With news that a popular language school in Thailand is now giving out set-lists of songs for their centers to play I thought I’d make a list of the songs that represent expat life in Thailand. Some serious, some sad and maybe even some that you agree with..
Baggy Trousers by Madness
Two reasons for this to be included. Firstly baggy trousers are everywhere in Thailand and I’m not just talking about the backpackers! I see English teachers wearing horrific baggy work trousers and frankly they look appalling! Secondly the following lines sum up the state of the expat teachers here..
All the teachers in the pub
Passing ’round the ready-rub
Trying not to think of when
The lunch-time bell will ring again.
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
Quite obvious this one with the Go-Go bars in Thailand. Also in the first verse Georgre Michael says boom-boom and finally Wham! sounds like a sound effect expats will hear when their Thai partner is watching a Thai soap drama.
Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston
Another song with a couple of links to expat life in Thailand. Sure there are many beautiful girls here in Thailand and unfortunately the lines below reflect how these girls can make some expats feel.
Damn all these beautiful girls
They only wanna do your dirt
They’ll have you suicidal, suicidal
When they say it’s over
Baby Shark
One for the teachers. This is the teaching anthem of 2018. If your class haven’t asked for this song then you probably aren’t teaching correctly.
If you haven’t heard this song before then do yourself a favor and don’t watch the video, its equally annoying and catchy at the same time…
Rock got No Reason - School of Rock
Like Jack Black, most male expats in Thailand are a little overweight and have bad hair. Like Jack Black, most foreign teachers here are unqualified and blag their way through classes. Finally, like Jack Black, most expats here try and force others to listen to 70s and 80s rock whereas their Thai partner, students or others want to listen anything but this.
Manic Monday by The Bangles
This isn’t here because Monday’s are bad, in fact I think Mondays are much better here in Thailand. However, it makes it in for the lines
Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine
And if I had an air-o-plane
I still couldn’t make it on time
It sums up Bangkok traffic so well. Even if you did have a private plane, Bangkok would still find a way to make you late.
I'm Still Standing by Elton John
There are so many reasons why this represents life for expats in Thailand.
The amount of booze expats consume here means it is a miracle we’re standing most of the time. The video is filmed at the beach where all us expats live according to our friends and family back home. Finally the lines below are pretty much what all the divorcees are secretly saying to their ex back home…
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
Highway To Hell
There’s always annoying little tasks that expats have to do here such as 90 day reports and visa runs. The time when most people get angry about this is when they’re on the journey there. For this reason Highway to Hell makes the list.
This could also be used for when traveling to Pattaya for a long weekend, though Pattaya residents would argue the Highway to Hell is the one which takes them away from the neon city!
Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
Ever get stuck talking to that expat who’s been here for years and just wants to tell you the story of everything that’s wrong with their life and wrong with Thailand?
This song sums up the failure and loneliness some experience here. Failed businesses, relationships and generally not being able to make things work. It isn’t all sun and smiles for everyone here.
Money, Money, Money by ABBA
I don’t think there’s a topic us expats in Thailand like more than money. Making money, spending money and moaning about exchange rates.
Hell, we even like to tell other people what they should spend their money on and if they’ve overpaid for things.
A Few That Didn't Quite Make The Top Ten
There were some considerations for the top ten that didn’t quite make it, if there’s any you think should be here let me know in the comments section below.
