50 years of television music.
Everyone has his or her favorite drama television show. Whether it is watching the teen drama filled with hookups and breakups, or the dramatic-comedy packed with humor, music plays an important role in these preferred series. Music is the 'fourth dimension' that triggers our emotions in a subtle yet unforgettable manner. Often, when a certain theme song of a drama is played, scenes from the drama hit us like waves, bringing back immense joy, pain, agony or happiness from the drama to us. Through these years, Singapore TV has been successful in using music as the bridge in connecting its drama to its audience. Singapore television provided a opportunity for local music to be promoted and local singers to be discovered as the audio department created numerous melodious originals for many of its in house drama productions. Here, we review some of the best theme songs and the local singers brought about by Singapore television. |
Theme song for Singapore Television
In 1999, there was an effort for Singapore broadcaster to promote the joy and entertainment obtained through watching television programmes. With that, a song or rather an anthem of Singapore television was composed. With the title of the song being named '看电视' which means watching TV, the song speaks about the how television content connect with the lives of its audiences, making watching television programmes such an engaging form of entertainment. Till today, this song remained successful in its role in promoting the importance of television as a form of entertainment. The song's catchy melody is remembered by many and the song is often being sung and played thereafter during important events in the television scene such as anniversaries, awards ceremony, talent search competitions, etc.
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Year: 1999
Title: Watching TV Music by : Liang Wern Fook Lyrics by : Liang Wern Fook Sung by : Numerous Mediacorp Singers |
Theme songs that transcend generations
Early Singapore drama focuses on plot revolving around the Japanese occupation and the hardship endured by the early Chinese immigrants who wanted to build a better future for their own nation. Theme songs for these dramas, often sang with much gusto, together with its patriotic and motivational lyrics, tugged the heartstrings of many locals especially amongst the older generations. Some other famous theme songs come from jovial and uplifting dramas which talks about the daily happenings of an ordinary Singaporean life. Most of them emphasize on the importance to stay happy and not to take life too seriously. Hence, the theme songs for these shows often encompasses upbeat rhythm, catchy melody and riveting lyrics which engages its listeners, leaving them bobbing their head or tapping their feet along to the song. Most of them later became well known classics, as they were being played on the radio from time to time even till today. Today, we shall bring back these nostalgic classics from the 1980s to the late 1900s.
Early Singapore drama focuses on plot revolving around the Japanese occupation and the hardship endured by the early Chinese immigrants who wanted to build a better future for their own nation. Theme songs for these dramas, often sang with much gusto, together with its patriotic and motivational lyrics, tugged the heartstrings of many locals especially amongst the older generations. Some other famous theme songs come from jovial and uplifting dramas which talks about the daily happenings of an ordinary Singaporean life. Most of them emphasize on the importance to stay happy and not to take life too seriously. Hence, the theme songs for these shows often encompasses upbeat rhythm, catchy melody and riveting lyrics which engages its listeners, leaving them bobbing their head or tapping their feet along to the song. Most of them later became well known classics, as they were being played on the radio from time to time even till today. Today, we shall bring back these nostalgic classics from the 1980s to the late 1900s.
1- 雾锁南洋- 1983 The Awakening (雾锁南洋)
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Music by : Lan, Yao Pang
Lyrics by : Liang, Li Ren Singer: Unknown (Many singers) The first theme song (雾锁南洋) created for one of Singapore pioneer chinese drama 'The Awakening' (雾锁南洋) was named after the title of the drama. 'The Awakening', a drama produced to celebrate the nation's 25th National Day, talks about the hard lives under the Japanese Occupation and the tenacity displayed by the characters in the story. |
2- 浓浓咖啡乌-1985 Kopi-O (浓浓咖啡乌)
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Music by : Wu QI Xian
Lyrics by : Wu QI Xian Sung By : Wu QI Xian Kopi-O is a simple song which captures the essence of the entire show, emphasizing on the importance to enjoy life and to live for the moment. Just like how the lyrics describes, one's troubles will be gone as one slowly sips his coffee (kopi) away. |
3.-沉默的羔羊-1993 The Unbeatables (双天至尊)
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Music By: Zheng Zhi Hua
Lyrics By: Zheng Zhi Hua Sung By : Zhao Chuan The first show in Singapore which discusses on the topic of professional gambling despite the strict censorship laws in Singapore. The show received high viewership ratings due to the novelty of the concept and the special effects and techniques used in the show. |
4- 敢敢做个开心人-1996 Dont worry, Be happy (敢敢做个开心人)
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Music By : Wen Jin Hua
Lyrics By : Wen Jin Hua Sung By : Many Singers Just like what the title suggests, the relaxing and laughable sitcom became one of the most popular shows in Singapore during the 1990s. Many audiences then look forward to the half an hour every week where they could have a great laugh watching the protagonist Ah Bee, a guy who works as a agent furiously introducing jobs to others, bumping into vexing incidents but would somehow manage to resolve them at the end of the episode. The ringing melody especially the first line of the chorus which says ' Dont worry, be happy' has since been deeply etched in the minds of its local audiences. |
5- 我吃得起苦 -1999 Stepping Out (出路)
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Music by: Chen Jia Ming
Lyrics by: Chen Jia Ming Sung by: Dong li Huo Che (Power Station duet) Another classic theme song was born from the show 'Stepping out' which is yet another show which portrays the painful lives of the characters who were going through the Japanese Occupation. Sang by the famous Taiwanese duet, the song was capable of moving its listeners to tears. This song was later frequently played on radio and was often heard during major anniversaries and award ceremonies in the local television scene. |
Local singers and television music
The concept of producing music and original songs for local drama shows was an opportunity to promote local music in its nation and to overseas. Many opportunities through the decades were given to local musicians for them to write and compose songs for these dramas which would by viewed by millions of audiences. Singers who sang these theme or sub theme songs also caught the attention of the audiences and shot to stardom when their songs were being played over and over again in a regular time slot of the day during the screen time of the show. Here, we introduce you to some singers and composers who became well known through the effort of Singapore television.
The concept of producing music and original songs for local drama shows was an opportunity to promote local music in its nation and to overseas. Many opportunities through the decades were given to local musicians for them to write and compose songs for these dramas which would by viewed by millions of audiences. Singers who sang these theme or sub theme songs also caught the attention of the audiences and shot to stardom when their songs were being played over and over again in a regular time slot of the day during the screen time of the show. Here, we introduce you to some singers and composers who became well known through the effort of Singapore television.
1. Liang Wern Fook (梁文福),1964-present
Dr Liang Wern Fook (梁文福) is a Singaporean writer , musician, and researcher in Chinese literature and pedagogy. He was one of the pioneer figures in the xinyao (Singaporean Chinese folk songs) movement in the 1980s and 1990s. Mr Liang Wern Fook has already established his name as a notable song writer with several of his well received Xin Yao originals in the music industry. However, his collaboration with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation then allowed more local audiences to recognize his works through the theme songs that he wrote which are being played during the screen time of their favourite TV shows. His popularity continued to rise thereafter and was awarded with numerous music awards throughout his music journey. Some more notable theme songs written by him include 青春123 named after the title of the 1986 show 'The Happy Trio' (青春123) and the theme song for Singapore television 'Watching TV' (看电视).
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2. Mavis Hee ( 许美静), 1974-present
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3. Kelvin Tan ( 陈伟联), 1981-present
Born blind due to genetic illness, Kelvin grew up listening to 1980s Mandopop ballads, which inspired him to learn to play the piano and guitar.
Kelvin's big break in his music career came when he took part in the inaugural season of Project Superstar, ( a local singing talent competition) in 2005. His raw musical talent were being recognized by audiences as many found themselves in awe of his voice despite his disability which would have affected his stage performance. He was therefore crowned the winner of the season. After his victory, he continued to promote his music in the local industry by singing theme songs for Singapore TV shows. His unique delivery of these theme songs have garnered him many recognition in the form of local music awards. In 2006 and 2010, he received the 'best theme song' during the Star Awards for his song 'Touch' (触摸) in the show 'The Shinning Star' (星闪闪) and the song 'Together' (我们) in the show 'Together' 当我们同在一起 respectively. |
4. Olivia Ong (王俪婷), 1985-present
Olivia Ong is a Singaporean singer and actress. Although Olivia was signed as a singer at a tender age of 15, she was a pop sensation that was exported exclusively to the japan music market.
Yet, in 2009, Ong was signed to Taiwanese record company HIM Music and became a big hit back in Singapore after she sang the theme song of the Peranakan-themed drama serial, 'The Little Nyonya' . Fortunately for Olivia, it took her only one song to garner the attention of the local listeners . Her unique, sultry and classy tone in the theme song attributed to her rise in popularity in the local music industry. Having known by many as the singer who sang the well received theme song and having established a name for herself in her hometown , she later moved on to take part in a televised singing competition in Taiwan and received more accolades from there. She is currently one of the most popular songstress in the nation and is active in the regional market too. |
Celebrating music in Singapore Television
From the first drama 'The Seletar Robbery' which came in 1982 , there was an effort last year in 2012 to celebrate the 30th anniversary for the drama scene in Singapore television. A concert was held to celebrate this milestone event in the Singapore television scene. With the concert being titled ' Our Theme Song Concert', many good classics theme song was heard during the concert and there were many performances by the respective original singers of the theme song. We expect the future of Singapore television to grow strong with many of such theme song concerts to come!