He was popular for his gritty-witty ballads accentuated on life of Indonesia's marginalized groups or political satire on the troubled Indonesian social/political scene under Soeharto. His socially aware hit-songs including: "Oemar Bakri" tells about teacher, "Lonteku" is a love story between a criminal and a prostitute, and "Wakil Rakyat" is about members of parliament.
After Reformasi movement on 1997 which leads to democratisation he was a kind of losing the edge for political satire, but his mature musical experience keeps him on Indonesian pop chart with inward-looking songs and songs about personal relationships.
BUNGA_TROTOAR
Iwan Fals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tumbuh subur di trotoar
Mekar liar dimana mana
Langkah langkah garang datang
Hancurkan wanginya kembang
Engkau diam tak berdaya
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Menggelar aneka barang
Menggelar mimpi yang panjang
Kaki lima menggelar resah
Diemperan toko besar
Koar mulutmu berkobar
Kaki lima makin menjalar
Bungaku
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Bungaku
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Bungaku
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Bungaku
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Bagai jutaan srigala
Menyerbu kota besar
Tempat asal adalah neraka
Tolong beri tahu aku
Bagaimana caranyaย ?
Nasib tak pernah berpihak
Bungaku
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Bungaku
Bunga liar
Bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Ya liar
Bunga trotoar
Liar liar liar liar
Bungaku bungaku bungaku
Bunga trotoar
Bunga liar
Bunga liar
Bunga liar
Para kurcaci diinjak mati
Para kurcaca nyanyi tralala
Para kurcaci bersedih hati
Para kurcaca ha ha ha ha ha ha
Para kurcaci diinjak mati
Para kurcaca nyanyi tralala
Para kurcaci bersedih hati
Para kurcaca ha ha ha ha ha ha
The song "Bunga Trotoar" by Iwan Fals tells the story of flowers growing on the sidewalk and their struggle for survival in the harsh urban environment. The lyrics describe the beauty of these wild flowers and the contrast between their humble existence and the bustling city life. The song also touches upon the theme of social inequality, with the flowers being likened to the poor who are often overlooked and trampled upon by the rich and powerful.
The first verse describes the growth and proliferation of these flowers, which bloom everywhere despite the unfavorable conditions. However, their beauty and fragrance are soon destroyed by the aggressive footsteps of passersby, who are indifferent to their existence. The chorus repeats the lines "Bungaku, bunga liar, bungaku, bunga trotoar" (My flower, wild flower, my flower, sidewalk flower), emphasizing the significance of these humble flowers.
The second verse talks about the chaotic nature of life in the city, with various vendors and their wares crowding the streets. This is also where the social commentary comes in, with the line "Koar mulutmu berkobar" (Let your mouth roar), exhorting the poor to speak up and fight for their rights. The song ends with a juxtaposition of the flowers and the dwarves, with the latter being a representation of the marginalized and oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Bunga bunga kehidupan
Flowers, the representation of life
Tumbuh subur di trotoar
Growing wildly on the streets
Mekar liar dimana mana
Blossoming everywhere
Langkah langkah garang datang
Harsh steps approach
Hancurkan wanginya kembang
Destroy the fragrances of flowers
Engkau diam tak berdaya
You are helpless and silent
Bungaku
My flower
Bunga liar
Wildflower
Bunga trotoar
Sidewalk flower
Menggelar aneka barang
Spread all sorts of things
Menggelar mimpi yang panjang
Spread long-held dreams
Kaki lima menggelar resah
Sidewalks are spreading anxiety
Diemperan toko besar
In front of the big stores
Koar mulutmu berkobar
Your loud voice is igniting
Kaki lima makin menjalar
Sidewalks are spreading even more
Bagai jutaan srigala
Like millions of wolves
Menyerbu kota besar
Invading the big cities
Tempat asal adalah neraka
Their origin is hell itself
Tolong beri tahu aku
Please tell me
Bagaimana caranya ?
How can I do it?
Nasib tak pernah berpihak
Fate never takes sides
Ya liar
Yes, a wild flower
Bunga trotoar
Sidewalk flower
Liar liar liar liar
Wild wild wild wild
Bungaku bungaku bungaku
My flower, my flower, my flower
Bunga liar
Wildflower
Bunga liar
Wildflower
Bunga liar
Wildflower
Para kurcaci diinjak mati
Dwarves are trampled to death
Para kurcaca nyanyi tralala
Frogs sing tralala
Para kurcaci bersedih hati
Dwarves are sad
Para kurcaca ha ha ha ha ha ha
Frogs laugh ha ha ha ha ha ha
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@asepkurnia7855
Tidak mungkin menemukan lagi skill bermusik seperti SWAMI untuk 100 thn ke depan Aslina, sehat slalu bang Iwan terhormat, salam OI Cianjur
@user-yd2xb8bq1o
salam oi juga..
@dedyhasan4581
Konser Jiwa laki lakinya jelas sekali tidak ada kesan lebay seperti konser atau pentasยฒ jaman skrg.
Saya waktu itu masih kuliah di UI dan bersama temanยฒ nonton konser swami iwsn fals diparkir timur senayan.
Meriah sekali.๐๐๐
@sronnyGAS
Konser Jiwa laki lakinya jelas sekali tidak ada kesan lebay seperti konser atau pentasยฒ jaman skrg.
dan bersama temanยฒ nonton konser swami iwsn fals diparkir timur senayan.
Meriah sekali. lbh PAS
@agustinusandrianto5482
Inilah yang namanya kualitas..
@bramirianto5608
Semoga bang Iwan fals dan kawan2 di beri panjang umur dan sehat selalu, Amin3x yra
@dadelvi1430
Langkah langkah garang datang
Hancurkan wanginya kembang.
Sebuah makna tatanan penyampaian kata yg hanya lahir penyair seorang Jabo.
@sitisuhaedahsuhaedah8361
Terima kasih swami, bang iwan fals, kantata taqwa, sawung jabo, setiawan jodi, yng menyertai hari hari remaja ku dulu.... Ttp di hati
@budiwahyuwidiyanto95
Nonton konser SWAMI/Kantata Takwa tahun 1990 saat kelas 2 SMA berbekal tiket gratis bonus pembelian kaset dari tribun atas Stadion Utama Senayan...gak berani turun ke bawah karena massa yang sudah "menggila" ๐๐....sungguh kenangan yang indah
@jamanu0623
Bang Iwan The Legend tak tergantikan