Vote for your favourite Singapore songs to be performed at Sing50

SINGAPORE - Members of the public will have a say on which of Singapore's best-loved songs will end up on the set list of the Sing50 mega concert.

An extensive list of songs from various genres and languages is now up on the Sing50 website and music fans can give feedback or suggest songs not on the list.

Currently, it includes hits such as The Quests' Shanty and Kartina Dahari's Sayang Di Sayang, from the 1960s; Matthew & The Mandarins' Singapore Cowboy, from the 1970s; xinyao pioneer Liang Wern Fook's Step By Step, from the 1980s; The Stoned Revivals' Goodil and Mohamed Raffee's Manthiram Vacchaiyeh, from the 1990s; and Corrinne May's Fly Away, from the 2000s.

Sing50's creative director Jeremiah Choy said Singapore music experts were consulted in compiling the long list, which encompasses songs performed, arranged or composed by Singaporeans over the last five decades.

"These are iconic songs and music in which either the performer, arranger or composer is instantly recognised. These are also songs that are memorable in the music or social scene in Singapore," he said.

One of the committee members who helped draw up the long list is Tamil Murasu deputy news editor Tamilevan, who said: "My selection of Indian songs was based on my own exposure to music made in Singapore, as well as from discussions I had with other music fans. These are songs that were popular on radio and television or were often sung at live concerts."

The list includes Within You'll Remain, composed and recorded by Hong Kong band Chyna but popularised here by Singapore band Tokyo Square in the 1980s.

Mr Choy said it reflects the inclusive nature of Singapore music. "Singapore music has never been exclusive. Our musicians have always collaborated with people around us, within and beyond Singapore," he said.

The songs to be performed at Sing50 will be selected from the list, and there are plans to promote the best of Singapore music in schools and the community after the concert.

To view the long list of songs for Sing50, go to www.sing50concert.sg.

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