CONTEMPORARY MUSIC IN SINGAPORE : IMAGE, ENVIRONMENT AND THE PRODUCTION OF MEANING

Abstract

Geographers have long avoided studying popular music in the mistaken belief that social research on music is best left to other disciplines. This should not be so, as music provides an important source of information for geographers. Music is both a medium through which people express and share their environmental experiences, and it is also the outcome of environmental experience. Music thus offers geographers an insight into the nature of society and the character of places. This academic exercise seeks to investigate geographical themes that appear in contemporary English music written and recorded by local artistes. In the study of these musical works, three prominent geographical themes emerge. The first of these themes is the images of Singapore which are carried in music, such as the multi-ethnic character of Singapore society, Singapore as a food and shopping paradise, campaign country Singapore, the use of Singlish by locals and behavioural traits that are unique to Singaporeans. The second major theme offers an insight into the relationship that people have with place and space. People feel a deep sense of attachment to "place", but, paradoxically, we also long to be free from the shackles of place and to enjoy the freedom of space. Music is a medium through which these ideas of place and space are conveyed. The third theme focuses on "green" ideas in local music. Local songwriters have, in recent years, used music as a medium to express their concern about environmental degradation and its effects on all living creatures, and this mirrors a worldwide trend which appears to the sweeping through all forms of popular culture. Apart from these overtly spatial ideas of place, space and the environment, local music also reflects the nature of social relations and the social and political environment in Singapore. On the one hand, music is used by ruling elites in Singapore to perpetuate their ideology and to exercise ideological hegemony. On the other hand, it is also used by groups in structurally subordinate positions to express their views on social problems and as a call to resistance. Thus, we have s situation in which music as a cultural form is appropriated and used for different ends by two different groups in society.