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.
Kalian Dengarkan Keluhanku
Ebiet G. Ade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Demi terhenti tangis anakku dan keluh ibunya
Tetapi nampaknya semua mata memandangku curiga
Seperti hendak telanjangi dan kulit jiwaku
Apakah buku diri ini harus selalu hitam pekat
Apakah dalam sejarah orang mesti jadi pahlawan
Sedang Tuhan di atas sana tak pernah menghukumDengan sinar mataNya yang lebih tajam dari matahari
Kemanakah sirnanya nurani embun pagi
Yang biasanya ramah kini membakar hati
Apakah bila terlanjur salah
Akan tetap dianggap salah
Tak ada waktu lagi benahi diri
Tak ada tempat lagi untuk kembali
Kembali dari keterasingan ke bumi beradab
Ternyata lebih menyakitkan dari derita panjang
Tuhan bimbinglah batin ini agar tak gelap mata
Dan sampaikanlah rasa inginku kembali bersatu
Ke manakah sirnanya nurani embun pagi
Yang biasanya ramah kini membakar hati
Apakah bila terlanjur salah
Akan tetap dianggap salah
Tak ada waktu lagi benahi diri
Tak ada tempat lagi untuk kembali
The song "Kalian Dengarkan Keluhanku" by Ebiet G. Ade reflects the struggles and frustrations of someone who feels misunderstood and judged by society. In the first verse, the singer expresses their attempts to gain acceptance and validation by offering their name to others. They hope that by doing so, they can alleviate the cries of their child and the complaints of their mother. However, they feel that everyone is looking at them suspiciously, as if they are being exposed and their inner self is being judged and criticized.
The second verse questions the notion of self-portrayal and heroism. The singer wonders if their own personal story must always be portrayed as dark and bleak. They question whether history requires individuals to become heroes, while God, who is above, never punishes with His piercing gaze, which is sharper than the sun. This verse suggests a feeling of injustice, questioning why personal struggles have to be burdensome while divine judgment seems absent.
The third verse reflects on the loss and absence of a compassionate conscience. The singer wonders where the gentle morning dew of their conscience has disappeared to. In the past, it used to be friendly, but now it feels like it is burning their heart. They question if, once a mistake has been made, it will always be seen as a mistake, without the opportunity to correct it. They feel a sense of urgency to improve themselves but fear that there is no time left and no place to return to.
In the fourth verse, the singer expresses the pain of returning to a civilized world after being isolated and estranged. They find that the experience is even more painful than enduring a long suffering. They turn their plea to God, asking for guidance to prevent their inner self from becoming blind to reality and to express their desire to be reunited with their loved ones.
Overall, the lyrics portray a sense of frustration, loneliness, and yearning for understanding. The singer questions societal judgments, the fairness of personal struggles, and the loss of their own moral compass. The song delves into the deeper emotions of the human experience, highlighting the longing for acceptance, self-improvement, and the need for guidance in a complex world.
Line by Line Meaning
Dari pintu ke pintu kucoba tawarkan nama
From door to door, I try to offer my name
Demi terhenti tangis anakku dan keluh ibunya
In order to stop the tears of my child and the complaints of my mother
Tetapi nampaknya semua mata memandangku curiga
But it seems that all eyes look at me suspiciously
Seperti hendak telanjangi dan kulit jiwaku
As if they want to expose and strip away my soul
Apakah buku diri ini harus selalu hitam pekat
Does this self-book always have to be so dark and dense
Apakah dalam sejarah orang mesti jadi pahlawan
Must people always become heroes in history
Sedang Tuhan di atas sana tak pernah menghukum
While God up there never punishes
Dengan sinar mataNya yang lebih tajam dari matahari
With His eyesight sharper than the sun
Kemanakah sirnanya nurani embun pagi
Where has the disappearance of the morning dew of conscience gone
Yang biasanya ramah kini membakar hati
That used to be friendly now burns the heart
Apakah bila terlanjur salah
Is it that if one is already wrong
Akan tetap dianggap salah
They will still be considered wrong
Tak ada waktu lagi benahi diri
There is no more time to improve oneself
Tak ada tempat lagi untuk kembali
There is no place to return anymore
Kembali dari keterasingan ke bumi beradab
Returning from alienation to a civilized earth
Ternyata lebih menyakitkan dari derita panjang
It turns out to be more painful than a long suffering
Tuhan bimbinglah batin ini agar tak gelap mata
God guide this soul so that it does not darken its vision
Dan sampaikanlah rasa inginku kembali bersatu
And convey my desire to be united again
Ke manakah sirnanya nurani embun pagi
Where has the disappearance of the morning dew of conscience gone
Yang biasanya ramah kini membakar hati
That used to be friendly now burns the heart
Apakah bila terlanjur salah
Is it that if one is already wrong
Akan tetap dianggap salah
They will still be considered wrong
Tak ada waktu lagi benahi diri
There is no more time to improve oneself
Tak ada tempat lagi untuk kembali
There is no place to return anymore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EBIET G. ADE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind