Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Valentine's Day Songs: Visions Of Lara n Trailers



UP TO 7,600 VIEWS, 40+ CHATS, COMMENTS

Singapore recording artiste Lara Tan or Ying Ying (
櫻櫻) who usually sings in Mandarin pressed songs with The Trailers in 1967.  You Only Live Twice the James Bond theme was sung entirely in Mandarin. Other songs on the same EP (CEP 3008) and accompanied by the same group include Don't Talk To The Lifeguard, Single Girl and Dream Girl.

Lara Tan sings with The Trailers
Another EP (CEP 3002) titled This Is My Song has Dear Mrs Applebee, Downtown and Love Potion Number Nine. The above video is from a record and with Visions Lara sings, Run For Your Life, Puppet On A String and Sugar Town (CEP3004).

It was the usual path for many would be singers in Singapore 60s and Lara was no different. She sang at school concerts and in private parties for a while. 

The break came when she was spotted by an executive from a local record company, was contracted and trained in the skills needed to be a pop star. It was tougher for her because she did not like some of the songs she was singing.

After an exhaustive period Lara was provided with about 40 songs to select for her vinyl debut. Since Mandarin songs had a bigger fan base in South East Asia, Lara recorded covers of current English 60s songs and had them translated into Mandarin by a Ms Violet Chow.

To make the formula work she was backed by The Trailers, one of the most popular bands then. Where EMI had Rita Chao and The Quests, Lara was the answer to Cosdel's search for a female lead vocalist to front The Trailers. And like Chao and Sakura she had her share of singing a-go-go and off-beat cha-cha music as well.

So here after nearly 45 years under cover, Ms Lara Tan appears again on Valentine's Day singing Visions - a very popular Cliff Richard number - hopefully to revive days of yore that all you Seniors remember. It's for the young ones to appreciate too.

The Trailers
If you have stories to tell about your T-Dance days and golden nights with your girlfriends at the Palace Cinema, Hotel Prince Garni, Paya Lebar Niteclub,  Springdale, Singapore Hotel, South-East Asia Hotel, Hilton, Cockpit and other exciting venues do write in.  Valentine's Day must have been as exciting in the 60s and 70s as it is today.

To all my friends in the music business, the Bloggers group, writers, the old teacher friends I meet sometimes, the lecturer buddies from the universities, the new friends who write to me on the Comment page, the young students who ask for information and all the others who have made this blog what it is today, Happy Valentine's Day. Don't forget the flowers.

"Visions of you in shades of blue..."  Lost love?

Valentine's Day in Chinese - 情人节 - qing ren jie.

Image: Andy Lim Collection.
You Tube video by Mr. Rainbow.

An updated post from 2013.

27 comments:

her words said...

Hi Andy,

I am an undergraduate student majoring in music teaching, and in the course of my studies, I was introduced to and became interested in Singapore's popular music scene in the 60s.

Incidentally, "Freedom", was one of the songs played to us during our lesson. I feel really lucky that I am able read the stories of the people who wrote this song, and no less from the lead singer himself. I must thank both Byrt Mallanyk for writing about his experience and yourself for creating this blog.

Sadly, as a Singaporean youth, I too share the sentiments that the valuable experiences and personal histories of the past are under-appreciated today. In fact, it had never occurred to me that Singapore actually had a popular music scene in the 60s before I learnt about them in school. I really appreciate your blog as I enjoy the stories of Singapore's music scene that would have been otherwise left undocumented.

To me, the lack of awareness of Singapore's popular culture in the past is a very pertinent issue today. I have so many questions that I would like to ask you, and I'd appreciate it if I could discuss them with you via e-mail.

Thank You!

RONNIE SEE said...

Thanks Andy,
Happy Valentine to you and wife.
Best Regards.

Lam Chun See said...

We had Cliff Richard's EP with this song. Can't recall what were the others songs. Quite nice.

FreddieS said...

Tkssssss.

SLLL said...

Hi Andy,

It'd be great if you could share with me about how you enjoyed yourself as a teenager and the cinemas you frequented in the 50s! That would be ideal.

Cheers

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Chun See,
Glad you're in circulation again. Thanks for visiting the site.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you all for the comments, interest in 60s music and good wishes.

Special thanks to Ronnie and Fred too.

CHRISTOPHER TOH said...

About The Trailers:
The ‘60s rock band. Lore has it that one female fan who was so besotted by lead singer Benny Koh, clambered up on stage and scribbled “Benny, I love you” on his pants with her lipstick.

From:
Today Newspaper
7th August, 2008.

B45 said...

Thank you Andy for your kind wishes, my wife and I celebrate valentine day everyday of our lives...

dino martin peters said...

Happy Dino-amore day Mr. Andy! Keeps lovin' our Dino!

JENN said...

Friends represent a world in us, a world that resonates the rhythms of our heart. Happy Valentine's:)

Sent from my iPhone

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks B45, DMP and Jenn for comments and good wishes.

STUDY MORE CHINESE said...

Daily Chinese Practice.

How to say "Valentine's Day" in Chinese - 情人节 "qing ren jie"

在情人节那天,你要送你女朋友什么礼物
On Valentine's Day, what gift are you going to give to your girlfriend.

Zài qíngrén jié nà tiān, nǐ yào sòng nǐ nǚ péngyǒu shénme lǐwù?

情人节 qíng rén jié / Valentine's Day /

(Just a quick note on this one: 情人 means "sweetheart", "honey" or pretty much any other affectionate term you might call…)

DANNY KOH said...

Thank you Andy. Really enjoyed the Sweetheart Tree by Johnny Mathis..
Hope all's well with you and your loved ones. Wishing you a Prosperous and healthy Chinese New Year.

Regards

MIKE AND HERB said...

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the email and Happy Valentine’s day greetings. I was going to write to you in a few days time to tell you...

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Danny, Mike and Herb for keeping in touch. See you guys soon.

Yanlin said...

Hi Andy, my father-in-law is in his 70s and a long-lost friend of Lara and her husband. He's trying to connect back to them, would be great if you are able to help on this. Thanks alot.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Yanlin,
Thanks for writing in and visiting the blog.
If you leave me your email address, I will try and locate Lara through the Trailers or Facebook but will not reveal your email address.
It's the best I can do as I do not know them personally.

Unk Dicko said...

Lots of Love songs for sweethearts on Valentine day. Melodie d'amour.

Jimmy Appudurai said...

Happy valentines day Andy. Yes the trailers were one of my favourite bandsand we became great friends. In fact victor bought my Stratocaster in 1967 when i went to live in kl

HAPPY TAY [VANCOUVER/CANADA] said...

Yup, remember them [TRAILERS] from T-Dance days.
Thanks for sharing.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Andy Young
Chow Wen Hing thanks, and to SAM and children too.

Andy Young
Don't be with anyone else but the ones you love. ENJOY YOUR VALENTINE. CHEERS.
May be an image of rose

Andy Young
Thanks Wen Hing, James, Gracie and Chee Chien, the earliest sweethearts to grace this post.

Andy Young
And Colin too. Thanks my friend.

Rose Khoo
May be an image of rose and text that says 'Valentine's Day Happy'

Andy Young
Thank you. Enjoy your day too,

Ser Kiong Tan
THUMBS UP

Andy Young
Ser Kiong Tan Thanks always for your support. Enjoy your day.

Stephen Han
Valentine Day is for the young ones not for old cocks like us

Andy Young
Stephen Han, it all depends. It's for everyone who's in love, young chicks or old cocks. 🙂 Stay safe and in love, my friend.

Fred Ching
Thanks for this timely reminder Brother Andy! For me, this album “A Valentine Gift For You” which I listened today from my car stereo from the late great Elvis Aaron Presley reminded me yet again 18 years ago at The Singapore Indoor Stadium.

So fortunate to be among the sold out crowd for a special event where the good people of Panpac Events Management brought “Elvis The Concert” to Singapore, and I’ve the chance of a lifetime to experience an exhilarating combo of modern technology and classic hits, with music played live by the king original members of the TCB Band, The Sweet Inspirations and The Stamp Quartet.

I can still remember this show where some songs from this classic album were featured. Still remember this show was superb and most exciting. The musicians interact with Elvis on the screen was so natural that you can feel the love in the arena. The band that accompanied The King here were great and it’s like being there in the Theatre with Elvis, something most of us never got to experience it.

Blessings and Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Brother Andy and all friends❤️💕❤️… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFJnajUkreI

Andy Young
Fred Ching, THANKS. that's a comprehensive and learned short paper you wrote. I hope others will read it too. Appreciate your knowledge on topical pop music.

Tracy Ng
'‎FOR GOD so LOVED THE WORLD THAT He GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON So THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE JOHN 3:16 جب ے THIS IS THE BEST VALENTINE I'VE EVER RECEIVED!!!‎'‎

Andy Young
Tracy Ng thanks, how's things. You still in touch with Yen, Belinda and the others?
🙏👍


FACEBOOK CHATS said...


Tracy Ng
Andy Young we are in chatgroup 🥰

Andy Young
🙏👍

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Angela Leow
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Andy Young
Angela Leow hi, thanks for the hearts up!!! Enjoy the day!

Andy Young
And thank you to the fast heartbeats who warmed this posting.
Mighty nice of you guys.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Freda Hanum

Happy and Blessed St Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones Andy
🙏♥️🌹
'Happy Valentine's
Day Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Your home is blessed,
Because of You!
FH'

Andy Young
Freda Hanum thanks, appreciate your message for all...

FL said...

Andy, a friend of mine whatsapped me with a picture greeting today 14 Feb : "Valentine's day is not just for lovers.... It's also for friends who love one another...Happy Valentine Day, My Friends" Hahaha ! Anyway, Happy Valentine Day to you, Andy and all your followers here !

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi FL,

Thank you for your interesting and humorous letter.
Yes, it's true.
Valentine's Day is not only for lovers but friends and family and those who love each other.
APPRECIATE YOUR GREETINGS TO THE BLOG FOLLOWERS.
A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU TOO MY FRIEND.