Songs About Singapore: Why Our Music Appeals To Western Ears.

On A Little Street In Singapore:

It's a well-known fact. A song about Singapore has been covered by top US bands and groups. And it was covered a long time ago. On A Little Street In Singapore is a very old song by Peter Derose and William J. Hill and was popular in the 30s and 40s.

            Manhattan Transfer: 'On a Little Street in Singapore' - Top of the Pops 1978

Dorsey, James, Sinatra, Miller:

It was revived in 1978 by the Manhattan Transfer and when the group was here, the song became their trademark. Besides the Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, the Ames Brothers, Bert Kamfert and Glen Miller have covered it.

Exotic East:The lyrics are typical of songwriters from the West when they interpret the exotic East, 'We'd meet beside a lotus covered door' and 'My sails tonight are filled with perfumes of Shalimar/With temple bells that guide me to her shore...' I am wondering if the cruise ships currently plying our shores are aware of this practice.

Suzie Wong:

Would be a great idea to boost tourism but shouldn't we have church bells too? And Christmas bells? Songs about Asia by Westerners will always have this cliched viewpoint and Singapore is no different, a sunny island in the mysterious East with its slant-eyed, cheongsam chicks called Suzie Wong. By the way, have you seen 'a lotus covered door' lately?

Charlie Chan:

To be fair, On A Little Street is a great song from the 40s, with its razzmatazz and jazzy, finger snapping composition but I am not too sure about the lyrics. Seems like Charlie Chan is still lurking around in some corner with his moustache and greasy hair. And Singaporeans are still wearing coolie-hats and samfoo!!!

Bootleg CDs:

Is this the Singapore some Western listeners are interested in, when they buy bootleg CD selections lifted from 60s Asian music vinyls? No wonder our 'older' songs are still selling. All for the wrong reason. Or is it for the 'Wong' reason?

Click: Movie Theme Songs Label below to check similar article about song Sayonara. (July 3rd, 2009).

Image/Movie/Singapour: http://www.doctormacro.com/
Original Article: Andy Lim.

Don McLean's Killing Me Softly With American Pie

SONGS I LOVE?

Playing Only Half The Song:

It is so long that DJs play only one side of the eight and a half minute song. It needs no introduction because it tells the rock and roll story, so anyone familiar with early 70s music would know it. Singer songwriter Don McLean was not tongue-in-cheek when he said that he never had to work again after his hit single. His composition American Pie (1971) made money for him and it became the new anthem in the USA.

Buddy Holly n Friends:

A 'sprawling impressionistic ballad', it touched on the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper (P. Richardson) in a plane crash way back in 1959. McLean wrote the song in the 60s and, together with another composition, Vincent, the songs became hits.

Best Song of Century:

American Pie is in 5th position under the 365 Best Songs of the Century category. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland), White Christmas (Bing Crosby), This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie) and Respect (Aretha Franklin) are the first four.

Killing Me ... With His Song:

He became an overnight success and American singer Lori Leiberman commented that Killing Me Softly With His Song (1971) was written due to a reaction from a Don McLean concert. She had recorded it but the Roberta Flack's (recently in Singapore) version won the Grammy.

Comment:

1. When I first heard the song I thought it would never end. El Paso (1959) by Marty Robbins was the longest song I've heard before American Pie. I don't really like AP but love the different interpretations that come with it.

2. Say whatever, the song made an impact on rock n rollers even up till today. It was even revived by Madonna. Do you think anyone would write about our singer songwriters who had passed on?

3. There is a posting on this blog about singer songwriter Sonny Bala who died in the 90s. Nobody wrote a song about him. Why aren't we honouring our own Singapore artistes?

4. Comment anyone?

Image: Google.
Information; Wikipedia
You Tube: French Spyder

Medical Doctor Lee YS, Pop Singer From Penang

UP TO 1,000 VIEWS

DR LEE Y. S. HAILS FROM PENANG, MALAYSIA:

Dr Lee Yan San commented about his friend Russ Hamilton - 60s UK pop singer who made it big with, We Will Make Love - when he visited this blog and saw the postings. I replied to thank him and we kept in touch via email. When I requested for Yan San's home recordings, he was kind enough to send me two CDs: (1) Russ Hamilton songs and (2), his own (above image) entitled, For Baby. Below are extracts of his note, sent on March 22nd, 2010. Dr. Lee explains why and how he made the compilation:

A Serious President?

"I also include the 'commercially' made CD for you since your interest in songs seems to be rather similar to mine. I made the CD (after my term as President of our Malaysian Medical Association) to give to friends since those who do not know me well thought me to be a very serious person (which I need to be when carrying out my duties), so I thought I would give them a taste of my lighter and fun side.

Roland Workstation Mixer:

My daughter is very musical and helps me with the backing vocals and the strings which I have to record over 3-4 tracks with my Roland workstation mixer to make it sound like an orchestral backing. My lead guitarist and good friend, Frank Rozells, who is presently working in New Delhi came to visit me recently and we had a jam session in my house. I enclose our latest effort for you.

Violin and Guitar Sounds:

As usual my daughter puts in her violin music to enrich the sound. I also enclose a duet I did with my friend, so that you can hear him perform too. He is very good and also an excellent guitarist. He is doing very well in India but used to play in hotels in Penang, Malaysia."

The Vocalists and Instrumentalists:

The instrumental group that helped Dr. Lee (vocals/harmonica) with his home jam sessions are: Francis Anthony Rozells (lead guitar/harmony), Dr. Lee Hai Leong (bass guitar), Suedy Suwendy (harmony), Lee Hai Lin (violin/vocals), Clifford Cheam (rhythm guitar), John Lim (steel guitar), Michael Kay (keyboard), Lee Hai Choo (keyboard), Wayne, Noel and Rachel (music mixers).

CD Statistics and Songs Recorded:

The CD was recorded between 1985 - 1997 and re-compiled in May 1999. Songs are: Lonely Christmas, Leavin's Not The Only Way To Go, Sadie, The Cleaning Lady, I'll Never Find Another You, Nowhere Man, It's Alright, Filks On The Road, I Did What I Did For Maria, Rhythm Of The Rain, Exclusively Yours, Paloma Blanca, Mr Tambourine Man, Lodi, No Secrets, Standing At The End Of The Line, Mission Bell, Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone, For Baby And I'm Sorry.

Trivia:

Any Singapore medical doctors who are 60's pop singers too?

I know one Member of Parliament who has an active guitar group. Do you know who this person is?

You can read more about Lee Yan San if you click the connections below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/11/penang-doc-lee-congratulates-country.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2011/10/dr-lees-version-of-silversteins-giving.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/03/from-dr-lee-malaysia-about-russ.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/03/note-about-russ-hamilton-in-passing.html

Interesting reading above. Check them out.