By Chen Ying (25A01C), Qiu Bixin (25A01A) and Rhea Sharma (25S06A)
It’s that time of the year again.
Distinct red and white coloured flags line every HDB flat. The rarely used red T-shirt in the back of your closet makes a reappearance. Speakers in malls and schools alike play a selection of patriotic songs.
Yes, you’ve probably guessed it. It’s none other than National Day! And to celebrate our nation’s birthday this year, Raffles Press will present a ranking of the National Day Parade (NDP) songs—but before that, let’s revisit the beginnings of the NDP songs…
The Origin of NDP Songs…
The very first NDP song, Stand Up For Singapore, was released way back in the 1980s. Almost every year since then, the government has commissioned a song to commemorate Singapore’s independence.
In the beginning, the songs were created to promote national unity in Singapore as a young nation-state. They tended to sound like advertisement jingles with short and catchy tunes that were easy to remember, while at the same time featuring strong themes of patriotism. With lyrics like “reach out for your fellow men” (Stand Up For Singapore, 1984) and “you and me, we’ll do our part” (Count On Me Singapore, 1986), it is clear that NDP songs were meant to inspire pride and loyalty in the hearts of Singaporeans then. This encouragement of national spirit was especially important, given that Singapore was still in its early years of independence after separating from Malaysia barely two decades prior.
Over the years, these songs have become more similar to pop songs today—likely to keep up with the times by accommodating changing preferences for musical genres. Moreover, NDP songs have become an opportunity to showcase and appreciate our local talent, with famous singers like Kit Chan, JJ Lin, Stefanie Sun, and in recent years, younger artists such as Nathan Hartono and Benjamin Kheng gracing our screens in NDP music videos. Rather than solely being about patriotism, NDP songs have also become a platform for artists to express their personal feelings towards Singapore, as well as their unique Singaporean experiences.
“I love my city’s lively ways Warm sunny days Sights and sounds, special tastes That add up to this place”
Love at First Light, 2012
That is not to say that NDP songs have completely moved away from spreading messages of national pride—though these still remain in songs today, the interweaving of personal emotion with the words of patriotism in every song serves to create a melody that truly touches one’s heart. In this sense, NDP songs go far beyond a catchy beat and memorable lyrics!
Song Showdown!
And now, the moment of truth. Every song is distinct in its own way but some truly stand out. Maybe you’ve found yourself memorising a dance or repeatedly humming the tune of a distinct NDP song. Let’s find out the top three NDP songs from 1984 all the way to 2024.
The top three songs are (in order of the number of votes):
Tomorrow’s Here Today (2016)
The Road Ahead (2021)
Home (1998)
Seems like each decade has a blockbuster song of their own. Nostalgic vibes, upbeat music and catchy lyrics are definitely some of the main reasons that these three songs are firmly etched in our memories and hearts. But let’s unpack each song to find out what its individual X -Factor is!
Home
A true reflection of its title, this song gets us in our feels and reminds us of how Singapore is more than just a house, but rather a home where we belong. The comfort that this song brings is one key reason as to why it’s such a favourite.
“There is comfort in the knowledge That home’s about its people too So we’ll build our dreams together Just like we’ve done before”
Home, 1998
The lyrics give hope for a future based on the success of Singapore’s past. People often thrive on building dreams based on how successful their past has been and this song emits hope in all directions. The short stanzas with simple yet memorable lyrics make it easier for all to remember and hum along.
Retro vibes of the music video
The retro style of the music video also adds another layer of nostalgia and comfort—for all the look back on the past and reflect on how far we’ve truly come. Despite it being made in 1998, this video still charms everyone with its simplicity but heartfeltness.
To one of the emcees of this year’s National Day Celebrations in RI, Thaddeus Heng (25S02A) shares his thoughts on what this song means to him. “Home is an embodiment of hope and comfort. And to me, it reminds me that the world is in my hands. It gives me inspiration that we as the next generation of Singapore can rise up to fulfil our dreams, knowing there are people supporting us to achieve them. This is where I won’t be alone.”
The Road Ahead
“See this island…” Just by hearing the tune, everyone breaks into the viral dance, pumping their fist over their arm in a synchronised manner. This song has definitely made the most impact in terms of the dance moves that go along with it.
As the song moves into an upbeat rhythm from the first chorus, so does the energy it brings. This video was released 2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic and despite the restrictions, the artist’s creativity surely shone through. Even with regulations, Singaporeans found ways to create their own dance and share it through Instagram and TikTok. While everyone may have been physically distant, Singaporeans were more united than ever through their shared love for the nation—and they expressed this by dancing their hearts out from different locations until it became a trend!
The lyrics, once again, reassure us of our stability, how far we’ve made it and how this will be the driving factor to continue helping us reach for more success together. With its heartfelt yet trendy beats, this song appeals to one’s nostalgia as well as aspirations—making it an anthem sung by friends.
To my friend, Lai Li Ying (25S06A), this song has a special place in her heart as one of her favourites to sing-along to. “The Road Ahead to me is a reminder of the hardships we faced in covid-19 and how we managed to beat it despite the challenges. Whenever I listen to this song I feel empowered and know that no matter what challenges the country faces we can face it together. We did it before and we’ll do it again!”
Tomorrow’s Here Today
From start to end, this song does not disappoint in its energy and catchiness; likened to a pop song of sorts. The very first beat hooks us all in and brings us straight to the scene of a concert. As Singapore finally returns to normalcy after the pandemic, the concert scene has increased tenfold making this setting extremely popular even 8 years later!
The melodious strumming of the guitar, toe-tapping drum beats and enchanting harmonies entrances all of us in the celebratory spirit of National Day. This is certainly one of the most upbeat National Day songs yet and it’s no surprise that it’s a favourite.
Colourful concert setting as the cover picture for the video
The vibrant music video is hard to forget—a variety of colours and objects set against a minimalist white background along with spontaneous dances towards the end. Everyone will definitely be encouraged to “dream away” as they sing their hearts out to this positive and hope-instilling song.
Chua Jen Ee (25A01A) shares her sentiments regarding this song and how it relates to all of us students. “Beyond the iconic melody and hype that it brings, Tomorrow’s Here Today represents youth, vibrancy and hope. To me, I see it as planting the seeds of our future today. Through investing our time, energy and heart into our present actions, we actively build the foundation for a better future together. Majulah Singapura & Happy National Day!!”
So, what makes an NDP song good?
This is a difficult question with no definite answer to it. But, looking at the top three NDP songs chosen by you, you can definitely see similarities between them. Let’s see what can be concluded from your choices.
Music
First, let’s look at the musical aspect of NDP songs. Although the three songs above are of vastly different styles —from Home, a slow R&B song, to Tomorrow’s Here Today, an upbeat, exciting song, they all have something in common: a memorable melody and a lively beat.
By contrast, in a survey that we did, 60% of respondents did not like the remakes of past NDP songs because they were “very forgettable” and “more underwhelming”.
“I think the originals have this nostalgic simplicity to them that remakes struggle to capture. In my opinion, these remakes try too hard to ‘one-up’ the originals or attempt to put their own creative spins on them that don’t really pay off.”
Nostalgic Nancy
Indeed, what’s most important for a good NDP song is a unique and catchy tune that everyone can sing along to.
Lyrics
As for lyrics, NDP songs with aspirational and forward-looking lyrics are incredibly well-loved because of their relatable message. Despite all the challenges we as Singaporeans have faced since independence, these lyrics always remind us how we’ve managed to rise from these obstacles stronger than before. They point out that we can look forward to a better and brighter future after having been through so much.
“Together we’ve tried, as we stood side by side I knew we’d build a new world A world of hope for ever after”
We Will Get There, 2002
We Will Get There was released in 2002, when Singapore was grappling with the SARS pandemic. This song came at a time when the future was looking very bleak for Singaporeans, and helped keep them looking and moving forward during tough times.
Many NDP songs share similar sentiments, and just listening to these songs fills us with hope and optimism for what lies ahead!
Music Video
When we talk about the music videos for NDP songs, the first thing that flashes across your mind is probably images of Singaporeans in red-and-white apparel proudly waving the Singapore flag. Hence, it comes as a pleasant surprise when a music video presents its ideas in an unorthodox way.
Take Tomorrow’s Here Today (2016)’s music video as an example. This video was taken in one continuous shot— the first NDP music video to take such a format. Add that to its vibrant colours and jubilant atmosphere, and we’re replaying the music video again and again.
In its music video, the second chorus of Tomorrow’s Here Today (2016) was set to a background of multi-coloured lanterns and joyful dancers.
Another good example would be The Road Ahead (2021)’s music video. Endearing animation connects the entire video, showcasing creative takes on common, everyday scenes you’d see in Singapore. Watching this music video just gives you the warm, fuzzy feeling that few other NDP music videos can!
The ending animation in The Road Ahead (2021)’s music video.
Bonus
A foolproof method to make an NDP song memorable, at least, is to add a choreography to the song (and maybe make it compulsory for all students to learn the choreography).
Now, everyone knows what to do whenever “See this island…” (The Road Ahead, 2021) starts playing (well, if they want to). And who can forget the infectious “Woah ho-oh oh! Woah ho-oh oh oh!” from the 2013 NDP song, One Singapore! Although we might’ve been a bit too young when the song came out for us to remember the choreography now, this specific part of the song stays ingrained in our minds.
The music video of One Singapore (2013) featured Singaporeans dancing along to the song’s choreography—one that all Singaporean students also had to learn.
Conclusion
Though the debate on which NDP song reigns superior may never have a true winner (our sample size only consists of RI students after all, and there are simply too many options), it is undeniable that listening to (and criticising) NDP songs are a crucial part of the Singaporean experience.
At the end of the day, NDP might be one of the few times where we have the opportunity to show our #SGspirit. So, regardless of whether your favourite song made it to the list or not, we hope that you’ll fly the flag high and sing the songs, loud and proud. Most importantly, these songs are all about the home and community Singapore offers, so remember: you’re Not Alone (get it?)!
