Western music in Singapore came about as direct imports, first and mainly from the influences of the colonial powers, and then through the mass media. And as the early drive to make English the lingua francais of the country, Western music became rooted, a part of Singapore’s unique mix. (Music in Singapore: From the 1920s to the 2000s. Music development in Singapore essentially began with migration patterns and colonial influences. There is much that is unique to the country, lying between the main strands of Western, Chinese, Malay and Indian music.)