We Live in Singapura

"We Live in Singapura" (also known as "I Live in Singapura" or "Sang-Nila-Utama") is a viral Singaporean comedy song that chronicles the history of Singapore through rapid-fire satirical lyrics set to the tune of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire."

Written by Edmund Tan and performed by local entertainer Hossan Leong, the song was recorded in 2006 at Singapore's Parliament House for the Mr. Brown Show and became an instant viral sensation, helping an entire generation of Singaporeans learn their nation's history in an entertaining and memorable way.

Origins and creation

The Mr. Brown Show

The song was produced by Mr. Brown (Lee Kin Mun), a Singaporean blogger and podcaster known for his satirical social commentary. During the 2006 General Election period, Mr. Brown created the "persistently non-political podcast" to navigate Singapore's strict Election Advertising Regulations, which required registration and permits for political podcasts.

The podcast became famous for skirting these regulations, with each episode prominently stating:

"This audio podcast does not contain 'persistent political content' because that is prohibited during the election period under Singapore's Election Advertising Regulations. Remember, prison got no broadband!"

Recording at Parliament House

The video was recorded at the Parliament House of Singapore during a special event held by the Mr. Brown show. The choice of venue added an ironic layer to the satirical song, as it was performed in the very seat of Singapore's government while poking fun at the nation's political history and social quirks.

Writer and performer

Edmund Tan wrote the lyrics to "We Live in Singapura," crafting a comprehensive survey of Singapore's history from Sang Nila Utama's legendary founding to contemporary 2000s issues.[1] The song was performed by Hossan Leong, a beloved local comedian, actor, and drag artist known for his versatile performances and sharp wit.

Hossan Leong (born 10 July 1969) had established himself as one of Singapore's premier entertainers, making him the perfect choice to deliver the rapid-fire satirical lyrics with the energy and charisma needed to make the song memorable.

Historical content and references

Founding legend (Sang Nila Utama)

The song opens with Singapore's founding legend:

Sang Nila, Utama

Saw a lion, alamak

Name the village Singapura, then run very far

This verse references Sang Nila Utama (better known as Parameswara), a Majapahit prince who according to the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) saw what he believed to be a lion and named the settlement "Singapura" (Lion City). The line "then run very far" alludes to how Parameswara fled after killing Temasek's leader and subsequently founded Melaka.

Colonial period

The British colonial era is summarized:

Years later, ang moh came

Stamford Raffles was his name

Posed for statues very nice, we kena colonize

"Ang moh" is Singlish slang for Caucasians, particularly the British. The reference to "posed for statues" alludes to the famous Raffles statue at the Singapore River. "Kena" is Singlish meaning "was done to" or "were subjected to."

World War II

The Japanese invasion is described with characteristic Singaporean irreverence:

Singapura very strong

Big guns all, pointing wrong

Japanese, came on bikes, invade us from our backside

This verse references the British military's overconfidence in Singapore's sea defenses, while the Japanese famously invaded via bicycle through the Malayan mainland, attacking from the north, Singapore's vulnerable "back door."

Post-war independence

The path to independence is covered:

War is over, ang moh back

Singaporeans no respect

Commies come, make a fuss, Singapore independence!

This references how British prestige was shattered after WWII, the communist agitation of the 1950s, and Singapore's eventual self-government in 1959.

Political figures

The song name-checks Singapore's early political leaders:

David Marshall, Lim Yew Hock

National Anthem starts to rock

Yusof Ishak the big man, guess who's PM?

David Marshall and Lim Yew Hock were Singapore's Chief Ministers from 1955 to 1959. Zubir Said wrote the national anthem "Majulah Singapura." Yusof Ishak became Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state) while Lee Kuan Yew became the first Prime Minister in 1959.

Separation from Malaysia

The merger and separation from Malaysia is emotionally captured:

Malaysia say, come join me

Two of us be same country

Then not happy, Then make PM cry

This references Singapore's brief merger with Malaysia (1963-1965) and the separation in 1965, during which Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew famously cried on television.

Nation building

Lee Kuan Yew's development policies are summarized:

PM Lee lead country

Build Jurong and HDB

Made the country clean and green, opposition cannot win

This verse covers the establishment of Jurong Industrial Estate, the Housing Development Board (HDB) public housing program, the Clean and Green campaign of the 1970s, and the PAP's electoral dominance (no opposition MPs from 1966 to 1981).

Opposition politics

Opposition figures are mentioned with characteristic Singaporean bluntness:

JB Jeya no more funds,

Chee Soon Juan won't eat his buns

Lim How Doong, what a goon, 'Don't talk cock' in parliament

J.B. Jeyaretnam was the first opposition MP elected in 1981, later bankrupted by lawsuits. Chee Soon Juan leads the Singapore Democratic Party and frequently criticizes the government. Lim How Doong was labeled "a goon" for forcing Chiam See Tong out of the SDP; the phrase "Don't talk cock" comes from Lim's warning to Chiam in Parliament.

Other lyrical references

The song covers various 2000s controversies and cultural phenomena:

• Michael Fay incident: The American teenager caned for vandalism in 1994
• COE (Certificate of Entitlement): Singapore's car ownership bidding system
• ERP (Electronic Road Pricing): Road toll system
• NEWater: Recycled water that foreigners "laugh at us" about
• Foreign talent policy: "Why our locals have to pay? Foreign talent are okay"
• Baby bonus and maid levy: Government policies
• Ho Yeow Sun: Described as "sexy pastor," referencing the City Harvest Church leader
• Singlish ban: "Stop speaking Singlish lah"
• Bar-top dancing: Liberalization of entertainment regulations
• LGBT rights: "Gay is okay says PM"
• Political succession: "SM Lee becomes MM, PM Lee the same name, here we go all over again" (referencing Lee Kuan Yew becoming Minister Mentor and his son Lee Hsien Loong becoming PM)

Remakes

2015 Remake: The SG50 Version

In 2015, coinciding with Singapore's 50th anniversary of independence (SG50), a remake of "We Live in Singapura" was produced. This updated version was written by Benjamin "Mr Miyagi" Lee and included more recent events and cultural references.

The SG50 version featured amusing references to Pink Dot (Singapore's LGBT pride event) and Gardens by the Bay, bringing the song's historical narrative into the 2010s.

Hossan Leong in the 2025 remake of We Live in Singapura. Photo from Instagram video.

2025 Remake: SGAG Version

In August 2025, SGAG (a popular Singaporean social media brand) teamed up with Hossan Leong to create "We Live in Singapura (2025)," marking the song's most ambitious remake yet. The music video was released to coincide with Singapore's 60th National Day celebrations (SG60).

SGAG writer D-Jin Toh spearheaded the project, stating: "You cannot separate the man from the song, especially when it's something so iconic." Benjamin "Mr Miyagi" Lee, who wrote the 2015 version, said: "It was such a thrill knowing that SGAG wanted to co-create a new iteration of what was unintentionally iconic piece of content."

Updated lyrical references

The 2025 version opens with Gen Alpha kids declaring Hossan's original 2006 hit "so old," prompting Hossan himself to launch into a high-energy remix. The updated lyrics zip through two decades of events including:

• Joseph Schooling's 2016 Olympic gold medal win
• Taylor Swift's concert craze in Singapore
• Million-dollar HDB flats
• Skyrocketing COE (Certificate of Entitlement) prices
• COVID-19 pandemic

Set to a refreshed beat and packed with "blink-and-you'll-miss-it references," the 2025 video featured significantly higher production values than the original 2006 version, reflecting both SGAG's resources and the evolution of online content creation.

"We Live in Singapura (2025)" was released on Instagram and TikTok, platforms that didn't exist when the original song debuted, demonstrating how the format adapted to new media landscapes.

Hossan Leong's reflections

Reflecting on the 2025 remake, Hossan Leong stated:

"It was timely to update the song, and I was very touched that so many people remember the original and grew up with it. It's a parody, it's satire, it's meant to laugh at ourselves, yet celebrate being Singaporean. So put the negativity aside, and the nasty comments, and have a laugh. We need to believe in humanity again. Be kind to each other."