9. สาวอีสานรอรัก "Sao Isan Ror Ruk" by Fon Tanasoonthorn
So I grew up listening to this song, but in this version the singer says words in Thai (like "chai" instead of jai, which is how I learned it). It's luk thung, a style of Thai music about rural people, mostly the Isaan area. The title of the song is also in Thai and means "Girl Waiting for Love", about a single gal from Khon Khaen in Isaan, whose never had a boyfriend.
In the never-ending debate as to whether Isaan people should be considered Lao or Thai (and therefore be called Lao Isaan, Thai Isaan, Lao-Thai Isaan, or Thai-Lao Isaan), I listened to the lyrics at 0:59 "They say I'm Lao, from Isaan", and thought that was my answer. However it did confused me as to why you'd sing about what others assume your ethnic identity is. Leslie Chanthaphasouk, former contributing writer to Little Laos On The Prairie, helped me understand the translation, explaining "That line is almost equivalent to 'they call me country' where "Lao" is used almost like a derogatory term in Thailand. Basically she's asking the guy to like her even though she's from Isaan... It's not a very empowering song."
Geography, politics and my burning feminist rage aside, the melody does gives me nostalgia - especially that bow-chicka-bow-wow-esque intro. If you'd prefer to look at an 80's car to serve as a image placeholder for the entire video, here it is.