Knowing the Sing in your Singapore

Singaporeans enjoying our Singapore songs at the National Day Parade (NDP).

You might have grown up singing along to these melodies, but just how well do you really know them? We explore the history of Singapore songs and dig deeper into the catchy Singapore Town, 2000’s NDP theme song Shine on Me, and the well-loved Singai Naadu.

In the early days of Singapore’s independence, aside from our national anthem Majulah Singapura, there were few songs which Singaporeans could call their own. In community singing events and national occasions, the customary repertoire would include a medley of traditional folk songs with characteristically cheery vibes, telling stories of life on the island and the ‘kampung spirit’¹.

These songs, which continue to pull at our heartstrings, include Chan Mali Chan, Dayung Sampan, Di Tanjung Katong, and Geylang Sipaku Geylang. Though there is limited information surrounding their origins, this has not deterred Singaporeans of all ages from coming together to sing these songs.

Singapore Town

Because in Singapore, Singapore

Their hearts are big and wide you'll find

Because in Singapore, Singapore

You'll find happiness for everyone

If you sang those words to yourself instead of reading them, you’re not alone! Most Singaporeans recognise Singapore Town for the song’s cheery island vibes, and often sing along together with some clapping and dance moves.

Singapore Town is a song from the 1960s – a time where local bands such as The Quests, The Crescendos and The Cyclones were at the peak of their popularity, performing hits which were a mishmash of East and West².The song was first performed by The Sidaislers, a St. Andrew’s Cathedral singing group, on TV in August 1967.

While some might think that Singapore Town originated from Singapore, it was actually inspired by a song originally written about another country.

Title: Colombo Town (excerpt)

Composer: Allen, David B.

Lyricist: Allen, David B.

I think I’ll take a little trip around Colombo town

In a CTB double decker bus

Because in Colombo, Colombo

There hearts are big and wide you’ll find

Because in Colombo, Colombo

You’ll find an answer for all mankind

Credits: Peggy Daroesman

Peggy Daroesman, co-founder of The Sidaislers.

Co-founder of The Sidaislers, Peggy Daroesman, recounted that as students, she and her sister Suzanne adapted the lyrics of Colombo Town, written by David Bliss Allen, about Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Peggy writes that the original song inspired them to write a version that would inspire love and affection for Singapore and its many landmarks. “At the time, there weren’t many songs about Singapore, compared to songs about London or New York. And the fact that Singapore Town took off the way it did was proof that Singaporeans, like everyone else in the world, love to hear and sing songs about their hometown.”

Singaporeans continue to hold this song close to their hearts, just as they’ve done with the folk songs of yore that they know and love. You may listen to the song and download the lyrics.

The '80s and Sing Singapore

In the 1980s, familiar tunes such as Stand Up for Singapore (1984) and One People, One Nation, One Singapore (1990) were commissioned.

In 1988, the Government launched Sing Singapore, a programme to promote national pride by commissioning songs written about Singapore. Some songs produced under the Sing Singapore programme were performed at the annual National Day Parade. These include crowd favourites Home (1998), Shine on Me (2000), Where I Belong (2001), and We Will Get There (2002).

Credits: Jim Lim

Jim Lim, composer of Shine On Me.

Shine On Me

Title: Shine On Me
Composer: Jim Lim
Lyricist: Jim Lim

Stars and crescent shine on me
Make us more than what we can be
All our dreams come true
As we all grow stronger

Stars and crescent shine on me
Turning our hopes into reality
For we will always be
Shining as one

Performed by local artistes Jai Wahab and Mavis Hee, Shine on Me (2000) has both English and Mandarin versions. Unlike more anthemic songs of the 1980s, this track, like others written in the same era, adopted a more “pop” feel. Perhaps it is of no surprise, since it was composed by Jim Lim, better known as a member of Mandopop trio Dreamz FM.

Jim has also produced and written for homegrown singer Stefanie Sun, as well as Mandopop singers Jacky Cheung and Fish Leong. Shine on Me has no explicit mention of the word “Singapore”. Rather, she is implicitly referred to as “stars and crescent,” and “homeland.” Jim said that the song was originally named Stars and Crescent, and he wrote the song when he was in Taiwan and missing home dearly. “No matter where we are, our hearts are always lighted up by the stars and crescent of our flag. And no matter where we might be staying, due to work or other reasons, Singapore is and will always be our home.”

You may sing along to the music and download the lyrics.

Many songs, one Singapore

Today, Singaporeans from all walks of life continue to enjoy our Singapore songs; particularly during NDP, where we wave our flags to the beat and belt our hearts out.

Many of us easily recognise the ‘classics’ – songs often sung at school assemblies and NDP, like Munnaeru Vaalibaa. Did you know that until 10 years ago, Munnaeru Vaalibaa was the first and only Tamil song used in NDP celebrations? Everything changed in 2012, when songwriter Shabir Tabare Alam penned the tune Singai Naadu, meaning ‘Land of the Lion’.

Credits: Shabir Tabare Alam

Shabir, composer of Singaai Naadu.

Title: Singai Naadu
Composer: Shabir Tabare Alam
Lyricist: Shabir Tabare Alam

Pala Inangal Sera, Orumai Kondaade"
En Veedu Enthan Thaai Naadu Endru Sollu
Pala Inangal Sera, Orumai Kondaade
En Veedu Enthan Thaai Naadu Endru Sollu
Singai Naadu, Enthan Veedu
Singai Naadu, Enthan Veedu

English translation:
Many races come together to celebrate unity
Say that this is your home; your Motherland
Many races come together to celebrate unity
Say that this is your home; your Motherland
Singapore My Country, My Home
Singapore My Country, My Home

Singai Naadu (2012) is well-loved for its soulful tune and tender lyrics. Its music video illustrates how our cultural diversity unites Singaporeans from all walks of life, and features instruments from various ethnic groups, including the nadaswaram and the erhu in the interlude. The song has been rearranged and performed by various musical groups over the years, and it’s even used in the TENG Company’s syllabus for Chinese music examinations.

Songwriter Shabir started developing Singai Naadu as a ground-up project, to unite Singaporeans from all cultures to this land that we call home. He wrote its lyrics as a heartfelt love song to Singapore, inviting everyone as a community to build a loving home that all can be proud of. Shabir hopes that after listening to Singai Naadu, Singaporeans can appreciate the importance of unity amidst diversity – to be curious and open to learning about different cultures, and to appreciate one another. “It is my sincere hope that Singai Naadu nurtures compassion between our communities by incepting seeds of curiosity and fostering interest in our diverse cultures.”

You may listen to the song here.

Dance along to our Singapore songs!

To learn more about Singapore songs, check out these albums:

Sing Singapore 2002: Lift Your Voices, Lift Your Hearts, which also features songs such as We Will Get There, Singapura, Sunny Island, Shine on Me, Chan Mali Chan, Where I Belong, and Geylang Sipaku Geylang.

Urban Infusion: An A Cappella Collection of Singapore Songs 2001, which includes One People, One Nation, One Singapore, The Magic is You, Bunga Sayang and It’s the Little Things

Sing Singapore '98 : A Festival of Songs, for which Singapore Town, Five Stars Arising, Home, Waktu Fajar, and My Singapore Story were some of the other favourites in the list.

Fans of jazz music, have a listen to Singapore Swing: A Jazz Album of Singapore Songs, which constitute Singaporeans’ favourite songs. Look forward to songs such as Munnaeru Vaalibaa, Five Stars Arising, Di Tanjung Katong, and Stand Up for Singapore transformed into smooth, folky jazz tunes.

And there you have it – a brief history on just three Singapore songs of the many we have. Walk down memory lane as you listen to their stories being retold through rearranged and adapted versions, and share these tunes with generations now to come.