Ubering Asia with 90s Style

If you want to travel back in pop music time, just visit Southeast Asia and call a cab. 

When I arrived in the Malay Peninsula, I was excited to find that Uber had an established presence. But during the three weeks I was there, Uber also taught me something about the culture that the food, history, climate, tea, geography, and weather could not: besides some traditional music: many people love American 80s and 90s music.

And I mean love.

I hopped in the car of Lai (age 20) as he was blasting “I Want it That Way” by the stratospheric Backstreet Boys.

“Ah ha, yes, Backstreet Boys! Very nice,” I said.

“Yes,” Lai said, donning a confident smile. “It is a lucky day!”

Two days later, I hopped into Foong’s Uber cab to the sound of “Zombie” by the Cranberries playing over the speakers. Visions of high school and bachelor party karaoke danced in my head. Smiling, I turned to my new cabby and slyly stated: “I’ve noticed a lot of people here in Malaysia enjoy American music from the ’90s.”

“Yes,” Foong definitively said. “I am one of them.”

Africa (Toto), This I Promise You (twice, N*Sync), Wonderwall (Oasis), Change the World (Eric Clapton), Semi-Charmed Life (Third Eye Blind), God is Watching Us (Bette Midler), Dreaming of You (Selena), Still the One (Shania Twain), Heal the World (Michael Jackson), To Love You More (Celine Dion), Genie in a Bottle (twice, Christina Aguilera).

And on and on that went. Men and women Uber drivers who were not only fans of the music, but boldly and excitedly proud of the fact.

Malaysian, Indian, Singaporean, Chinese. Age 20, 40, 60. It didn’t matter, most of them were playing some version of that music. Proof, beyond all shadow of a doubt, that the Malay Peninsula is a wonderful place.

It didn’t take much to realize this trend, as three-quarters of the cars I got in while in the Malay Peninsula were bumping North American pop culture songs from the 80s and 90s.

So go to Malaysia and Singapore for their culture, their food, climate, history, and tea. But when you go, prepare for a delightful, musical walk down memory lane. Because...odds are, you’re gonna get it.