wind doesn't exist, it is me who is sighing with regret
I waken from the dream, Who is at the windowsill opening the ending?
That future which is as thin as a cicada's wings cannot withstand being torn apart by whom
I send you away beyond a thousand miles,you are silent, black and white
The silent era perhaps it shouldn't have been,the too distant love
I send you away Beyond the end of the sky, are you still there?
Where is the sound of the piano coming from? It's hard to predict life and death I use all my life To wait
I hear sounds of tears so I enter the woods searching for the white pear flower I only get a row of moss
The sky is beyond the mountains, the rain falls down on the flower stands, I'm grey at the temples
I hear sounds of tears so I enter the woods, searching for the white pear flower I only get a row of moss
The sky is beyond the mountains, the rain falls down on the flower stands I wait for you to come
Glazed white all over you,transparent like dust your flawless love
From the rain you come, the poem becomes sorrowful I'm drenched now
Pick up the lotus from the water surface, it's as if the shadows of the boat sailing are still there, yet you don't come back
Covered by the years, the flower you spoke of blossomed, the past becomes blank
I waken from the dream, Who is at the windowsill opening the ending?
That future which is as thin as a cicada's wings,
cannot withstand being torn apart by whom
I send you away beyond a thousand miles, you are silent, black and white, the silent era, perhaps it shouldn't have been, the too distant love
I send you away beyond the end of the sky, are you still there? Where is the sound of the piano coming from? It's hard to predict life and death I use all my life
I send you away, beyond a thousand miles, you are silent, black and white, the silent era, perhaps it shouldn't have been, the too distant love
I send you away, beyond the end of the sky
Are you still there?
Where is the sound of the piano coming from?
It's hard to predict life and death
I use all my life To wait
Alan Tam - 朋友 - 電影「龍兄虎弟」歌曲 (1985)
朋友
繁星流動 和你同路
從不相識 開始心接近
默默以真摯待人
人生如夢 朋友如霧
難得知心 幾經風暴
為著我不退半步 正是你
遙遙晚空點點星光息息相關 你我那怕荊棘鋪滿路
替我解開心中的孤單 是誰明白我
情同兩手一起開心一起悲傷 彼此分擔總不分我或你
你為了我 我為了你
共赴患難絕望裡 緊握你手
朋友
[interlude]
繁星流動 和你同路
從不相識 開始心接近
默默以真摯待人
人生如夢 朋友如霧
難得知心 幾經風暴
為著我不退半步 正是你
遙遙晚空點點星光息息相關 你我那怕荊棘鋪滿路
替我解開心中的孤單 是誰明白我
情同兩手一起開心一起悲傷 彼此分擔總不分我或你
你為了我 我為了你
共赴患難絕望裡 緊握你手
朋友
遙遙晚空點點星光息息相關 你我那怕荊棘鋪滿路
替我解開心中的孤單 是誰明白我
情同兩手一起開心一起悲傷 彼此分擔總不分我或你
你為了我 我為了你
共赴患難絕望裡 緊握你手
朋友
Pang Yau
faan sing lau dung wo nei tung lou
chung bat seung sik hoi chi sam jip gan
mak mak yi jan ji doi yan
yan saang yu mung pang yau yu mou
naan dak ji sam gei ging fung bou
wai jeuk ngo bat teui bun bou jing si nei
yiu yiu maan hung dim dim sing gwong sik sik seung gwaan nei ngo na pa ging gik pou mun lou
tai ngo gaai hoi sam jung dik gu daan si seui ming baak ngo
ching tung leung sau yat hei hoi sam yat hei bei seung bei chi fan daam jung bat fan ngo waak nei
nei wai liu ngo ngo wai liu nei
gung fu waan naan jyut mong lei gan ak nei sau
pang yau
[interlude]
faan sing lau dung wo nei tung lou
chung bat seung sik hoi chi sam jip gan
mak mak yi jan ji doi yan
yan saang yu mung pang yau yu mou
naan dak ji sam gei ging fung bou
wai jeuk ngo bat teui bun bou jing si nei
yiu yiu maan hung dim dim sing gwong sik sik seung gwaan nei ngo na pa ging gik pou mun lou
tai ngo gaai hoi sam jung dik gu daan si seui ming baak ngo
ching tung leung sau yat hei hoi sam yat hei bei seung bei chi fan daam jung bat fan ngo waak nei
nei wai liu ngo ngo wai liu nei
gung fu waan naan jyut mong lei gan ak nei sau
pang yau
yiu yiu maan hung dim dim sing gwong sik sik seung gwaan nei ngo na pa ging gik pou mun lou
tai ngo gaai hoi sam jung dik gu daan si seui ming baak ngo
ching tung leung sau yat hei hoi sam yat hei bei seung bei chi fan daam jung bat fan ngo waak nei
nei wai liu ngo ngo wai liu nei
gung fu waan naan jyut mong lei gan ak nei sau
pang yau
Friends
A starry sky constantly moves with you on the same path.
We weren't acquainted in the beginning, then our hearts became closer.
Quietly, with sincerity is how we treat each other.
One's life is like a dream. Friends are like mists.
Hard to find an intimate friend to weather numerous crises with.
Because of whom that I haven't retreated, even just half a step? That person is you.
The distant evening sky holds many glimmering stars, tightly connected. You and I are not afraid, even if thistles and thorns lined the road ahead.
Stand in my place to help free the loneliness in my heart. Who best understands me?
This relationship is like two hands, together in happiness, together in sadness. Each of us shoulders the burden, doesn't bother to distinguish whether it's mine or yours.
You'd do it for me. I'd do it for you.
Together through trials and tribulations, in depserate times I will hold your hand
my friend.
[interlude]
A starry sky constantly moves with you on the same path.
We weren't acquainted in the beginning, then our hearts became closer.
Quietly, with sincerity is how we treat each other.
One's life is like a dream. Friends are like mists.
Hard to find and intimate friend to weather numerous crises with.
Because of whom that I haven't retreated, even just half a step? That person is you.
The distant evening sky holds many glimmering stars, tightly connected. You and I are not afraid, even if thistles and thorns lined the road ahead.
Stand in my place to help free the loneliness of my heart. Who best understands me?
This relationship is like two hands, together in happiness, together in sadness. Each of us shoulders the burden, doesn't bother to distinguish whether it's mine or yours.
You'd do it for me. I'd do it for you.
Together through trials and tribulations, in desperate times I will hold your hand
my friend.
The distant evening sky holds many glimmering stars, tightly connected. You and I are not afraid, even if thistles and thorns lined the road ahead.
Stand in my place to help free the loneliness of my heart. Who best understands me?
This relationship is like two hands, together in happiness, together in sadness. Each of us shoulders the burden, doesn't bother to distinguish whether it's mine or yours.
You'd do it for me. I'd do it for you.
Together through trials and tribulations, in desperate times I will hold your hand
my friend.
Alan Tam - 卡拉永遠OK (1990)
The music video is exactly how I imagine Chinese and Japanese karaoke bars in the '80s.
![Album cover of Alan Tam's 1990 album. Man on a car wearing sunglasses](../img/international-counterculture-music/Alan-Tam-album-cover-1990.jpg)
Also, I'm not sure what the song has to do with destroying villages with fireballs, hmm...
卡拉永遠OK
不想歸去掛念你
對影只得我自己
還是到此地
還是再到這個卡拉OK作逃避
傷心只有當遊戲
卡拉OK裡忘記
忘掉你的話
忘掉過往我與你的夢
忘掉過往我與你那些歡喜與傷悲
不管笑與悲
卡拉永遠OK
傷心到半死
卡拉也會OK
高聲唱盡心中滋味
自己安慰自己
透過歌曲
透過唱機
歌聲減退了又起
這天不想有晨曦
留住這音樂
留住這半醉半冷煙幕
留住我對我唱過這些卡拉與OK
不管笑與悲
卡拉永遠OK
傷心到半死
卡拉也會OK
高聲唱盡心中滋味
自己安慰自己
永遠OK 永遠OK
不管笑與悲
卡拉永遠OK
傷心到半死
卡拉也會OK
高聲唱盡心中滋味
自己安慰自己
永遠OK 永遠OK
Ka Laai Wing Yun OK
But syon gwai hui gwa nin nei
Doi ying g dak ngor g gay
Wan see dou chi day
Wan see joy dou jay go
KARA-OK zok tou bay
Syon sum g yau don yau hey
KARA-OK lui mon gay
Mon dui nei dik wa
Mon dui guo wong ngor yuu
Nei dik mong
Mon dui guo wong ngor wuu
Nei na say foon hey
Yuu syon bay
But gwun siu yuu bay
KARA wing yuun OK
Syon sum dou bwun say
KARA ya wui OK
Go sing chong tsun
Sum zhong g may
G gay on wei g gay
Tau guo gor kok
Tau guo chong gay
Gor sing gan toy lyu yo hey
Tze tin but syon yau sun hey
Lau g jay yum ngok
Lau g jay bun zoe
Bun laan yim mok
Lau g nor doi nor chong
Guo jay say KARA yuu OK
But gwun siu yuu bay
KARA wing yuun OK
Syon sum dou bwun say
KARA ya wui OK
Go sing chong tsun
Sum zhong g may
G gay on wei g gay
Wing yuun OK wing yuun OK
But gwun siu yuu bay
KARA wing yuun OK
Syon sum dou bwun say
KARA ya wui OK
Go sing chong tsun
Sum zhong g may
G gay on wei g gay
Wing yuun OK wing yuun OK
Kara is always OK (Karaoke Forever)
I don't want to go back and miss you
I have to be myself
still here
Or go to this karaoke again for escape
Sad only when the game
Forgot in karaoke
forget your words
Forget the past me and your dreams
Forget the joys and sorrows of me and you in the past
whether laugh or sad
Kara is always OK
sad to death
Kara is also OK
Sing loudly to your heart's content
comfort yourself
through the song
through the record player
The singing fades and starts again
I don't want to have dawn today
keep this music
Keep this half-drunk half-cold smokescreen
keep me sing to me these kara and OK
whether laugh or sad
Kara is always OK
sad to death
Kara is also OK
Sing loudly to your heart's content
comfort yourself
always OK always OK
whether laugh or sad
Kara is always OK
sad to death
Kara is also OK
Sing loudly to your heart's content
comfort yourself
always OK always OK
Alan Tam - 愛情陷阱 (1985)
愛情陷阱
拨着大雾默默地在觅我的去路
但愿路上幸运遇着是你的脚步
我要再见你
只想将心声透露
爱慕
独自望着路上密密画满的记号
象是混乱又象特别为了指我路
到处到碰到处去看
堕入陷阱方知太糊涂
真心被俘虏
仿佛遭圈套
探索这爱路
你那美态已叫我醉倒
我堕入情网你却在网外看
始终不释放
你笑笑看看我象是望着猎物
我心已伤
我堕入情网你却在网外看
始终不释放
恨
爱
心中激荡
这陷阱
这陷阱
这陷阱
偏我遇上
[interlude]
拨着大雾默默地在觅我的去路
但愿路上幸运遇着是你的脚步
我要再见你
只想将心声透露
爱慕
独自望着路上密密画满的记号
象是混乱又象特别为了指我路
到处到碰到处去看
堕入陷阱方知太糊涂
真心被俘虏
仿佛遭圈套
探索这爱路
你那美态已叫我醉倒
我堕入情网你却在网外看
始终不释放
你笑笑看看我象是望着猎物
我心已伤
我堕入情网你却在网外看
始终不释放
恨
爱
心中激荡
这陷阱
这陷阱
这陷阱
偏我遇上
我堕入情网你却在网外看
始终不释放
你笑笑看看我象是望着猎物
我心已伤
我堕入情网你却在网外看
始终不释放
恨
爱
心中激荡
这陷阱
这陷阱
这陷阱
偏我遇上
这陷阱
这陷阱
这陷阱
偏我遇上
Oi ching haam jing
but jeuk daai mou mak mak dei joi mik ngo dik heui lou
daan yun lou seung hang wan yu jeuk si nei dik geuk bou
ngo yiu joi gin nei
ji seung jeung sam sing tau lou
ngoi mou
duk ji mong jeuk lou seung mat mat waak mun dik gei hou
jeung si wan lyun yau jeung dak bit wai liu ji ngo lou
dou chyu dou pung dou chyu heui hon
do yap haam jing fong ji taai wu tou
jan sam bei fu lou
fong fat jou hyun tou
tam sok je ngoi lou
nei na mei taai yi giu ngo jeui dou
ngo do yap ching mong nei keuk joi mong ngoi hon
chi jung bat sik fong
nei siu siu hon hon ngo jeung si mong jeuk lip mat
ngo sam yi seung
ngo do yap ching mong nei keuk joi mong ngoi hon
chi jung bat sik fong
han
ngoi
sam jung gik dong
je haam jing
je haam jing
je haam jing
pin ngo yu seung
[interlude]
but jeuk daai mou mak mak dei joi mik ngo dik heui lou
daan yun lou seung hang wan yu jeuk si nei dik geuk bou
ngo yiu joi gin nei
ji seung jeung sam sing tau lou
ngoi mou
duk ji mong jeuk lou seung mat mat waak mun dik gei hou
jeung si wan lyun yau jeung dak bit wai liu ji ngo lou
dou chyu dou pung dou chyu heui hon
do yap haam jing fong ji taai wu tou
jan sam bei fu lou
fong fat jou hyun tou
tam sok je ngoi lou
nei na mei taai yi giu ngo jeui dou
ngo do yap ching mong nei keuk joi mong ngoi hon
chi jung bat sik fong
nei siu siu hon hon ngo jeung si mong jeuk lip mat
ngo sam yi seung
ngo do yap ching mon gnei keuk joi mong ngoi hon
chi jung bat sik fong
han
ngoi
sam jung gik dong
je haam jing
je haam jing
je haam jing
pin ngo yu seung
ngo do yap ching mong nei keuk joi mong ngoi hon
chi jung bat sik fong
nei siu siu hon hon ngo jeung si mong jeuk lip mat
ngo sam yi seung
ngo do yap ching mong nei keuk joi mong ngoi hon
chi jung bat sik fong
han
ngoi
sam jung gik dong
je haam jing
je haam jing
je haam jing
pin ngo yu seung
je haam jing
je haam jing
je haam jing
pin ngo yu seung
Love Trap
Treading in the thick fog, silently finding my way out
I wish on this road I'm fortunate enough to come across your footsteps
I want to see you again
Just want to pour my heart out
Fondness and admiration
Alone looking at the road, full of densely painted signs
Appearing disorderly, yet it feels like they're there to specifically guide me a certain way
Everywhere you could've been are places where I'd look
Falling into a trap, it's now when I realize I've been too bewildered
Indeed, I've been captured
It feels like a set up I've stepped foot into
as I expore this path of love
Your beauty made me intoxicated
I'm ensnared in this love trap, while you are outside looking in
No intention of ever setting me free
You smile while examining me as if looking at a prey
My heart's already wounded
I'm ensnared in this love trap, while you are outside looking in
No intention of ever setting me free
Hatred
Love
My heart is boiling
This trap
This trap
This trap
Why must it be me?
[interlude]
Treading in the thick fog, silently finding my way out
I wish on this road I'm fortunate enough to retrace your footsteps
I want to see you again
Just want to pour my heart out
Fondness and admiration
Alone looking at the road, full of densely painted signs
Appearing disorderly, yet it feels like they're there to specifically guide me a certain way
Everywhere you could've been are places where I'd look
Falling into a trap, it's now when I realize I've been too bewildered
Indeed, I've been captured
It feels like a set up I've stepped foot into
as I expore this path of love
Your beauty made me intoxicated
I'm ensnared in this love trap, while you are outside looking in
No intention of ever setting me free
You smile while surveying me as if looking at a prey
My heart's already broken
I'm ensnared in this love trap, while you are outside looking in
No intention of ever setting me free
Hatred
Love
I'm really agitated
This trap
This trap
This trap
Why must it be me?
I'm ensnared in this love trap, while you are outside looking in
No intention of ever setting me free
You smile while inspecting me as if looking at a prey
My heart's already wounded
I'm ensnared in this love trap, while you are outside looking in
No intention of ever setting me free
Hatred
Love
My heart is boiling
This trap
This trap
This trap
Why must it be me?
This trap
This trap
This trap
Why must it be me?
Forum - Белая ночь (1985)
Did you know the USSR had disco? (Or "synthpop.")
I listened to this song many times before looking up a translation. I was struck by how the singer's voice seemed pained and longing—something that seemed a bit odd for a disco song, which I imagine are supposed to be upbeat enough to allow for dance.
Perhaps they were just amateurs who just didn't "get" the vibe? But, no, the lyrics reflect the same mood as the sound. That is the power of music—emotion transcending language.
"Forum is a Soviet and Russian pop rock band founded by Alexander Morozov in the spring of 1983. It is considered the first synthpop band in the USSR."
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BC_(%D0%B3%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%B0)
After two short-lived leaders, Mikhail Gorbachev became what would be the USSR's final leader in March 1985. He began a series of widespread social and economic reforms, which weakened the totalitarian grasp of the Communist Party on the nation, but also led to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 after a failed coup by communist hardliners.
Gorbachev famously appeared in an international commercial for the American pizza chain Pizza Hut in 1998. Do you think he liked disco?
Белая ночь
В белую ночь сирени листву
Ветер качает – то робкий, то смелый.
В белую ночь, в час, когда я усну,
Приснится мне сон, удивительно белый.
Птица взмахнёт волшебным крылом,
И я появление твоё угадаю.
В белую ночь мы с тобою уйдём,
Куда, я не знаю, куда, я не знаю.
(Я не знаю…)
Белая ночь опустилась как облако,
Ветер гадает на юной листве.
Слышу знакомую речь, вижу облик твой,
Ну почему это только во сне?
Белая ночь опустилась как облако,
Ветер гадает на юной листве.
Слышу знакомую речь, вижу облик твой,
Ну почему это только во сне?
В красках зари небесная высь…
Жаль, что виденья мои всё короче.
Сон, повторись, я прошу, повторись,
Но так коротки эти белые ночи.
В сердце одну надежду таю
И восходящему дню улыбаюсь.
Верю, что я, не во сне – наяву,
С тобой повстречаюсь, с тобой повстречаюсь.
(Повстречаюсь…)
Белая ночь опустилась как облако,
Ветер гадает на юной листве.
Слышу знакомую речь, вижу облик твой,
Ну почему это только во сне?
Белая ночь опустилась как облако,
Ветер гадает на юной листве.
Слышу знакомую речь, вижу облик твой,
Ну почему это только во сне?
(Белая ночь опустилась как облако,
Ветер гадает на юной листве.
Слышу знакомую речь, вижу облик твой,
Ну почему это только во сне?)
Belaya nochʹ
V beluyu nochʹ sireni listvu
Veter kachayet – to robkiy, to smelyy.
V beluyu nochʹ, v chas, kogda ya usnu,
Prisnit·sya mne son, udivitelʹno belyy.
Ptitsa vzmakhnyot volshebnym krylom,
I ya poyavleniye tvoyo ugadayu.
V beluyu nochʹ my s toboyu uydyom,
Kuda, ya ne znayu, kuda, ya ne znayu.
(Ya ne znayu…)
Belaya nochʹ opustilasʹ kak oblako,
Veter gadayet na yunoy listve.
Slyshu znakomuyu rechʹ, vizhu oblik tvoy,
Nu pochemu eto tolʹko vo sne?
Belaya nochʹ opustilasʹ kak oblako,
Veter gadayet na yunoy listve.
Slyshu znakomuyu rechʹ, vizhu oblik tvoy,
Nu pochemu eto tolʹko vo sne?
V kraskakh zari nebesnaya vysʹ…
Zhalʹ, chto videnʹya moi vsyo koroche.
Son, povtorisʹ, ya proshu, povtorisʹ,
No tak korotki eti belyye nochi.
V serdtse odnu nadezhdu tayu
I voskhodyashchemu dnyu ulybayusʹ.
Veryu, chto ya, ne vo sne – nayavu,
S toboy povstrechayusʹ, s toboy povstrechayusʹ.
(Povstrechayusʹ…)
Belaya nochʹ opustilasʹ kak oblako,
Veter gadayet na yunoy listve.
Slyshu znakomuyu rechʹ, vizhu oblik tvoy,
Nu pochemu eto tolʹko vo sne?
Belaya nochʹ opustilasʹ kak oblako,
Veter gadayet na yunoy listve.
Slyshu znakomuyu rechʹ, vizhu oblik tvoy,
Nu pochemu eto tolʹko vo sne?
(Belaya nochʹ opustilasʹ kak oblako,
Veter gadayet na yunoy listve.
Slyshu znakomuyu rechʹ, vizhu oblik tvoy,
Nu pochemu eto tolʹko vo sne?)
White Night
On a white night the wind is stirring
The lilac leaves, now meekly, now with might.
On a white night, I'll fall asleep
Dreaming a dream, surprisingly white.
A bird will flap its magic wing.
I will predict your sight aglow.
On a white night we'll fly away,
Where - I don't know, where - I don't know.
(I don't know...)
A white night came down like a cloud,
The wind tells fortunes on young leaves, it seems,
I hear a familiar voice, I see your form,
Why is this only in my dreams?
A white night came down like a cloud,
The wind tells fortunes on young leaves, it seems,
I hear a familiar voice, I see your form,
Why is this only in my dreams?
The heights wear hues of breaking day.
Alas, my visions dwindle in their sport.
Repeat, o dream, repeat, I pray.
But, ah, these white nights are so short.
I keep one hope and comfort take,
Smiling at sunrise, trusting true
That not just dreaming but awake
I'll meet with you, I'll meet with you.
(I'll meet with you...)
A white night came down like a cloud,
The wind tells fortunes on young leaves, it seems,
I hear a familiar voice, I see your form,
Why is this only in my dreams?
A white night came down like a cloud,
The wind tells fortunes on young leaves, it seems,
I hear a familiar voice, I see your form,
Why is this only in my dreams?
(A white night came down like a cloud,
The wind tells fortunes on young leaves, it seems,
I hear a familiar voice, I see your form,
Why is this only in my dreams?)
Kim Jung Mi - Wind (1973)
See a brief history of South Korean society in the 1970s and 1980s on the international music covers page.
바람
나뭇가지 사이에 바람 불어가면
어디선가 들리는 그대 목소리
저 산봉우리 위에 움직이고 있는
하얀 구름 속에는 그대 모습이 있네
바람 같이 날아 아무도 모르게
그를 지켜 보며 날아 가고파
그대 모르게 그를 보고파
나만 사랑하는지 알고 싶구나
보이지 않는 바람과 같이
그대 모르게 지켜 보고파
바람 같이 날아 아무도 모르게
그를 지켜 보며 날아 가고파
나뭇가지 사이에 바람 불어가면
어디선가 들리는 그대 목소리
저 산봉우리 위에 움직이고 있는
하얀 구름 속에는 그대 모습이 있네
바람 같이 날아 아무도 모르게
그를 지켜 보며 날아 가고파
바람 같이 날아 날아 가면서
그를 지켜 보며 날아 가고파
Param
Namutkaji sa-i-e param-bureogamyeon
eodiseonga teullineun keutae moksori
jeo sanbonguri wie umjikigo inneun
hayan kureum sogeneun keutae moseubi inne
param kachi nara amudo mollae
keureul jikyeobomyeo narakagopa
keutae moreuge keureul pogopa
naman saranghaneunji algo sipkuna
po-iji anneun paramkwa kachi
keutae moreuge jikyeobogopa
param kachi nara amudo mollae
keureul jikyeobomyeo narakagopa
Namutkaji sa-i-e param-bureogamyeon
eodiseonga teullineun keutae moksori
jeo sanbonguri wie umjikigo inneun
hayan kureum sogeneun keutae moseubi inne
param kachi nara amudo mollae
keureul jikyeobomyeo narakagopa
param kachi nara nara kagopa
keureul jikyeobomyeo narakagopa
Wind
When the wind blows throught the branches of a tree,
I hear your voice from somewhere
Somewhere in the white clouds over the top of the mountain, I see you
Like the wind, I want to quietly fly and look at you
I want to secretly look at you and see if I am your only lover
Like the invisible wind, I want to secretly look at you
Like the wind, I want to secretly look at you and fly away
Like the wind, I want to secretly look at you and fly away
Like the wind, I want to secretly look at you and fly away
Like the wind, I want to secretly look at you and fly away
Grupo Celeste - Gaviota (1985)
"Peruvian cumbia is a subgenre of chicha (Andean tropical music) that became popular in the coastal cities of Peru, mainly in Lima in the 1960s through the fusion of local versions of the original Colombian genre, traditional highland huayno, and rock music, particularly surf rock and psychedelic rock. The term chicha is more frequently used for the pre-1990s variations of the subgenre.
Unlike other styles of cumbia, the chicha subgenre's harmonics are based on the pentatonic scale typical of Andean music."
Peru was the heart of the Inca Empire. Today, upwards of 25% of Peruvians identify as indigenous (rather than mixed "Mestizos") and around 8 million Peruvians continue to speak the Quechua language.
Although, as far as I can tell, most Peruvian cumbia music is sung in Spanish, I can't help but imagine that citizens of the Inca Empire would have been rocking out to the same vibe of music had the empire continued to exist.
Throughout the 1960s to 1990s, Peru faced great instability from a series of military coups, communist uprisings, and economic troubles.
Once again, as cliche as it sounds, it seems that getting lost in the music can make us forget all the troubles that were happening in society.
Gaviota
Donde has estado, que te ha pasado
Gaviota
Donde has estado
Gaviota
Que te ha pasado
Tus tiernos ojos están cansado
Gaviota tú has llorado
Gaviota tú has llorado
No comprendo tu forma de pensar
Si te quiero porque quieres volar
Tal vez sea tu loca juventud
Que te obliga a volar hacia el sur
Si un día te cansaras procura regresar
Que el mundo al dar sus vueltas
Te puede arroyar
Si un día te cansaras procura regresar
Que el mundo al dar sus vueltas
Te puede arroyar
Gaviota
Busca a tus padres
Gaviota
Vuelve a tú nido
Gaviota
Busca a tus padres
Gaviota
Vuelve a tu nido
(Donde has estado, que te ha pasado, Gaviota)
Donde has estado, que te ha pasado
Gaviota
Donde has estado
Gaviota
Que te ha pasado
Tus tiernos ojos están cansado
Gaviota tú has llorado
Gaviota tú has llorado
No comprendo tu forma de pensar
Si te quiero porque quieres volar
Tal vez sea tu loca juventud
Que te obliga a volar hacia el sur
Si un día te cansaras procura regresar
Que el mundo al dar sus vueltas
Te puede arroyar
Si un día te cansaras procura regresar
Que el mundo al dar sus vueltas
Te puede arroyar
Gaviota
Busca a tus padres
Gaviota
Vuelve a tú nido
Gaviota
Busca a tus padres
Gaviota
Vuelve a tu nido
Gaviota
Busca a tus padres
Gaviota
Vuelve a tu nido
Seagull
Where have you been, what has happened to you?
Seagull
Where have you been
Seagull
What happened to you
Your tender eyes are tired
seagull you have cried
seagull you have cried
I don't understand your way of thinking
If I love you because you want to fly
Maybe it's your crazy youth
That forces you to fly south
If one day you get tired try to return
That the world as it turns
it can throw you
If one day you get tired try to return
That the world as it turns
it can throw you
Seagull
look for your parents
Seagull
go back to your nest
Seagull
look for your parents
Seagull
go back to your nest
(Where have you been, what has happened to you, Seagull)
Where have you been, what has happened to you?
Seagull
Where have you been
Seagull
What happened to you
Your tender eyes are tired
seagull you have cried
seagull you have cried
I don't understand your way of thinking
If I love you because you want to fly
Maybe it's your crazy youth
That forces you to fly south
If one day you get tired try to return
That the world as it turns
it can throw you
If one day you get tired try to return
That the world as it turns
it can throw you
Seagull
look for your parents
Seagull
go back to your nest
Seagull
look for your parents
Seagull
go back to your nest
Seagull
look for your parents
Seagull
go back to your nest
Juaneco y Su Combo - Ya Se Ha Muerto Mi Abuelo (1979)
Looking up the lyrics, masato is an alcoholic drink made from cassava, rice, corn, oats, or pineapple. "Zuri" is apparently...giant fried grubs on a stick commonly found in the Amazon. I don't think I'll be trying that when my grandparents die...
Ya Se Ha Muerto Mi Abuelo
Ya se me ha muerto mi abuelo
Ayayayy
Ya se me ha muerto mi abuelo
Ayayayy
Tomando trago
Ayayayy
Tomando trago
Ayayayy
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Ya se me ha muerto mi abuelo
Ayayayy
Ya se me ha muerto mi abuelo
Ayayayy
Tomando masato
Ayayayy
Tomando masato
Ayayayy
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Ya se me ha muerto mi abuela
Ayayayy
Ya se me ha muerto mi abuela
Ayayayy
Comiendo zuri
Ayayayy
Comiendo zuri
Ayayayy
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
My Grandfather Has Already Died
My grandfather has already died
Ayayayy
My grandfather has already died
Ayayayy
having a drink
Ayayayy
having a drink
Ayayayy
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
My grandfather has already died
Ayayayy
My grandfather has already died
Ayayayy
taking masato
Ayayayy
taking masato
Ayayayy
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
My grandmother has already died
Ayayayy
My grandmother has already died
Ayayayy
Eating zuri
Ayayayy
Eating zuri
Ayayayy
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii leloleiii
Olelolaii leloleii
Olelolaii lelolaa
Olelolaii lelolaa
Dengue Fever - Uku (2011)
It seems that over the past decade there has been a revival of the "psychedelic rock" genre that was common during the 1960s-70s (under the name neo-psychedelic). In particular, there seems to have been a large revival of what is being called the "Cambodian rock" genre. This revival has been ongoing since the 1990s and the return to normalcy in Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge had been extinguished.
The band Dengue Fever is one of these bands reviving the genre. So, although this is from the 21st century, I think it's just as rad.
I think it's important not to treat aesthetic movements or periods in history as some kind of dead and forever-extinguished things. The same spirit that animated people then can flow through us today! No need for artificial barriers to keep us from reconnecting.
"After striking out a few times, the Holtzmans discovered Chhom Nimol, a onetime pop star in Cambodia who came from a highly successful musical family (analogous to ). According to the band, Nimol had performed several times for the Cambodian royal family before immigrating to Los Angeles. Initially not understanding the band's motives, she was suspicious at first, but after several rehearsals, everything clicked. Dengue Fever made their live debut in 2002, with the charismatic Nimol in full traditional Cambodian garb, and soon won a following among Hollywood hipsters, not to mention L.A. Weekly's Best New Band award that year."
For a write-up of Cambodia's history in the 1960s-1970s, I will refer you to the write-up on the other article.
Cambodia's history in this era was incredibly tragic. The US dropped more bombs on Cambodia than they did on Japan during WWII, which counterproductively led to the Khmer Rouge—an extreme communist group—seizing power in Cambodia and murdering nearly all artists, intellectuals, and other "non-proletariats" (which included most popular musicians of the era). Ironically, it was communist Vietnam which tried to bring the Khmer Rouge's terror to an end.
Uku
ជំនោរកត្តិកឲ្យអូននឹកស្រុក
នឹកដល់យាយតាមីងមាប្អូនបង
ជំនោរកត្តិកឲ្យអូននឹកស្រុក
នឹកដល់យាយតាមីងមាប្អូនបង
យើងធ្លាប់រត់លេងប្រលែងត្រសង
ឥឡូវនួនល្អងត្រូវឃ្លាតសែនឆ្ងាយ
សែនឆ្ងាយ
Uku
chomnor kattek aoy aun nukasrok
nukadl yeayta mingmea baaun bang
chomnor kattek aoy aun nukasrok
nukadl yeayta mingmea baaun bang
yeung thleab rt leng braleng trasang
ilauv nuonolaong trauv khleat sen chhngay
sen chhngay
Uku
The winter breeze makes me homesick
Missing my grandparents, my aunts, my uncles, my brothers and sisters
The winter breeze makes me homesick
Missing my grandparents, my aunts, my uncles, my brothers and sisters
We used to play and run along
Now I am far away
So far away
Groovy.
I'm always looking for more great tunes!
Leave me a note if you are also into this sort of music or have suggestions to add.
Also, be sure to check out the article about international cover songs made during the Counterculture if you haven't already.