FIRST SONG

I joined this class because although I've spent most of my growing up in the U.S., the American in the title Korean-American is quite absent of the influence of American folk music. Folk music, to my understanding, is mostly passed down generationally, and my parents undoubtedly never had the chance to learn the folk songs rooted from this country in their purest form. The interdisciplinary approach to studying American folk music in conjunction with the visual arts also peaked my interest as an opportunity to appreciate the interconnectedness of the arts. I also wanted, in part, to get in touch with my artistic side again, which has been very difficult to channel while drowning in the attempt to study science.

My first song is rather an early song that I remember my dad singing to me and my sister. My dad loved to play the guitar - he mostly played Korean folk songs that I do not remember at all, but one of his favorite songs that survived my memory was Besame Mucho. I distinctly remember this song, maybe because of its foreign yet easy chorus lyrics. When my dad sang and played guitar, my sister, my mom and I would watch him intently and even try to sing the songs ourselves though song books were rarely used. Nowadays, my dad does not pick up the guitar, but my mom has always told me that musicality is one of the most attractive qualities in a man. Besame Mucho brings me back to my childhood where these acoustic mini-concerts happened fairly often in the household. I also picked this song because it is so ubiquitous internationally and in the U.S. that it may as well be considered a folk song!

Bésame Mucho

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Quiero tenerte muy cerca Mirarme en tus ojos Verte junto a mi Piensa que tal vez mañana Yo ya estaré lejos Muy lejos de ti Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después