Renowned for her soul-stirring music, Sally Teo proudly presents her latest single, “Let The Stars of Love Take Me Home”, now available on all major streaming platforms. Timed to celebrate International Women’s Day, the song reflects her lifelong passion for music and embodies the essence of active aging and creative expression.
Sally’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—she began songwriting and acting at 60 years old, proving that age is no barrier to artistic expression. Written in early 2016, this single captures the profound themes of gratitude, unity, and determination, paying tribute to Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
Now in her 70s, Sallly is an inspirational and passionate artist known for her original music and deep appreciation for family values. With over 20 original songs, 10 albums, and a bilingual book. “Shine A Love For You”, she continues to share her deep appreciation for family, love, and community. Beyond music, she is an active freelance actress in government and commercial productions, TV dramas, and films, further showcasing her commitment to storytelling and the arts.
Sally Teo is a true testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and purpose—an artist who continues to inspire generations through her music and passion.
Our editorial team spoke to Sally Teo, where she shared deeper insights about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her latest single, and her unwavering belief in pursuing one’s dreams at any age. Read on to find out more.
Interview with Sally Teo
Q1. What inspired you to start writing and releasing music at this stage in your life?
Sally Teo: It has always been the longing to express many deep thoughts and feelings that have inspired me to treasure life’s many beautiful memories, through music.
For me, cherished memories have been a source of inspiration, connecting me to each life journey presented before me. Through enduring the pain and challenges that come from blending words and music together in a song, the process has always taught me lessons of perseverance to see through what I have started to its completion.
All these are also reasons that uplift me with much joy in being able to release my 2nd music single at this stage of my life.
Q2. How does it feel to be releasing your second song? Does it feel different from your first release?
Sally Teo: It makes me feel very happy and blessed to be releasing this song, written with loving sentiments, honour and gratitude for our nation’s founding pioneers, for every Singapore dream that was laid, grown and fulfilled to this day.
The song embodies a heartwarming tribute to Singapore, celebrating the nation’s past, present and future, a land of dreams where we can all be inspired to go forward in duty, purpose and fulfilment, building unity and love in our community, our homes and our lives.
Q3. Has music always been a part of your life, or is this a new passion?
Sally Teo: Since young, music has been a part of my life. This self-learning music journey has taught me precious life values through overcoming challenges from hard work and self-determination.
With music as a part of my life, I discovered that any dream can be achieved in time through working on it with much purpose and love.
Q4. Can you tell us the story behind the new song? What inspired the lyrics and melody?
Sally Teo: The lyrics draw inspiration from the brilliance of stars shining upon our shores, celebrating with us each milestone journeyed and achieved as a nation, in a rainbow of dreams laid down with wisdom and eternal love from our founding pioneers, propelling us forward to achieve greater heights, unity and love throughout generations.
Music has been composed and set in soft arrangement, gently inspired by the touches of nature surrounding us like the sunshine and rain, rising rainbows and twinkling stars.
Q5. What message or emotions do your hope listeners will take away from this song?
Sally Teo: Embracing all that we have lived through, progressed and achieved as a nation, with a grateful heart and love for our country and its leaders , our families and community, our neighbours and friends.
With this song, I wish for listeners to take away the message of hope, purpose and joy in reminiscing on all that has brought us this far as a nation. The future fulfilment of our Singapore dreams will pave the way towards building a brighter future for all generations to come.
Q6. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while creating and releasing this song?
Sally Teo: Working on lyrics for the song was one long and challenging journey, where much time was spent in the search for all things that could identify and unite us as people of Singapore.
In presenting the song as a heartwarming tribute to Singapore, I wish to thank my family and the many people who have encouraged and supported me in this journey.
I wish to also thank Ms Agnes Tay of AT Marketing Consultancy for the assistance and support in releasing this song.
Q7. What has been the most rewarding part of this journey so far?
Sally Teo: ‘Let The Stars Of Love Take Me Home’ will always be a significant part of me. It is my joy and blessing to be able to share with listeners and all the achievements, aspirations and dreams that have blessed our nation in so many ways, through music.
Q8. How has your music been received by listeners of different generations?
Sally Teo: I believe that every song tells a story that can be heard and understood by all of different generations. I find joy in sharing and presenting my music and songs through social media channels, and I am specially thankful for opportunities to use my music and song albums to continually support the needy community and less privileged in our society.
Q9. Have you received any touching or unexpected feedback from fans?
Sally Teo: Over the past 10 years, I was blessed with many opportunities to support the needy community with my music albums and songs through fund-raising events that support the needy elderly and under-privileged. I am thankful for kind words from people who enjoy and appreciate my music, this has always encouraged me in doing what I can with my love for music and the arts.
I am also thankful for opportunities to reach out to the young students with my music through their school special programmes.
Q10. What are your upcoming plans?
Sally Teo: I wish to continue on my journey of creating and sharing my music, with the hope to inspire others to work on their aspirations and dreams, where they can also experience the richness of having purpose and joy in their lives.
Q11. What advice would you give to others who feel its “too late” to pursue their creative dreams.
Sally Teo: It is a blessing for anyone to have a dream and a wish to fulfil it. Dreams come to fill our lives at any age, or life’s situation. What matters is to know that any dream you wish to pursue and fulfil must work from your heart alone, without fear of anything.
Working on achieving your dream can be a learning journey with every small step adding value towards the direction of your dream. Regardless of how long it might take to see your dream come true, there will be moments of self discovery and joy during each stage of progress, no matter how big or small.
Your dreams can be nurtured by staying forward-looking at any stage of your life.
Q12. If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Sally Teo: I have always been encouraged by the talents of our own home-grown musician and song-writer Dick Lee, who is also the composer of our well-loved national song ‘Home’. This song has captured my heart with beautiful lyrics and music that resonates with the hearts of Singaporeans and others.
It will truly be an honour for me to be able to collaborate with Dick Lee some day, and an inspiration for me to do more for the needy community with my music and songs.
More information on Sally Teo as follows:
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Instagram: @sallyteoshinealove (https://www.instagram.com/sallyteoshinealove/)