Ebiet G. Ade (born 21 April 1955) is an Indonesian singer and songwriter cl… Read Full Bio ↴Ebiet G. Ade (born 21 April 1955) is an Indonesian singer and songwriter close to the suppressed society. His musical touch has influenced Indonesian pop music. His lyrics are made by himself, he never collaborates with other musicians to arrange the lyrics, but he can collaborate with them to arrange his musical arrangement.

Born as Abdul Gafar Abdullah in Wonodadi, Banjarnegara; he is the youngest son of Aboe Ja'far. He had many desires: engineer, doctor, and painter. But as it turned out, eventually he became a famous singer, although he only wants to be called a poeter.

In 1970s, Ebiet was close to Yogyakarta young artist society. It formed his musical style. Close to a prolific artist Emha Ainun Nadjib, he often sang his friend’s poems with his guitar. But, when entering recording studio, he did not sing any of Emha’s songs. Although Ebiet felt sorry to leave Yogyakarta, he concentrated to try his luck and natural talent in Jakarta. The recording of his songs were successful. He recorded in the Philippines to get the better recording. But he refused to record his songs in Japanese, when he had a chance to have a concert there.

Married with Yayuk Sugianto (Iis Sugianto’s old sister), in 1982; he has 4 sons: Abietyasakti Ksatria Kinasih, Adaprabu Hantip Trengginas, Byatuasa Pakarti Hinuwih, and Segara Banyu Bening. They lived in Ciganjur, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. In his house Ebiet raises about 20 birds.

Later, he recorded in Colombia Record, the United States. Ebiet also involved Adie MS and Jimmy Manoppo to assist his music.

Ebiet was chosen as the favorite singer of ABRI Radio Broadcasting (1989-1992), BASF Awards winner 1984 until 1988, and the best singer in 1997 Indonesian Musical Awards.

Until 1990, he has launched 12 albums, Camellia I (1979), Camellia II (1979), Camellia III (1980), Camellia IV (1980), Langkah Berikutnya (1982), Tokoh-Tokoh (1982), 1984 (1984), Zaman (1985), Isyu! (1986), Menjaring Matahari (1987), Sketsa Rembulan Emas (1988), and Seraut Wajah (1990). But Ebiet "went to seclusion" for the next 5 years. In 1995, the albums he launched were Kupu-Kupu Kertas and Cinta Sebening Embun. In 1996, Ebiet launched Aku Ingin Pulang. Kupu-Kupu Kertas was supported by musicians such as Ian Antono, Billy J. Budiardjo, Purwacaraka, and Erwin Gutawa.

In the following years, Ebiet launched 3 albums, Gamelan (1998), Balada Sinetron Cinta (2000), and Bahasa Langit (2001). Again, he secluded for 5 years, but he once appeared in the collaboration album Kita Untuk Mereka (2004).

In 2007, he launched a new album, In Love: 25th Anniversary, to commemorate his 25-year marriage. All of its songs are about love.

Bingkai Mimpi
Ebiet G. Ade Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dalam kepekatan mimpiku
Wajahmu tersembunyi
Alam semesta matahari bintang rembulan
Semua datang sujud buatmu
Menikam cinta paling dalam
Du du

Dari sudut manakah gerangan

Aku dapat segera mulai
Melukiskan engkau yang kasat mata namun ada
Bahkan mengalir dalam darah
Hidup tlah kujanjikan buatmu

Garis-garis aku satukan
Menampilkan watak yang beringas
Titik-titik aku kumpulkan
Menampilkan rona geriap
Terlalu jauh dari wajahmu
Yang agung teduh dan kasih
Kini kuyakini sepenuhnya engkau tak mungkin kugambar
Tinggal kumohon ampunanmu atas kelancangan mimpiku

Dalam kesejukan nafasmu
Aku khusyuk sembahyang
Barangkali dapat kutafsirkan makna firmanmu
Peluklah aku dalam damai
Siramilah dengan cinta

Garis-garis aku satukan
Menampilkan watak yang beringas
Titik-titik aku kumpulkan
Menampilkan rona geriap
Terlalu jauh dari wajahmu
Yang agung teduh dan kasih

Kini kuyakini sepenuhnya
Engkau tak mungkin kugambar
Tinggal kumohon ampunanmu atas kedangkalan mimpiku
Du du

Overall Meaning

The song "Bingkai Mimpi" by Ebiet G. Ade is a poignant tribute to a loved one who is deeply missed by the singer. The lyrics describe the singer's dreams, in which the face of the person he misses is hidden in the midst of the vast universe. The singer believes that everything in the world, including the stars and the moon, bow down before the person he loves. The depth of his love is further amplified as he expresses that it has pierced his heart. He pleads for forgiveness, believing that his portrayal of this person in his dreams was not sufficient and does not fully capture their beauty.

The next verse talks about the singer's frustration in trying to paint a picture of his loved one. He acknowledges that even though he can physically see this person, there is something indescribable that he cannot capture on paper. He talks about his efforts to combine his strokes and dots to create an image that captures the essence of their personality, but he realizes that he has fallen short. He ends the verse by asking for the person's mercy and forgiveness for his shortcomings.

Overall, the song is about a deep love that is hard to express even in dreams and on paper. The singer acknowledges his own limitations in capturing the essence of his loved one, and he humbly asks for forgiveness for any shortcomings.

Line by Line Meaning

Dalam kepekatan mimpiku
In the thickness of my dreams

Wajahmu tersembunyi
Your face is hidden

Alam semesta matahari bintang rembulan
The universe of the sun, stars, and moon

Semua datang sujud buatmu
All bow down to you

Menikam cinta paling dalam
Piercing the deepest love

Du du
(instrumental)

Dari sudut manakah gerangan
From which angle exactly

Aku dapat segera mulai
Can I start right away

Melukiskan engkau yang kasat mata namun ada
Describe you that is visible but also present

Bahkan mengalir dalam darah
Even flows in the blood

Hidup tlah kujanjikan buatmu
I've promised a life for you