While this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) is to be a unique affair with people celebrating at home, its theme song pays tribute to Singaporeans’ spirit of community.
Composed by producer Joshua Wan and performed by singer Nathan Hartono, Everything I Am encourages Singaporeans to express gratitude and appreciation for one another.
The song had been planned since last year, and while the COVID-19 pandemic has put to rest the usual NDP arrangements, it has made the song’s message all the more salient.
Dr Sydney Tan, music director for this year’s NDP, said the song was originally written for a normal climate, but its message also applies now.
The accompanying music video, which was directed by local film-maker He Shuming, was released on 14 July on YouTube and the NDP website. Mr He said he was inspired by real-life stories of Singaporeans, and sought to create an intimate video that would encourage Singaporeans to rally together.
The husband-and-wife team of Mr Daniel Tan and Madam Clara Loh, who run OK Chicken Rice in Ang Mo Kio, are among those featured. Amid the pandemic, the couple delivered free chicken rice to healthcare workers, sending more than 10,000 packs to workers in various hospitals over about two months.
Hip-hop group Redeafination, which comprises individuals from the deaf community who make use of vibrations through the floor to keep in time with the music, choreographed moves in the Everything I Am video.
In all, 55 stories of everyday Singaporeans who have stepped up in the fight against COVID-19 and helped those in need will be featured in this year’s NDP, which will be split into two shows.
Watch the NDP song music video below.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 15 July 2020