Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a cha… Read Full Bio ↴Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a charismatic Indonesian singer/songwriter and remembered as Indonesia's the most dangerous singer on the '80s and '90s.

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.

Suara Hati
Iwan Fals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Apa kabar suara hati
Sudah lama baru terdengar lagi
Kemana saja suara hati
Tanpa kau sepi rasanya hari

Kabar buruk apa kabar baik
Yang kau bawa mudah-mudahan baik
Dengar-dengar dunia lapar

Lapar sesuatu yang benar

Suara hati kenapa pergi
Suara hati jangan pergi lagi
Suara hati kenapa pergi
Suara hati jangan pergi lagi

Kau dengarkan orang-orang yang menangis
Sebab hidupnya dipacu nafsu
Kau rasakan sakitnya orang-orang yang tertindas
Oleh derap sepatu pembangunan

Kau lihatlah pembantaian
Demi kekuasaan yang secuil
Kau tahukah alam yang kesakitan
Lalu apa yang akan kau suarakan
Kembali ke: (*)

Apa kabar suata hati
Sudah lama baru terdengar lagi
Kemana saja suara hati

Tanpa kau sepi rasanya hari
Kembali ke: (**)

Overall Meaning

The song "Suara Hati" by Iwan Fals is a reflection on the importance of listening to one's inner voice or conscience. The lyrics begin with the singer addressing his own conscience, asking how it is doing after a long absence. He wonders where it has been and how he has managed to get through his days without it. He then asks whether the news that his conscience brings is good or bad, hoping that whatever it brings will ultimately lead to something positive. The singer is concerned about the state of the world, particularly the hunger for something true and genuine that he perceives in people.

The second verse of the song encourages the listener to pay attention to the suffering of others. The singer points out that many people are unhappy because they are driven by desire, and that others are oppressed by powerful forces such as the all-consuming drive for economic progress. The bridge of the song poses a series of questions that challenge the listener to think about the impact of their actions and the responsibility that comes with having a voice.

Overall, "Suara Hati" is a call to action for individuals to pay attention to their conscience and use their voices to advocate for truth and justice in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Apa kabar suara hati
How are you doing, inner voice?

Sudah lama baru terdengar lagi
It's been a while since I've heard from you

Kemana saja suara hati
Where have you been hiding, inner voice?

Tanpa kau sepi rasanya hari
Without you, the days feel empty and lonely

Kabar buruk apa kabar baik
What news do you bring, good or bad?

Yang kau bawa mudah-mudahan baik
Hopefully it's something good that you're bringing

Dengar-dengar dunia lapar
They say the world is hungry

Lapar sesuatu yang benar
Hungry for something true

Suara hati kenapa pergi
Why did you leave, inner voice?

Suara hati jangan pergi lagi
Please don't leave again, inner voice

Kau dengarkan orang-orang yang menangis
You listen to those who are crying