The National Anthem was originally commissioned for use by the then City Council as its official song. The late Encik Zubir Said, a composer of film music was approached to compose this song. The song was to be titled Majulah Singapura which was based on the same words displayed in the Victoria Theatre after it underwent renovations in 1958. Composed in the national language, the song was first performed by the Singapore Chamber Ensemble during the official opening of the renovated Victoria Theatre on 6 September 1958.
When Singapore attained self governance in 1959, a national anthem was needed to unite the different races in Singapore. The government decided that the already popular City Council song Majulah Singapura was the song that would appeal to all races. After some revisions were made to the song, Majulah Singapura was adopted as the National Anthem in November 1959, replacing the colonial anthem, God Save the Queen.
