Musician Nguyen Van Chung: I only follow myself

It can be seen that your musical journey over the past 22 years has changed continuously, from a musician with many hits about love, youth, family, and children's songs, to inspirational songs about patriotism and national pride... So where does the "inner strength" come from to create that inspiration for you to compose over the years?

At first, I came to music for fun, to relieve sadness when I was... heartbroken. Then, after writing and selling music successfully, I wanted to make a career, wanted to write songs to sell to singers. 2008 - 2009 was my most successful year when I had 3 songs on the charts, but I also fell under pressure, like what should I do when I was at that level of success. I felt like I was running out of topics and emotions when I wrote too much about love.

I found another way: writing about parents, to try. It opened up a new direction for me and Mother's Diary was fortunately successful, which strengthened my belief that I didn't need to "compete" with the old success. Then I switched to the children's section, which was also suitable when I had a family and children. I would write about what I experienced. For example, in the year of family turmoil, I would write about the emotions I experienced. Without children, it would be difficult to write about children.

- Ảnh 2. — Musician Nguyen Van Chung performs on stage with singer Duyen Quynh

Do you arrange it all in your creative journey?

To be more precise, it comes naturally, in line with my path and follows my emotions, maturity and awareness. For example, when I was a little older, I recognized my mother's feelings, so I put those feelings into the song. The only difficult thing for me is how to bring the emotions from the song to the audience. And that is another story, I will apply the skills and experience from previous "hit" songs about love. Then I will talk to schools more easily through giving away books... That is also a way to spread the songs. From the income from songs about love, I have money to print books, make CDs to give away... I plan, arrange and analyze, persevere to achieve the goal.

People often say that it takes "the right person, at the right time" to be completely happy. This seems to be true in music too because a song can only become popular if it is sung by the right voice and performed at the right time. So when composing a "brainchild", do you aim for a certain singer to perform it?

I did target singers, but at that time, I wasn't sure what I was aiming for was exactly what the singer wanted. Like when I wrote Continue writing the story of peace in 2023, at that time, I wanted to send and sell the work to singers I liked, like Ho Quynh Huong or Vo Ha Tram, so they could record it, but I wasn't sure they would accept it because it wasn't in line with the path they were taking that year. So at a certain time, I could only choose the singer who was most suitable for that song, within that capacity.

When composing, I am very emotional. But when I finish composing, I decide how to record the song, who will listen, what the purpose is, who will sing it in what context, and even divide the audience… Because my audience is quite diverse in age and class.

- Ảnh 3. — [Musician Nguyen Van Chung interacts with children at a program

Continuing the story of peace has caused controversy when the audience compared the voices that performed this song such as Duyen Quynh, Vo Ha Tram, Tung Duong... You once said that you were most impressed with Tung Duong, while many people found Vo Ha Tram to sing the most emotionally, are you biased?

I speak from a musician's perspective. I like the song being sung by the people. It is an honor for a singer to sing his song at a grand ceremony, but it is wonderful for the song to be sung by tens of thousands of people. I thank the singers who performed my song. Each person will have their own audience. And when Tung Duong sang, I was also one of the 50,000 people standing there, so I was impressed. I am happy with that feeling.

The most important thing is why a new song like "Writing the next story of peace" was chosen to be sung on the occasion of the 30.4 celebration. That is thanks to singer Duyen Quynh who continuously and persistently sang this song on stages, asking to sing it in many events. After that, we made remixes so that the song could reach 2 billion views before the 30.4 celebration, then the organizers of the celebration could choose it.

When writing songs about love for the country and national pride, do you have to keep a cool head to maintain the principles of composing this genre of music or create any "forbidden zones" for yourself?

When writing, I still consult with the seniors in the Ho Chi Minh City Music Association for their opinions. It is necessary to be serious and open-minded. For example, when writing the song "Vietnam proudly follows the future", I also sent it to the reviewers to see if the sentences were okay. In general, it must be based on correct thinking, and putting emotions into the song is a separate skill. I will consider changing the sentences to be appropriate, keeping the best emotions for the song.

Vietnam has many revolutionary songs, praising the love of homeland and country, composed by veteran musicians. You are a rare young musician with a hit in this genre. When writing these songs, how do you convey the spirit of the youth so that they feel and love your songs?

When I write, I never think about inspiring people because it is very difficult. I just put my emotions into the song first, and the singer plays the decisive role in transmitting emotions to the audience. I only express my desire to love peace, to be grateful to my ancestors and to contribute. When those who share the same thoughts, the sympathy is multiplied and spread. Emotions are contagious, when they touch, they will reach many people.

The title "Musician with billion views" must also be a lot of pressure for you?

I don’t feel pressured because I don’t expect anything. I have experienced and recognized that the path will have successes and failures, the important thing is that I maintain perseverance with my goals. My ultimate ideal is that after I stop writing music, when I am no longer around, people will remember a musician named Nguyen Van Chung and respect a musician who is passionate about his profession and wants to spread the most beautiful values. I consider myself lucky, not good. Thanks to luck, I have the opportunity to cling to it and then rise up.

The pressure here could be because Continuing the Peace Story was a phenomenon, a peak. So do you think you will have another peak and how to create that is also a pressure?

It's true that people consider this song to be a masterpiece, but in my mind, that song is just one of the songs that I wrote with all my heart like the others. It's just the timing and the people that make it a masterpiece that everyone recognizes. I don't try to make Continue the Peace Story a masterpiece. It's my child that I take care of like my other children. So I always put all my heart into the songs that follow, not expecting too much other than continuing to write songs that I like, that I find "satisfying".

When composing a song, do you think much about its commercial value? How do you see and balance the artistic and commercial values in a song?

Now I care more about the longevity of the song. Some musicians write according to trends and events. For me, it is important that the song is usable this year and next year. That is also a way to make money, little but steady.

Songs are the property of the composer, so why would I write a song that only lasts for 6 months? Not every song I write is successful, but if 1 out of 10 songs is like that, it is considered a success. I am successful not because of my songwriting skills but because of my career management skills, which is very important.

Some people say that "musicians with billions of views" are easily misunderstood as following the crowd and losing their creative personality. Are you afraid that one day you will fall into this trap and write to order?

I don’t like writing to orders, I only write about things that move me, not for money. There was a time when I did this because I was having a hard time, facing problems… At that time, I did everything, exhausted my energy, my mind, and I was tired. Now I’m fine, I have a house, a car, I can take care of my children, my mother, and my father, so there’s no need to run after orders. I’m running after myself. Even though people call me that, but looking at the way I work and my songs, people probably don’t think I’m running after the majority ( laughs ).

Have you ever had "star" singers refuse to sing your songs?

There was a time during the past 8 years when everyone assumed that I had switched to children's music, that I was out of date, and that I could not compete with young musicians. So even if I sent love songs or songs about the country, they would still receive silence and polite rejection. And I had to accept that even though it hurt. Being rejected in love also hurts. So what helped me move on was understanding and accepting it so that I could continue working and improving my value.

- Ảnh 9. — Musician Nguyen Van Chung and singer Tung Duong at a music event

It can be seen that your music is colorful and emotional. How does this create the "ups and downs" in your personal life?

In love, I like to be with a cheerful, civilized person who makes me feel comfortable, not imposing, wanting to change me. A beautiful girl who doesn't have much knowledge, doesn't make it fun to talk to, and doesn't get along well with me is not interesting. If she's beautiful but can't talk to me, I'll find something to say and leave in 5 minutes. I'm easily moved and sensitive, but after going through many things, I tend to be more stable and rational than when I was young, not rushing but walking more slowly. My perspective on love is also different. If now the two of you have known each other and that girl loves someone else, I'm still happy to bless her.

Sound too theoretical?

It's just theory but I can do it. I used to love a girl, she wanted to get married, wanted to have a baby but I couldn't do it so I let her fulfill her wish with someone else, it's okay. I really want to keep my child safe until he turns 18, this is more important. As for getting to know someone to help take care of the child and the father, I don't have that thought. Taking care of the child is my business, I don't want to put the responsibility on that woman.