List of Singaporean patriotic songs

This article contains a list of Singaporean patriotic songs. A patriotic song is one which inspires feelings of pride in one's country, in which this context, is Singapore. The list has both traditional folk songs that have special meaning to Singaporeans, as well as modern songs composed specifically for national celebrations, particularly the National Day Parade held on 9 August each year since 1965, Singapore's National Day.

Generally speaking, there may be said to be two types of Singaporean patriotic songs. The first type are traditional folk songs that have, over time, come to have special meaning to Singaporeans. Many of these are in vernacular languages – Malay, Mandarin and Tamil, for instance. Examples of such songs include Malay song "Di Tanjung Katong", Mandarin song "Xin Yao", and Tamil song "Munnaeru Vaalibaa".

The second type are the comparatively modern songs, mostly in English, that were composed specifically for national events – particularly the National Day Parade held annually on 9 August – and for use in schools. Each year since 1985, the National Day Parade Executive Committee has designated one such song as a National Day Parade theme song. The song is usually broadcast on radio and television starting from a month before National Day, and is given prominence during the Parade itself. Examples of such songs include "Stand Up for Singapore" (1985), "Count On Me Singapore" (1986) and "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" (1990). In 1998, there were 2 National Day Parade theme songs, "Home" and "City For The World" and one of them was reused for National Day Parade in 2004. Then in 2007 they used two National Day Parade theme songs, "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" and "Will You?".[1]

As for the National Day Ceremony song, My People My Home, it was conducted by Dr Lee Tzu Pheng, it came out in the late 1990s and was reused for National Day Parade 2012, together with Love at First Light which is sung by singer Olivia Ong. In 1984, the National Arts Council inaugurated the Sing Singapore Festival, the aim of which was to discover and promote home-grown music and artistes. According to the Council, it also hoped to nurture a love for music and singing and cultivate a greater sense of togetherness amongst Singaporeans. The programme led to the creation of a number of new songs by Singaporean composers, some of which were selected for National Day celebrations. These included "Home" (1998) by Dick Lee, "Where I Belong" (2001) by Tanya Chua, and "A Place in My Heart" (2003) by Kevin Quah. Local singers such as Taufik Batisah, Kit Chan and Stefanie Sun have performed songs in the Sing Singapore collection.[2]

## The National Anthem

[edit]

Main article: Majulah Singapura

Title  | Date  | Author(s)  | Copyright owner(s)

|
|
|

Majulah Singapura

(Onward Singapore)

| 1958  | Lyrics and music:
Zubir Said | Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts[3]

## National Day Theme Songs (by year)

[edit]

Main article: Singapore National Day Parade § Theme songs

Year | Song | Singers  | Composer  | Lyricist  | Music Director  | Music Video Director | Chinese Version | Singers

|
|
|
|
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|
|
|

1984 | "Stand Up for Singapore" |   | Hugh Harrison[4] | Hugh Harrison[4] |  |  |   |
1985  |  |
1986 | "Count On Me Singapore" | Clement Chow  | Hugh Harrison[4] | Hugh Harrison[4] |  |  |   |
1987 | "We are Singapore" | Jonathan Tan, Roslinda Baharudin, Anne Weerapass and Robert Fernando  | Hugh Harrison[4] | Hugh Harrison[4] |  |  |   |
1988  |  |
1989 | "Five Stars Arising" | Lim Su Chong"  |  |  |  |  |   |
1990 | "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" | Faridah Ali, Jacintha Abisheganaden, Stephen Francis and Clement Chow | Jeremy Monteiro[4] | Jim Aitchison[4] |  |  |   |
1991 | "It's the Little Things" |   | Patrick Seet  | Ivan Chua  |  |  |   |
1995 | "My People My Home" | Dr Lee Tzu Pheng  |  |  |  |  |   |
1996 | "Count On Me Singapore" | Clement Chow  |  |  |  |  |   |
1997 | "Singapore Town" | The Sidaislers  |  |  |  |  |   |
1998 | "Home" | Kit Chan | Dick Lee[4] | Dick Lee[4] |  |  | 家 | Kit Chan
陈洁仪
"City for the World"
1999 | "Together" | Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM  | Ken Lim[4] | Ken Lim[4] |  |  | 心连心 | Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM
陈毓云、梦飞船
2000 | "Shine on Me" | Jai Wahab | Jim Lim[4] | Jim Lim[4] |  |  | 星月 | Mavis Hee
许美静
2001 | "Where I Belong" | Tanya Chua | Tanya Chua[4] | Tanya Chua[4] |  |  | 属于 | Tanya Chua
蔡健雅
2002 | "We Will Get There" | Stefanie Sun | Dick Lee[4] | Dick Lee[4] |  |  | 一起走到 | Stefanie Sun
孙燕姿
2003 | "One United People"  | Joshua Wan[4] | Joshua Wan[4] |  |  | 全心全意
2004 | "Home" | Kit Chan and JJ Lin
The MTV versions were choral renditions performed by Young Voices, which comprises the Choirs from the Tanjong Katong Girls' School and Tampines Primary School.  | Dick Lee[4] | Dick Lee[4] |  |  | 家 | Kit Chan and JJ Lin
陈洁仪、林俊杰
2005 | "Reach Out for the Skies" | Taufik Batisah and Rui En | Elaine Chan[4] | Selena Tan[4] |  |  | 勇敢向前飞 | Rui En

2006 | "My Island Home" | Kaira Gong | Joshua Wan[4] | Joshua Wan[4] |  |  | 幸福的图形 | Kaira Gong
龚诗嘉
2007 | "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" | Kit Chan | Jimmy Ye[4] | Jimmy Ye[4] |  |  |  |
"Will You" | Janani Sridhar, Asha Edmund, Emma Yong, Lily Ann Rahmat, Jai Wahab, Shabir Mohammed, Sebastian Tan, Gani Karim | Jimmy Ye[4] | Jimmy Ye[4] |  |  |  |
2008 | "Shine for Singapore" | Hady Mirza | Benny Wong[4] | Benny Wong[4] |  |  | 晴空万里 | Joi Chua
蔡淳佳
2009 | "What Do You See?" | Electrico | Electrico[4] | Electrico[4] |  |  | 就在这里 | Kelvin Tan
陈伟联
2010 | "Song for Singapore" | Corrinne May | Corrine May[4] | Corrine May[4] |  |  |   |
2011 | "In a Heartbeat" | Sylvia Ratonel | Goh Keng Long[4] | Haresh Sharma[4] |  |  |   |
2012 | "Love At First Light" | Olivia Ong and Natanya Tan | Iskandar Ismail[4] | Paul Tan[4] |  |  |   |
2013 | "One Singapore" | 68-member choir "Sing A Nation"  | Elaine Chan[4] | Selena Tan[4] |  |  |   |
2014 | "We Will Get There" | Farisha Ishak, Fauzi Laili, Tay Ke Wei and Rahimah Rahim |  |  |  |  |   |
2015 | "Our Singapore" | Dick Lee & JJ Lin[5] | Dick Lee[6] | Dick Lee[6] |  |  |   |
2016 | "Tomorrow's Here Today" | 53A | Don Richmond[6] | Don Richmond[6] |  | Huang Junxiang  |   |
2017 | "Because it's Singapore" | Jay Lim | Lee Wei Song[6] | Jay Lim[6] | Miso Tan  |  |   |
2018 | We Are Singapore (Remake) | Charlie Lim, Vanessa Fernandez, Aisyah Aziz, Shak'thiya Subramaniamm, Joanna Dong and THELIONCITYBOY | Charlie Lim (Preface), Hugh Harrison (Original chorus)[6] | Charlie Lim (Preface), Hugh Harrison (Original chorus)[6] | Dr Sydney Tan, Charlie Lim, Evan Low  | Li Lin Wee |   |
2019 | Our Singapore (Remake) | Rahimah Rahim, Jacintha Abisheganaden, Stefanie Sun, JJ Lin, Dick Lee, Kit Chan | Dick Lee[7] | Dick Lee[7] | Dr Sydney Tan[7] | Royston Tan |   |
2020  | Everything I Am  | Nathan Hartono | Joshua Wan[8] | Joshua Wan[8] | Dr Sydney Tan[8] |  |  |
2021  | The Road Ahead  | Linying, Sezairi Sezali, Shabir, Shye-Anne Brown | Linying, Evan Low[9] | Linying, Evan Low[9] | Dr Sydney Tan[10] | Huang Junxiang, Jerrold Chong[9] |  |
2022  | Stronger Together  | Taufik Batisah ft. The Island Voices  | Don Richmond[11] | Don Richmond[11] |  | Lindsay Jialin[11] |  |
2023  | Shine Your Light  | 53A, The Island Voices, lewloh, Olivia Ong, ShiGGa Shay, Iman Fandi, Lineath | Don Richmond[12] | Don Richmond, ShiGGa Shay[12] |  | Jin Pek[12] |  |
2024  | Not Alone  | Benjamin Kheng, Music & Drama Company  | Benjamin Kheng[13] | Benjamin Kheng Evan Low  |  |  |  |
2025  | Here We Are  | Charlie Lim, Kit Chan, The Island Voices  | Charlie Lim, Chok Kerong[14] | Charlie Lim  | Dr Sydney Tan  | He Shuming |  |

## Songs with English lyrics

[edit]

Title  | Date  | Author(s)  | Copyright owner(s)  | First verse and/or chorus

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|

Count On Me, Singapore | 1986  | Lyrics and music:
Hugh Harrison

Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development

| Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council  |

We have a vision for tomorrow, just believe, just believe
We have a goal for Singapore, we can achieve, we can achieve
You and me, we'll do our part, stand together, heart to heart
We're going to show the world what Singapore can be
We can achieve, we can achieve

There is something down the road that we can strive for
We are told no dream's too bold that we can't try for
There's a spirit in the air, it's a feeling we all share
We're going to build a better life, for you and me
We can achieve, we can achieve

Count on me Singapore, count on me to give my best and more
You and me, we'll do our part, stand together, heart to heart
We're going to show the world what Singapore can be
We can achieve, we can achieve

Chorus:
Count on me Singapore, Count on me Singapore
Count on me to give my best and more, count on me Singapore

(Repeat Chorus)

Together Singapore, Singapore! (x2)

Five Stars Arising | 1969  | Lyrics and music:
Lim Su Chong  | Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[3] | First verse:[15]

There's a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea
Youthful and bright and bearing hope, and tranquil as can be
Reach out for the moon above, savour freedom, truth and love
There's a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea

Second verse:
There are five stars arising, out of the stormy sea
Each is a lamp to guide our way; a lamp for all to see
Reach out for the stars above, savour freedom, truth and love
There are five stars arising, out of the stormy sea

Third verse:(x2)
There's a new flag arising, out of the stormy sea
Crimson as the blood of all mankind, yet white and pure and free
Reach out for the flag above, savour freedom, truth and love
There is a new flag arising, happy and proud are we

Ending:
There is a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea
five stars arising, happy and proud are we

It's the Little Things | 1991  | Lyrics: Patrick Seet

Music: Ivan Chua

| Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[3] | Chorus:[16]

It's the little things that we share,

the love and joy that's in the air

The children's laughter everywhere,

and all our favourite things

Over the years, I've grown

accustomed to your ways

And no matter where I'll be,

it warms my heart to know that

You're always here for me

Moments of Magic | 1999  | Lyrics and music:
Ken Lim  | Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[3] | Chorus:[17]

Let us celebrate this moment,

A brand new day awaits

Let us reach out for our dreams out there
Moments of magic we will share
Let us celebrate this moment,

A brand new day awaits

We will always be a city of friends
Time will bring for us to share
Moments of magic

One People, One Nation, One Singapore | 1990  | Lyrics: Jim Aitchison

Music: Jeremy Monteiro

Commissioned by the Ministry of Information and the Arts

| Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[3] | "First verse":[18]

We've built a nation with our hands
The toil of people from a dozen lands.
Strangers when we first begun, now we are Singaporeans
Let's reach out for Singapore. Join our hands forevermore
Chorus:[18]
One people, one nation, one Singapore
That's the way that we will be forevermore
Every creed and every race,
has its role and has its place
One people, one nation, one Singapore

Singapore Town | 1967  | Lyrics and music:
The Sidaislers  |  | First verse:[19]

You could take a little trip around

Singapore town

In a Singapore city bus
To see Collyer Quay and Raffles Place
The Esplanade and all of us

Chorus:
Because in Singapore, Singapore
Their hearts are big and wide you'll find
Because in Singapore, Singapore
You'll find happiness for everyone

Singapura, Sunny Island | 1962  | Translated from Indonesian version  | MediaCorp Pte. Ltd.[3] | First verse:

Singapura, O Singapura
Sunny island set in the sea
Singapura, O Singapura
Pretty flowers bloom for you and me

Song for Singapore | 2010  | Lyrics and music:
Corrinne May[20] |  | Chorus:[21]

I want to sing
Sing a song for Singapore
With every generation there's more to be grateful for
So come and sing
Sing a song for Singapore
You're my brother you're my sister
I'm thankful for my Singapore
My Singapore
Singapore

Stand Up for Singapore | 1984  | Lyrics and music:
Hugh Harrison

Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture

| Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[3] | First verse:[22]

Stand up for Singapore, do the best you can
Reach out for your fellow man
You've got to make a stand
Recognise you can play your part
Let it come right from your heart
Be prepared to give a little more
Stand up, stand up for Singapore

There's No Place I'd Rather Be | 2007  | Lyrics and music:
Jimmy Ye |  | Chorus:[23]

There's no place I'd rather be
You'll always be a part of me
And even though I've roamed the world
It's still my home I long to see.

These Are The Days | 2015  | Lyrics and music:
Lee Chin Sin  |  | Chorus:

These are the days
To breathe and feel
To touch the skies
To name our dreams and make them real
And never close our eyes
We've fought the fears
We've braved the years
When all we could believe was all we had to give
Now what we only dreamed is what we live

We Are Singapore | 1987  | Lyrics and music:
Hugh Harrison

Orchestration:
Jeremy Monteiro

Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development

| Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[3] | First verse:[24]

There was a time when people said
That Singapore won't make it
But we did
There was a time when troubles
Seemed too much for us to take
But we did
We built a nation
Strong and free
Reaching out together
For peace and harmony

Chorus 1:
This is my country, this is my flag
This is my future, this is my life
This is my family, these are my friends
We are Singapore, Singaporeans

What Do You See? | 2009  | Lyrics and music:
Electrico |  | Chorus:[25]

See the moon and the stars,

look how far we have come

Look around at our faces,

they shine brightly in the sun

With our hopes and dreams,

imagine what tomorrow it may bring

What do you see? What do you see?

Will You | 2007  | Lyrics and music:
Jimmy Ye  |  | First verse:[26]

Will you make this island
Amazing in all ways?
Surprises every corner,
Delightful nights and days.

Not Alone | 2024  | Lyrics and music: Benjamin Kheng  |  | How do I reach for the skies [27]

If I’m feeling low,
Don’t know where to go
How do I stand when it’s time
When spirits are high
And flags are flying But then I come to the river
That runs through my town
Where our fathers and mothers have watered the ground
And the roads I have walked
And the faces I know
Oh I know, I know

If we just look to each other
Then this house will feel like home
And the more we’re together the further we’ll go
You and I we’re Not alone

How do I know I belong?
We’ll find love for
Every creed and colour
If we lean on one another
How will I ever get there?
All I know is
You and me do better
When we run together

But then I come to the river
And fears start to fade
My brothers and sisters
We journey the same
And I know, I know

If we just look to each other
Then this house will feel like home
And the more we’re together the further we’ll go
You and I we’re Not alone

Just one ripple in a river
Can be the one to turn the tide
When the water rises
I’ll be right by your side

And if they ask of my home
When I’m miles apart
I’ll think of the people
I hold in my heart
The family I’ve found
And the faces I know
Oh I know, I know

If we just look to each other
Then this house will feel like home
And the more we’re together the further we’ll go
You and I we’re Not alone

Here We Are | 2025  |  |  |

Threads of a tapestry
A house full of love
Every voice is a story
Waiting to unfold

To be seen, heard, and known
Our differences will make us whole

Here we are
We're in this together
Our spirits forever
Look how far we have come

Here we are
No matter the weather
Through the storms and changes
Wave your flag in the sun

Here we are
Through the fire
We can live our hopes and dreams

Here we are
This is what home means to me

Do you remember
When we sailed through seasons of change?
Our journey's not over
I'm so glad you're my neighbor, We'll look to each other
As we face the unknown
Just know you're never on your own

Here we are
We're in this together
Our spirits forever
Look how far we have come

Here we are
No matter the weather
through the storms and changes
wave your flag in the sun

Here we are
Through the fire
We can live our hopes and dreams

Here we are
This is what home means to me

Wave your flag in the sun
Look how far we have come
Living our hopes and dreams
This is what home means to me

Here we are
We're in this together
Our spirits forever
Look how far we have come

Here we are
No matter the weather
Through the storms and changes
Wave your flag in the sun

Here we are
Through the fire
We can live our hopes and dreams

Here we are
This is what home means to me

Here we are
This is what home means to me

Wave your flag in the sun
Look how far we have come
This is what home means to me

Notes

* The song highlighted in blue was designated as the "millennium song" by the National Arts Council.
* The four songs highlighted in pink were designated as "national songs" by the National Arts Council.
* Songs highlighted in red are National Day Parade theme songs.
* Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.
* The song highlighted in green is the winner of SG50: The Gift of Song.

## Songs with Malay lyrics

[edit]

Title  | Date  | Author(s)  | Copyright owner(s)  | First verse and/or chorus

|
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|

Chan Mali Chan[28] | 2010  | \- from Nusa Tenggara -  | Traditional, not copyrighted  | First verse:[29]

Di mana dia anak kambing saya?
Anak kambing saya yang makan daun talas
Di mana dia buah hati saya?
Buah hati saya bagai telur dikupas

Chorus:
Chan mali chan, chan mali chan,
Chan mali chan, ketipung payung (twice)

Tanjung Katong[30] |  | Composer Osman Ahmad, musician in 1930s. Reference found in MUSIKA: Arena Muzik Silam di Malaya. NLB.  | Copyright controlled.  | First verse:[31]

Di Tanjung Katong, airnya biru
Disitu tempatnya, dara jelita
Duduk sekampung, lagikan rindu
Kononlah pula nun jauh di mata

Semoga Bahagia

(May You Achieve Happiness)

|  | Lyrics and music:
Zubir Said |  | First verse:

Sama-sama maju ke hadapan
Pandai cari pelajaran
Jaga diri dalam kesihatan
Serta sopan-santun dengan kawan-kawan

English translation:
Together we progress
Clever at seeking knowledge
Take care of your health
And be courteous to your friends

Notes

* Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.
* Semoga Bahagia was designated as the official Children's Day song.

## Songs with Mandarin lyrics

[edit]

Title  | Date  | Author(s)  | Copyright owner(s)  | First verse and/or chorus

|
|
|
|

小人物的心声 (Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Sheng)

(Voices from the Heart)

| 1986  | Lyrics: Bok Sek Yieng

Music: Tan Kian Chin

| Touch Music Publishing Pte. Ltd.  | First verse:[32]

也许我一个人
不能成就一番大事业
但我尽力贡献一份微薄的力量
也许我自己
不能发出万丈光和亮
但我能为斗室带来足够的光芒
我从来都不在乎
自己不是一个大人物
因为平凡也是一种幸福
看到名人总是忙忙碌碌
我的时间由我控制
平凡日子一样会充实

English translation:
Perhaps I, as only one person, can't take on a large task
But I can work hard and contribute a decent effort.

相信我吧，新加坡! (Xiāngxìn wǒ ba, Xīnjiāpō!

(Believe in me, Singapore!)

| 1980s  | Lyrics and music: Unknown  | Not copyrighted  | First verse:[33]

我是年轻的卫国军
有的是满腔的热血
有的是精力充沛
相信我吧！新加坡！

我要用这股力量
献身与新加坡
我要把敌人消灭
相信我吧！新加坡！

English translation:
I am a young soldier who serves the nation
Who is filled with hot blood
So believe in me, Singapore!

I desire to use this strength
To sacrifice myself for the sake of Singapore
I want to destroy our enemies
So believe in me, Singapore!

## Songs with Tamil lyrics

[edit]

Title  | Date  | Author(s)  | Copyright owner(s)  | First verse and/or chorus

|
|
|
|

Munnaeru Vaalibaa | 1966  | S. Jesudassan  | Not copyrighted  | Lyrics:[34]

Munnaeru vaalibaa munaeri endrum
Thoduvaan noakkuvaai
Kann theriyaatha Kaari rulil
Olirum vinmeenae
Thanimaiyaalae payantha naadugal
Irulil oli pera unnai naadum
Mael noakku vaaliba endrum munnaeri
Thoduvaan noakkuvaai thoduvaan noakkuvai

The lyrics in Tamil Language:

முன்னேறு வாலிபா முன்னேறி என்றும்
தொடுவான் நோக்குவாய்
கண் தெரியாத காரி ருளில்
ஒளிரும் விண்மீனே
தனிமை யாலே பயந்த நாடுகள்
இருளில் ஒளிபெற உன்னை நாடும்
மேல் நோக்கு வாலிபா என்றும் முன்னேறி
தொடுவான் நோக்குவாய் தொடுவான் நோக்குவாய்

The lyrics in English are:
Forward o'youth forever advancing
Look to horizons far
Eyes do not grope in the depths of the night
That look on a shining star
Nations fearful in apartness
Need your sight to light their darkness
Look up o'youth forever advancing
Look to horizons far...

Engkal Singapore | 1966  | Lyrics: Peri Nela Palanivelan
Music: L Krishna Samy  | Not copyrighted  | Lyrics:
Engkal Singapore - ithu

Engkal Singapore - inbam
Engkum pongkum
Engkal Singapore

Oru nilaiyaana aatchi ulakil
Uyarnthu oangkum naadu - engkal
Orumaippaattinai vilakkum - ina
Otrumai kanda naadu

Lyrics in Tamil Language:

எங்கள் சிங்கப்பூர் - இது
எங்கள் சிங்கப்பூர் - இன்பம்
எங்கும் பொங்கும்
எங்கள் சிஙப்பூர்

ஒரு நிலையான ஆட்சி உலகில்
உயர்ந்து ஓங்கட்டும் நாடு - எங்கள்
ஒருமைப்பாட்டினை விளக்கும் - இன
ஒற்றுமை கண்ட நாடு

Singai Naadu | 2012  | Composed & Performed by: Shabir Tabare Alam

Lyrics: Shabir Tabare Alam

| Copyright: Shabir Tabare Alam  | Lyrics:

Boomi, Unnai Azhaikkuthu
Unnai Azhaikkuthu, Vaa Vaa
Nam Naadu, Kural Ezhupputhu
Kural Ezhupputhu, Vaa Vaa
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

Lyrics in Tamil Language

பூமி, உன்னை அழைக்குது
உன்னை அழைக்குது, வா வா
நம் நாடு, குரல் எழுப்புது
குரல் எழுப்புது, வா வா

பல இனங்கள் சேர,
ஒருமை கொண்டாடி
என் வீடு எந்தன் தாய்
நாடு என்று சொல்லு

பல இனங்கள் சேர,
ஒருமை கொண்டாடி
என் வீடு எந்தன் தாய்
நாடு என்று சொல்லு

சிங்கை நாடு, எந்தன் வீடு சிங்கை நாடு, எந்தன் வீடு

English Translation: The land is calling you, come home
Our country is calling you, come home
Many races come together to celebrate unity
Say that this is your home and your Motherland
Singapore My Country, My Home

Notes

* Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.

## Reception

[edit]

A minor controversy also erupted over "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" (2007). Some people queried why the song does not mention Singapore by name,[35] while others commented that the song was "touching" and that they related to it immediately, and that "[t]he spirit of patriotism is woven so well in the song".[36] One correspondent to the Straits Times asked: "How did such a dreadful song become the National Day song?", lambasting the melody as "uninspiring" and the lyrics as "insipid" – "it is quite obvious what the brief to [the composer] was: Write a song to persuade Singaporeans who have sought greener pastures to come home."[36] The song's composer Jimmy Ye defended it, saying, "There's no need for it to be so in-your-face just because it's a National Day song". He noted that he had submitted the first draft of the song to the National Day Parade song committee, which had returned it with several changes. There was no mention of why "Singapore" got left out: "I guess the committee wanted to have a soft-sell approach too".[35][37]

Apart from "There's No Place I'd Rather Be", earlier songs like "Shine On Me" (2000), "Where I Belong" (2001), and "We Will Get There" (2002) also do not mention Singapore by name.

## See also

[edit]

* Music of Singapore – National Day songs
* National Day Parade – Theme songs

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Official website of the National Day Parade, archived from the original on 26 January 2018, retrieved 23 June 2007.
2. ^ Sing Singapore: Background, National Arts Council, 2005, archived from the original on 9 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Sing Singapore: Useful Information: Copyrights of the Songs in the Sing Singapore Collection, National Arts Council, 2005, archived from the original on 9 June 2007, retrieved 24 June 2007.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap "National Day songs | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
5. ^ "NDP 2015 | the Six Chapters". Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Yi, Tay Hong (17 May 2017). "2018's NDP song: We Are Singapore part of a long tradition". The Straits Times. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
7. ^ a b c Min Zhang, Lim (22 May 2019). "NDP 2019 theme song revealed, features 27 artists including JJ Lin, Kit Chan and Taufik Batisah". The Straits Times. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
8. ^ a b c Hamzah, Aqil (14 July 2020). "NDP 2020 theme song seeks to promote community spirit and gratitude in the face of challenges". The Straits Times. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
9. ^ a b c "NDP 2021 theme song The Road Ahead tells of adversity and overcoming the odds". The Straits Times. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
10. ^ "NDP 2021 Theme Song - The Road Ahead [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
11. ^ a b c Yeoh, Grace (2 June 2022). "NDP 2022 theme song performed by Taufik Batisah, music video features inspiring Singaporeans". CNA. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
12. ^ a b c NDP 2023 Theme Song - Shine Your Light [Official Music Video]. NDPeeps. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
13. ^ NDP 2024 Theme Song - Not Alone [Official Music Video]. NDPeeps. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
14. ^ NDPeeps (25 May 2025). NDP 2025 Theme Song - Here We Are [Official Music Video]. Retrieved 28 May 2025 – via YouTube.
15. ^ Five Stars Arising, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 27 September 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
16. ^ It's the Little Things, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 14 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
17. ^ Moments of Magic, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 8 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
18. ^ a b One People, One Nation, One Singapore, Sing Singapore National Arts Council, archived from the original on 14 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
19. ^ Singapore Town, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 14 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
20. ^ Jermyn Chow (8 July 2010), "Corrinne May's ode to Singapore: US-based Singaporean to perform National Day theme song at Padang", The Straits Times.
21. ^ NDP 2010 Theme Song – "Song for Singapore" by Corrinne May! on YouTube.
22. ^ Stand Up for Singapore, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 14 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
23. ^ There's No Place I'd Rather Be, National Day Parade Executive Committee, 2007, archived from the original on 22 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
24. ^ We Are Singapore, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 8 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
25. ^ NDP09 theme song – What do you see?, National Day Parade Executive Committee, 2009, archived from the original on 15 July 2009, retrieved 14 July 2009.
26. ^ Will You?, National Day Parade Executive Committee, 2007, archived from the original on 14 August 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
27. ^ "NDP 2024: Celebrating Singapore's Resilience and Unity". Design Start Blog. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
28. ^ "Chan Mali Chan". Archived from the original on 31 January 2012.
29. ^ Chan Mali Chan, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 8 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
30. ^ "Di Tanjung Katong". Archived from the original on 3 February 2012.
31. ^ Di Tanjung Katong, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 8 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
32. ^ List of works/arrangements for Choir, Phoon Yew Tien, retrieved 14 July 2009.
33. ^ 相信我吧, 新加坡, National Library Board, retrieved 8 May 2024.
34. ^ Munnaeru Vaalibaa, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, archived from the original on 8 June 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
35. ^ a b Frankie Chee (12 August 2007), "Why no Singapore?", The Sunday Times (LifeStyle), p. L2.
36. ^ a b "National Day song gets mixed response", The Straits Times (Life!), p. 4, 18 August 2007.
37. ^ Tan, Shzr Ee (c. 2000), "'Authentic Fakesong': The Sing Singapore Campaign", IIAS Newsletter Online (26), International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), archived from the original on 24 September 2015, retrieved 23 June 2007.

## Further reading

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* Aisha Akbar, comp. (1966), Thirty-Six Best Loved Songs of Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore: Eastern University Press.
* Cheng, Shao Chang; Leong, Yoon Pin (1973), Our Songs, Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau, 3 vols.
* Sing Singapore: A Celebration in Song, National Day 1988, Singapore: F & N Sarsi in conjunction with Psychological Defence Division, Ministry of Communications and Information, 1988.
* Teo, Lay Na, comp. (1980), Sing a Song of Singapore, Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau`{{citation}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link).
* Zubir Said (1990), Zubir Said: His Songs, Singapore: Times Books International for Singapore Cultural Foundation.

## External links

[edit]

* www.sg music page
* Sing Singapore