NDP 2009 Theme Song Controversy

The year is 2010.

Dick Lee and Clement Chow have combined their formidable talents to compose the year’s NDP theme song – a powerful, inspirational, and most importantly catchy and easy to sing along to, aptly titled “Count on Me Singapore, My Home”.

Unexpectedly, the song is not the all encompassing crowd pleaser it was supposed to be. Whereas a large number of people think the song is great, a significant number of people are extremely critical towards it.

“Yet another attempt to pull at the heartstrings through mushy lyrics and smiley faces.”

“The song sounds as if we are back in the 80’s.”

Other criticisms are more personal and unjustified.

“I just don’t like anything by Dick Lee.”

“Clement Chow sucks.”

Want to read more?

Click here for my opinion on the entire theme song controversy.

What Do You See? Storyboard

NDP Theme Song “What Do You See?”by Electrico.

This is the Director’s cut of the video, and is my preferred version and original intended vision.

I think the Director’s cut is closer to the original spirit of song, is less literal and more visual, and is more inspirational and powerful, and pacts a stronger emotional punch.

That said, whereas I initially was not too keen on the official version, now I can see the reason why some people might prefer it because it is warmer and more down-to-earth, and more suited as a National Music Video.

At the end of the day, I’m proud of the fact that I managed to do something for my country and countrymen, and yet managed to retain my artistic vision and integrity.

Here are some little known facts about the song and video:

• The initial song was only 2:30 long.
•  The concept for the music video was mostly inspired by “Forrest Gump”. Other inspirations include Coldplay, Sigur Ros, and The Watchmen movie.
• Dave went on a crash diet one month before the shoot to look good achieve the thoughtful artist look in the night scenes.
• This large scale production was filmed over a period of two weeks. More than 2,000 extras were used. The shoots were achieved using two Red one cameras, one Phantom high speed camera, one magnum dolly, one 30 foot camera crane, and one Super Puma helicopter.
• The first half on the song was shot at 50fps. In order to achieve lip synch, Dave had to sing along to the song playback at double speed. Dave took one week of non-stop listening and practising to the speeded up song to get it right.
• All the Marina Barrage scenes were filmed from 6.30am to 8.30am and 5pm to 7pm only to achieve the “breaking light” dawn look of the video.
• Each time lapse sequence took at least 5 hours to time, and was re-shot at least 3 times until the shot was perfect.
• Most of the skies were shot in camera. About 25% of it were created effects.
• The high speed flag shot at 02:50 was filmed at 500fps, and was not included in the proposal or storyboard.
• We brought 6-7 hours of footage into the editing room, and cut and condensed to the 4 minutes that you see on screen.