(6) 'Billboard' Pop Influence In Singapore 50s

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1958 - 59

The picture shows the RM Orchestra in full swing, with its big band sound. Each player had a music sheet and played accordingly. No missed beats, no missed notes as everything was done 'by the book'.

So when Malaya won independence in 1957, the radio service was split into Radio Malaya and Radio Singapore. When 1958 came, the year provided Singaporeans first list of Billboard's 'Hot 100' and the songs were heard all over the island.

Growing up and studying for his Senior Cambridge Examination, blogger listened to these songs. And pop song crazy classmates knew each favourite song by heart:

At The Hop - Danny And The Juniors
Don't - Elvis Presley
Get A Job - The Silhouettes
Tequila - The Champs
Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como
He's Got The Whole World - Laurie London
Twilight Time - The Platters
Witch Doctor - David Seville/Chipmunks
All I Have To Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers
Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
Hard Headed Woman - Elvis Presley
Yakety Yak - The Coasters
Patricia - Perez Prado
Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
Volare - Domenico Modugno
Bird Dog - Everly Brothers
It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards
It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty
Tom Dooley - Kingston Trio
To Know Him Is To Love Him - Teddy Bears
The Chipmunk Song - David Seville

Image: National Heritage Board Singapore & Singapore Press Holdings. Original article: Andy Lim Collection.