Zubir Said - The Singapore City Council Song and National Anthem: "Majulah Singapura"

Zubir Said: The Singapore City Council Song and National Anthem / Bernard Tan, arranger / Chan Tze Law, conductor · Janani Sridhar, soprano · Orchestra of the Music Makers · Vocal Associates Festival and Children's Chorus · Queensland Festival Chorus · Perth Symphonic Chorus · The Winthrop Singers / Esplanade Concert Hall / 11 July 2015.

In 1958, Mr Zubir Said was commissioned to compose a song for the City Council of Singapore to use at its official functions. The song was meant to be a patriotic song in Malay, with the theme of "Onward Singapore". The song made its debut at the re-opening of the renovated Victoria Theatre on 6 September 1958.

The City Council Song had a longer verse and melody than the present day National Anthem. Its longer verse encouraged the people of Singapore to help each other and to live in peace and harmony, in addition to progressing towards happiness.

After Singapore became a self-governing state under British rule on 3 June 1959, the City Council Song was further refined and it was adopted as the state National Anthem. Specifically, eight bars from the verse were removed and the lyrics were made more concise.