SINGAPORE - Home-grown singers JJ Lin and Stefanie Sun will perform together at a National Day Parade for the first time, delivering an English version of their intimate song Stay With You.
The Mandopop stars will perform during the parade's evening show at The Star Performing Arts Centre at The Star Vista.
The Straits Times understands that Sun, 42, will be singing Stay with You at the venue. Lin, 39, will be joining her virtually in the duet.
The original Mandarin version of the song was released in January in a tribute to front-line workers battling the coronavirus outbreak.
Lin composed the song's tune while Sun wrote the lyrics. The English version of the song was created specially for this year's National Day Parade and is dedicated to the "unsung heroes in our lives", according to the parade's Instagram page @ndpeeps.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday (Aug 5), Lin wrote: "2020 has been a difficult year for us all. I hope that this special rendition of Stay With You can kindle a sense of togetherness no matter where we are."
Meanwhile, Sun wrote: "To the people who have stayed where they are most needed and kept us safe, thank you."
This is not the first time the stars are involved in the parade. In 2002, Sun sung the NDP theme song We Will Get There, which is now a classic National Day track. It was composed by Dick Lee.
In 2015, Lin performed the Golden Jubilee NDP theme song Our Singapore, which was also composed by Lee.
Besides Sun and Lin, the evening show on Aug 9 will feature other local performers, such as singer-songwriters Charlie Lim and Nathan Hartono, rapper Fariz Jabba, actress Rebecca Lim and actor-comedian Hossan Leong.
The show will be broadcast on television from 7pm on Sunday. It comprises six sections, mostly devoted to showcasing how Singaporeans have dealt with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A virtual choir, assembled after many submissions were considered and composed of Singaporeans singing We Are Singapore, will also be unveiled. Performances of classic NDP songs will also be broadcast during the show.
The pledge will be recited in unison at 8.20pm and the show will conclude with firework displays across the island.
The Aug 9 celebrations also involve a morning portion that will include a nationwide broadcast of the Prime Minister's National Day Message and a parade at the Padang reviewed by President Halimah Yacob.
Numerous segments of the parade, such as the state flag fly-past, Red Lions parachutist jumps and a mobile column, will take place in various locations across the island, including the heartlands.
