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The Importance of Western Popular Music in the Redevelopment of Cambodia Iain MacKenzie Leaving Cambodia on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of its liberation from Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge by the Vietnamese made me realise how far this country has come in a short period of time. Cambodia, located to the east of Thailand, came off badly in the United States six year war against Vietnam. Despite Cambodia’s proclaimed neutrality, the Vietnamese Communists used it as a hiding ground and as a result President Nixon ordered the secret bombing of the country. Those in the countryside were worst hit and soon the Cambodian People's National Liberation Armed Forces, later known as the Khmer Rouge, began their uprising against the pro-American government. Marching into the capital, Phnom Penh, on 17 April, 1975, they ordered everyone to flee to the countryside under the pretext that the United States was intending to bomb the city. The collapse of the government meant that Cambodia had fallen into four years of human cleansing on a class basis: as the Khmer Rouge phrased it, they were ‘returning to year zero’. Over these brutal years most of Cambodia’s teachers, lawyers, doctors and politicians – along with many family members – ended up dead in the mass killing fields. Such acts of brutality left the country lopsided: today there are more people under the age of fifty than over. As a result, the education system has been over-stretched and consequently, both those in power, and the next generation, are being forced to teach themselves. This is where music is making an impact. The key to success in present day Cambodia is spoken English; looking at job advertisements it is clear that the better jobs require ‘respectable English skills’. Cambodia is developing at an immense rate, and from August 2007 to August 2008, inflation was recorded at 37%. Consequently, in order to live in the city and have the means to support yourself, a job paying over $100 a month is necessary. For a salary of this size, spoken English is usually essential. While the basics of English are taught in Cambodian schools, only those wealthy enough to send their children to one of the many institutions running English classes gain a secure grasp of the language.     However, speaking with many young people in Cambodia, it became apparent that a new, far cheaper way to learn English has been established: through classic pop songs. Songs such as Bryan Adams’ 1991 hit (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, and Ronan Keating’s cover If Tomorrow Never Comes, have for years been major hits with Karaoke artists. Along with songs from other popular American artists including Britney Spears and Madonna, many young people are improving the basic English that they were taught in school. Through constant listening and singing along, it has been possible for a level of spoken English sufficient to gain employment as a tourist guide to be attained. This is the start of the process of self sufficiency: from here, further and better employment can be achieved. Music has provided an easier and more enjoyable way to learn. It really is the international language, wouldn’t you agree?