7 Singapore musicians reveal the National Day songs that mean the most to them

Iman Fandi - Singer/songwriter

Growing up in one of Singapore’s most recognisable sporting families, Iman Fandi has spent the past few years quietly forging an identity that’s entirely her own. Balancing music, modelling and acting, the multi-hyphenate is emerging as one of the country’s most exciting pop talents. This year marks a defining moment in her career as she makes her solo National Day Parade debut, performing Giants before the largest home audience of her career, while also lending her voice to the 2026 National Day celebrations.

The momentum continues with the release of her new single, “IT IS”, a bold, playful anthem of confidence that signals a fearless new era for the singer. With an EP, Afterglow, on the horizon, Iman is proving she’s more than a familiar name—she’s emerging as one of Singapore’s most exciting pop artists.

Favourite National Day song: Home by Kit Chan

The lyric that stays with me: This is home, surely, as my senses tell me… 

Why it resonates: No matter where I am in the world, nothing compares to the feeling of coming home to Singapore. There’s a comfort in the familiar—the skyline, the food and the lush greenery that makes this city feel so uniquely ours.

Even when I’m overseas, hearing someone speak with a Singlish accent is an instant reminder of home. Somehow, you just know you’ve found another Singaporean.

For such a small country, we’ve achieved so much. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of, and it’s what makes coming home feel even more meaningful every single time.

WhyLucas - Singer/songwriter/producer

Heartfelt storytelling has always been at the core of Lucas Wang’s music. Better known by his stage name WhyLucas, the singer-songwriter first caught Singapore’s attention with his covers and original songs, often featuring his grandmother in videos that celebrated music, family and home—including a touching National Day song cover that resonated with audiences. Since then, he has taken his talent to a wider stage as the only Singaporean contestant on Chuang Asia, a regional idol survival competition that brings together aspiring performers from across Asia. 

Now entering a new chapter, WhyLucas is gearing up for the release of a new album later this year. 

Favourite National Day song: The Road Ahead by Linying, Shye, Shabir and Sezairi

The lyric that stays with me:  

One man on an island

One drop in the sea

There were times we were uncertain

But we just kept walking on

It’s always darkest just before the dawn

Where the garden always grows toward the light

Why it resonates: This song captures my complicated relationship with Singapore. Our little island can sometimes feel like a single drop in a vast regional creative landscape, yet it’s the place that shaped me as an artist. As a young country still finding its voice, there’s something exciting about being part of that journey and helping redefine what’s possible.

Wherever my music takes me, I carry Singapore’s quiet spirit with me. Like a garden always reaching for the light, it’s a reminder that while I’m constantly looking beyond our shores, home is always waiting for me.

Sandra Riley Tan - Artist/Musician 

From opening for Coldplay during the band’s sold-out Singapore concerts in 2024 to making her musical theatre debut in Legally Blonde this year, Sandra Riley Tang has never been one to stand still. Since making her mark as one-quarter of The Sam Willows, the singer-songwriter—better known as RRILEY as a solo artist—has built a career defined by fearless creativity and emotional honesty.

Beyond the stage, she’s equally passionate about nurturing Singapore’s music community. Together with fellow Singapore musicians  Aarika Lee, Benjamin Kheng and Nathan Hartono, she co-founded Sing Song Social Club, a community initiative that brings people together through the joy of singing. She also contributed vocals to the 2025 National Day films, adding another chapter to her ongoing contribution to Singapore’s musical landscape.

Favourite National Day song:  Where I belong by Tanya Chua

The lyric that stays with me:   

Morning comes around and I can’t wait to see my sunny island

In its glorious greenery

Whether rain or shine, it’s still beautiful

Bright lights shine on the streets at night

Guiding me closer to home

To a place where I’ll be safe and warm

Where I belong

Why it resonates:  Whenever I hear this verse, I picture that familiar drive along ECP from the airport back into the city. I remember being younger when coming home from a trip would feel like the end of the adventure and I’d dread returning. But somewhere along the way, that feeling changed. I now find quiet comfort in that same journey. Knowing that the people I love are here. It reminds me that no matter wherever I go, there’s something incredibly reassuring about coming home.

Charlie Lim - Singer/Songwriter/ Producer 

Quiet, introspective and deeply emotive, few artists have shaped Singapore’s contemporary music scene as thoughtfully as Charlie Lim. Blending indie, folk and soulful pop with deeply personal storytelling, the singer-songwriter has spent the past decade crafting songs that linger long after the final note. His relationship with Singapore’s National Day celebrations has been equally distinctive—from reimagining We Are Singapore in 2018 to writing, composing and performing Everything I Am, the 2020 theme song. That same year, he also opened the Parade with the intimate original piece Room at the Table, a deeply personal reflection on compassion, forgiveness and making space for everyone. Written with complete creative freedom, the song remains one of his most meaningful contributions to the National Day celebrations. He later returned to co-write and perform the 2025 theme song, Here We Are.

Fresh off the release of The Hardest Thing, a poignant duet with Scottish singer-songwriter Tamzene, Charlie is preparing to unveil his third studio album, DAYDREAM, this August. His first full-length album in six years, the record explores themes of love, longing and self-discovery through lush, dreamlike soundscapes while retaining the emotional honesty that has become his hallmark. Thoughtful and emotionally resonant, Charlie’s music continues to remind listeners that sometimes the quietest voices leave the deepest impression.

Favourite National Day song: Room at the Table by Charlie Lim

The lyric that stays with me:   

How easy we forget that everything takes time. Nothing’s ever perfect, but I still call you mine.  

Why it resonates: I think it’s especially relevant today, when everything feels like it’s accelerating towards the next thing. It reminds us to slow down and be more intentional. We live in a culture that’s obsessed with speed and certainty, but this lyric embraces the beauty of the process instead.

To me, “Nothing’s ever perfect, but I still call you mine” is an act of commitment despite imperfection. That’s how I feel about Singapore too. Loving a place doesn’t mean believing it’s flawless—it means caring enough to stay engaged, imagine better possibilities, and choose kindness and grace. National Day is a timely reminder to practise that kind of intentional gratitude, rather than always rushing towards the next milestone.

Shazza - Singer/Songwriter

Fearless storytelling and genre-defying music have quickly become Shazza’s calling card. The singer-songwriter, who first won listeners over with her deeply personal lyrics and eclectic sound, has emerged as one of Singapore’s most exciting young artists. Since releasing her debut album Chapter One in 2023, she has continued to build a devoted following while proving that vulnerability can be one of music’s greatest strengths.

In 2024, she made her National Day Parade debut, performing in the celebrations and singing in Tamil publicly for the very first time. A tribute to her Indian-Muslim heritage, the performance saw her take on the classic Andru Vanthathum alongside NDP host Ebi Shankara, with help from her father, who coached her pronunciation throughout rehearsals. The deeply personal moment reflected the authenticity that defines her music. With new music in both Malay and English set for release later this year, Shazza continues to push creative boundaries while celebrating the rich multicultural influences that shape her artistry.

Favourite National Day song: Not Alone by Benjamin Kheng

The lyric that stays with me:

Just one ripple in a river can be the one to turn the tide

When the water rises, I’m here right by your side. 

Why it resonates: These lyrics remind me that pursuing an unconventional path takes courage, but even the smallest ripple can create meaningful change. As artists and musicians in Singapore, we’re often forging our own way, and this song is a reminder that we’re never truly alone.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to receive the support and belief of fellow Singaporeans throughout my journey, and it has made all the difference. One day, I hope to write an official National Day song that resonates with people in the same way Not Alone does.

Yung Raja - Artist

Yung Raja has long outgrown the label of rapper. Today, the Singapore-born artist is carving out a lane of his own with his signature blend of Tamil and English, effortlessly moving between rap, melody and contemporary pop. His distinctive “Tanglish” sound has earned him a loyal following not only in Singapore but also across India and the global Tamil community.

His connection to National Day runs deep. In 2019, he reimagined Stand Up for Singapore for the National Day Parade and was one of the artists behind the year’s theme song, Our Singapore. He returned to the Padang for the 2025 celebrations with a performance of Munnaeru Vaalibaa—a full-circle moment for an artist whose music continues to celebrate his roots while pushing Singapore’s sound onto a larger stage.

Fresh off the release of his latest single, one of one freestyle, with more music on the way later this year, Yung Raja is entering a new chapter. No longer defined solely as a rapper, he moves effortlessly across genres, using Tanglish as a powerful storytelling tool. Through his music, he celebrates identity, culture and belonging, while continuing to redefine what a Singaporean artist can sound like on the global stage.

My favourite National Day song: Home by Kit Chan

The lyric that stays with me:

This is where I won’t be alone, for this is where I know it’s home. 

Why it resonates: My family came to Singapore as immigrants with almost nothing, and I was born here. Growing up, I never fully understood why they felt such a deep connection to this country. It was only as I got older that I realised Singapore gave them the opportunity to build the life they’d always dreamed of—and because of that, it gave me the life I have today. When I hear those lyrics, I think about my family. This is home. This is where my family’s at. 

Estelle Fly - Independent Pop Artist

Reinvention has been a constant throughout Estelle Fly’s career. She first found fame as a member of Southeast Asian J-pop idol group Sea*A, but when the group disbanded, she found herself navigating an uncertain path. What followed wasn’t a straightforward rise, but a series of unexpected detours—including a brief stint as a flight attendant—before she found her way back to the spotlight. Today, she moves effortlessly between singing, acting, hosting and content creation, building a career defined by versatility and quiet confidence.

Her connection to National Day has grown alongside that journey, with the multi-hyphenate lending her voice to the 2025 National Day films—a celebration of songs that have become part of Singapore’s collective memory. As a singer-songwriter, she continues to refine her polished pop sound, balancing vulnerability with strength. With new music on the horizon, Estelle continues to embrace every new chapter with the same openness and resilience that have shaped her career.

Favourite National Day song: Home by Kit Chan

The lyric that stays with me:

There’s a place that’ll stay within me, wherever I may choose to go.

Why it resonates:  I know it’s a cliché, but Home has been my favourite National Day song since secondary school. I even had the chance to perform it back then, and something about it has stayed with me ever since.

No matter where life has taken me, I’ve always found myself missing Singapore. It’s where my family, closest friends and most treasured memories are. That’s why this lyric resonates so deeply with me. It reminds me that home isn’t just where I’m from — it’s a part of who I am, wherever life may take me.

SPH Media is the principal partner of NDP 2026