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Desmond Tan sings for Singapore

SINGAPORE — Desmond Tan the actor is back as Desmond Tan the singer.

SINGAPORE — Desmond Tan the actor is back as Desmond Tan the singer.

The 2007 Star Search runner-up is releasing a new song today and this one will be for National Day. It’s called Love Song To SG and it is his first attempt at being a lyricist. Tan said he wrote the words to the song as an expression of his patriotism. The music was written by his vocal coach, Hark Music’s Amos Teo, who is co-producing the self-funded project along with Tan. A music video featuring Ya Hui will be released at a later date.

“It’s not We Are Singapore — it’s not so in-your-face. It’s something more personal, with a softer touch,” said Tan about the song. “I wrote it from the perspective of the pioneers of Singapore. The chorus encourages all Singaporeans to let this love continue.”

His song is his expression of love for Singapore. “I think Singaporeans are not very vocal in terms of expressing their love for the country. I don’t go around saying I love Singapore, but deep inside, I do. I think it’s meaningful to write my first song to the nation,” said Tan.

“The idea of loving the nation can be quite distant, so a love song helps everyone relate it to the connections between family members and loved ones. This love song is like a torch — I want it to make everyone’s passion burn again.”

The music video, too, is a labour of Tan’s love. “(The work) was very tedious and hectic. I didn’t have much time to sleep because I had to go and get props and conduct meetings with my director and cameraman. It was much harder than I expected,” he said.

He called in favours from a hairstylist, a makeup artist, a cameraman, wardrobe sponsors and a production team. “I usually try not to ask for help, because I’m someone who tries to settle all my problems myself, but on a production like this, I really couldn’t,” he said.

“When it comes to the ‘favour bank’, I think I’m on a deficit right now!”

He also owes one to actress Ya Hui, who immediately agreed to star in the video for nothing. Tan said it was “natural” for him to choose his fellow Star Search alumni for his leading lady because he has worked with her the most frequently. “And she’s Singaporean,” he added.

Love Song To SG is another stepping stone in the 28-year-old’s quest to release a full album, hopefully “within the next two years”. It was a plan that was put into motion in 2012 when he first started releasing singles. Does he aim to be an actor who sings or a singer who acts?

“I still see myself as an actor more than a singer, at least for the moment, because I’m more well-versed in acting than singing right now. I still enjoy acting a lot — it’s just that music is my passion and I really want to do something about it.

“I’m not sure if it will take off, but YOLO!” he quipped.

He added: “I hope this song will be as good as Home by Kit Chan. I just got off a Singapore Airlines plane and they played an instrumental version of Home. So, I hope that a few years down the road, there will also be an instrumental version of Love Song To SG played on board.”

Love Song To SG debuts on Y.E.S 93.3FM today.

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