Singapore Malay Heritage Center

Malay Heritage Centre

The Lifestyle

During the 1960s, changes in the political climate of Singapore and Malaysia was paralleled by changes in the popular music scene. These changes were more apparent in the urban Malay youths who were increasingly exposed to western influence. By the end of the 1960s, blue jeansand mini skirts became the norm for teenagers not just in Singapore, but also Kuala Lumpur and other small cities.

Teenage and youth fashion also began appearing in entertainment and popular magazines. Pictures of models dressed in the latest teen fashion such as tight pants, mini skirts and other controversial outfits were pasted on walls and covers of text books. Teenage culture began to emerge with the escalation of a new dance, the Twist.

At the height of their popularity, local bands were in demand to perform at dance halls, private parties, on radio and television, and at large venues such as the Singapore Badminton Hall and the National Theatre.

Nightclubs such the Golden Venus at Orchard Hotel started hiring well-known bands on contract because these resident bands were able to draw large crowds due to their fan base. These bands also became well-known outside Singapore and received invitations to perform abroad. Hysterical fans greeted the bands and their appearances in some places caused near riots.

 The Fashion

Fans would flood into venues at tea dances or nightclubs to see their favourite bands perform. At these venues, fans would dance to the pop yeh yeh tunes in their best outfits of sleek suits, mini dresses and their hair carefully set to the current fashion trends.

Malay fashion was dominated by slim cut suits, tight fitting polo t-shirts and well greased hair combed backwards or with a fringe. Towards the late 1960s, men started to spot longer hairdos.

Women fashion on the other hand varied quite widely. Some preferred tight fitting dresses that ended halfway down the thighs while others prefer a more conservative approach. In Singapore and Malaysia, traditional outfits such as the baju kurung and cheongsam, were tailored according to the mood and energy of pop yeh yeh.

The end of an era

Towards the end of the 1960s, the local music scene was starting its gradual decline,Singapore’s independence from Malaysia brought about government agenda of economical survival, and citizens were called upon to support these national priorities.

The government also regarded local bands negatively. Bands were seem as heavily influenced by the west and associated with drug culture and disorderliness.

In the early 1970s, government offices in Singapore clamped down on males who sported long hair because it spell gangsterism. The ruling also applied to foreign acts performing in Singapore.

In 1973, the government closed down six discos which included popular one like Boileroom, Pink Pussycat and Barbarella.

To aggravate matters, the country discouraged and eventually banned pop music. Regarded as “yellow culture”,Singapore’s pop music industry faded after all its glory and support from the public in the 1960s.

A thriving and descent way for both amateur and professional musicians to make an honest living died on unnatural death. Many enthusiasts moaned the local pop music’s demise and up to this day the industry never recovered.