Singapore’s Song Copyright Saga: An Apology and Closure
After a whirlwind of claims and counter‑claims that felt hotter than a karaoke contest, Joey Mendoza finally waved the curtain on his dispute over the song We Can Achieve. Here’s the low‑down in plain, friendly English—no legal jargon, only the facts and a little bit of humor to keep the mood light.
What Went Down (Chronology Snapshot)
- 1999: Mendoza sold the rights to We Can Achieve to Pauline India, who released and sold the track.
- 2023: Videos of Indian students singing a tune identical to Singapore’s National Day anthem surface on social media.
- 2024 (March 21): The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) publicly challenged Mendoza’s claim that he’d originally written the song.
- Shortly after: Mendoza admits he has no evidence backing his 1983 composition claim.
- Final Act: He withdraws all claims to We Can Achieve and acknowledges Singapore’s ownership of Count On Me, Singapore.
Why the Debate Felt Like a Musical Tug‑Of‑War
Both songs are splash‑y twins: the only difference? A playful switch of “Singapore” for “India” or “Mother India.” Think of it as a duet where each partner keeps swapping the chorus instead of singing it together.
MCCY’s Take‑away and the Official Response
The ministry’s chief message: We’ve investigated the claim, found no proof, and you’re not allowed to infringe our rights. In plain words, “If you can’t back it up, stop rocking our copyrighted jam.”
Mendoza, in turn, issued a heartfelt apology. He stated:
“I’ve had no intention of undermining the integrity or professionalism of the talented Hugh Harrison, who penned Count On Me, Singapore for its National Day debut in 1986.”
He also assured that all his associates will scrub the song from social media and it will never resurface under his name.
Closure and Sign‑Off
The ministry accepted Mendoza’s apology on the conditions he set and declared the matter closed. No more legal drama, no more copyright pitfalls. It’s all settled—like closing the last chapter of a best‑selling novel.
In a world where song ownership can feel as complicated as assembling IKEA furniture, we’re glad to see the sheet music for this saga is finally in the right hands.
