"10 People, 1 Metre, 1 Singapore" -- Covid-19 social distancing parody of national song

Singapore -- Two bloggers have produced a social distancing duet based on a popular 1990 National Day song, with a line that goes "10 people, 1 Metre, 1 Singapore … Covid no more". The duo -- Lee Kin Mun, better known as mrbrown, and Benjamin "Mr Miyagi" Lee -- released the Covid-19 parody on Wednesday (March 25) and it is steadily gaining popularity on social media. The song, "10 people, 1 Metre, 1 Singapore", was written by Jeff Cheong, former President of Tribal Worldwide Asia and no stranger to the creative scene in Singapore. The original song, "One People, One Nation, One Singapore", was composed by Singapore's "King of Swing", Jeremy Monteiro. A WhatsApp text inspired the parody lyrics, said Cheong on Facebook. Mr Miyagi picked up the song and urged mrbrown to create a duet. mrbrown shared that Mr Miyagi called him at 11 pm with the invitation. "So we recorded and sang this parody #Covid-19 song remotely, over the Ingterneck and here it is." He also apologised for his pyjama pants and random tee outfit which made him look "less than glamorous" in the music video. Here is their duet: https://www.facebook.com/mrbrownlah/videos/629602604285111/ There was appreciation for the parody, including from Monteiro. [caption id="attachment_192145" align="aligncenter" width="465"] Photo: FB screengrab / mrbrown[/caption] [caption id="attachment_192143" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Photo: FB screengrab / mrbrown[/caption] [caption id="attachment_192144" align="aligncenter" width="407"] Photo: FB screengrab / mrbrown[/caption] [caption id="attachment_192141" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Photo: FB screengrab / mrbrown[/caption] [caption id="attachment_192140" align="aligncenter" width="429"] Photo: FB screengrab / mrbrown[/caption] One person suggested that more existing songs be modified and sung for National Day. [caption id="attachment_192142" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Photo: FB screengrab / mrbrown[/caption] After their song was released, a friend of the duo said they looked like a "Lao Chek Boy Band" (Old Uncle Boy Band), so they posted a few possible, and witty, band names on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mrbrownlah/photos/a.533775036672385/2763559180360615/?type=3&theater

For those who want to sing along, here are the lyrics:

We've built a nation with hands. Then COVID locks us in our land. Strangers we have now become, still we're Singaporeans. Let's space out for Singapore, join our hearts forevermore

Chorus: 10 PEOPLE 1 METRE 1 SINGAPORE THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD BE, COVID NO MORE EVERY CREED AND EVERY RACE EVERY STORE AND EVERY PLACE 10 PEOPLE 1 METRE 1 SINGAPORE

And when the time comes for the test We work from home but never rest Cinemas and makan place Kana close and contact trace Let's reach out for Singapore, join our hearts forevermore.

Chorus: 10 PEOPLE 1 METRE 1 SINGAPORE THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD BE, COVID NO MORE EVERY CREED AND EVERY RACE EVERY STORE AND EVERY PLACE 10 PEOPLE 1 METRE 1 SINGAPORE

Cheong also shared other versions of the song in his Facebook profile, including one with props and dance moves. /TISG