Celebrating Local Songwriting Talent: The Winners of ‘SG: SW I Write The Songs’ Festival

In a dazzling culmination of four months of fierce competition, the seventh edition of ‘SG: SW I Write The Songs’ Songwriting Festival concluded with a star-studded Finale Concert on October 7th, 2023. The event, graced by Guest-Of-Honour Ms. Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Culture, Community, and Youth, was a testament to Singapore’s vibrant music scene and the talent it continues to nurture.

A Panel of Esteemed Judges

Throughout the festival, participants had the privilege of receiving mentorship from distinguished industry veterans, including producer-songwriter Eric Ng and Malaysian lyricist K.S. Chong. The judging panel, consisting of luminaries such as Dr. Liang Wern Fook, Zennon Goh, and Lin Peifen from YES 933 radio station, had the challenging task of selecting the most outstanding compositions.

A Diverse Pool of Songwriters

This year, ‘SG: SW I Write The Songs’ received a remarkable 225 entries from a diverse range of songwriters spanning various ages, backgrounds, and genres. The youngest participant, a talented 15-year-old, showcased their skills alongside a 64-year-old veteran. Notably, three of the top 10 compositions were authored by songwriters under 20, exemplifying the festival’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.

The Best Song Award: “The Moon and The Sunflower”

The ultimate accolade of Best Song Award was claimed by “The Moon and The Sunflower,” a composition penned by Ruby Zhou. With its creative lyrics and catchy melody, this earworm captivated both judges and audiences alike.

Honoring Lyrics and Melody

Clavin Cher, one of the top 10 finalists from SG: SW 2022, received the Lyrics (Merit) Award for his Big Band Swing style song, “The Circus of Joy.” His spirited stage presence, complete with a circus-themed performance, added a delightful twist to his win.

The Melody (Merit) Award was bestowed upon the heart-rending ballad “The Last of Us,” featuring lyrics by Ang Min Jia and Chen Ting An and melody by Chen Ting An. The song beautifully encapsulates the emotions of a relationship’s struggles and healing.

Cross-Cultural Excellence: “Thinking of You”

Despite being a Mandarin songwriting festival, ‘SG: SW’ showcased Singapore’s multicultural vibrancy. “Thinking of You” stood out for its cross-cultural blend of Mandarin and Malay, earning it the coveted ‘SCCC Xchange’ Award. The song also swept the Popularity Award, with an impressive 284 public votes.

Vocal and Band Performances

Recognizing the best showcases, the festival presented the Best Vocal Performance Award to student trio Yap Dawn, Keisha Tew, and Yong Kar Yi for their moving rendition of “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.” This poignant ballad poignantly captures the journey of growth.

The Best Performing Band Award was claimed by lyricist Tan Chiew Yen and composer Donald Tan for their rock anthem “Love Ain’t An Equation.” Their stellar performance brought the concert to a thrilling close, leaving the audience in awe.