Singapore National Day: Bunga Sayang, Rahimah Rahim

Music by Dick Lee, Lyrics - Rahimah Rahim & Alfian Sa'at

Comments for listeners from Beverly Grafton:

If my mother was still alive, I'd be sending this to her right now. Although it's not an NDP theme song, this particular version of Dick Lee's English song of the same title, is from the SG50 movie "7 Letters", directed by Royston Tan. I had initially chosen the original English version from Dick Lee but I believe it was serendipity that led me to this version.

I saw Rahimah's name and thought I'd check it out. Lo and behold, in the arrangement and the timbre of Rahimah's voice was this vintage feel that just took me back to a time where the toddler me was climbing all over my grandma at her house in Prince Philip Avenue (River Valley). How about the times I'd follow my mum to the coffeeshop and stop by at the pet shop to see the parrots on the way there?

It was a time when Singapore was still so young and vibrant but in a more innocent way. A time when taking photos meant bringing the film to the shop to be developed and crossing your fingers that you got the angles right. A time when my daddy could carry me and plonk me on his shoulders without as much as a thought. A time when we were young and foolish enough to do all the things we now tell our kids not to. A time when going to McDonald's or KFC was a once or twice a year treat or it meant that someone rich was having their birthday celebration there and we would get to eat for free. A time when going to the playground meant tiled dragon playgrounds with sand and see-saws and monkey bars.

All these are my memories of my Singapore. The same memories I'll take with me no matter where I go or end up. So when the day comes that I'll have to say goodbye for good, I'll put this song on repeat, visit every single place that ever meant something to me and just bathe in the memories of what they used to be.

So there you have it, my 5 songs specially handpicked by me, Beverly Grafton. I hope I've given you a little bit of an insight to each song and why I chose them. I also hope you now know just a little bit more about me and my taste in music. I'm looking forward to next weekend's playlist but for now, I hope you'll enjoy this one and the National Day celebrations throughout the week and the Parade".

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