Singing in sympathy

With more and more people becoming affected every day by the flooding, Thai artists are heading into the recording studios in an attempt to provide a little relief from the suffering.
Yuenyong “Ad” Ophakul, who raised spirits with his song “Nam Jai Thai” (“Thai’s Kind Hospitality”), adds his voice to “Nam Phirot” (“Water Rage”) penned and composed by Carabao bandmate Preecha “Lek” Chanapai and featuring the songs-for-life band’s Thierry Mekwattana.
And songs-for-lifer Pongsit “Poo” Khamphi has come out with a second song, “Nong Nam”, naming his tune after the severe flood. His first offering, “Wan Mai” (“New Day”), aimed to encourage Thais to think of the better times ahead.
“I can’t stop thinking about the floodwaters and the suffering of so many of my fellow Thais,” says a mournful sounding Poo. “With ‘Nong Nam’, I recognise their courage in struggling with the situation. The Thai people’s kind hospitality right now is their greatest power. My thanks go to all soldiers, officials and others who are involved in helping the flood victims.”
The Kingdom’s hottest rock band Bodyslam wants fans to know that they are also suffering. Songwriter and frontman Arthiwara “Toon” Khongmalai conveys the message in “Duay Kan” (“Together”).
“The idea for this song came while I was watching scenes of the floodwater spreading and Thai people leaving their homes for evacuation centres and other provinces,” says Toon, whose acoustic concert at Impact has been postponed until February.
“Our responsibility is to give courage to people. Although this song only plays for a few minutes, it will be worth every second of that if it makes Thai people feel better and smile,” says Toon, who collaborated with Big Ass’ Khajorndej “Kob” Phromraksa and Poonsak “Off” Jaturabul on the arrangement. “No matter how much pain we feel, we must stand up and look towards better days.”
Rapper Joey Boy worked with lyricist Boyd Kosiyabong on his flood-inspired song “Ya Yom Na” (“Don’t Lose Courage”).
“No matter how severe the flood has been, we shouldn’t lose courage,” says the rapper. “It won’t be forever and we will get the chance to have our day.”
123 Soul’s member Akira “Wahn” Wongseng, himself a flood refugee, offers “Muean Kan” (“The Same”). “I guess we just have to think that we are in the same swimming pool – the Thai people’s unprecedented swimming pool.”
Former GMM Grammy executive and songwriter Nitipong “Dee” Hornak, who is now charge of Music Union, presents “Tha Rao Rak Kan Mak Phor” (If We Love Together”) as one of three cuts from an album “Thong Phuen Diew Kan”.
The song, written by Arthit Sarajudha, uses love to win over several problems. Collaborators include fellow vocalists Kamala Sukosol, Saowaluck Leelabutr, Radklao Amaradit, Jennifer Kim, Pakramai “Tong” Potaranan, Wichayanee “Gam” Piaklin of “The Star”, and Padcha Anakayuwat from “Academy Fantasia” Season 2.
Luk thung singer Maithai Jaitawan takes delivery of new song, “Khon On Wai … Kamlangjai Samkhan Thi Sud” (“Courage is Best for the Weak”) penned by Sala Khunawut.
Sarayut “Arm” Boonwha, who earned the name Arm Chingcha Sawan after his luk thung school band from Uttaradit won a music contest based on Modernine TV’s variety show “Chingcha Sawan, is one of four new faces on the album “Pleng Rak Nak Rong” (“Singers’ Love Songs”) released on the Plern Pleng Music label. He covers the track “Nam Thuam” (“Flood”) penned by Paibool Butrkhan and originally sung by Sornkhiri Sriprachuab back in 1969.
“It is a melancholy song about a man who lost everything in the floods, even his lover left him. He has a really miserable life,” says Arm, who spent five hours shooting music video. “To get the right melancholy expression, I thought of my hometown, which was badly hit by the floods.”
Even the SEA Write laureate poet, Chiranan Pitpreecha sent her lyrics for the song “Thuk Ruam Thai” (“Thai People’s Sympathy”) to Thanis Sriklindee, asking him to compose the music and play the khlui playing and to luk thung Noo Meter to record the vocals. Both Chiranan and Noo are displaced by the floods, just like the people they want to encourage.