SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) -
(新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
Showing posts with label Chinese Heritage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese Heritage. Show all posts
Enjoy this original song as we learn how to call our relatives the proper Baba Malay way! 'Sedara Baba Nyonya' is written, composed and arranged by Alvin Oon.
Lead vocalist - Tony Quek; Children vocalists - Denzil Kwah, Darius Oon, Doran Oon; Additional vocals - Alvin Oon.
THE ARTICLE BELOW IS WRITTEN TONGUE IN CHEEK:
Wow! Here is ALVIN OON again with another creative, informative but humorous song to help you remember how to call members of your family, with courtesy and respect, using PERANAKAN or BABA language. Not easy to remember them though! No kidding!
😄 Good Luck!!!
Below and detailed, my own creation and explanation:
In Peranakan or Baba Language, if she's your Elder Sister, call her TACHI.
If she’s your Brother's Wife, call her ENSO.
If she’s your Father's Elder Sister, call her MAK KO.
If she’s your Mother's Elder Sister, call her TUA EE.
If she’s not married and she's free, what do you call her? WOW WEE!
😍
Maybe it's best that you listen many, many times how the video explains the name change.
After listening to the video, are you able to name your relatives in Baba Language, depending on your own status in the family? If you manage, that's truly wonderful because it's important to do so, otherwise, you may have a problem relating to them.
Nah! Just kidding. But then, some of your relatives may be KAY-POH, which means BUSY BODY? Oh!
😎 Hmm!
Thanks, ALVIN OON and his singing group for the YouTube Video, without which this blog post could never have been produced.
HAVE A HORSPICIOUS, HEALTHY, SAFE & ENJOYABLE TIME
An AI view of MERLION meeting HORSE as 2026 suggests, with a group of musicians ushering in the year.
Scroll to the end to see what's in the CNY store for you.
Chinese New Medley by Angela July.
YouTube Video by Angela July.
The Chinese character HORSE 馬 [ma] looks like a horse head with a galloping body and tail. Most times, especially during CNY, red signifies good luck. The horse ranks 7th among the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac Cycle.
HERE ARE SOME HORSE TAILS, ER, TALES…
From creator FREDA HANUM, Malaysia, accomplished pianist and former girl group member/recording artistes, The TEEPEES. A beautiful GIF of galloping horses marching into Lunar New Year 2026. Thanks Freda.
In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse will bring a year filled with energy, vitality and independence. It will begin on 17th February 2026 and will end on 3rd March 2026. Apparently, there will be intense energy, emotional surges, and rapid shifts, encouraging individuals to take bold actions and embrace personal freedom.
The Fire element amplifies the Horse's energetic traits, making it a time for leadership, risk-taking, and following one's instincts. But it may also lead to excessive and emotional overwhelms if not balanced with rest and patience.
It would be a year of liberation, passion, and personal transformation, urging individuals to act with intention and trust their inner fire. [As depicted by AI.]
Roy Rogers with 'A Four-Legged Friend', Trigger from movie: 'Son of Paleface'. A YouTube Video by Cowboyandthesenorita.
Cowboy Roy Rogers sings, ‘A FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND’ with his horse prancing amidst the crowd. As a child reading my favourite comic book hero, he has this wonder horse called, Trigger. The lyrics of the song appear below.
They are literally 'Horse Shoes'.
This video above was a Good Morning gift from JIMMY PRESLEE, Singapore's answer to the late King Elvis. Thanks Jimmy.
QUICK DRAW MCGRAW
The latest CNY 2026 card from MICHAEL BANGAR and FAMILY. His own creation of a hand-made card that he sends every year. The miniature guitar is from LAWRENCE LIM and the fluffy doll-head from ALFRED NG. Thanks guys!
A Four-Legged Friend
Composed by Jack Brooks
Sung by Roy Rogers [1952]
Chorus:
A four-legged friend, a four-legged friend
He'll never let you down
He's honest and faithful right up to the end
That wonderful one-two-three-four-legged friend
[1] A woman is like cactus and cactus can hurt
'Cause she's just a tight-waisted winky-eyed flirt
She'll soon have your land and your pride and your gold
And bury you deep long before you grow old
[2] A two-legged hombre is worthless as sand
He'll smile like a saint with a gun in his hand
He'll promise to stick by your side like a pal
But he'll also promise the same to your gal
[3] Who carries your burden, who carries your load
On tumbleweed land or a long dusty road
Who asks you no questions, who tells you no lies
That four-legged friend with the two honest eyes
That wonderful one-two-three-four-legged friend.
CNY IS FAMILY ORIENTED
From TIKTOK VIDEO.
The above video was contributed by Singaporean WINSTON KOH. But there is no indication as to the originator of this video. Please write in to blogger so that the person can be identified and the name published. Thanks.
And the last words come from this very famous TALKING HORSE, who advised all blog readers with sound wisdom. MR ED, who came from the TV 60’s sitcom, had since left us. Actor ALAN YOUNG portrayed his owner.
Thanks to CHEW HEE HONG for letting us have a glimpse on video the uniquely new style of fireworks display from CHINA.
THANKING FOLKS BELOW FOR SENDING CHINESE NEW YEAR GREETINGS AND FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH THROUGH THE YEARS:
David Xie Jinshi (谢金石), a veteran Chinese singer known as the "Hokkien Song King" in Singapore and Malaysia, passed away at the age of 73 on 8th January 2026, while he was on a cruise.
He rose to fame in 1972 after winning a singing competition and released his first Hokkien album in 1979. The "Hokkien Song King" was well known in the 80s and 90s for his powerful voice and for providing singing classes at various community centers.
His greatest professional regret was never having the opportunity to perform in a Hokkien opera (Gezi Opera), despite his mastery of the dialect. He was scheduled to perform at the Esplanade with a live orchestra soon.
His family, friends and colleagues described him as a dedicated teacher, a kind-hearted man and definitely a pop star. According to those who were close to him, his determination and singing talent made him what he was.
Rest In Peace David Xie. We shall all miss you. Condolences to his family.
Comments are welcome...
This article is a short summary adapted from newspaper reports. Thanks to Danny Koh, David's good friend, for sending me the news of his death, without which I would not be aware.
David Chia [谢金石] 谢金石福建风专辑 YouTube Video by: 谢金石 David Chia
Danny Koh and David Xie. They did 10 live streaming during Covid with lady singer Tandy Lim.
(1) Danny Koh with singer Tandy Lim and David Xie Jinshi. (2) With Frederick Phua, owner of British Hainan Restaurant and Godfather to David who was of the Christian faith. 3) Fred with Portrait of David. Photographs are Copyrights Reserved.
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.
Glad to have stumbled onto your post and reading yours and others’ wonderful stories reminiscing of the old times!
I love songs from the sixties. When traveling in North America cities, I would still look for old diners with booth tables and some wall jukeboxes.
In the late sixties of Singapore, I occasionally hang out with a group of Mandarin and Hainanese speaking friends in the Ambassador Hotel roof top nightclub. They called the club manager ‘Boon’. I was told that the nightclub owner was a lady, probably one of those experienced entertainers from Shanghai.
Frequently we encountered a ‘guest-singer’. He usually sang popular English songs with Mandarin lyrics. He did Ray Peterson’s ‘Tell Laura I love Her’. I don’t remember the whole lyrics, only this part:
“… 日日我在想念, 夜夜我在想念…Tell Laura not to cry…”
Anonymous
27.08.2023.
黃清元 - 告诉罗娜我爱她 [Original Music Audio]
YouTube Video from: 黃清元 Huang Qing Yuan Official.
[*Note: Such vinyl Chinese records are priceless today because
many nationals from other countries have bought them when
Thank you for the visit and the above letter. I hope you are still enjoying your travel days and 60s music. Trying to figure out who the singer at the Ambassador was. Write in again when you feel like. Love that you write in Mandarin too. The song's for you.
Andy.
*Disclaimer: This post is not an advertisement to sell records.
It is this time of the year that we start sending out greetings for the Chinese Lunar New Year. That message may include some songs from that era when Shanghai Pop started.
Today, may I invite you to listen to some of the originals from 30s and 40s with some accompanying footnote.
One of the most popular times is 恭喜恭喜by brother and sister team of 姚敏and 姚莉 （attachment 1)。They work their magic with their interweaving vocals accompanied by a guitar. This song a cathartic expression of the daily survival of the difficult time China was undergoing through with occupation by Japan and the concession of certain parts to western nations during 他the war years of the 30s and 40s.
The concession carved out a safe conclave in which denizens of Shanghai escaped into a make-believe world of movies, both local and western, and enjoyed the melding of western music and local folk fare.
Big band and jazz descended upon Shanghai with the immigration of Russian musicians (picture of band in attachment 2). They plied their artistic talents in recording studios, primarily dominated by Pathe, and dance floors of well known clubs such as the Black Cat （attachment 3）
This period spawned a genre known as 时代曲 'shi dai qu'. Apart from having the light and competent flight of fingers over piano, guitars, flutes, these war years were blessed with academically trained writers such as Chen Ge-Xin and Liu Ru-Zeng, not forgetting Yan Hua 严华 and Yao Min 姚敏. The result was stunning with intricate arrangements of the various instruments, and the weaving of the vocals. Example is 醉人的口红虹（attachment 4 ）。
May I wish a happy new year with 贺新年by 张帆（attachment 5）。It borrows very heavily from ‘Jingle Bells’.
Comments are always welcome.
Author: JT CHEN.
Very grateful JT for such an awesome peek into this period of Shanghai's popular scene. Andy.
Many thanks to JT Chen for this massive article. Happy Lunar New Year to you, Brother Andy and all friends here! Wishing you great health and happiness.
I was fortunate to be attending this concert on this day 30 January, nine years ago, where Taiwanese Mandopop’s Iconic Diva Stella Chang performed some of her hits with a New Year’s twist. The two time Golden Melody Award winner for Best Mandarin Female singer belted some of her great hits and brought music souls on a beautiful reminiscing journey and a trip down nostalgic lane.
Love her crystal clear and distinctive vocals with powerful penetrating high notes. Many were touched by her voice as it grew in strength and vibrance over the course of her show. Here is Chang who was nicknamed Dongfang Bubai (The Invincible East) for her stellar record sales in the late 80s and early 90s with this CNY jingle songs.
Great to hear again JT Chen blast from the past and this upbeat tempo renditions. Thank you for posting once again, Brother Andy.
