Musician Duong Thu reveals the reason why he almost asked Thanh Lam to leave the studio

(Dan Tri) - The author of "Still singing love songs" shared memories of the first time he worked with Thanh Lam. He almost asked the diva to leave the studio because her singing style was not suitable.

During the recent introduction of the Live concert Music Window No.5 - New Autumn Songs in Hanoi , musician Duong Thu recalled his musical relationship that lasted more than 3 decades with People's Artist Thanh Lam.

He and the female singer have worked together on many albums, contributing to the creation of hits that are associated with the memories of many generations of audiences. However, few people know that behind that seemingly perfect harmony, there were many tense arguments, and at times the cooperative relationship was on the verge of breaking up.

At the event, musician Duong Thu (left) shared unforgettable memories of his journey with singer Thanh Lam (left) (Photo: Organizer).

Musician Duong Thu revealed an unforgettable memory with Thanh Lam, which happened in the early days when she first came to Ho Chi Minh City to start her career. At that time, he took the female singer into the studio to perform the song "You passed by me".

But instead of the subtlety and restraint that the author wanted, Thanh Lam - who is familiar with rock music - brought to the song an explosive singing style, completely different from the spirit of the song.

“Thanh Lam was used to singing rock at that time, so when I wrote music, it had rhythm,” Duong Thu recalled.

The differences caused a fierce conflict between the two. He was so angry that he walked out, even thinking about asking the singer to leave the studio.

That was the moment that could have turned both of their careers in a different direction. But instead of breaking up, that collision became a turning point. Thanh Lam gradually restrained her artistic ego to blend with the subtlety and depth in Duong Thu's music.

He said: "After that, Thanh Lam sang more softly."

With the sensitivity of an artist, Thanh Lam gradually moderated her strong personality to blend in with the subtlety and depth of Duong Thu's music.

Thanks to that, singer Thanh Lam's later recordings gradually achieved balance: the inner strength of a diva was not lost, but was also blended into the sophistication of the music, creating unforgettable impressions in the hearts of the audience.

Looking back on the past, Thanh Lam affirmed: "Musician Duong Thu is my entire youth."

For the singer and musician Duong Thu, he is not only an artistic collaborator, but also a close family member. Thanh Lam has repeatedly affirmed that she always has a special attachment to his music, like a child sending love to a blood relative.

According to singer Thanh Lam (middle), musician Duong Thu has been associated with her entire youth (Photo: Organizer).

The female singer also did not hesitate to admit that there are songs that make her "give up", and Nightingale Sings in the Rain is a typical example.

“This is the first time Thanh Lam has given up on a song and can’t sing it well. I can sing the first part, but the second part needs Khanh Linh,” Thanh Lam humorously revealed.

Thanh Lam recounted that, during the process of making the album White Clouds Fly Back , musician Quoc Trung remixed Nightingale Sings in the Rain - a song by musician Duong Thu - with very delicate harmony.

The arrangement made the whole crew extremely satisfied. However, when entering the studio, Thanh Lam's powerful, dramatic voice accidentally turned the fragile "nightingale" into an "eagle".

“I could sing the first part, but when it came to the last part “Why did you break up, why didn’t you come back…”, I told Quoc Trung that I gave up,” Thanh Lam recalled.

According to her, that was the only song in her career that Thanh Lam had to "give up" to singer Khanh Linh, because the song needed the lightness and fragility that Khanh Linh could fully perform.

In addition to sharing memories, musician Duong Thu also gave Thanh Lam compliments: “I love listening to Thanh Lam sing my songs. Thanh Lam sings passionately and energetically, just like me.”

It is that harmony that has helped them bond closely, creating the most sublime moments on the Vietnamese stage.

Not only Thanh Lam, Duong Thu's music is also associated with many other names, contributing to shaping the appearance of Vietnamese pop music.

Over half a century of composing, he left many love songs that left a strong impression on the audience: April is back, What remains forever, Longing for Hanoi, Listening to the rain, Still singing love words, Lullaby for you...

He is also the person behind important albums of modern Vietnamese music: My Linh's Short Hair , Chat with Mozart, or Hong Nhung's Quiet Garden ... These projects not only elevate the performing artists, but also open up new enjoyment trends for the audience.

Artists take souvenir photos with musician Duong Thu at the introduction of the Live concert "Autumn Songs". The program took place on the evening of November 4 at Ho Guom Theater, Hanoi (Photo: Organizer).

Returning in the live concert Music Window No. 5 with the theme Autumn Songs , musician Duong Thu said he wanted to bring the audience into an emotional "musical autumn".

The concert will feature many familiar artists and young singers such as: Hong Nhung, Bang Kieu, Tan Minh, Vu Thang Loi, Khanh Linh, Orange, Minh Duc, Dao To Loan. Among them, the most anticipated by the audience is the reunion of the couple who have been together for more than thirty years - Duong Thu and Thanh Lam.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/nhac-si-duong-thu-tiet-lo-ly-do-suyt-moi-thanh-lam-khoi-phong-thu-20250917102835569.htm