.
Interviews > Sandra De Jong

As Neighbours continues its revamp, fans can't have failed to notice the new arrangement of the theme tune, and here, vocalist Sandra De Jong shares some thoughts on the process of recording it...

Firstly, can you give us some background about yourself?
I have been singing, dancing, acting and modelling from the age of 6. For the past 7 years I have been focusing on my singing and song-writing.

In 2007, you recorded the current Neighbours theme tune. How did this come about?
In November 2006 my church (Life Church Melbourne) recorded an album with Adie Hannan which one of the songs I wrote - Forever and Always - was on. Chris Pettifer heard my voice on the album and got me in to do a version of the theme song which we submitted to a panel. Chris and Adie's version was chosen and so was my voice!

Did you have any creative input into the sound of the theme? Did you consider the previous versions of the theme before you recorded? If so, were you influenced by these.
Chris Pettifer and Adie Hannan basically had the whole new version worked out when I got there. But when going to record things in the studio as we were doing it we came up with new ideas to better suit my voice.

The Neighbours theme is such an iconic song – did you feel any pressure because of this?
Actually I think it’s a great opportunity and I am so privileged to be chosen as I am a HUGE fan of the show. I was a little nervous when I first heard I’d been chosen, but I knew that Chris and Adie would do a great job!

What do you think of the finished product?
I do like it - a new, fresh version!