The new National Day song to mark Singapore’s 50th anniversary as an independent nation has been released.
The song, titled, “Our Singapore”, is written and performed by Dick Lee, one of Singapore’s most recognisable faces in the industry. The accompanying music video is directed by another of Singapore’s more famous sons, filmmaker Eric Khoo.
The song, however, has drawn mixed reactions from members of the public, since it was unveiled on 7 May.
“Sorry but it seems kind of “not there” to be the SG50 theme song..feels weird and whole song don’t seem to flow smoothly,” Roy Phang said in a comment on a news’ site Facebook page.
“Not nice, sounds more like a tribute song,” posted Jasmine Koh. “Cannot feel the joy in it.”
Even former Nominated Member of Parliament, Calvin Cheng, panned the song.
He posted on the Straits Times’ Facebook page: “Terrible song. Cheesy lyrics. Forgettable melody.”
Others felt differently, however.
“Its a good song,” one poster said on the NDPeeps Youtube channel. “Started off in B&W, but ended with colors. an apt description of where we will be heading.”
An online poll by the Straits Times has seen a almost even split of opinion among those polled:
Here are the lyrics to the song:
OUR SINGAPORE
Music and lyrics by Dick Lee
Verse 1:
It isn’t easy building something out of nothing
Especially when the road ahead’s a rocky one
But if we gather all our courage and conviction
And hold our dream up high
The challenge will be won
Chorus:
So now we look around us and we see
A nation built with love by you and me
A land to treasure right down to the core
Our home, our heart, our Singapore
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Our home, our heart, our Singapore
Verse 2:
Through many years gone by, we’ve moved ahead together
We’ve built a brave new world where we could shine and grow
And now we only have to look towards tomorrow
To carry on the dream as far as it will go
Bridge:
And amazing as it seems
It all started with a dream
And our dreaming isn’t done
‘Cause the best is yet to come
