Vietnam Playlist
We have spent more time in Vietnam than in any other country. One of the things I like to do before any trip is get a sense of place by reading books and listening to music.
Vietnam was easy for us since we grew up with the music of the ’60’s and ’70’s and much of it was already in our respective playlists. The songs instantly take us back to a time that was complicated and troubled yet simple, especially for two kids who didn’t yet have a keen sense of what was happening in the world.
The music of these two decades informed our early ideas about visiting Vietnam and ours is definitely an American perspective. When we got on the ground in-country it was different. As I mentioned, it’s complicated.
I would be missing the mark if I didn’t mention some of the music we learned to appreciate in Vietnam. While different, music evokes such strong emotions and the music we heard in the streets and shops and cars of this beautiful country was lovely, when I hear it now it immediately takes me back. If you check out the various music platforms you can give it a listen and see what you think.
What songs did we miss? What would you add?
Be sure to let us know, we would love to hear your thoughts.
- “Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- “Strange Brew” – Cream
- “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel
- “Soul Sacrifice” – Santana
- “Turn, Turn, Turn” – The Byrds
- “California Dreamin’” – The Mamas & The Papas
- “Blowing in the Wind” – Bob Dylan
- “Like a Rolling Stone” – Bob Dylan
- “Mrs. Robinson” – Simon & Garfunkel
- “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- “For What it’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield
- “Ohio” –Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- “Riders on the Storm” – The Doors
- “Black Magic Woman” – Santana
- “House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals
- “All Along the Watchtower” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- “You Really Got Me” – The Kinks
- “The Times They are a Changin’” – Bob Dylan
- “Like a Rolling Stone” – Bob Dylan
- “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
- “Imagine” – John Lennon
- “Let’s Get it On” – Marvin Gaye
- “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding
- “Somebody to Love” – Jefferson Airplane
- “We Gotta get Out of This Place” – The Animals
- “I’m Your Captain” – Grand Funk Railroad
- “American Woman” – The Guess Who
- “Blowing in the Wind” – Bob Dylan
- “Leaving on a Jet Plane” – Peter, Paul & Mary
- “Gimme Shelter” – The Rolling Stones
- “The End” – The Doors
- “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye
- “White Rabbit” – Jefferson Airplane
- “A Whiter Shade of Pale” – Procol Harum
- “Light my Fire” – The Doors
- “Oye Como Va” – Santana
- “The Tracks of my Tears” – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- “Hello, I Love You” – The Doors
- “When a Man Loves a Woman” – Percy Sledge
- “Time of the Season” – The Zombies
- “Hey Joe” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- “Evil Ways” – Santana
- “With a Little Help From my Friends” – Joe Cocker
- “The Sound of Silence” – Simon & Garfunkel
