"Socialism is Good” 社会主义好, a Chinese Communist propaganda song from the 1950s was one of the most iconic and recognisable tunes before the Cultural Revolution. Welcome to the first episode of a two-part podcast with Tilen Zupan, a master's student in Transcultural Studies at the Center for Asian and Transcultural Studies in Heidelberg. Exploring the intricacies of the song's reception and production histories, and its parodies, Tilen examines the multifaceted processes of its signification during the turbulent era of Mao’s China. At the beginning of the podcast, we hear a 1:15 min version of the song, recorded on a 7” flexi disc in 1982.

Socialism is good, socialism is good! /People of socialist countries have high social status. /Reactionaries are overthrown, Imperialism tucks its tail and flees./The entire country is united in setting a tide of socialist construction.

The Communist Party is good! The Communist Party is good!/The Communist Party is a good leader for the people./It keeps its promises and works wholeheartedly for the people./Firmly adhere to the Communist Party in the assured construction, the assured construction, of our great motherland!

Socialism is good, socialism is good! /The people protect the socialist system./The power of people is invincible, the resistance of reactionary cliques is destined to fail./The cause of socialism will definitely be victorious, a communist society will definitely come true, will definitely come true!

The Communist Party is good! /The Communist Party is good!/The Communist Party guides China on the way to power and wealth./The power of people is invincible, the resistance of reactionary cliques is destined to fail./The cause of socialism will definitely be victorious, a Communist society will definitely come true, will definitely come true!    

社会主义好，社会主义好！

社会主义国家人民地位高。

反动派被打倒，帝国主义夹着尾巴逃跑了。

全国人民大团结，掀起了社会主义建设高潮，建设高潮。

共产党好！共产党好！

共产党是人民的好领导。

说得到，作得到，全心全意为人民立功劳。

坚决跟着共产党，要把伟大祖国建设好，建设好！

社会主义好，社会主义好！

社会主义江山人民保。

人民江山坐得牢，反动分子想反也反不了。

社会主义社会一定胜利，共产主义社会一定来到，一定来到！

共产党好！共产党好！

共产党领导中国富强了。

人民江山坐得牢，反动分子想反也反 不了。

社会主义社会一定胜利，共产主义社会一定来到，一定来到！

Links to the songs that are referred to in this podcast: 

"Socialism is Good" 社会主义好 https://youtu.be/McI8hOGTJb0

"Rice Sprout Dance" 米脂海盛传媒秧歌队过街表演，这样的春节你喜欢吗？#米脂秧歌#热热闹闹过春节#陕北秧歌. 03. June, 2023. https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1ER4y187Ds/. Bilibili.com (user 黄土苍景). 2023.