Andy 60s Music Blog: Singing Contest @ Singapore Conference Hall: By Author, Artist: Richard Tham.

Pamphlets promoting the event 

and the teenager decided to participate.

Author RICHARD THAM wrote this story and 

sketched the picture of Johnny Mathis above.

I asked my unassuming and quiet friend Richard if he could write a story for this blog. His response was positive and immediate but said he'd rather draw than write. I asked if he could do both; so here he is, with his very unique story. Why is it unique? Figure it out dear reader and write to us. 

Thank you, Richard. You're really special... 

It's Not For Me To Say:

"During his Pre-U days, a teenager, walking down Shenton Way, saw an advertisement for a singing contest. His friends encouraged him to enter the competition.

The year was 1966. The most talked about music event, the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, originally known as the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson had ended in March in Luxemburg. It was believed that a local Sikh entrepreneur hit upon the idea to hold a singing contest in Singapore. He named it the Euro-Asian Singing Contest.

The teenager sailed through the preliminary rounds. He was very excited as he entered the Singapore Conference Hall to participate in the semi-final.

Singapore Conference Hall: 1960's

Backstage he met fellow contestants and they exchanged greetings. He started chatting with Mr. Lim, a schoolteacher. Mr. Lim said he would be singing 'On the Street where You live'. Looking at the young man, Mr. Lim said it would be more presentable to have a jacket on. However, Mr. Lim's jacket was far too large for the schoolboy. Mr. Lim managed to have a Malay contestant who is of similar build to the boy to lend his jacket. After his performance, the Malay man lent the boy his jacket.

When his turn came, the boy walked confidently on stage. He scanned the packed hall. His gaze drifted to a group of four men in the front row. They were pointing at him and laughing away. The boy froze! 

Literature taken from Archives of 

The National Library Board Singapore.

The Master of Ceremony (MC) introduced the teenager to the audience. He then asked him for the title of his song.

There was a long silence. Still dazed, the boy was unable to reply. The seasoned MC took a quick look at his queue card and joked.

"That's a good one! Ladies and gentlemen, our contestant here is bringing you one of Johnny Mathis great hit! The title of the song? 'It's Not For Me To Say!' Take it away, young man!"

The teenager courageously delivered his song. After the applause died, the young man left the stage, returned the jacket to his fellow contestant and headed straight home..."

Did you participate in one?

All comments welcome...

Author: Richard Tham [Copyrights Reserved]

Huge and colorful posters were not common in the 60's. 

In today's Singapore this poster could've been out on 

the streets and on the internet of course. 

[Pix above is just an illustration.]

Author, Artist and dog lover too.

Richard Tham.

The original singer and song of, 

'It's not for me to say,' Johnny Mathis.

YouTube Video by: hcapgolfer.

What is Talentime?

Click below:

.: Singapore 60s Music Talentime For The Masses

Images: Google; WA/AI.

Andy's 60's Music International Mail From UK, Canada, India, Malaysia, Singapore: "It's You Who've Rekindled My Feelings!"

"Didn’t we all break out and join in the final giggles and laughs with the singer? I’m chuckling to myself already!" says reader Sonny from Canada.

7 Letters From UK, Canada, India, Malaysia, Singapore:

1. Hi Andy and everyone,

I was looking for this song and decided to Google. Listened to it as a child and stayed in my memory till now. Since dad gave away all his records and record player, never heard it again. 

Thanks, Andy, for posting. Rekindled memories. No one knew how much I had missed listening to this song.

Fauziah

2. Dear Andy,

I make innumerable attempts - all in vain - to desist from getting tender-hearted and teary-eyed, whenever I play this glorious song. I end up listening to it on a loop and brimming with climaxing emotions.
Thank you very much, Andy, this time it's you who've rekindled my feelings!

Muradi.

3. Hello Andy,

Wow. I just happened to look for this song when reminiscing of my childhood years spent in Singapore. What a coincidence to find this uploaded by a sixties kid from right there!! Thank you very much Andy for the shared memories.

As a toddler, this song would play on a continuous loop and was the sweetest memory that I cherish to this day. Didn't we all break out and join in the final giggles and laugh with the singer!! I'm chuckling to myself already!! 

Sonny (Canada) 

Papa and mama dance the Cha Cha .

4. Rohit D'Almeida says:

When I was like 4 years old, I heard this song for the first time. (I'm 35 now). Coming from a family of singers, at that time, I thought this was sung by my uncle, Uncle James, and my cousin Lara. 

We live in the suburbs of Mumbai, India. The audio cassette was brought by my uncle from the gulf. And so was the audio cassette recorder/player. We sang and recorded several songs back then. 

It brings back such good memories. The lyrics are so beautiful. I'd love to go back in time and just dwell in that time in a loop forever. I guess heaven must be like that and much more! 

Thanks Andy.

5. Fiona says:

I was brought up in Singapore, and this song was the first I remember my parents playing - there was a 'B' side, but I am not sure what it was. We moved back to UK in the early Sixties, and I have never found anyone else who remembers it. The fact you have placed it as Singapore 60's make sense to me - I have now downloaded it and it brings back happy memories of childhood. Thank you <3

6. Vineet Gupta says:

Thank you for posting this song. I've grown up on this, and God knows since when i was looking for it. It is a wonderful song to be played to kids. I play it for my son now. Thank you once again. 

7. M.B. Salke says:

I live in Pune, Maharashtra, India. I grew up with this song. It is a very beautiful song which I always remembered. I was very happy to find it and hear it after so many years, nearly 40 years. This song brings fond memories of my childhood. Thank you so much. 

And the song?

'Papa He Loves Mama': 

Donald Peers and Janet Osborne. 

YouTube Video by:

The little boy and girl who love to see their grand papa and mama! Singapore 60s teenagers used to cha, cha, cha to this song when it was played during T-Dances.

Images: Google and AI generated.

Comments are welcome.

Andy 60s Music: Sippin' Soda, Singing The Blues, Heartaches... 50's Guy Mitchell

Singapore scene in the 50's.

A 'Milk Bar' Or 'Restaurant' in town.

Singaporeans call them 'cold drinks'.

In the US they are 'sodas'.

Th3ee songs by a guy called, Guy Mitchell, that combine to create a neat love theme.

In 1950's Singapore, when there were well-known drink shops selling cold, sweet, fizzy beverage and coffee, tea and ice-cream like A&W, Magnolia Snack Bars and Ice Cream Parlours, the U.S. had what they called, soda shops selling the same.

A song, weaving around these items, became an instant hit when teens those years heard it. Sippin' Soda, simple and sophisticated topped the charts with Guy Mitchell describing his instance with:

The prettiest girl I ever saw

Was sippin' soda through a straw

I asked her what she sat there for

Just sippin' soda through a straw

So they became friends and he described the happy ending with the young lady:

I held her hand and she held mine

We sipped and sipped and sipped some more

This is the end, there is no more

Of sippin' soda through a straw.

We knew the chorus well.

Sippin' Soda by Guy Mitchell. 

YouTube Video by Gray Eyes123

So you win some or lose some. After a few dates you say your goodbyes and stay...

 

Guy Mitchell

...at home listening to the radio.

Remembering those years in the mid-fifties, when I was only a teen and listening on my dad's radio, a song kept me glued to the loudspeaker. What else was there to do? 😆 

Fascinated, I faintly heard the title, but it was one of the first few songs that I loved and kept singing it all these years. Yes, a swinging song but it did keep my blues away...

Guy Mitchell: "Singing The Blues" 

on The Ed Sullivan Show. 

YouTube from: The Ed Sullivan Show. 

So, if you had a girlfriend then and she left you later, there is also a song to get you by:

Guy Mitchell: Heartaches By The Number.

YouTube Video By: John1948FiveE

That's how teens and those in their 20s, 30s and 40s pass some of their free time in the 1950's and beyond folks. No mobile phones though.

This building had a Milk Bar called, Wonderland and was situated next to the now non-existent Roxy Cinema at East Coast Road. On the ground floor was the DBS Bank. Many young ones spent their day having meals and drinks at the Wonderland.

[Updated Posting]

Blog Has 4.5 Million Views Since 20 October 2025

 

🙏

    Look for a star (1960) Gary Miles. 

YouTube video by: SVansay.

Andy 60's Music First Time Favourites Since The 50's

COWBOY SONGS

they were once called. Now it's

COUNTRY AND WESTERN

'San Antonio Rose' - Lou Baldino 

(Featuring House of Hamill and Ken Nelson) 

YouTube Video by: House of Hamill.

Here's a video on Lou Baldino's 'San Antonio Rose'. My kinda music I could listen to all day...

When I sent this song around among my WhatsApp connections, they replied with all the support and agreed with my selection of what music was like those years when we were younger. 

Here are some reactions and replies from viewers:

Eddy Eng:

This is music!

Richard Rajoo:

Yes, I really love San Antonio Rose too, because I started learning to play the guitar with an elderly neighbor of Bukit Merah. He plays with the Clan Association in Chinatown. So I sing at all their events, mainly Hank Williams and others at the music sessions. It was a real experience for me to sing to mostly vernacular speaking audiences.

Rickie Chng:

Simply nice and relaxing.

Tan Soo Khoon:

Very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

Vincent Tan:

Thanks for sharing.

👍👍👍👏👏👏

Merlin Lim:

Reminds me of the late, great Chet Atkins. Beautiful way of playing; all the fingers and thumb are alive. Played chords instead of single notes; makes the sound whole, complete and rich. Would have loved to learn that style of picking and playing. Had the intention to learn but lacked the motivation. Thanks Andy.

Johnny Yeo:

Nice! Nowadays I also like erhu since I have been attending weekly classes for the past two years. I love the old spaghetti Italian cowboy movies and their soundtracks.

Horace Wee:

Good to know your endorphins are working well.

Not dolphins 😅

Ronald Ho:

Thanks Andy. I listened with my bass headphones. They are excellent musicians. Yes, my kind of music too. I grew up on country music. Thanks.

Cedric Collars [Perth/Aust.]

I remember that song played by Chet Atkins and sung by Willie Nelson. Ah yes, we did enjoy them but nowadays they don’t play that style of music artistry. It has been put in the annals of music history. Sadly, it is we people who lament on their passing.

Richard Tham:

Andy, I love country music. It makes one wanna get up and dance! Thanks for sharing.

Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson.

When Music Hits You, You Feel No Pain.

Jimmy Chng:

Yup, it's all pleasure to our ears! Good morning, Andy.

Wilfred Lim:

Yes, music lingers on momentarily... then it's whisk off like a puff of smoke...  Such is our life span... we're here today... gone tomorrow! Unless our lifetime is recorded in stone or digitally... we sail into oblivion. Cheers.

Merlin Lim:

Music gives you the highs, lows and flats. Without the cravings and withdrawals...

Anonymous: 

I remember calling them cowboy songs, like Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, and China Doll. Later on, we know them as Country and Western songs. Again, lyrics today would be understood differently, "I'm tired of crying, and all your lying. That's why I'm buying a China doll. Her eyes are bluer; her faults are fewer..." Not today's China dolls! Ha! Ha!

More comments are welcome!

Slim Whitman: 'China Doll' [1952].

(Country Music Greats) HQ

YouTube: FromTheBasement.

Images: Google.

Music, Moonlight, Mooncakes, Mambo and Madness, Rhumba, Samba, Pachanga, Calypso n Cha Cha - Singapore 50s

UP TO 700 VIEWS 

    12 COMMENTS   

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1956-1957

Singapore, in the 50s, had more than its fair share of instrumental music before The Shadows and Ventures came to town in the early 60s. In fact, the music was more varied and instead of the monotonous three electric guitars and a drum routine that permeated the world in the 60s, the influence of both Latin and strings came distinctly from a few big band combos and orchestras.

First, the Latin flavour came from orchestras like Perez Prado's. Following the Top Tunes 1956 list and having lived in that decade, the tune that surpassed all others in popularity in this genre was, Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White. It was played everywhere and for many years, as the whole country was immersed in this particular Latin song with its powerful trumpet solo, exciting rhythm and mambo madness.

Pérez Prado Y Su Orquesta - 'Mambo No. 5'

YouTube video by: uhbytube

Besides Cherry Pink, Perez Prado during his hey-days also provided Mambo No 5 and Patricia (image). Then Cha-cha-cha came to light as many Latin songs with the conga, mambo, samba and rhumba beat were changed to the cha-cha beat. And "one, two, cha-cha-cha," came to life! 

Singapore dance cabarets at the Happy World and Great World, where you can pay for a lady dance partner [taxi dancers], was filled with Seniors who enjoyed the vibrant movements and steps.

"Like exercising and playing soccer!" someone screamed! 

"Yes, but fully clothed!" someone added, chuckling!

MOONLIGHT, MOONCAKES, MAMBO, MADNESS

It's 6th October today and Singaporeans celebrate the mooncake festival.  Below are some connections if you are interested.

Click below:

.: Search results for mooncake

Perez Prado Orchestra in the 50s and 60s.

Mid-Autumn madness with mooncakes and mambo.

Enjoy my dear readers! 6th October, 2025.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Images: Google Collection.

Posting Updated from: 10.9.09.

Patricia: James Last and Orchestra.

YouTube Video by: Last Forever

Richard Rajoo Recalls Famous Yao Li [姚莉] Songs His Mother Loved...

When mum stir-fries and sings her heart out.

Good friend Richard Rajoo felt there was nothing he could contribute for the blog when I wanted to interview him. A humble person indeed but when we chatted about Chinese songs, and he's very informative about them, he had a short story to relate. Hopefully he will tell us more the next time. Thanks so much Richard.

"Good morning, 

These melodies are etched in my mind... I hear my mum singing in her hi-pitched voice, as she prepares our family's meal in the kitchen, I can still recall her in her samfu [Chinese blouse n pants outfit], stir-frying the vegetables in the kitchen at our Tiong Bahru pre-war flat that we lived in.

🙏🏻 R.I.P. Mum.

And I enjoyed the sight and her voice singing along...👍🏼80 years ago, 🤦!
Yao Li's song... till this day, every once in a while, the sentimental melodies still play back in my mind..."

Author: Richard Rajoo.

Today Richard Rajoo goes along Charity Roads and at Senior Corners to perform now and again, during his free time. A kindhearted man indeed. He sings and usually accompanies himself on the guitar. Richard knows many songs and is lyrical wise, emphasizing the importance of words and placings.

Comments are welcome.

30.9. 2025.

Yao Li [姚莉] 18 of her hits from the 40s  

YouTube Video by: cuckoo bird.

Yao Li姚莉 18 of her hits from the 40s

Thanks to video enthusiast 'cuckoo bird' for the above.

Do you know the songs on the video?

Tell us.

The reason Richard decided to tell his tale. Connect below:

.: Searching For My Favourite Chinese Oldies: Yao Li - 那個不多情 姚莉

Andy's 60's Music Blog Reaches 4.4 Million Plus Views on 22 September 2025

It was more than 4.3 million views on 1st September 2025. In less than a month the blog acquired another 100,000 views to achieve 4.4 million plus views.

+PLUS Views

On 22nd September 2025.

The Impossible Dream

Reaching 4.4 Million Plus Views. Now That's

A Lot Of Readers For A Singapore Music Blog!

Lulu, Elvis Presley, The Platters, Charlize Theron, Papas and Mamas,

Tom Jones, The Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard, The Shadows,

Paul McCartney, Babra Streisand, Dionne Warwick. 

Check them and others on this music blog! Four point four million plus views cannot be wrong!

Do you know our guest stars above?

Is there a mistake somewhere regarding these stars?

Answers and Comments are welcome.

"The Impossible Dream" Elvis Presley. [1971]

YouTube Video by Mr. A.P.

Images: Google.