Kerispatih was founded on 22 April 2003. They started by playing ethnic Indonesian music, releasing their first album, Gulalikustik, in 2004. After being approached and signed by the record label Nagaswara, they switched to pop as it was more commercially viable.
Their first album with Nagaswara, "Kejujuran Hati" (The Heart's Honesty), was released in 2005 and went platinum; three songs from the album, "Kejujuran Hati", "Cinta Putih" ("White Love") and "Lagu Rindu" ("Song of Longing"), were released as singles. In 2007, they released a second album, "Kenyataan Perasaan" (The Truth of the Feelings), with the songs "Mengenangmu" ("Remembering You"), "Tapi Bukan Aku" ("But Not I"), "Sepanjang Usia" ("For All My Life") and "Untuk Pertama Kali" ("For the First Time") as singles; this album also went platinum. That same year they also sang one song, "Kawan" ("Friend") for the compilation album Rinduku Padamu (My Longing For You), written by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; the album sold 40,000 copies.
Another platinum certified album, "Tak Lekang Oleh Waktu" (Unbridled by Time) was released the following year, with singer Syahrini as a guest vocalist; the album also featured a song, "Kawanku" ("My Friend") written by President Yudhyono. Selling 25,000 copies in a short period of time, two of its songs were released as singles, "Bila Rasaku Ini Rasamu" ("If this Feeling of Mine is Yours") and "Demi Cinta" ("For Love"). This was followed in 2009 by Semua Tentang Cinta (Everything About Love), which had one single.
Sammy's departure & new vocalist: At first, the band consisted of vocalist Hendra Samuel Simorangkir (Sammy), keyboardist Doadibadai Hollo (Badai), guitarist Arief Nurdiansyah Morada, drummer M. Anton Suryo Sularjo Wahyu Nugroho Kusumo, and bassist Andika Putrasahadewa. After Sammy was arrested and convicted of possession of crystal meth in 2010, he was fired from the group and replaced by Fandy Santoso, a finalist in the fourth season of Indonesian Idol.
Kawan
Kerispatih Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hidup ini kan berputar kawan
Kita mesti tegar menghadapi
Untuk masa depan kita nanti
Tengoklah indahnya negri ini
Kebesaran yang kita miliki
Tanah air yang indah dan permai
Bersama kita syukuri
Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho
Mari kita bergembira kawan
Ho Ho Ho Ho
Tinggalkanlah rasa duka kawan
Ho Ho Ho Ho
Indahnya persahabatan kita
Ho Ho Ho Ho
Hidup kita kan bahagia
The lyrics of Kerispatih's "Kawan" serve as a reminder of the ups and downs of life, and the importance of friendship in overcoming it all. The saying "ada suka ada duka" translates to "there is joy and there is sorrow" and highlights how life is full of both good and bad moments. However, the lyrics emphasize the importance of being resilient in facing these challenging times, as it is necessary for building a promising future.
The song also encourages gratitude for one's country, as the lyrics mention the beauty and greatness of Indonesia. The phrase "tanah air yang indah dan permai" translates to "beautiful and bountiful homeland", and the lyrics urge listeners to appreciate their surroundings and be thankful for what they have. The chorus of the song brings a celebratory tone, with the repetition of "ho ho ho" creating a sense of unity and happiness amongst friends. The lyrics suggest leaving behind negative emotions and instead focusing on the joy and beauty of friendship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Kawan" stress the importance of resilience, gratitude, and friendship in navigating the ups and downs of life. It serves as a reminder to appreciate the good moments, and to hold tight to the support of friends during the difficult ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Ada suka ada duka kawan
Life has ups and downs, my friend
Hidup ini kan berputar kawan
Life is a cycle, my friend
Kita mesti tegar menghadapi
We must be strong in facing challenges
Untuk masa depan kita nanti
For our future ahead
Tengoklah indahnya negri ini
See the beauty of this country
Kebesaran yang kita miliki
The greatness that we have
Tanah air yang indah dan permai
This beautiful and prosperous homeland
Bersama kita syukuri
Let us be grateful together
Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho
...
Mari kita bergembira kawan
Let us rejoice together, my friend
Tinggalkanlah rasa duka kawan
Let go of your sorrows, my friend
Indahnya persahabatan kita
The beauty of our friendship
Hidup kita kan bahagia
Our life will be happy
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.