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 Valentine Songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Valentine Songs. Show all posts
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.
Alice Fredenham, Matt Dusk, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Striesand, Chet Baker. Another Valentine's Day Posting 2018: The Song: Strange that this popular jazz standard is relatively unknown in our part of the world. Ask anyone to sing Fly Me To The Moon and the person will immediately hum or sing the tune. Similarly, with other familiar ones like Summertime, The Lady Is A Tramp or even Misty. Known factors. But ask about My Funny Valentine and the response, "Yes, I've heard of it but I don't know the tune." Even our local 60's music pop stars today never batted an eyelid when I mentioned the title. The only people familiar are the jazz musicians around. The 600 Plus Covers: The song, written by composer Richard Rogers and lyricist Lorenz Hart, has been sung by more than 600 artistes and recorded on 1,300 plus albums. It was one of the show tunes for Babes In Arms, a musical that appeared in 1937. I wasn't even born then and those babes in arms who know the song are probably gone by now.
Sarah Vaughn, Linda Ronstadt, Kim Novak are favourites that can carry the song well.
Since hundreds of artistes have put the song on vinyl, lovers of this tune have a wide choice. I love two covers, one is an earlier recording by Sarah Vaughn and the other by Linda Rondstadt in 1986. But Frank Sinatra's classic, Pal Joey recorded lovely Kim Novak (she resembles Charlize Theron) singing it. Others who covered it, sometimes for a performance only, included Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Chaka Khan, Sting, Boy George, TC Carson, Angela McClusky, Lubelle Rose, Michelle Pfeiffer, Anita Baker, Nancy Wilson, Carly Simon, Bjork, Etta James, Melinda DoLittle, Ann Hampton Callaway, Nat King Cole, Michael Buble and many more.
The Latest Version: Lately, in 2013, an unknown, bashful, tearful singer called Alice Fredenham (You could sing the phonebook, says Simon Cowell) gave a beautiful rendition. With 43 million viewers on YouTube, she became an overnight sensation but not without controversy because a media has mentioned she appeared in another show different - like she has had a make-under. Ah, my funny Valentine. 😉
Britain's Got Talent Recording: My Funny Valentine by Alice Fredenham. https://www.youtube.com/user/BritainsGotTalent09 For me, I am taking the above video as it is because at last, a song so delectably charming is rendered so truthfully, by a lady so breathtakingly beautiful. My funny Valentine, sweet comic Valentine You make me smile with my heart Your looks are laughable Unphotographable Yet you're my favourite work of art... A Happy Valentine's Day to all lovers.💖
Article: Andy Lim Copyrights Reserved. Images of vinyl covers from Google. Information from the Internet.
"Valentine’s Day is the February 14th holiday where lovers traditionally exchange love notes and romantic gifts. According to the U.S.Greeting Card Association, Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day for sending greeting cards trailing only Christmas. Recently, more and more valentines are sent electronically."
Any Valentine Song?
I went through many websites in search of songs suitable for Valentine's Day and then realise that many songs from the 50's, 60's and 70's are love songs, meant to be sung anytime between lovers and not necessarily during special occasions.
So here's my own personal list of love songs for Valentine's Day with the #first and last song as favourites:
5) Love Is Blue - Heather and The Thunderbirds
Andy's Personal List Of Love Songs:
Singapore Pops:
1) Within You'll Remain - Tokyo Square 1) My Lonely Heart - The Thunderbirds 2) You're The Boy - The Silver Strings 3) I Know - Naomi and The Boys 4) Selina - The Dukes 5) Love Is Blue - Heather
International Pops
1) Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? - Jim Reeves# 2) Fly Me To The Moon - Brenda Lee, Frank Sinatra 3) Eternally - Petula Clark 4) Unforgettable - Nat King Cole 5) Fascination - Jane Morgan 6) I Love You For Sentimental Reasons - Dinah Shore 7) A Groovy Kind of Love - Mindbender, Petula Clark 8) All You Need Is Love - Beatles 9) Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond 10) Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
Love Me Tender - Norah Jones:
YouTube Video by: iCurlee
11) I'll Be There - Michael Jackson 12) I Love You Because - Jim Reeves 13) I Want To Hold Your Hand - Beatles 14) You Belong To My Heart - Bing Crosby 15) You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford
16) And I Love Her - Beatles 17) I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles 18) Endless Love -Lionel Ritchie 19) I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston 20) How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
21) To Know Him Is To Love Him - The Teddy Bears 22) That's Amore - Dean Martin 23) To Sir With Love - Lulu 24) Roses Are Red -Bobby Vinton 25) Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain and Tenille 26) I Think I Love You - Partridge Family 27) She Loves You - Beatles 28) What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner 29) This Guy's In Love With You - Herb Alpert n Tijuana Brass 30) If I Give My Heart To You - Doris Day 31) Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley# / Norah Jones. A Happy Valentine's Day To All.
Original Article: Andy Lim Collection. Image: Google.
12 February, 2017, Singapore Botanic Gardens, UNESCO World Heritage Site. An iconic tembusu tree, near the Symphonic Stage and very close to the statues of Chopin and his wife, toppled and crashed late yesterday on Chap Goh May afternoon of 11 February, just three days before Valentine's Day on 14 February. The night before the tembusu tree toppled, my wife and I were witnessing the last half an hour of a concert by well-known duet Jack and Rai (image) during the Botanic Garden's Valentine's Day celebration this year. The guitar strums of the duo were vibrantly contrasting and bright to the still and quiet of the evening, but they seemed to mellow with the trees and cool breeze. And Jack and Rai played with excellence and skill. Very talented twosome indeed. There was a good evening crowd, with many young couples, some with children. A few stalls, by the wayside facing the iconic white gazebo, were manned by youth, selling food, drinks and souvenirs. It was actually our routine evening walk in the Gardens and we just managed to catch Jack and Rai singing two Beatles songs, the last one, Hey Jude. The duo surely spurred the spontaneous crowd to sing the refrain. Only a few weeks ago PM Lee Hsien Loong obliged a selfie with me at the same spot where the gig was held. After the show we had to pass the tembusu tree and walking towards our car, near the coffee house on the Dalvey Road/Nassim Road side of the Gardens. We were discussing how old many of the trees were. They were perhaps older than the Gardens itself. With the present heavy rains and thunderstorms, we were concerned about the safety of people who patronized the area. It was a strange co-incidence to have discussed the calamity before it happened the next day.
According to news reports one lady had passed away and a few others were injured during the incident. We send condolences to the bereaved family and hope the rest who were at the scene are safe and unharmed. The Botanic Gardens is a lovely place to visit, having been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by its Committee during its 39th session. My grand children and I visit it often, most times in the late afternoon. The kids could run wild and scream in the large open areas. But be more careful walking by the side of the lakes when feeding the fishes and turtles. There is no fencing around the lakes and the pigeons could be too friendly, flying close to children who are near the edge of these lakes. A safe place it is but sometimes danger lurks as it would anywhere else.
Disclaimer: This posting explains the incident as it is. There is no intention to criticize any organisation, party or individual. Please write to blogger if information is inaccurate and post will be deleted. Images: Botanical Gardens Facebook and Website.
Jack and Rai Make You Feel My Love: (cover Bob Dylan)
*Mozart - Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550 (complete)
(About the music: The common perception is that the symphony is tragic in tone and intensely emotional. Charles Rosen has called the symphony a work of "passion, violence, and grief". Interpretations differ but it is one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most greatly admired works and frequently performed or recorded.)
If I remember correctly, it was around Valentine's Day that I went through a delightful movie moment and learnt the harshness of a Winnipeg Winter with Mozart in my mind.
Classical Music Influence It is safe to say that my classical music knowledge is hardly sufficient to write a blog but what little education about classical music I have are the vinyl records and CD's on renowned composers and the literature about them in the home cupboard. A bright eyed and animated sister-in-law who is an expert in the field fills the gap in between to help but she is hardly in town since she lives on the West Coast of Canada, far away from the city about to be described below. Wolfgang It was nearly the Spring of 1985 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, when I went to see the 1984 film version of Amadeus. This film was popular then with super star director Milos Forman and F. Murray Abraham as Anthony Salieri. Having read the Peter Shaffer play in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1982 as a university text I was very excited with the notion of seeing the movie interpretation and only knowing later that the film won 8 Academy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards and other achievements. I could not remember the name of the cinema but it was a small building and a little out of town. I managed to struggle into the downtown bus which took me there. Winnipeg It is one of the coldest cities in Canada and getting a bus was not easy since most everyone drives. Outsiders make fun of the place and call it Winterpeg. In Winter the temperature could go down below freezing, way, way, down to minus 40 degrees centigrade. And that my dear reader, was very cold. Breathing was a problem sometimes and nearly every door-knob touched gave a static electric shock. The spark could be seen between the knob and finger (image). Since it was Spring I was glad I could move around but still in my woolen overcoat, muffler, mittens and snow boots. Coming from a temperate place like Singapore, living in Manitoba was like existing in a giant refrigerator.
And it was impossible to get used to, even after three years. But it wasn't too cold that night at a mere 11 degrees C. Some locals were walking around as if it were already summer time.
A Classic Movie Experience I expected a crowd but did not see many people. Thinking it was still early I bought the ticket and waited inside the building. There was not much air-conditioning to keep me warm but it was comfortable enough. After waiting for fifteen minutes or so I decided to go in since the movie was about to start. After checking in with the door attendant, I sat in the last row of the small cinema and found I could lean my head on the back wall. Just above me were the peep-holes for the projectors.
Meantime I noticed that there were no other patrons in the cinema. Half an hour went by and the movie had not started, so I went out to find out what had happened. The attendant standing by surprised me with his statement:
"So sorry sir, I didn't know you are inside. I will screen the movie now!"
It took me a while to realise what had happened but alone I sat and saw Amadeus in comfort and quiet, munching popcorn in the dark. It was my first experience ever.
Winter Wonderland This particular theatre was not part of a cinema complex or cineplex but a smaller movie house that had no patrons. It was not because of the movie but because of the weather, its distant location in nowhere land and the social situation. Not many readers will find this experience surprising as it is a common occurrence in the West. And with the advent of DVD's, home cinema and computer streaming these days I guess it is more prevalent. Another reason is the notoriously ill repute of the city as Winnipeggers hardly go out at night because it is the **crime capital of Canada and the siren from police cars doesn't stop screaming; an incessant cry, 24 hours a day. Despite Winnipeg's reputation, it is still a beautiful place to live in, a winter wonderland from October to March. I had a difficult time waiting for a bus in the late night after the movie. The bus-stop was just an open glass shelter and the snow came fast as it pounded on the panel. The heavy woollies I had on saved me.
A Happy Valentine 2016 To All Love Birds. NB: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).
My knowledge of Mozart is near zero but I do remember the music I am familiar with as (b) below: a) The Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183/173dB, was written by Mozart in October 1773. Its first movement is widely known as the opening music in Miloš Forman's film Amadeus. b) Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550, in 1788. It is sometimes referred to as the "Great G minor symphony," to distinguish it from the "Little G minor symphony," No. 25. The two are the only minor key symphonies Mozart wrote (You Tube). Click below to read Story 1: Army Daze or Amadeus?
Comment: A rare occurrence indeed this year when February 14th, Valentine's Day, coincides with Chap Goh Mei where lovers in Singapore and elsewhere shower each other with rose petals, chocolates and perfume. Girls don't forget to throw your tangerines (Mandarin oranges) into our rivers to allow someone special to fish it out.
According to a news report about 240 couples are getting their marriages solemnised in Singapore on the 14th February, 2014, more than the average of 35 to 50 in a day. Roses will cost more since there is a shortage this year. All in fun and games. Why give them when tangerines are in abundant supply :-)
Introduction:
Witness to a sophisticated Chinese Dance Photo Exhibition and Showcase at JCube, Jurong, during this Chinese New Year period resulted in my talking to Edmund Quek, a bright-eyed young dance enthusiast and member of this particular troupe. He was one of those supervising the show who emailed me all details, quick as a wink, after I haunted him with questions that could have stumped many dance experts. The article below shows how well versed he is with the subject.
Thanks very much Edmund for allowing us this insight about Chinese dance (article below) and the rest of the dancers and organisers for the excellent performance and photographs on display at the venue that afternoon.
(Dancers whose names and photos I read on the red-packet covers include; Li Ruimin, Serene Tan, Chia Zhi Wen, Vivien Lai and Alvan Lim. There were more than a dozen dancers that I met that day. The dance photographer was Tan Ngiap Heng. I thank them all.)
Roses, Music and Dance = Valentine/Chap Goh May 2014.
About Music and Dance Influence from China:
1) How are the dances related to the accompanying melodies ( in terms of themes like Provinces in China, Springtime, Weddings, Young Love, etc)?
The accompanying melodies are usually closely related to the dances because each dance has a distinct character/theme and the music used also has to fall along the same lines; the music used usually reflects, complements, or accentuates the mood and/or progression of the dance.
2) Can you provide information not found on your website regarding the music and dances by the group?
There are mainly two broad categories of Chinese dance: classical and ethnic-folk. Ethnic-folk dance is further divided into 56 key minorities. Each minority is then made up of several or a host of different tribes. Out of these 56 minorities, four feature the most prominently: Dai, Uighur, Tibetan, and Mongolian. Traditionally, classical dances were the kind of dances which were meant to be brought before the Emperor/nobility/privileged etc. The purpose of these dances was mainly as entertainment and much emphasis was placed on the aesthetics of the dance. Common props used included fans, long sleeves, silk streamers, etc. Instruments commonly used for classical dance include standard Chinese wind and string instruments. For ethnic folk dances, the content tends to revolve around and reflect the specific lifestyles/practices/rituals/activities surrounding that ethnic minority. Hence, it is more communal and less elite. In terms of music, dances from one minority usually only uses music from its own minority group. The music from each minority is distinct, although sometimes not altogether different from, other minority groups. A lot of ethnic folk music also incorporates singing as it was common for the people in the tribe to sing and dance at the same time while going about their daily activities. Each ethnic minority do have their musical instrument/arrangement preference and some have instruments unique to their minority. In contemporary times, themes touched upon in both kind of dances are usually broader and more complex in nature, including but not limited to: people's inner emotions, desires and struggles, interpersonal relationships, social issues and phenomena, history, the natural environment, natural disasters and so on.
3) Does this troupe only perform Hokkien dance and music?
No. The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan is actually committed to promoting Chinese Cultural Arts as a whole. The dances and music which we use are from the categories mentioned above, i.e. classical or ethnic-folk. Dialects groups are categorised differently and hence do not feature.
4) Is there any information that is relevant to this blog's theme on music?
I have included some music samples of the 4 most prominent ethnic-folk minorities and some trivia of that minority which you can use freely. Like I mentioned above, the music and dance in these minorities reflect very strongly the type of people and culture that they have. Hopefully, you will be able to see a connection between the people and their music. Additionally, I have attached one classical dance music. Classical dance music: Elegance.
Mongolian: The Mongolian ethnic minority live in the vast steppes and grasslands of China. They are nomadic and traverse the landscape with herds of livestock under the bare sky. For them, the horizon really is the limit; because of this, and their cultural history, they possess a certain brazenness and have been known to take whatever they please when riding through each other’s territories.
Mongolian music: Freedom of the grasslands.
Tibetian: In sharp contrast to the Mongolians, the Tibetan ethnic minority live high up in the mountains where the cold climate dictates many of their habits. They worship the sun and wear many layers of thick clothing. They usually look very heavy-set because of all that clothing and the harsh weather conditions has made them a serious people.
Tibetan music: The people closest to the sun.
Dai: The Dai mostly reside in the Yunan province of China and have ancestry relating to the Thai and Lao people. It is often said that women of Yunan are the most mesmerising and a phrase that is commonly heard is that "Dai women are like water" – meaning they flow beautifully, I guess? The Dai place great emphasis on nature, beauty in nature and just beauty in general. For them, the peacock is regarded as the most graceful of animals.
Dai music: Peacocks in flight.
Uighur: While the Dai are known for their beautiful women, the Uighur are known for their m en. In the Uighur culture, any young male of age is automatically termed ‘Balang.’ In their language, Balang refers to an energetic, charismatic, almost Casanova-like young man. Uighur culture draws influences from Arabic and middle-eastern cultures.
Uighur music: Balang.
Because of problems with my computer I am unable to download music and clear pictures of the troupe. Excuse the poor formatting and typo errors.
A Happy Valentine's Day and Chap Goh May To All My Readers.
Images and Article from Edmund Quek. Copyrights Reserved.
Information about our major production at the end of this month:
A 60-minute production using purely Chinese dance to depict the classic Chinese tale of "The Peony Pavilion."
Title: Dance Drama: "A Startling Dream."
Date/Time: 22 Feb 2014, 8pm.
Venue: Kallang Theatre.
Tickets: $68, $48, $38, $28, from SISTIC
(30% off for students, senior citizens, NSFs. 10% off for PassionCard and MasterCard holders).
Johnny Mathis - The Sweetheart Tree - You Tube Video from NancyFloresSantos
SONGS I LOVE:
For all lovers out there.
One of the most beautiful rendition and sung by the man with a voice so unique you would want to play it forever. It's the 23rd original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his seventh for Mercury Records.
The song was featured in the movie, The Great Race starring Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood (below). Whether it was sung by Natalie Wood herself is uncertain. I must thank Larry Lai for remembering this song.
The Sweetheart Tree (1965)
They say there's a tree in the forest,
A tree that will give you a sign;
Natalie Wood
Come along with me to the Sweetheart Tree,
Come and carve your name next to mine.
They say if you kiss the right sweetheart,
The one you've been waiting for,
Big blossoms of white will burst into sight
And your love will be true evermore
(They say if you kiss the right sweetheart,)
(The one you've been waiting for,)
Big blossoms of white will burst into sight
And your love will be true evermore
Arranger: John Brimhall,
Composer: Henry Mancini,
Lyricist: Johnny Mercer,
Movie: The Great Race.
Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company.
Above types of vinyl were selected because of sleeve covers. Videos vary.
Whether it's in English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil or any other language the love message is clear. With or without Valentine's Day, writing songs with romantic themes has been the mainstay for many a lyricist or composer in our pop music world. Similarly on our little island. Robert Suriya, the Fitzgerald brothers, Shirley Nair, Fu Su Yin, Yusnor Ef, Kassim Masdor and many others have written love songs that have become hits here in Singapore. Adrian C. Tills, an expatriate who was in Singapore in the 60s, composed quite a number for local consumption.
kt jong video: Love Is Blue: Heather w Thunderbirds Sleeve Cover 1
Two of them were released on a single by Philips and sung by Roy Stevens with The Thunderbirds' accompaniment. The first song, Won't You Be My Girl pleads, "I know you're the idol of other boys too, But none of them loves you as much as I do, So please, please baby won't you be my girl?" The flip side encourages the lover to Give It A Try because, "There's so much pleasure in Lovin, Lovin is a sheer delight, So love me, and you'll see, Everything I say is right..." Mushy? Not so for listeners in the 60s. Sleeve Cover 2
Cecilia Lim, popular with Chinese fans, covers four romantic hits in English from the 50s and 60s under VOC Records with, Please Help Me I'm Falling, Harbour Lights You Belong To Me and the irresistible, To Sir With Love echoing every schoolgirl crush with the lament, "If you wanted the moon I will try to make a start but I would rather you let me give my heart..." I am sure you are familiar with the other 3 love songs that have become international hits.
biskutkerin video: Jeffridin n The Siglap Five - Kasihku Pergi Sleeve Cover 3
This one is a Malay Extended Play, with dashing good-looker Jeffridin and his Siglap Five, recording 4 songs. One of them is about a lad who was abandoned by his girl and Kekaseh Ku Pergi (My Love Has Gone: by local composer Mohd. Ali) describes his bitterness, "Kini aku hidup sepi, hingga aku menanti..." (I live in loneliness and am still waiting...). Another track composed by Jeffridin himself, relates his Termenong (Day Dreaming) woes while the third song, composed by A. Karim, tells of a particularly spoilt girl-friend or Gadis Manja who has stolen the singer's heart. A point to note here. These Malay melodies are love songs and unlikely produced for the specific purpose of celebrating Valentine. It is just a coincidence that they are about love; in fact, many songs from the 60's have similar themes. Sleeve Cover 4:
The romanticism in Chinese songs has the proclivity to be too sentimental and sugary for the western crowd but one of pop 60's Chinese singer, Zhang Xiao Ying's EP has managed to deal with the subject wisely. The vinyl has songs that repeats a theme. The title track, He Who Knows My Heart (Zhi Xin De Ren) tells of a lover who reminisces her soul-mate. The EP has three other tracks. Hen Bu Xiang Feng Wei Jia Shi (Bitter Sweet Memories As I Wed) is about a girl who still yearns for her previous boyfriend although she is married. Ghastly!
eosyeo video: Chang Xiao Ying 張小英 - 我爱你一万倍 She Mo Hua Wei Ni Kai (What Flower Blooms/Opens For You) could have sensual connotation. Surprise, surprise. And the final track Wo Ai Jun Lai Jun Ai Wo ( Loving You, Loving Me ) accentuates the flavour of the day again. You won't be googling for most of these songs would you? Might spoil your day. Valentine ones are just supposed to say, I love you and I want you. No heartaches, ever! Or so you think. Happy Valentine everyone. Chinese vinyl translation by: LKM and SM. Thank you both. Images/original article: Andy Lim Collection.
Campus girls in the US and UK are reading our Singapore jokes not realising that some of the jokes are theirs, not all, some. 😊 1) Batman, flying around the Botanical Gardens in Singapore with Batgirl during Valentine's Day, told her, "You're fun to hang out with!" 2) How did the Yeo Chu Kang farmer greet his wife during Valentine? With hogs and kisses. 3) The snake in our Singapore Zoo? Hugs and hisses. 4) The caveman in Stone Age Singapore? Ughs and kisses.
5) What did the accident patient at The General Hospital say to the pretty nurse during Valentine, "I've got a crutch on you." 6) Ah Beng, who is in Secondary Four but in love with his English teacher, got B-Minus for the language. On Valentine's Day he sent her chocolates and flowers and wrote boldly on the card, BE MINE. She replied, "Thank you," returned everything and wrote, "It's still BE-MINE- US."
My Funny Valentine: Frank Sinatra
YouTube Video from: PM793
7) Which pop song describes The God of Love as brainless? Stupid Cupidby Connie Francis. 8) What do singles call Valentine's Day? Independence Day. 9) You date her on Valentine's Day. After that it's Ching Ming's Day. (All Soul's) 10) Ah Beng loved the Beatles song, "Do You Want To Know A Secret?" So on Valentine's Day he went up to his innocent girl friend called, Ah Lian and sang it to her. She walked off in anger after listening to it. Because his English was so weak, he thought the song title was, "Do You Want To Smoke A Cigarette?"
Jokes have been localised and some are original ones. You Tube: Aretha Franklin.
Batman/Batgirl: from hdqwalls.com High resolution. Thank you guys.
A week ago, The Straits Times carried an article titled In Search of the Other S’pore Story. The piece highlighted the growing number of scholarly works and memoirs published on the leftist movement in Singapore during the 1950s-60s, and the increased interest in alternative history.
The introduction of National Education to schools in 1997 is a milestone in the shaping and telling of the Singapore Story, according to the writer. Targeted at the post-65 generation who showed little awareness on Singapore’s postcolonial history, National Education was developed to nurture national cohesion by fostering a sense of identity, and by equipping the young Singaporeans with the knowledge of Singapore’s history and present challenges.
The launch of the Singapore Story exhibition in 1998, and the publication of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s memoir of the same name in 1999, further established the Singapore Story narrative.
In response to official history, alternative histories burgeoned. The accounts of the movers and shakers of the political struggle in the 1950s-60s, in particular, have attracted considerable attention.
Less discernible and perhaps fortuitous in its timing, is the rise of the personal memory – seen in the proliferation of heritage and nostalgia websites. With the rise of social media, tools such as blogs, enabled quick and easy web publishing. The act of remembering, once the preserve of oral archives and history books, has gone mass. People can now record, share and relive memories of places, people, and events of past, with many at the click of a mouse.
The collective memories of individuals, especially baby boomers who had lived and witnessed these historical events, present a different facet of the Singapore Story. They also take the telling of Singapore’s history beyond the confines of the political to the social and the popular.
Many government, community and individual memory initiatives rely on such citizens’ participation in memory making and collective recalling.
Why this surge of interest in memory? Perhaps to borrow French historian Pierre Nora’s words, the power of the personal memory lies in its ability to present itself as “more “truthful” than history, the truth of personal experience and individual memory.” It provides an emotional anchor for us to relate and connect with history in more compelling and identifiable way.
