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.
Satu-Satu
Iwan Fals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jatuh ke bumi dimakan usia
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
Redalah reda
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Mengisi hidup gantikan yang tua
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
Waktu terus bergulir
Semuanya mesti terjadi
Daun daun berguguran
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
(instrumen)
Satu satu daun jatuh ke bumi
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Tak guna menangis tak guna tertawa
Redalah reda
Waktu terus bergulir
Kita kan pergi dan ditinggal pergi
Redalah tangis redalah tawa
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
Waktu terus bergulir
Semuanya mesti terjadi
Daun daun berguguran
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
The song "Satu-Satu" by Indonesian musician Iwan Fals contains a deep message about the inevitability of life and death, and the significance of accepting the natural cycle of life. The song features two contrasting images: falling leaves and growing young sprouts, which symbolize the beginning and end of life's journey. Each line of the chorus emphasizes how everything must come to pass, and how crying or laughing in vain cannot change what is meant to happen. Instead, the listener is urged to find peace and acceptance amidst life's ups and downs.
The first stanza describes falling leaves, which represent death or the end of a cycle. The leaves fall to the ground and are eventually consumed by time, symbolizing how nothing is permanent or lasts forever. The second stanza describes sprouting young plants, which represent new beginnings or the start of a new cycle. The young shoots grow and replace the old, symbolizing how life moves on and continues despite endings. The instrumental interlude marks the passage of time and reinforces the idea that everything eventually comes full circle.
The final stanza communicates the inevitability of time and its effects on every living thing. The lines "kita kan pergi dan ditinggal pergi" (we will leave and be left behind) highlight our limited time on earth and how we must come to terms with it. The chorus is repeated one last time, emphasizing the message of accepting the natural cycle of life.
Overall, "Satu-Satu" is a poignant reminder that life is a journey full of beginnings and endings, and that acceptance and peace are crucial tools in navigating that journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Satu satu daun berguguran
Every single falling leaf represents the passing of time
Jatuh ke bumi dimakan usia
As they touch the ground, they symbolize the fleeting nature of life
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
There is no sound of sorrow nor laughter as everything happens according to fate
Redalah reda
Accept and embrace the inevitable
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Each and every sprouting bud represents new beginnings
Mengisi hidup gantikan yang tua
They fill the void left by the old and create a cycle of life
Waktu terus bergulir
Time keeps on rolling
Semuanya mesti terjadi
Everything will happen as it is meant to be
Daun daun berguguran
The falling leaves signify the end of a journey
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
While the sprouting buds represent a new beginning
(instrumen)
Instrumental
Satu satu daun jatuh ke bumi
Each fallen leaf represents a small part of the bigger picture
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Similarly, each new sprouting bud is a small piece of the greater whole
Tak guna menangis tak guna tertawa
Crying or laughing will not change what has already been written
Redalah reda
Accept and embrace what life has in store for you
Kita kan pergi dan ditinggal pergi
We will leave and be left behind
Redalah tangis redalah tawa
Control your tears and laughter and face whatever comes your way
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
New beginnings will come and life will go on
Waktu terus bergulir
Time keeps on rolling
Semuanya mesti terjadi
Everything will happen as it is meant to be
Daun daun berguguran
The falling leaves represent the end of one chapter and the beginning of another
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
And the sprouting buds symbolize the start of new opportunities
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Silva Wibawa
Satu satu daun berguguran
Jatuh ke bumi dimakan usia
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
Redalah reda
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Mengisi hidup gantikan yang tua
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
Redalah reda
Waktu terus bergulir semuanya mesti terjadi
Daun daun berguguran
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
Satu satu daun jatuh kebumi
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Tak guna menangis tak guna tertawa
Redalah reda
Waktu terus bergulir
Kita akan pergi dan ditinggal pergi
Redalah tangis redalah tawa
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
Waktu terus bergulir semuanya mesti terjadi
Daun daun berguguran
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
UD Mebeljati
Lagu2 bang iwan emang Juaraaaa....Nggak ada matinya krn sastranya yg indah...
Tidak lapuk dimakan usia..
Akbarz Akbarz
Lagunya dalem banget...dirangkai dengan bahasa sederhana yg mudah difahami namun menjadi suatu kisah makna tentang kehidupan yang sebenarnya. Awal jan 2020 masih indah untuk didengar dan dihayati👍🏻👍🏻
Silva Wibawa
Satu satu daun berguguran
Jatuh ke bumi dimakan usia
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
Redalah reda
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Mengisi hidup gantikan yang tua
Tak terdengar tangis tak terdengar tawa
Redalah reda
Waktu terus bergulir semuanya mesti terjadi
Daun daun berguguran
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
Satu satu daun jatuh kebumi
Satu satu tunas muda bersemi
Tak guna menangis tak guna tertawa
Redalah reda
Waktu terus bergulir
Kita akan pergi dan ditinggal pergi
Redalah tangis redalah tawa
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
Waktu terus bergulir semuanya mesti terjadi
Daun daun berguguran
Tunas tunas muda bersemi
Fiki Mustofa
Lagu gabungan antara ideologis dan filosofis... Seneng banget denger ini... Apalagi pas di Leuwinanggung, di bawaain sama abang live
Nurul Roniah
Btul banggg...ga. Ada lawan bang iwan
Rido Alifianto
Lagi dikerjaan, liat pemandangan keluar jendela pas bgt pake lagu ini, syahdu bang Iwan 🍃☺️
Anissyah Putry
Lagu ini lagu kesukaan ayahku.. wktu aku masih umur 6 tahun sampai detik ini ayah selalu putar lagu2 iwan fals & kami sekeluarga bahagia ketika mendengarkannya :')
Juni Kurniawan
😍
Yulis Septiawan
Sampaikan ke ayahmu
Akulah menantunya
Gawung Ys
satu satu aku sayang aniisyah putri