Motorcycle Michael

Naturally there will be Harleys in a city with 4.5 million motorcycles.

Hey Wilson,
You wouldn't necessarily know this, but there was a time when motorcycles were kind of marginal, before they went through the evolution of being avant-guarde and then mainstream. Well, they are thoroughly mainstream in Vietnam, now, but I grew up in a different era.

In honor of my past, I'm including in this photo essay on Vietnam's motorcycles the lyrics from a 1961 song by Joanne Campbell, called "Motorcycle Michael." You can tune into it by clicking on:

Motorcycle Michael

Hey Michael, hear what I said?

I'm tired of lookin' at the back of your head 

Sweet baby, you're the one I adore 

But I ain't gonna ride two wheels no more . . .

Come on Michael, trade your motorcycle 
And get yourself an automobile 

We can't make love on a cycle Michael 
Like we could in an automobile . . .

Ah, come on Michael, trade your motorcycle 
And get you some wheels with a top 

We can't make time on a cycle Michael 
And I want you so much I could drop.

This little doggie went to market...

Hey Michael, I ain't a papoose 

I'm tired of riding in this cold caboose 

Sweet baby, take your cycle and sack it 

I'm sick of makin' love to the back of your jacket . . .

Come on Michael, trade your motorcycle 

And get yourself an automobile 

We can't make love on a cycle Michael 

Like we could in an automobile

Ah, come on Michael, trade your motorcycle 

And get you some wheels with a top 

We can't take time on a cycle Michael 

And I want you so much I could drop!

Vrooom! Vrooom!

Well, Wilson, You get the picture.
Love,
Robert and Jean Baptiste

Tomorrow: Memories of Vietnam