The Life List

Four memorable tracks from Sun's debut album

Fans of home-grown singer Stefanie Sun would remember her first album in 2000, including tracks such as the nostalgic Cloudy Day

Singer Stefanie Sun (above) held a surprise online concert on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of her first album, Yan Zi (above left).
Singer Stefanie Sun (above) held a surprise online concert on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of her first album, Yan Zi. PHOTO: MAKE MUSIC
Singer Stefanie Sun (above) held a surprise online concert on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of her first album, Yan Zi (above left).
Singer Stefanie Sun held a surprise online concert on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of her first album, Yan Zi (above). PHOTO: WARNER MUSIC

This year marks Singaporean singer Stefanie Sun's 20th anniversary in show business. The 41-year-old shot to fame with her outstanding debut album, Yan Zi, in 2000, which won her the Best New Artist accolade at the 12th Golden Melody Awards. Here are four key tracks from the work that launched her career.

1. CLOUDY DAY

Probably the most famous of Sun's early works, this song was composed by Singaporean songwriter Peter Lee Shih Shiong, one of her earliest collaborators.

Its nostalgic, easily relatable themes of childhood, growing up and facing the harsh vagaries of adulthood have endeared it to fans, who sway and chant the Hokkien refrain "Tee Or Or, Bey Lor Hor" ("The sky is dark, it is going to rain soon") at Sun's gigs. The phrase refers to what the grandmother of the song's narrator used to sing to her.

The song's use of rain clouds to symbolise dark times in one's life was also particularly poetic.

One of Sun's most famous performances of the song was during the Sing50 concert in 2015 at the National Stadium, in front of a 41,000-strong audience and against a projection of - you guessed it - rain.

She also performed it on Tuesday during a surprise online concert to mark the album's 20th anniversary.

2. LOVE DOCUMENT

Sun was on the cusp of turning 22 when the album was released and this classic song's story of learning to love must have resonated deeply with her young fans.

She sings innocently: "Because of love, we are learning/learning the language to communicate/learning to understand/learning not to cry."

It showcases Sun's sweet, ingenue persona, which over the years has evolved into the confident, charismatic performer she is today.

3 .TURBO

Proving she can also let loose and get down, Sun picked up the pace in this sunny, carefree number about an exhilarating rush of excitement.

The rapid strum of a guitar in the prelude and merry whistle at the end add to its joyful exuberance.

This spunky attitude is also present in some of her later fast numbers such as Perfect and Green Light.

4. FINE

Sun composed the melody herself, and the slow, moving ballad showcases her unique, emotional voice, which swells in the chorus.

The singer, who has been playing the piano since she was five, has gone on to compose other songs such as Abandon and Eternal Love.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 11, 2020, with the headline Four memorable tracks from Sun's debut album. Subscribe