National Day (9 Aug) is just around the corner. No National Day in Singapore is complete without a National Day Parade (NDP) song. Love them or hate them, NDP songs have become a key part of NDP. Sometimes, they even steal the limelight from the actual show.
This year’s NDP theme song, ‘Not Alone’, pays tribute to past NDP songs. It contains familiar lyrics, evoking nostalgia and reigniting Singaporeans’ patriotic sentiments.
To find out what Singaporeans’ favourite NDP songs were, we conducted a Telegram poll with our subscribers. The results were unsurprising, to say the least.
Check out our list of the 10 best NDP songs that will fill you with nationalistic fervour.
1. Home (1998)
Coming in at first place by a huge margin, Home (1998) is a rhythm & blues (R&B) number sung by Kit Chan and composed by Dick Lee. It is the first in a series of annual songs commissioned for Singapore’s NDP and comes with English and Mandarin versions.
But what makes Home truly brilliant is the combination of Chan’s soulful vocals, smooth chord progressions and its use of the river as imagery. A verse goes: “Know every street and shore / Sail down the river which brings us life / Winding through my Singapore”.
Interestingly, Home was composed by Dick Lee while he was living overseas in Hong Kong. Being homesick after spending 7 years abroad, ‘Home’ was his ode to the country he grew up in. This outsider view gives Home an introspective, intimate feel, unlike any other song.
2. Where I Belong (2001)
Produced by singer-songwriter Tanya Chua, Where I Belong (2001) is the first and only extended play in NDP history. In Singapore, the song became an instant hit, reaching number 1 by July 2001. The song is recognisable for its rock tune and soulful melody.
Like Home, the biggest appeal of the song is its reflective vibe. But unlike Home, which is more repressed, the hyped-up song makes you feel like shouting out loud: that this is where I know I belong. Tanya Chua also does a great job, hitting the high notes flawlessly.
3. Reach Out for the Skies (2005)
Only a handful of NDP songs are performed as duets. There are even fewer by a duo as iconic as Chinese singer-turned-actress Rui En and Malay singer-songwriter Taufik Batisah.
While the choreography is not its highest point, what Reach Out for the Skies (2005) does right is to pair Rui En’s gentle, melodious voice with Batisah’s deep, husky vocals.
It is tough to picture any other 2 singers harmonising so well with each other while belting out the aspirational lyrics. One forward-looking verse goes: “Let’s reach out for the skies / With wings we soar up high / Our dreams we’ll all achieve / We’ll make our destiny”.
4. Stand Up for Singapore (1984 & 1985)
A classic NDP song, Stand Up for Singapore is the first NDP song to be released in living memory. Composed and written by Hugh Harrison for NDPs 1984 and 1985, Stand Up for Singapore was a rallying cry for all citizens to put their best foot forward for their country.
The original gangster (OG) NDP song is arguably one of the best crowd songs out there. The song makes one feel like standing up (literally) and singing along to its catchy lyrics.
5. Count on me Singapore (1986 & 1996)
Another classic NDP song, Count on Me Singapore is remembered for its catchy tune, memorable lyrics, and its embroilment in a plagiarism suit. While most NDP songs tell the message of how far Singapore has come, this one talks about what we can do as a people.
Composed by Canadian musician Hugh Harrison and arranged by Jeremy Monteiro, the second song in NDP history was first performed by Clement Chow. The original music video also featured the voices of prominent local figures, such as Dick Lee, Zoe Tay and former Members of Parliament. This reinforces the message that nation-building is a team effort.
6. One People, One Nation, One Singapore (1990)
Composed by Jeremy Monteiro with lyrics by Jim Aitchison, One People, One Nation, One Singapore is the NDP 1990 theme song. The song, which underscores the need for Singaporeans to stay united, is known for its upbeat melody, slow tempo and catchy lyrics.
7. In a Heartbeat (2011)
One of the few NDP songs that does not mention the word “Singapore” in its lyrics, In a Heartbeat (2011), is also the first NDP music video to not feature the performer in it.
But the well-directed video by Brian Gothong Tan will make your heart race with emotions. The touching video traces the tale of a son from his childhood days till he becomes a father.
The lyrics are well-penned. They incorporate the use of first-person (e.g. “I”, “We”) and second-person pronouns (“you”) to bridge the gap between the singer and the listener.
The clause structure is repeated across subsequent lines for a rhythmic effect, immersing the listener in the story: “I have a dream of starting a life / I have a hope, a flame alight”.
8. We Are Singapore (1987, 1988 & 2018)
Composed by Hugh Harrison, the classic NDP song We Are Singapore is the only NDP song to have been adapted for 3 NDPs. Recently, the song was remade for NDP 2018. The version featured singers Charlie Lim, Joanna Dong, Vanessa Fernandez and Aisyah Aziz.
Like In a Heartbeat, the lyrics are written simply for the layman. The clause structure is replicated not just across subsequent lines but also within the same line, making it easy to follow the lyrics: “This is my country, this is my flag // This is my future, this is my life”.
Its lyrics also include exact phrases from the National Pledge: “Pledge ourselves as one united people // Regardless of race, language or religion”, strengthening the call for unity.
9. The Road Ahead (2021)
If you liked Home (1990), listen to The Road Ahead (2021), which has a similar musical style. Released during post-pandemic Singapore, it paints a story of overcoming adversity.
Be sure to catch its accompanying music video that combines live scenes with animations, a first for NDP music videos. The video features the 4 theme song singers, Linying, Shye, Sezairi and Shabir Sulthan. They take viewers on a journey of Singapore’s development.
Marking a departure from NDP songs in previous years, The Road Ahead is more “folksy”, being harmonically and rhythmically simple. The airy, light vocal delivery makes the song soothing, reminiscent of listening to singer Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” during the pandemic.
10. Stronger Together (2022)
While the choreography is still a bummer since Reach Out for the Skies (2005), Stronger Together (2022) proves that singer-songwriter Taufik Batisah can do a one-man show.
Composed by songwriter Don Richmond, Stronger Together is about emerging stronger from trials. It features vocals by The Island Voices, with a video directed by Lindsay Jialin.
What the song does differently is to incorporate the use of metaphors. Its lyrics compare Singapore to a phoenix: “Like a Phoenix from the Flames / We will Rise Up”. Leading up to the climax, the “Ohhh” chant neither overwhelms nor distracts, sustaining its energy level.
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