Ngoc Son: Singing to give thanks for life

In a conversation with “ Coffee People” , famous singer Ngoc Son did not talk much about the halo or the dark corners. He only whispered about filial piety, about his ancestors’ career, and about a simple dream: “I just hope to have enough strength to sing, sing to thank life.”

“Music is my profession”

“I don’t dare to say that I am talented. I just believe that the ancestors love me, so they let me sing until today.”

Huong Trang: You once said that music is your “ancestral profession”. What does that mean specifically in your life and career?

Ngoc Son: Throughout most of Ngoc Son's career, music has been nothing but a blessing from his ancestors. People often say "Art for art's sake, art for life", Ngoc Son chooses art for life more. Singing is only to beautify the soul, to beautify life.

The profession in Ngoc Son's mind is also completely different, it is the mind, the soul, the good roots within himself. The profession is also in the audience, the people who give him love and admiration. Keeping the profession is keeping the love of the audience for him. Those things have become invaluable spiritual strength that encourages Ngoc Son to be stronger, to compose more, to perform more in response to the love of the "Big Family" (the audience).

Huong Trang: Ngoc Son composed many songs about parents, including two very famous songs "Mother's Heart" and "Father's Love". These are also the works that brought Ngoc Son's name closer to "Dai Gia Dinh", a very interesting noun that he often uses to refer to the audience who love Ngoc Son. Can you share about these two special songs?

Ngoc Son: Ngoc Son was born in Hai Phong, his mother is from Hai Phong, his father is from Da Nang , his parents gave birth to 4 siblings. Although he was born in a difficult period, fortunately his parents still raised 4 siblings to be educated and mature. Ngoc Son loves his parents very much.

Even now, every night Ngoc Son lies down listening to the rain and wind outside, he remembers the days of evacuation. Ngoc Son is very sad, that sadness even goes into his dreams, he only worries that something will happen to his parents and he cries. Ngoc Son is also afraid that one day without his parents, he doesn't know how he will live. Those feelings have urged Ngoc Son to write many songs about his mother and father. His parents are an endless source of inspiration for Ngoc Son.

Actually, at the age of 17, he composed “Mother’s Heart”, but the emotions had been stored up for a long time. Since he was very young, Ngoc Son was very attached to his mother, always following her, loving her very much, loving her immensely. So in 1987, when he went to Ho Chi Minh City to study vocal music and then entered competitions, Ngoc Son sang the song “Mother’s Heart” which became a “shocking” event. In the 90s, when he went to Hanoi , there were more than 100 performances at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace, sometimes 3 or more performances a day.

As for the song "Father's Love", Ngoc Son always remembers the image of following his father to the South, on a cold windy night, his father took off his coat and put it on Ngoc Son, Ngoc Son lay there crying all night. He loved his father so much. The image of his father giving Son his coat on a cold rainy night helped Ngoc Son write the song "Father's Love" in 1995.

Ngoc Son is fortunate to be the son of two regions. Therefore, in terms of genes and vocal cord structure, Ngoc Son has his father's warm voice and his mother's timbre, plus his personal emotions, so every time he sings "Mother's Heart" or "Father's Love", he is loved by a large audience.

Music comes from the simplest things: Homeland, family, audience

Huong Trang: Mr. Ngoc Son was born in Hai Phong but has lived and worked in many places in Vietnam, each place leaving its mark on his musical journey. Which place do you choose as your hometown, and what does your hometown mean to your music?

Ngoc Son : Ngoc Son is a son of the motherland Vietnam. Ngoc Son's grandmother was from Quang Ngai, his grandfather was from Quang Nam, the two fell in love through the river songs. Ngoc Son's father grew up, because of work requirements, he traveled to many places. Ngoc Son's mother was from Hai Phong, she loved Cheo, loved Bac Ninh Quan Ho. When his parents got married, Ngoc Son went to Da Nang, Bac Lieu and then to Ho Chi Minh City to live until now.

Each land gives Ngoc Son many experiences. Ngoc Son also loves Cheo, Bac Ninh Quan Ho, Hue singing, and can sing Cai Luong. Besides his passion, he also has to practice and improve his skills every day.

To have Ngoc Son become a phenomenon like today is thanks to respecting his mother and father, and nurturing his soul from love for his homeland and country.

Huong Trang: When mentioning famous singer Ngoc Son, we not only mention the word "filial piety" but also mention a heart for everyone. Another special thing is that Ngoc Son is not picky about the stage, wherever there is an audience, Ngoc Son performs, sometimes even for free. What is the reason for him to do such special things?

Ngoc Son : One thing that Ngoc Son is proud of and has always kept until now is that Ngoc Son is always loved by all his fellow artists and colleagues. Perhaps it is also because of a natural reason, Ngoc Son lives and devotes himself to his performances.

Many performances traveled from North to South with large and small troupes, regardless of rain or wind, still performed with all his heart, when off stage, if his colleagues were having a hard time, Ngoc Son would give all his salary to them. Ngoc Son always lived like that, never snatching anything from anyone. As long as there were still audiences waiting, even at 1am, Ngoc Son would still sing.

Ngoc Son maintains the view of living for everyone. At home, I live well with my parents, brothers, and sisters. When I go out, I live in harmony and give in to friends, colleagues, and audiences. If I love everyone, everyone will love me. Therefore, I also earn a little money to make a living, eat vegetables and porridge every day, and do charity work.

Amidst the gossip, choose to live quietly

Huong Trang: Have you ever felt lonely on your journey to success?

Ngoc Son:
Everyone has a partner in life.
Ngoc Son is still alone
But Son has a big family.
Meet, sing, very happy mood.

Artists are lonely. But Ngoc Son is used to it. Music is where I live. Besides Ngoc Son, there is also a big family of audiences, confidants, people who understand and love Ngoc Son, that is enough.

Huong Trang: Ngoc Son's fame came at a very early age, but it was also accompanied by rumors. How did Ngoc Son overcome those things?

Ngoc Son: I'm really like a fish on a hook, struggling. The more I struggle, the deeper the wound becomes, the more painful it becomes. I've suffered for decades, but I've also trained myself mentally and willpower to face challenges. When faced with gossip, Ngoc Son rarely explains, just silently endures, without a single complaint. If someone loves me, I love them back, if someone hates me, I don't care.

The old stories about Ngoc Son being a playboy and dissolute, later on, official information showed that those stories were all untrue.

I was only caught singing unlicensed songs, but now those songs are being sung again. I have paid the price for that mistake.

Ngoc Son returns to life but now is normal and loved by everyone because of his endurance. Ngoc Son thanks everyone who has come and gone. All of them create a different Ngoc Son.

Ngoc Son will still sing with all his heart

“If I still have a breath, I will still sing. Because the audience is my flesh and blood, my heart, the reason I live until today.”

Huong Trang: Recently, many viewers were surprised to learn that Ngoc Son is a vegetarian and lives a devout religious life. What made you stick to this life?

Ngoc Son: It just comes naturally. That's it. I don't practice anything. I'm a good person, not greedy, not jealous. Besides my love for music, my family, and my audience, I have nothing else. I think that when I step on stage, I'm drunk and happy. I can't be happier than anything else.

In Ngoc Son's mind, morality here is filial piety, filial piety to parents, second is loyalty to homeland and country, third is gentleness, tolerance, and patience in dealing with others. Ngoc Son always teaches his students these three things, only then can he preserve his name and image.

Now, looking back on the journey he has gone through, Ngoc Son is very happy and never thought he would be able to live in the love of the audience, the respect of his students, and the appreciation of his friends and colleagues.

Huong Trang: After nearly 40 years of pursuing art, after all the ups and downs, what is the greatest value that you have kept for yourself, as well as what do you want to bring to the audience?

Ngoc Son : Ngoc Son does everything for his passion in life. Everything has its price, a spring without compression will not spring up. Ngoc Son endures that compression in a very positive way, although Ngoc Son's life is full of thorns, Ngoc Son has overcome them with resilience.

Ngoc Son always remembers his father's teachings: (SINGING) "Remember your father's words to live a good life and my child, never lie. If you are poor, keep it clean, if you are torn, keep it fragrant."

Everyone has a different path. Ngoc Son promotes a noble and pure path. How Ngoc Son lives and thinks is reflected in his music. As long as he has breath, Ngoc Son will continue to sing, sing with all his heart, with all his passion for life.

“One of the eight sincere things Ngoc Son wants to be an example for young people to follow: The most moral thing for a person is to keep filial piety, the most difficult thing for a person is to overcome himself.”

Source: https://nhandan.vn/special/NGOC-SON-HAT-BANG-TRAI-TIM/index.html#source=home/zone-box-460585