I am a bui-doi as is my sister. I left Saigon on April 10th of 1975 - 20 days before the Fall of Saigon. This song hits me hard and hits my adoptive mother even harder - she had to walk out of the Theatre when they started doing this piece.

@mirandabeesleybarboza8106

3 жыл бұрын

Steven Bruening I just finished watching the musical and it really touched me. I really hope you and your sister have lived a very good life. ❤️

@SanRafaelSwell

3 жыл бұрын

You are our American brother.

@carolinewhitaker967

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely Steven! 👍

@carolinewhitaker967

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to here that Stephen, I had rape after fertility treatment! Unfortunately, not like the the US marines on this video, I was abandoned by every sperm donor! I pray for help every day for security, for love, for motivation!

@Lambert1878

Жыл бұрын

Steven, I'm a lad from England. I can never imagine what you an your sister have gone through. But I hope yous are doing well. But this is my favourite song from this musical

This is the best version I've found on KZread thus far, and it's all in the acting. A lot of the time this song is performed as a righteous and tired man pleading to an uncaring public, trying to care about what he does. He's wise and is acting as though he has something to impart. In this version, the original version, this is not John trying to teach a lesson. This is an admission of guilt. He feels responsible as well and owns his own culpability. The vocal gymnastics in other versions can start to sound triumphant or even saccharine to me. John is much more composed, embarrassed, and somber in this version, which I feel redeems the earlier John we see much better. With most versions, John can come across as a self-righteous ass in this song. Who is he to take the moral high ground? Here, John has seen the error in his freewheeling ways back in Vietnam, and knows he could very well have his own bui doi somewhere. He is not condemning a separate group, he is blowing the whistle on something he is directly involved in, and by doing so, admitting to a terrible thing he did himself. He isn't proud and he isn't a teacher. He's just here to try and make reparations for something he did. Very beautiful, and a great way to immediately place John on higher ground than Chris at the top of the second act. In the first, Chris is unwilling to participate and has a lot morally on John. Now, it's Chris' turn in the barrel, while we see John's earned emotional maturity.

@AbstractOddity

3 жыл бұрын

I’m very late to your comment but I wanted to say this is a really insightful take

@evepolycarpou1169

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll pass on your comments to Peter … just seen them … Thankyou

@corinne1453

2 жыл бұрын

I have seen a number of versions of this song that I had difficulty swallowing, other than this one... I couldn't put my finger on why, but they feel preachy and disingenuous. You just perfectly articulated why this one is set apart from the others. It's a beautifully heartbreaking piece.

@elliott4106

2 жыл бұрын

Great analysis. Thanks.

@paulwebbiweb

2 жыл бұрын

What an insightful analysis. Thank you.

It makes me sad to hear that a lot of people don't even understand this song.

@dolphinsandsunsets

4 жыл бұрын

my heart is torn each time i hear this song.

@sssyyylllvvviiiiaaa

3 жыл бұрын

I watched miss saigon in the netherlands. this song came on and I saw those kids, those kids in the vidoe's were the real kids in vietnam. being the mother of a child from a blond dutch woman and an african father it hit me, what if things ever go bad here, what if there comes a civil war? or if racial hate gets worse. this song means a lot to me because I do realise what can happen. and I hope and pray that it never will....... so far so good. but the world is changing. strange thing was that one of the 2 friends I was with that evening looked at me when the half african little girl in the video showed and it just hit me, she saw my reaction and knew what just happened. she totally understood.

The first time I heard Miss Saigon, I was like, "Wow, this sounds a lot like Les Mis." Then I looked at the composer, and I was like, "Oh, that's why."

@rjgc4409

3 жыл бұрын

The singer himself was in the original cast of Les Miz.

Impressive performance. He sings it perfectly yet makes you believe he is making a speech.

my god, this performance brings me to tears everytime I watch it.

@ericcameron425

7 жыл бұрын

Amen brother-me too.

@valeriemorgan3060

3 жыл бұрын

Same! Although I fully comprehend all of these children are my age now, I still feel the urge to go help those precious souls find their daddies.

@anonymouspeacefulperson6199

2 жыл бұрын

@@valeriemorgan3060 yes, Val Smith Harte ghost, brings me to my knees Val, and Pauline Quirk84 responsibility! The bui doi men batter me for going for counseling and saying no to terrorism and their associates! Lucy Moore X

I met Peter Polycarpou when I was doing Les Misérables Schools Edition nearly 15 years ago. He came and gave us vocals training. He is an inspiration!

Hands down best version of this song, in my opinion. Sung straight, no vocal gymnastics, no crazy strutting around the stage. Simple, powerful and pure. Love it. Wish I could of seen the original cast they were amazing.

@juliaglass475

7 жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you. After listning to many different singer's. Wish I knew his name. Can't catch it in the beginning.

@fantabaz1

6 жыл бұрын

BowBelleBlush I totally agree, this was the version I first saw and made a trip very soon after to see it in the West End. Fantastic voice and emotionally on cue

@neilforster8206

6 жыл бұрын

i went to see new yr day , sat left front next to pit and stage . got hocked now seen it 5 time . went to london 89 for new yr and fantastic . saw in broadway wasnt as good

@manchestertart5614

5 жыл бұрын

Peter Polycarpou, who was in the early episodes of Birds of a feather , for the BBC??? Amazing, what he does here! 😢❤️😢❤️

@LiveMusic1st

5 жыл бұрын

I had the pleasure of seeing the original cast doing this, I saw the latest cast but this was by far the best

By far the best rendition of this song. Peter Polycarpou combined the vocal talent with his incredible voice acting!

Im a bui doi. I used to question why i have to endure & suffer for the life i did not choose. I was never ashamed of it but people shamed me. God gave this life for a reason, so i embraced it.

@stockwellsantley6606

4 ай бұрын

I am so sorry xxxx

@bingovegas4867

3 ай бұрын

Can you please explain what that term bui doi means?

@agnusborealis9362

3 ай бұрын

@@bingovegas4867it means the neglected, abandoned, destitute children in Vietnam. Example Children with Vietnamese mothers and abandoned by their American soldier fathers are called bui-dois

@kevin8712

Ай бұрын

May He bless you and heal your pain.

Without a doubt, PP's rendition of this heartbreaking song is THE best ever. And yes there have been many other amazing singers sing this, but Peter is the original and best.

@danibeck3771

7 жыл бұрын

john Owen Jones is the best

@vamps_rock

7 жыл бұрын

Too operaticfor my taste

@thenachoandthecheeze

7 жыл бұрын

This one's really good but my personal favorite is Hugh Maynards preacher-esque rendition of it

@joefay8412

5 жыл бұрын

Hahaha peepee

For those who know the 10th Anniversary concert of Les Mis - Peter Polycarpou is my Philip Quast of Miss Saigon. That's the highest praise I can give.

@nathanielpaxton4103

6 жыл бұрын

melischang fantasticaly put i love calm wilconson and phillip quast

@LiveMusic1st

5 жыл бұрын

I know exactly what you mean and heartily agree.

@KimmyElHornoBimbo

5 жыл бұрын

Peter Polycarpou is in the 10th anniversary of Les Mis!!

@vianitoledo7439

4 жыл бұрын

Damn I haven't even watched the video, seeing this comment I rlly expect a lot in this performance

@Lambert1878

4 жыл бұрын

No bigger praise

I saw Miss Saigon over 20 years ago when I was only a teenager. Even then I was brought to tears by the powerful message this song has. It is the best song in the entire musical. To this day it still gives me goosebumps and makes me cry. I cannot wait for this show to return to the stage.

He acts this so well - you really believe he is giving a speech - it is heart wrenching

It's amazing to me... he doesn't even look like he's singing, just looks like he's giving a speech.

I was involved in a production of MIss Saigon in New Zealand, and this was by far my favourite song to sing. On final night, the whole male choir sung like we have never sung before, it was unforgettable.

He sings it so effortlessly. Smacks. Gets me verklempt.

This is absolutely my favorite song of any musical, ever.

I believe that this song is as compelling and beautiful as anything in Les Miserables. While I've known and loved the song for many years now, it affects me so much more now that I have a little girl (who by the way is of mixed race). The shots of the babies in those metal cots is utterly heartbreaking. I keep picturing my own little one in the faces of each of them.

THE definitive performance of Bui doi in my opinion. It this performance that made me want to go and see miss saigon

I have never been able to watch or listen to this song, since i first saw it on WOGAN as a little girl, without crying. Peter Polycarpou is so compelling with this song. So incredably powerful. I wish i'd had the chance to see the original cast performance of this show.

I love the way they sung this song, without effort. Their faces weren't contorted in pain to reach the notes.. it was flawless.. best version I have ever heard

Give me a goosebump everytime, he is and still the best john role in miss saigon. He gives justice to this song.bravo!

@Chuiboo

7 жыл бұрын

Yes, he is!!!

Great song! The meaning is very deep. Im also a Bui Doi!

@agnusborealis9362

5 жыл бұрын

Im also a bui doi. But i have forgiven them.

Absolutely breath-taking. No-one will ever sing this better than Polycarpou. Ever.

@jinroh516

6 жыл бұрын

James Meehan Hugh Maynard's version is awesome too

@Ava-mw5yn

5 жыл бұрын

jinroh516 yeah

I heard this on the bbc recently, but to see it with the video footage really hit home what a screwed up world we live in. Mans inhumanity to his fellow man, kids being kept in conditions like that is a disgrace

Leaves me teary-eyed everytime I watch this. As they always say, the original is always the best. Peter has a full and powerful voice. Notice the way he opens his mouth-that's proper singing. He was just amazing!

@katederrick7799

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, I learn a lot from watching him sing. Wonderful artist!

Peter Polycarpou has been, is, and always will be, pure magic!

Absolutely, positively the BEST to ever sing this role. The second iteration of "and BORN in strife" (about 2:36) is so powerful.

@deguzmanjrrobertom

5 жыл бұрын

Liliana purcell add the "we failed to do".

i remember when this Wogan episode aired and being really moved by this song. I was only at school at the time but couldn't get it out of my head. The performance is still brilliant, even after so many years.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have seen him perform this in May 2012 at the Royal Albert Hall - he is still just as powerful with so much passion and depth to his voice and performance. Amazing performer and heartbreaking song.

An amazing rendition of this song. I had only just seen Miss Saigon a few days ago and never heard the song before. Just listening to the lyrics (paired up with the accompanying video of the children in the background) just brought out the waterworks from me. I don't think I've ever had that kind of reaction at a show before; especially from a male ensemble.

Saw Peter in the Original show, he is to me the best, never fails to make me cry. No one else sings this with so much feeling. The show was amazing, the cast were amazing & yes I cried.

Just been introduced to Miss Siagon because our choir is learning Bui Doi for an Armistice Day concert in the Glasgow Concert Hall later this year. The emotions are overwhelming. Never thought anything could compare to Les Miz. but this sure does.

Imagine Americans not knowing that they have half brothers and sisters on the other side of the earth.

@scottmiller7779

10 ай бұрын

There is a strong chance I could fall into that category. My father, now deceased, had constant nightmares of his two tours in Vietnam and refused to discuss it at all. So much left unspoken

This version is so full of the passion and rage of the abandonment of so many innocent children. Really powerful.

Peter Polycarpou is just Amazing. I didn't know he could sing and was blown away when I heard his version of Bui Doi. Can't stop listening to him. The power and the feeling that goes into every note that he sings, is memorising. Wish I had seen him in Les Mis..........😊

@waynedev1621

7 жыл бұрын

I saw him in 'Saigon' 5 Times! Still My Fav! Saw him in 'Phantom' was excellent but still not one of My Favs! Seen him in 'Les Miz' as the 'Thenardier' One of the Best! Only better I have seen is 'Barry James' & 'Alun Armstrong!'x

@MrAccount3

7 жыл бұрын

did you ever see Martin Smith in Phantom?

@lilianapurcell2916

7 жыл бұрын

I am so incredibly jealous. I can't breathe when I hear him sing this.

This is real musical theatre: a message, great singing, great acting, all of which puts a lump in your throat, a song in your head and makes you think about the world.

The most powerful song from Miss Saigon, it says more about the aftermath of the Vietnam war than the entire plot of the musical, The adult roles described their struggle to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives... the Bui Doi never even had one. What a shame that this powerful message has done little or nothing to moderate US imperialism in the years since.

Beautiful, strong voice! Gave me goosebumps!👏🏼

I think this song is the only one that I’ve actually sobbed to in the theatre. It took only seconds of this recording for the tears to fall. The video footage just makes it more impactful.

I did not know Peter Polycarpou or this song even existed ! And now words fail to express the magnificence of him and this song !

Gosh I love PP's rendition. He has a certain darkness to his voice (it's heavier), that makes the song a lot more powerful. Especially on the "because we know" part.

Honestly, this song is really, really beautiful. But I think the best part of the song, the one part that really brings it together, it the high G#4 during the chorus on the word born. Idk what it is, but the less polished that note is, the better it sounds to me. I think it's the note that really hammers the emotion of the song into me. It makes me feel their pain, because they have to reach. It shows they're working for the song, and the less polished it is, the more emotion I feel. Personally, anyway. And I really like the way this singer does it. He's always been my favorite of all the versions I've seen.

Best version of this song, Peter is amazing! such a unique voice, suits the song wonderfully...

I love this song and listen to it daily. When I watched this video I started crying. Thank you to Peter for making this song and message come alive ❤️

Definitely the best version of this with a beautiful choir

To my shame, I only knew Peter Polycarpou as the bloke from Birds of a Feather. I'm happy to put that straight now - I came here via good reviews of his from 'City of Angels' currently at the Donmar Warehouse (so I thought 'can the bloke from Birds of a Feather sing?).Can he ever - powerful song, beautifully delivered & best version seen so far

This is STILL the best version of 'Bui Doi' of all of the Johns I've heard....

WOW, ABSOLUTELY sends chills through my body!!!! EXCELLLLLLENT!!!!

Such an amazing voice.. So beautiful.. Don't like it when John's mess around with the tune when it's so beautiful to begin with.. He sings it with raw passion and simplicity... Perfection..

what a fantastic performance!!

wasn't even born when this was broadcast, but I feel so moved watching this.

MY FAVOURITE MUSICAL EVER - and I've seen quite a few! I was lucky enough to see the very first cast (along with others down the years) but as with Dr Who, the one you see first will always be your favourite. I only ever knew him (& Jonathan Pryce) as an actor - great shock to hear his emotive voice

Wow. Just wow.

hearing performances like this really truly humble me. I was three when this was performed and I just learned this song a couple of months ago as a performer. It truly is amazing to in a way through a performance see the history of this song and this great musical

It brings tears to my eyes every time. I saw this on Broadway in 1991

I saw this at the Paramount in Seattle almost 30 years ago. The singer who sang this particular version brought me to tears, his baritone voice was amazing!

this song got to me when I first heard it as a teenager. 15 years and 3 kids later it just kills me

This is incredible, so beautiful and touching

I love this. I have always liked john and adored his voice in miss saigon and was always curious as to how he looked. This was the first time i saw him and it is amazing!! Thank goodness for the wogan show!!

this song makes you think that war is evil! this is the best version ever!

its 2024 and no one can sing Bui Doi like Peter did

This might be my favorite song from the show. This and I'd Give My Life For You. Beautiful.

THE best version

Best version, always come back

Wow. Never saw this before. That's a great performance!

Beautiful...solo and the chorus execellent!

A fabulous performance...this song rips me apart every time I hear it!

I like this a lot more than the version I saw a few days ago. It's more forceful and emotional.

Peter You sound wonderful live. Never had the chance to see this original cast. Though would have LoVed to.

Love this song and this version is the best I've heard seen Miss Saigon many times

I agree, rickram, he has a wonderful voice!

Still the best version of this song. Peter Polycarpou made me cry.

This song always brings me to tears.

So moving, I can't believe I still end up teary after hearing it. after so many years.

Gosh I'm kinda obsessed with "and born in strife" That note is so good!! 2:35 3:20

I’ve watched Miss Saigon numerous of times. I wished in this scene, the current show does not leave out these actual footage. When you watch the children, then the song means that much more. Miss Saigon, the lyric, the music, the story, and the setting, “Kim’s Nightmare” are that outstanding! Also, I like Peter P’s version very much too.

@spotter121877

2 жыл бұрын

When I saw the show on Broadway a few years ago, I'm almost positive that the images were displayed during the song.

My uncle sang this song and it made me cry now i can't get it out of my head

Wow this song is so strikingly amazing! I love when he says "help me dear god" so so beautiful!

@Arp477

2 жыл бұрын

God - capitalized. ☝🙏⛪😊💒

Thank this singer for his heattful and powerful sound, and we must not forget the past.

Just watched the Celebrity version on BBC I-Pleyer but this PP version still sems the most passionate,

Now the original ideas for Miss Saigon came from a picture of a vietnamese woman trying to keep her composure as she is leaving her child at the airport so that he may have a better life with his American father. She knows that as such she shall never see him again. The child is crying. It is a wrenching picture... If you look up Schönberg, Boublil and Maltby, the ones who wrote Miss Saigon, you should be able to find it.

I was lucky enough to see the recording of this Wogan show.

what an amazing voice.

It saw at the theater in London. There is very wonderful memory.

This song is so touching,

STUNNING !

Makes me cry every time.

oh my god it reach to my heart,,love it so much

Wow. This song is so touching.

Awesome, best version in my opinion

Absolute best song from Miss Saigon.

Thank you for that. People still don't know what the hell happened over there.

Fantastic voice and performance. What a shame we do this to ourselves.

This song always brings tears to my eyes!

This is such an amazing song. Someone in my theatre society is singing this in my last ever concert and it almost reduces me to tears every time because it sounds sooo beautiful. Such a nice song. :) x

This is quite simply the greatest performance by any singer of any song ever.

Goosebumps all over my body.

who would dislike this? come on people i would like to hear whats wrong with this its only the best most wonderful emotional song ever! I'm sorry but if you disliked this you have no soul