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.
Iya Atau Tidak
Iwan Fals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walau s'patah kata tentu kudengar
Tambah senyum sedikit apa sih susahnya
Malah semakin manis semanis tebu
Engkau tau isi hatiku
Semuanya sudah aku katakan
Ganti kamu jawab tanyaku
Ya atau tidak itu saja
Batu juga diam, kau kan bukan batu
Aku tak cinta pada batu
Yang aku cinta hanya kamu
Jawab nona dengan bibirmu
Ya atau tidak itu saja
Tak aku pungkiri aku suka wanita
Sebab aku laki-laki masa suka pria
Kau kuraslah isi dadaku
Aku yakin ada kamu di situ
Jangan diam bicaralah
Ya atau tidak itu saja
-Rahman Tardjana-
The song "Iya Atau Tidak" by Iwan Fals talks about a man expressing his love and admiration to a woman, and asking for her response whether she feels the same way or not. He urges her to speak up and not remain silent, even if her words are halting. He asks her to smile a little, as it is not difficult to do, and it makes her even sweeter. The man seems to have already expressed his feelings towards the woman before but has received no response from her, hence the urgency in his request for her answer.
The man's emotions are evident in the lyrics, as he describes that his heart is already filled with love for the woman. He assures her that he is not interested in anyone but her and hopes that she can respond with a "yes" or "no" so that he can move forward with his feelings. He compares her silence to that of a stone, emphasizing that he cannot understand what she is thinking without her speaking up.
The song is a simple yet poignant expression of love and the importance of communication in relationships. It highlights the need for clarity in communication and the perils of misinterpretation that arise when one person remains silent.
Line by Line Meaning
Bicaralah nona, jangan membisu
Speak up, lady. Don't just stay quiet.
Walau s'patah kata tentu kudengar
Even if you stutter, I'll still listen to you.
Tambah senyum sedikit apa sih susahnya
Add a smile, what's so hard about that?
Malah semakin manis semanis tebu
It'll become sweeter, as sweet as sugar cane.
Engkau tau isi hatiku
You know what's in my heart.
Semuanya sudah aku katakan
I've already said everything.
Ganti kamu jawab tanyaku
Now it's your turn to answer my question.
Ya atau tidak itu saja
Just a yes or no, that's all.
Bila hanya diam aku tak tahu
If you're just silent, I don't know.
Batu juga diam, kau kan bukan batu
Even rocks are silent, but you're not a rock.
Aku tak cinta pada batu
I don't love a rock.
Yang aku cinta hanya kamu
The one I love is only you.
Jawab nona dengan bibirmu
Answer with your lips, lady.
Tak aku pungkiri aku suka wanita
I won't deny, I like women.
Sebab aku laki-laki masa suka pria
Because I'm a man, why would I like men?
Kau kuraslah isi dadaku
You can empty what's in my heart.
Aku yakin ada kamu di situ
I'm sure you're there.
Jangan diam bicaralah
Don't stay silent, speak up.
Ya atau tidak itu saja
Just a yes or no, that's all.
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Diana Rose
Bicaralah nona , jangan membisu
Walau sepatah kata , tentu ku dengar ,,,,
Tambah senyum sedikit , apa sih susahnya ,
Malah tambah manis semanis tebu ,,,,, 👍👌
Bila hanya diam ,
Aku tak tau ,
Batu juga diam ,,,
Kamu kan ,,, bukan batu ,,,, 😁😝
Aku tak cinta pada batu
Yg aku cinta hanya kamuu ,,,
Jawab nona , dengan bibir mu
IYA ATAU TIDAK , itu saja ,,,,
Romantiiiss ,,,,, tiiiss ,,, tiiiss ,,,, keren bnget syair nya , 👍👌
Modusnya bikin hati cewek meleleh klo dgr , 🤪😝
sergio licata
Probably one of my favourite songs of all times. Greetings from Italy :-)
Robby Octianno
👋
Muhammad Yongky
Gitar kopong dan harmonika aja udah bisa bisa bikin lagu sehebat ini..kebayang kalo alatnya komplit..musisi hebat
Biqi Blackmore
nih orang emang jago maen gitarnye.... sumpah!!!
phoenixrib
lagu dekade 80'an menggambarkan suasana hati di tahun 2010
Nirwan miladi
Iwan fals Bapak Musik Indonesia
firman syah
lirik lagu pria jantan en tegas nembak gadis yg disukainya, love banget ni lagu love you bang iwan
Zipur ankara
bang iwan, top bgts lah.... keren abiss...
Erwin Hariyanto
Luar Biasa Om Iwan... Mengingatkan saya kembali jaman putih biru lagu ini, saat bolos main ke condet ke kediamannya.
riwa wandy
ga ada live akustiknya ya.....? wonderful play!!!!