iieiiei1eWrkers - Leicester Research Archive - University of Leicester

prevails. These songs juxtapose the Luktoong vernacular with a mixture of
Lukkroong music and folk tunes, while her persona identifies with the majority
of the Lukioong fans. the theme of the music and lyrics is romantic not
erotic. In these formative years, Punipuang was largely enveloped within the
mainstream of Luktoong's tragic love songs.
In the late 1970s, this minor recording artist Nampung Muangsupan (Honey of
Supan) was renamed Pumpuang Duangjan (Pretty Boobs). The change of name
shifted the sweet feminine imagery to that of a sexy wornan unprecedene in
the Luktoong world. This reversal of imagery was the decisive break that
propelled Pumpuang Duangjan to stardom, as she pointed out in a television
interview (May, 1986);
"I actually resent the name because it represents both boob and
bum.. .1 think its indecent.., but / wasii 't about to give up... what strikes
inc is that the fans seem to like ny new style very much... when I
wore long hair, look lady like, my songs never really hit the chart.. .1
like this trendy style and a bit of masculine s,nariness..
This is the point of departure from which sensual pleasure in Luktoong music
is reworked into a new collage. Her voice and persona is juxtaposed with the
comical and erotic style once confined to male singers. As the composer, Lop
Burirat, described;
"Fumpuang has the personality for this type of playful and sexy
song. . . her singing ability fits in well with her style. . . in fact, s/ic is
capable of a variety of styles and this makes things easier for both of
us...
Lop Burirat composed Haang Noi, Toi Nid (Budge a Little) using a disco beal
and. highlighted the music with saxophone and trumpet. Its success was
followed by the second cassette, Krasae (Come on, Baby!), in a similar style.
While the music is highly 'physical' the lyric is both sexually enticing and
comical. The style of humour and satire match the beat of the city. As the
composer explained;
"I think it's about lime we stopped repealing ourselves... I wamit to try
to capture the nood of the city and the young of today...! write these
r/iythniic, and colourful tunes in a new style..! prefer to call it 1/ic
electronic LukIoong..."
In contrast to other reputable Luktoong stars, Pumpuang's commercial success
marks a break from the present Luktoong tradition in both its musical form
and its emphasis on the 'independent' artist. This leap however, was prompted
as much by the commercial logic of the music industry as by rapid social
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