The First Singtao Amateur Singing Contest took place in 1960. Among the thirty finalists was Wong Jum-sum, who had adopted the stage name ‘Wong Jim’ for fear of being embarrassed from losing.

The contest was divided into a Mandarin and a Western pop section, with, rather symptomatically, no Cantonese section. More than a thousand people joined. Their choice of songs reflected closely the musical leanings of the time.

Wong Jum-sum was ousted at the final 15, an event he regretted for life. By contrast his good friend Judy Jim comfortably got the grand prize in the Western pop section, by taking a leaf from the Patti Page songbook.

The winner of the Mandarin section was Cheung Hoi-wan. She received classical music training and sang the ever-popular Liang Le-yin composition ‘The Song about Selling Sweets’ with a tantalizing mix of inflections.

Very soon, singers from both sections would take a big stride forward, stepping into a brave new world we call the 1960s.

Deborah (1960)

Composers and Lyricists:
Jerry Allison,
Sonny Curtis
Vocalists: The Crickets

Deborah, oh oh you’re so fine

There's only one girl in my dreams
Wonder of my mind

Truly dear I do love you

Deborah, don't make me blue

Other on the whole life through

Deborah, I dream of you

Deborah, oh oh you’re so fine

There's only one girl in my dreams
Wonder of my mind

I adore you, can you see 

Deborah, I want to be

By your side for night and day

Deborah, don't go away

Deborah, oh oh you’re so fine

There's only one girl in my dream
Wonder of my mind

Wonder of my mind