John Klass is a living legend in Singapore’s entertainment industry. For over 3 illustrious decades, the multi-faceted artist has been an esteemed host (TV, radio and events), a chart-topping singer-songwriter (as a soloist, and as part of bands like The Professionals and Kick!), a respected actor, a distinguished educator, and so much more.
So it's a little surprising to learn that such an award-winning and accomplished performing artist has yet to release a solo album! Well, it’s never too late to make your debut, which is exactly what the acclaimed veteran has just done. His self-titled 10-track LP was even preceded by a lovely lead single called ‘Erased’, which was written by his talented daughter Victoria.
We got the man himself to take us through the latest milestone in his storied career.
'Jazz Bar (feat. Jeremy Monteiro)'
"I’ve always wanted to collaborate with the jazz maestro, and sometime last year on an airplane flying back to Singapore, I reached out to him to see if he’d be interested in collaborating.
To my delight, he agreed, and thus 'Jazz Bar' was born. The song revolves around a man trying to move on from a breakup, sitting in a jazz bar, where the soulful notes of the piano man lift him up, giving him the solace he so desperately needs. My daughter, Victoria Klass, beautifully captured this story with her lyrics while I worked on the music and arrangement.
Jeremy Monteiro infuses the song with his soulful touch on the piano keys. 'Jazz Bar' is a nu jazz track that blends modern vibes with the timeless elegance of jazz."
'Ballad'
"This one took me back to my younger days, thinking about those first loves and how they shaped me. 'Ballad' was my attempt to bottle up the feeling of that carefree, innocent romance—before life got complicated. It’s simple, a pop/folk melody, but it tells a story we can all relate to: the magic of falling in love for the first time."
'Yesterday When I Was Young'
"I heard this song by the legendary Charles Aznavour for the first time 4 years ago and it resonated with me deeply. I wanted to put my own spin on it, respecting the timelessness of the track while bringing in something bold and fresh. It was a challenge, but also a rewarding journey to reinterpret such a classic."
'Sins'
"'Sins' is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written. It’s a real account of the day my siblings and I found out that my parents were splitting up. Writing it was like reliving the emotional shock of that moment, but I also wanted it to reflect the impact it had on us, individually and as a family. It’s raw, honest, and painful, but ultimately necessary."
'When Things Seem So Wrong'
"This song was born during a time when everything around me felt chaotic. I originally wrote it for The Teenage Textbook Movie, and the version that made it to the film was very stripped down—just piano and vocals. Over the years, many people have told me how much the song resonated with them, becoming their personal anthem for staying positive when life throws them curveballs. I had always toyed with the idea of giving the song a full arrangement, and I’m thrilled to have finally done it with this version, which now features a powerful gospel choir, adding a whole new layer of depth and emotion to the track."
'I Just Fall In Love Again'
"I’ve always loved the way Anne Murray and The Carpenters delivered this song, but I wanted to bring it into a more modern sound. The lyrics still hit you the same way, but I thought a fresh arrangement would breathe new life into a song that’s so timeless in its message of falling in love over and over again."
'Erased'
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"'Erased' holds a special place in my heart because it was written by my daughter, Victoria. I had discovered her wonderful talent for songwriting when I saw her TikTok reels. It’s a ballad about lost love, but also about the strength to move forward and heal. Every time I sing it, I feel her story in my voice."
'Falling In Love'
"This song was originally written as the main theme for The Teenage Textbook Movie. Last year, I was asked to sing it at the memorial for Adrian Tan, the author of the book, and that experience brought back some fond memories of the few times I had the pleasure of meeting him. Adrian always told me how much he loved the song, and performing it in his honour reminded me of its special connection to him. After that performance, I knew it was time to revisit the song and give it an update."
Bonus Tracks:
'Ballad - (Reggae Version)'
"I thought it would be fun to take 'Ballad' and give it a different twist, so I decided to do a reggae version. It has a whole new vibe now, light-hearted and breezy, but the nostalgia of young love is still very much there, just with a sunnier backdrop."
'Christmas In My Mind'
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Growing up, I loved Wham!'s timeless hit, 'Last Christmas'! It’s a pure pop gem that captures the essence of the holiday season. That’s exactly how I envisioned my own Christmas song to be. I wanted to pay homage to the spirit of 'Last Christmas' while deliberately infusing it with a nostalgic touch.
The result is a festive tune that takes me back to memories of my Christmases growing up, while keeping the current Christmas vibes of today alive!
