Cheeyang Ng’s creative formation involves Disney, lesser-known musical theatre numbers, Mandopop and Lady Gaga. As the Singaporean, non-binary artist and singer-songwriter gets ready to mount their solo musical Legendary, they reflect on these musical beginnings with a mixtape.
Cheeyang Ng – In the Beginning (from Legendary)
Obviously we have to start with the song that changed my life. This is the first and only song that I have written that has not changed from the day it was written (which was back at Goodspeed Musicals, shoutout, in January 2024). It is the song that amassed a global following for my work, and the song that entirely encapsulates my experience as a queer, Asian immigrant living in America. If you want a sense of my influences and philosophy, they are all captured right here.
Sara Bareilles – Gravity (Live)
I know all of Sara’s discography. It was the first time I felt like I could belong in mainstream music. Just because Sara existed. “Gravity” is the first song I fell in love with from her Little Voice album. “Love Song” was obviously a hit, but this was tender, and heartfelt and when she performed it live, this album itself captures the essence of someone I’d love to emulate. A musicianship that went beyond a summer hit. It encapsulated the ability to tell stories with just a piano and voice. And that changed my life forever.
F.I.R. – Lydia
Mandopop must make its way onto my playlist because it’s my entire childhood. My music career started because of this song. F.I.R. was my favorite childhood band. The first physical CD I ever bought was their self-titled first album and the first singing competition I ever won was a little karaoke competition in Singapore, singing this song. As a prize, I got to perform with the band themselves and that was the very first time I started singing professionally. This song is peak rock Mandopop, with evocative vocals, and a rocking arrangement.
Liz Callaway and Gene Miller – Love Will Find A Way (from Simba’s Pride)
Disney was a huge part of my life growing up, but the song that I come back to all the time is this little obscure diddy. Liz Callaway and Gene Miller give a classic, stunning vocal performance. Of course, “Part of Your World”, “Out There” and so many other Disney classics are etched into my memory and playlists, but this is the special one that made me fall in love with Disney once again as an adult, and shape a lot of my composition and writing.
Kelli O’Hara and Company of the Original Broadway Cast of “Bridges of Madison County” – To Build A Home (from Bridges of Madison County)
Jason Robert Brown’s scores were one of the first scores I ever studied. I would go to the school library, borrow the vocal selections and sit down and musically analyse every choice he made for Parade. “To Build A Home” was my morning alarm for two years straight. The cello soliloquy as an introduction with its melodious arco and intricate leaps is the perfect way to start your day. I always come back to Bridges whenever I’m on a long flight. Kelli O’Hara can do no wrong vocally and this is one of the best opening songs of any musical I know.
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Is any queer playlist really complete without Lady Gaga’s latest megahit? I enjoy listening to full albums in its entirety, and Mayhem is definitely one that I would come back to time and time again. It captures her original essence of chaos, queerness and individuality so well. And who doesn’t want to say “Abracadabra-abra-cadabra” all the time? All that’s missing is “Alakazam!”, and the Pokémon trio is complete!
Benjamin Scheuer – The Lion (from The Lion)
The reason Legendary exists is because I met Benjamin at Goodspeed back in 2022. He played this song from his solo musical The Lion and I was completely changed. First of all, the songwriting is perfect. The metaphors, the journey we go through in just three minutes. And the possibility of telling a complete story with only one person on stage?! The vulnerability, the relatability, the virtuosity!
Cheeyang Ng – The Ocean (from Legendary)
To celebrate Legendary debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, we have new music releasing every single month up till the end of the festival, culminating in a concept EP, featuring the first 4 songs of the show, and a bonus track, without any spoilers! The most recent instalment is “The Ocean”, and I’m extremely excited to share these songs with the world for the first time.
Legendary, Underbelly, 5-31 Aug (not 17), 3.35pm