English-language 'Thai' evergreens
The first evening I immerse myself in Bangkok's musical nightlife, I get to hear almost all of them; the English-speaking evergreens.
Sitting at a bar, the 'Rolling on the river' blares out of the loudspeakers and, due to the lack of patronage and the resulting boredom, somewhat brightens up the not-so-friendly-looking ladies. It looks like the text is not completely unfamiliar to them, because they slowly start to move, swaying their hips. The only line they sing along with is yes… Rolling on the river.
Ghosts exist
At a subsequent address of the same sheet a suit. Here too, an almost 'Thai' evergreen comes into play. The 'I have seen the rain, I have survived the pain' rings in my ears. As if the rain god Pluvius is listening in, the rainwater suddenly pours out in buckets from the sky. Would the ghosts where many Thai so believed in then still exist? The group sitting at the bar does not notice that they are weighed down by worries. You won't want to believe it; a little later, the 'Rolling on the river' also rolls through the room in this establishment. Ghosts do exist.
Country road
A little later in the evening I arrive on Soi Cowboy at Country Road. As if I won the grand prize, the band playing there starts the anthem Country Road.
In case you don't quite remember the words of the song made so popular by John Denver: “Country Roads, take me home. To the place I belong. West Virginia, mountain momma. Take me home, country roads. Take me home now, country roads.” It seems that everyone present is from West Virginia. It sounds like they all want to go home, but no one moves to leave and many bravely sing along with the emphasis invariably on “Take me home.”
Well, there are plenty of ladies on Soi Cowboy who are happy to take you home, so you don't have to put in much effort.
You probably won't want to believe it, but within half an hour the band also plays 'I have seen the rain' and 'Rolling on the river'.
Where do you come from?
Before going to bed I drink a glass of wine in a quiet place on Sukhumvit Soi 11. Of course I have to answer two more questions. “My name is Joseph” and jokingly I answer the second question “I'm from West Virginia.” The barmaid sits down next to me, looks at me beamingly and says: “That must be a beautiful country, I know your famous song. I like to take you home.” I ask her if she wants to come to West Virginia with me. “No darling I like to go with you to your hotels. "
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I miss 'Hotel California' in the story 😉 Also read from someone who always replied 'Foodland' to 'where you come from'.
Indeed, just like 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles. Afterwards I am always happy to be able to listen to or see the original or otherwise a live performance by Sir Paul.
I have the strong impression that all those bands that play in the bars for farang in the center of Bangkok strongly influence each other. I am a fan of live music and therefore regularly visit these locations. Once a band has just added a song to its repertoire, the rest often follows quite quickly. That's funny. Sometimes they are well-known songs, sometimes less well-known ones. Among the latter category, for example, Temple Of The King by Rainbow and Holiday by Scorpions. Both have not been hit singles (to my knowledge) and are completely unknown to the general public. And suddenly such a song is played by many bands only to be forgotten again. Songs that almost every band plays are Zombie, Highway To Hell, Another Brick In The Wall, Sweet Child Of Mine. I think 9 out of 10 bands will play all four of those songs.
Maybe a nice idea to make a bingo card with English evergreens for Thailandblog readers. Whoever fills the card first wins, but of course you have to record a short video of each song to prove it was really played 🙂
A song that is still heard and played in Thailand is “Linda Linda” by our own, unfortunately deceased, Peter Tetteroo, or, if desired, by the Tee Set. It was only a minor hit in the Netherlands, but was on a successful compilation CD in Thailand. Radar love from the Earring also wants to drop by.
But I think Country Road is the most cozy bar of all.
Always very cozy, is the first one I go to as soon as I'm in bangkok.
Don't forget "Let it be" by the Beatles in this list. With text adapted by the Thai singer of the band: Whispel wolds of visdom .... indeed a V yes ..
Also nice, “yellow liver”.
I once made an alternative text to Hotel California that you can't escape in Thailand because it's played so often:
http://www.i-nomad.net/2011/12/hotel-california-alternative-lyrics_01.html
Nice relatable article. Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 times the lyrics are taken rather broadly, ie the singers learn it phonetically as best they can, but often have no idea what the lyrics are about. As a result, the pronunciation often goes quite wrong.
The worst I've heard recently was a rape from CCR's Cottonfields… and my wife was very excited: “Isn't it nice that she sings English so well?!”
No one on this forum has ever left their Thai partner because of musical differences?!
As for the Beatles, recommended: http://www.better.thebetterband.com
These guys have been doing it for years and well!
A few years ago, "one night in Bangkok" was not allowed to be played in the bars in Pattaya because
the crowd got too excited.
“A number of years ago, “one night in Bangkok” was not allowed to be played in the bars in Pattaya because
the audience got too excited..”
Are you sure that was the reason? This song has been banned in Thailand for years.
I would like to know why it was or is forbidden