There is one thing that I look forward to every year, during Singapore's National Day celebration. That is the theme song for the
National Day Parade ('NDP'). So when it was announced that there will not be any new theme song for this year's
NDP, my heart sank. Why do they do that?
When I was young, the parade and the fireworks were the highlights at every NDP. As the years go by, fireworks became pretty common and can be seen in many occasions and I no longer look forward to it. The only thing that I look forward to is the theme songs. The catchy classic NDP songs, like '
Stand Up for Singapore' and '
It's The Little Things', ended up looping in my mind whenever I heard the three alphabets, 'N', 'D' and 'P', together. Wait, I can also sing the newer songs too!
Since the late 90s, music videos of the NDP theme songs were played on television for countless times and we could pick it up unknowingly. But in recent years, I needed to go online to search 'NDP theme song' to find out who the singer is and the theme song. I wonder if it is a sign of decline in the need and popularity of a new theme song.
There are a few notable events over the years, and I noticed that since I am a supporter for the theme songs and 'Sing Singapore'. In 2004, NDP 1998 song, '
Home', was rearranged and used for NDP that year. I am sure that awards-winning singer
JJ Lin, who sang in 2004, can come up with an original song for the country. Ok, I don't like that rendition. More recently, since 2010, no Chinese lyrics are penned for the NDP songs. In 2013, '
Sing A Nation' was held to select singers to form a choir for NDP 2013 theme song, 'One Singapore'. You may read more about the changes over the years on
Wikipedia.
So in 2014, the idea of having a new song was abolished. There will be
no new song theme song for this year's NDP. But this does not mean that there is a lack of talent in songs writing for NDP. In fact, it should become a push factor for local lesser-known talents wanting to be heard. There are many indie artistes locally which do produce notable music and they should be given a chance and platform to showcase their talent. Like 'Sing A Nation' last year, where 'singers' were chosen through a competition. A song-writing competition might be a good move for NDP in the future. Apart from uncovering new talents, it will engage more Singaporeans to be part of the annual event.
This is also a message that
Audris Ho and
Charlyn Too wanted to bring across when they penned and recorded their 'unofficial' NDP 2014 song, '
There's No Place Like Home'. Recorded at home for Youtube, it may not sound as polished as those past year's NDP songs yet, but you can hear their sincerity and their love for Singapore through the voice. If you don't believe me, listen to what they have to say and their song!
Audris and Charlyn may not be the only two. Thanks to them, I came upon another singer who seems to be having a song every year in conjunction with National Day. We have
Lorraine Tan (陈莉芯) who started
'My Singapore' Project since 2011. Her songs are getting better and better over the years. She even had songs in two languages in 2013! Not only her songs are inspiring, she engaged different walks of life in Singapore to be part of her songs. She is also doing her part in charity through
concert too!
Click the links below to watch her music videos:
2011 -
My Singapore
2012 -
Smile And Love will Grow
2013 -
Shine Singapore & 最幸福的感动
2014 -
Moments of Love
Although we cannot deny that the classic songs may already provide what is needed for this year's theme, '
Our People Our Home', I still hope to have a new song to sing along with. Plus, I don't it will do any wrong to provide a good platform for locals to step up for their nation. Right?
Past NDP Songs:
| Year | Song Title | Singer(s) |
| 1984-1985 | "Stand Up for Singapore" | - |
| 1986 | "Count on Me Singapore" | Clement Chow |
| 1987-88 | "We are Singapore" | Jonathan Tan, Roslinda Baharudin, Anne Weerapass and Robert Fernando |
| 1990 | "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" | - |
| 1992 | "It's the Little Things" | - |
| 1997 | "Future in My Dreams" | SAF Music and Drama Company |
| 1998 | "Home" | Kit Chan 陈洁仪 |
| "家" |
| "City for the World" | - |
| 1999 | "Together" | Evelyn Tan 陈毓云 & Dreamz FM 梦飞船 |
| "心连心" |
| 2000 | "Shine on Me" | Jai Wahab |
| 星月 | Mavis Hee 许美静 |
| 2001 | "Where I Belong" | Tanya Chua 蔡健雅 |
| "属于" |
| 2002 | "We Will Get There" | Stefanie Sun 孙燕姿 |
| "一起走到" |
| 2003 | "One United People" | Stefanie Sun 孙燕姿 |
| 全心全意 |
| 2004 | "Home" | Kit Chan 陈洁仪 & JJ Lin 林俊杰
(MTV versions were choral renditions performed by Young Voices*) |
| "家" | Kit Chan 陈洁仪 & JJ Lin 林俊杰 |
| 2005 | "Reach Out for the Skies" |
Taufik Batisah & Rui En 瑞恩 |
| "勇敢向前飞" | Rui En 瑞恩 |
| 2006 | "My Island Home" | Kaira Gong 龚诗嘉 |
| "幸福的图形" |
| 2007 | "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" | Kit Chan 陈洁仪 |
| "Will You | Janani Sridhar, Asha Edmund, Emma Yong, Lily Ann Rahmat, Jai Wahab, Shabir Mohammed, Sebastian Tan, Gani Karim |
| 2008 | "Shine for Singapore" | Hady Mirza |
| "晴空万里" | Joi Chua 蔡淳佳 |
| 2009 | "What Did You See?" | Electrico |
| "就在这里" | Kelvin Tan 陈伟联 |
| 2010 | "Song for Singapore" | Corrinne May |
| 2011 | "In a Heartbeat" | Sylvia Ratonel |
| 2012 | "Love at First Light" | Olivia Ong & Natanya Tan |
| 2013 | "One Singapore" | 68-member choir "Sing A Nation" |
(* Young Voices comprises the Choirs from the Tanjong Katong Girls' School and Tampines Primary School.)
