Popular Music
Popular Music in Twentieth Century Southeast Asia: A New Book!!
One topic that has received very little attention by historians is twentieth-century Southeast Asian popular culture, especially popular culture in the 1950s-1980s. There is a
Chainsmokers “Closer” Covers in Southeast Asia
I read an article last week by Ariel Heryanto called “Popular Culture for a New Southeast Asian Studies?” [in The Historical Construction of Southeast Asian
Sihanouk’s “Glory to Our Arab and African Brothers”
Among the many musical compositions that Norodom Sihanouk composed was a piece called “Glory to Our Arab and African Brothers.” It would appear that this
Sihanouk’s “Korea and Cambodia Are Revolutionary Comrades-in-Arms”
After Cambodian Head of State Norodom Sihanouk was overthrown in 1970, he took up residence in Beijing, China and Pyongyang, North Korea. I’ve always wondered
Sihanouk’s “Thank You, Hồ Chí Minh Trail” (1973)
In 1970, the head of state of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, was overthrown by one of his military officers, Lon Nol. Sihanouk, who had declared Cambodia
A World War II Annam Anthem (Đăng Đàn)
One period of Vietnamese history that I find fascinating is World War II. During the War, Vietnam was occupied by the Japanese, but for most
The Vietnam War Through Thai Eyes
I just came across a recent video by the Thai band Cocktail called “You” (เธอ). It is about a Thai soldier who fell in love
Hawaiian Music and National Culture in Indonesia
A while ago I wrote a blog piece on “Hawaii in Southeast Asia” in which I mentioned that there was some influence of Hawaiian music
British and Muruts Roamin’ in the Gloamin’ in 1925
There is an article in The British North Borneo Herald from 1925 which describes a visit by some British officials to Kamabong [i.e., Kemabong] for
If Herb Albert and Jimi Hendrix had Visited Phnom Penh. . .
If Herb Albert and Jimi Hendrix had visited Phnom Penh in the late 1960s and recorded a song with Ros Sereysothea, it would have sounded
The Long History of Filipino Musicians Playing Western Music
In reading the 16 September 1904 issue of The British North Borneo Herald, I came across a reference to a band from Manila that passed