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 !
Always a great friend and always so sincere in everything he did. He was honoured with a Cultural Medallion too and wrote 250 Malay songs for Singapore.
Goodbye Yusnor.
Yusnor Ef has passed away on 16th April, 2025. Condolences to his wife and family.
Here are some stories about this author and historian: his friends, connections and work. Click the link:
Here are some very good musician friends from the 60's and 70's who made a name for themselves, even up to the 80's and 90's in Singapore.
I am highlighting a few whom I know personally and still keeping in touch with. Thanks guys for accompanying me and entertaining us these so many years. Have a jolly Hari Raya Puasa.
Click connections to read about each musician.
You can find these friends all over this blog. Just key in their names under SEARCH on the right hand column.
Wishing also my other Muslim readers, friends and contributing writers near and far, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Tahun 2023.
Danny Boy, actually Mohd. Khan from
'The Silver Strings' who later stormed 'The Thunderbirds'
Originally from Indonesia or Betawi, it is a spicy Indonesian salad of raw and also slightly boiled, steamed vegetables and hard-boiled eggs. The boiled potatoes, fried tofu and tempeh, with rice wrapped in a banana leaf, called lontong, are served with a peanut sauce dressing. The sauce can either be poured over the entire dish or dipped according to the diners' wish.
Gado Gado The Song:
It is traditional or folk song that centers around the home and family, is common in Asia. Indonesia is no exception. Gado-gado is a very popular dish from the kitchen tables of the thousands of islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. It is the first song with a food theme that I learnt as a child of the 40s in Singapore.
The other popular one with a similar theme is Rujak Uleg (Indonesian Salad) with lyrics in Javanese.
The ingredients for both include fresh and boiled vegetables like long beans, bean sprouts, sliced potatoes, tame-pay (fermented beans), fried tofu and prawn crackers. The gravy is pound fried groundnuts with chilli sauce.
This posting is specially for international readers who may wish to understand the language and culture of S.E. Asian pop music.
[Thanking the above person and company for compiling the video.
There is no financial gain to this post. It is done to promote
the song, language, culture and the Malaysian people.]
UP TO 1,300 VIEWS & 20+ COMMENTS.
Like I have always mentioned, "Ten million viewers cannot be wrong!" Pretty Malaysian *nyonya Ms Angeline Wong sings it well and her expressions denote the very animated and cute lyrics that go with the song. Simple as the song is, unless you understand the Malay language, you might still be wondering why it established so many views.
With the Singapore 2022 Formula 1 Night Race and expensive COEs in the headlines recently, cars were the subject on everyone's lips. Apparently second-hand vehicles were selling better and it didn't stop the richer ones from buying new.
Although a hot topic in Singapore, cars have never been celebrated in song here as in the US. In fact certain models have been immortalised by American artistes in love with these machines. So how many of the following songs are you familiar with?
Both music and car aficionados are familiar with Mustang Sally as the Mustang has been a symbol of speed among American motorists for many years, helped along by Steve McQueen’s car chase through the streets of San Francisco in a GT 390 Fastback in Bullitt (1968).
In 1966, Wilson Pickett scored a hit with this R&B rocker about a lady who was advised to slow down, because she was moving too fast. Written by Bonny Rice, it has since become known as a Pickett anthem. You’ve been riding all over town, ooh, guess you gotta put your flat feet on the ground. Ride, Sally, ride.
'Mustang Sally' by Wilson Pickett
YouTube video from: glazer1134
"Mustang Sally" [Mack Rice - 1966]
"Look it here.
I bought you a brand new mustang nineteen sixty five. Huh
Now you come around signifying a woman, you don't wanna let me ride
Mustang Sally, now baby, oh Lord, guess you better slow that mustang down
Huh, oh Lord. Look here
You been running all over the town
Oh! I got to put your flat feet on the ground. Huh, What I said now?"
Little Deuce Coupe:
Drag racing, while illegal, is nonetheless an American tradition. The Beach Boys (image) paid tribute to it in this ode to a ’32 Ford with a big V8. Brian Wilson co-wrote this with a disc jockey named Roger Christian, who was heavily into cars. Also, there’s the suggestion the little deuce coupe can do 140 mph, an exaggeration really. The song reached No. 15 on the U.S. pop charts in 1963.
Hot Rod Lincoln:
Most people know the version by the country and rockabilly band Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen, which was released early in 1972 and rose to No. 9 on the pop charts. One of the more famous lines goes like this: My pappy said, ‘Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’, if you don’t stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln. There was an earlier version, written in 1955.
409:
The Beach Boys recorded 409 (a Chevrolet) in 1962, and more than a dozen other songs about cars. 409 was released as the B-side of Surfin’ Safari. Most of the lyrics are fairly simple and repetitive, such as Giddy up 409 and She’s real fine my 409. The Beach Boys were infatuated with girls, cars and the beach, often in the same song.
G.T.O:
Ronny and the Daytonas (image) came out of Nashville with dreams of mimicking the Beach Boys’ sound but had mixed success. G.T.O., penned by John Wilkin, was released shortly after the car itself and reached No. 4 on the charts in 1964.
Although they did not have staying power, they did hammer at the car theme and sold more than a million singles of this song as well as a half-million albums.
Naik Kereta Ku: the late Rudyn.
YouTube Video from: nostalgia hassny.
Naik Kereta-ku: [Ride In My Car]
Did Singapore 60s music have songs for cars too? Yes, it's a Malay song, called Naik Kereta Ku by the late Rudyn, who happened to be an old friend. His group was known as the Impian Bateks. The song was a hit in Singapore and Malaysia. Now who says we're not interested in cars?
Comments please?
This post has been revitalised from September, 2010.
[Information, by Michael Ventre (19.3.2007), has been edited for brevity. Website is unavailable now.]
During my chat with *Brian Richmond on 'Music and Me' [SG. Vintage Radio], I explained how my father introduced me to the lovely kronchong music he loved when he would listen to them on the Indonesian radio broadcasts in Singapore in the 50's.
Another friend, with lots of records to give away, called me a few days ago and I came home with a box of beautiful krontjong (Indonesian spelling) vinyl. Since I grew up with this music, it was elation undescribed. One of the pieces found is this fantastic vinyl by Sajekti and Sam Saimun with Achmad and his Band (Record detail: Orkes Krontjong Asli XCSV 94824).
The songs, 12 in all, include an English explanation for each krontjong. What more can anyone ask for? The titles on Side One include: Krontjong Rindu Malam, Rangkaian Melati, Krontjong Penawar Duka, Krontjong Hanja Untukmu, Krontjong Sapulidi, Krontjong Telomojo.
On Side Two: Krontjong Senjuman Chandra, Bengawan Solo, Krontjong Air Laut, Krontjong Mawar Sekuntum, Krontjong Hanya Engkau, Krontjong Senda.
'Bengawan Solo': Chan Yung Yung.
*YouTube Video from: MUdotcom
As a sampling of the quality and details given on the back sleeve to explain the lyrics, Bengawan Solo (internationally popular) is presented thus: "The story of a river in Solo (Central Java), made famous in song and story, that during the dry season is almost empty of water but when the rainy season comes overlflows its banks, bearing the prahus of merchants with their wares. (above video is from You Tube and not from the vinyl record mentioned).
Originating in the Seribu Gunung (Thousand Mountains), the river flows turbulently at times, quietly at others, till it empties into the ocean beyond. The melody became famous during the Revolution of 1945." (Composer: Gesang; Singer: Sam Saimun)
And this piece of information is only one of 11 others. Another favourite, Krontjong Air Laut has a shorter piece, "Ocean Water, the title, is like other pantun songs, for improvisation, the name being just a name." (Improvisation, where singers 'battle' their wits with on-the-spot lyrics, is common in Indonesian, Malay and Peranakan pantun, a form of verse in the Indonesian/Malay language).
Comment anyone?
Original article/Image: Andy Lim Collection. You Tube: Bengawan Solo - Chan Yung Yung by MUdotcom
Terry Offord (YouTube Comment:)
This beautiful song brings back happy memories of Ambassador Hotel Katong, Singapore, where I listened to this and many other Mandarin Singers, that was back in the early 1950's, I have many CD's of Mandarin and Keronchong Music which I adore. It is tranquil and pleasant to listen to.
'Krontjong Moritsku':
Sam Saimun (1924-1972).
YouTube Video from: Johny Damar.
One of the first few kerontjongs I listened to were 'Moritsku', 'Jembatan Merah' and of course, 'Gambang Semarang.' My father would be all ears to the radio frequency on Republic Indonesia listening to them. Beside these songs, my mother listened to the Shanghai divas like Chou Shuen and others to listen to her favourites.
When it came to my turn, Elvis would break the hotel and rocked the jailhouse while the Beatles and Tom Jones screamed their lungs out calling to Jude and Delilah!
'Jembatan Merah' - Sundari Soekotjo. YouTube Video from: Sundari Soekotjo.
First time on video, a lady drummer in sarong kebaya. She is so sweet and versatile. She sings too and has such a pretty smile. An attractive musician indeed.
Thank you for the Selamat Hari Raya Drum Song.
[If readers can send details about her, it will be posted on this blog.]
Video: Tik-Tok.
Drummer: Nur Amira Syahira.
Thanks to
Ivor Lesslar
Cedric Cork
Jimmy Yap
A number of friends above wrote in providing the name of our drummer's identity. Apparently she has been drumming for many years. This pretty lady is a celebrity in Malaysia. Her 'Selamat Hari Raya' song has just been recorded on YouTube two weeks ago and hitting nearly half a million views already.
She has 2.75 million subscribers on her YouTube account.
All the best Nur Amira Syahira. Thank you for the memories...
Paul shows his versatility on the saxaphone n harmonica.
Paul Ibrahm
SELAMAT HARI RAYA HAJI 2022
He's very young when I knew him and one of the most talented persons I met those years when life was simpler. We practised together with TheVelvetones for only a few times in this large bungalow house near Sims Avenue.
Even at that very young age, I could see the potential in Paul. It was the mid-sixties.
We stayed friends but hardly had a chance to meet after we moved house. When we got connected again, I discovered he had become a well-known singer and music personality, known by almost everyone. It was already past the year 2000.
My dear readers, here's PAUL IBRAHM, the handsome music maker who was with so many Malay pop groups, they have become uncountable. Like the saying goes, if you're no good you're gone after one band.
The photographs below are a tribute to him, as a good friend and an all-round professional Singapore music hero.
Thank you Paul, for being a friend.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri To All My Muslim Friends and Readers.
We welcome comments, thanks.
Tania and Zul
Wat d Funk.
Foreign Policy
The Flybaits
Paul is third from left with the swinging punch.
Next to him [2nd right], is the late Dicky.
Man Kida, Malaysia's top guitarist of left-handed,
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