It's a tradition you can't escape: National Day songs that get stuck in your head.
National Day songs may get a bad rep for being tacky and try-hard, but come 9 August, you’ll see people all across Singapore singing along to these guilty pleasures with much gusto. Need a quick recap? We’ve got you. Our list is completely subjective with a hint of bias to the nostalgia factor (we can’t help it), but hey, no matter what, we’ll be listening to one of these tunes by local artists on National Day. So, in no particular order, here are Singapore’s National Day songs we hate to love.
National Day songs everyone in Singapore should know
1. Not Alone (2024)
Music and lyrics: Benjamin Kheng and Evan Low
Rousing and heartfelt – those are our thoughts after listening to this year’s theme song. Kudos to Benjamin Kheng, who worked with Evan Low to create this emotional masterpiece. The song may sound familiar to some people, and that’s totally deliberate. The two songwriters wanted to pay homage to classic National Day tunes everyone knows and loves.
2. Shine Your Light (2023)
Music and lyrics: Don Richmond and Shigga Shay
The National Day song for 2023 sees a gathering of local talented artists. We’re talking about talents like 53A, The Island Voices, Lewloh, Olivia Ong, Shigga Shay, Iman Fandi, and Lineath. Talk about star power! Taking the theme “Onward as One”, the song calls for us to do our best in pursuing our aspirations. This beat will charge up the can-do spirit of Singaporeans to overcome adversities and help others along the way.
3. Stronger Together (2022) by Taufik Batisah ft. The Island Voices
Music and lyrics: Don Richmond
Remember our first-ever Singapore Idol winner Taufik Batisah? Well, he’s returned to perform this showstopper. Inspired by the stories of real-life Singaporeans, this song echoes the power that we have in unity and the value of resilience. Paired with an incredibly colourful music video, it’ll get you hyped up and ready for National Day!
4. The Road Ahead (2021) by Linying, Sezairi Sezali, Shye-Anne Brown and Shabir
Music and lyrics: Linying and Evan Low
Bring on the warm fuzzies ‘cos 2021’s NDP theme song is all about defying the odds and finding strength in unity. Written and composed by Linying and producer Evan Low, the song highlights how Singaporeans can overcome challenges in the present time and the unknown future if we have each other’s back. The chorus is pretty catchy – we were humming the tune after just one listen. We also love how the music video blends live action and animation (spot the adorable otters!).
5. Everything I Am (2020) by Nathan Hartono
Music and lyrics: Joshua Wan
We can all agree that 2020 was quite a sh*t storm. So it’s befitting that the National Day theme song spotlighted community spirit, gratitude and togetherness during challenging times. The soothing song and music video perfectly sum up the importance of family, friends and the Singapore spirit.
6. Our Singapore (2019) by various artists
Music and Lyrics: Dick Lee
Not only is the 2019 mash-up theme song an absolute bob, but the music video also features 27 local artists – from veterans to current popular musicians we adore including Rahimah Rahim, Stefanie Sun, The Sam Willows, Charlie Lim, JJ Lin Dick Lee and Kit Chan. What a smart way to revisit our favourite tunes from the past.
7. We are Singapore (1987)
Music and lyrics: Hugh Harrison
Orchestration: Jeremy Monteiro
Now, this is a track most of us know by heart (well, it does have our pledge in it and all you have to say is “we are Singapore” towards the end). Raise that flag!
8. Singapore Town (1967) by The Sidaislers
Music and lyrics: The Sidaislers
This fun and peppy number doesn’t take itself seriously. And we love that. Even the lyrics don’t try too hard to be patriotic. No wonder it was a favourite among the older generation.
9. One People, One Nation, One Singapore (1990)
Music: Jeremy Monteiro
Lyrics: Jim Aitchison
Remember screaming your heart out to the last six words of this song? We do. This tune is ridiculously catchy, even though we can’t recall its lyrics for the most part.
10. We are Singapore (2018) by Charlie Lim
Featuring Vanessa Fernandez, Aisyah Aziz, Shak’thiya Subramaniamm, The Lion City Boy, Joanna Dong, and ITE Show Choir
Music and lyrics for preface: Charlie Lim
Original music and lyrics: Hugh Harrison
This revival of the 1987 classic by local artist Charlie Lim hits nostalgia city. Smart move, we must say! With a refreshing prelude, he gives a contemporary take on the 30-year-old earworm. Despite the awkward rap of the pledge, we’ll give this revival a steady Kallang wave welcome.
11. Home (1998) by Kit Chan
Music and lyrics: Dick Lee
Ah, this popular Kit Chan number seems to be in everybody’s top three even though it has been played to death. It’s probably the lyrics and the heartwarming melody that keeps us coming back over and over again.
12. Moments of Magic (1999) by Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and Elsa Lin
Music and lyrics: Ken Lim
A stark difference from the previous year (the emo Home), this lively song reeled in the millennium with major positive vibes.
13. Where I Belong (2001) by Tanya Chua
Music and lyrics: Ken Lim
Ah, the track that tugs at our heartstrings even to this day. Unpopular opinion: We’ll pick this song over Home any day (yes, we said it).
14. Stand up for Singapore (1984)
Music and lyrics: Hugh Harrison
The song that opened the floodgates of #NationalDayPride and local NDP-themed songs. Packed with patriotic lyrics that promote nationalism and have all ages singing along, this number holds a solid spot on our list.
15. We Will Get There (2002) by Stephanie Sun
Music and lyrics: Dick Lee
Confession: This tune is on the list only because our writer remembers learning dance moves to show off at the National Day parade preview as a primary five student (*cringe*). But hey, the track isn’t too bad, don’t you agree?
16. Our Singapore (2015) by JJ Lin
Music and lyrics: Dick Lee
After a slew of disappointing misses, we’re glad Singapore did well with JJ Lin’s number – just in time for Singapore’s 50th birthday. These National Day songs seem to be well-received when they don’t sound too pretentious. Just saying…
17. Count on Me, Singapore (1986)
Performed by: Clement Chow
Music and lyrics: Hugh Harrison
Cheesy music video aside, we love this mellow number thanks to the warm and fatherly vocals of Clement Chow.
Singapore, what’s your favourite National Day song? Remember to sing it proudly on 9 August!
