Koes Bersaudara (Koes Brothers) formed in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1960. At th… Read Full Bio ↴Koes Bersaudara (Koes Brothers) formed in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1960. At the beginning, the group consisted of 5 Koeswoyo brothers – Jon, Tonny, Nomo, Yon and Yok. After their first album was released in 1964, older brother Jon quit reducing the group to a four-piece. Tonny (lead guitarist and songwriter) was the leader of the group with Yon (rhythm guitar) and Yok (bass) handling the vocals along with Nomo on drums.

By 1965, the group started to grow their hair longer, wore high-heeled leather boots, and added Beatles’ songs to their stage show. President Sukarno began waging war against the influence of Beatlemania which had taken hold of the Indonesian popular music scene. Koes Bersaudara was arrested and spent 3 months in prison for performing a Beatles song at a private house party. They were released from jail at the same time General Suhuarto launched his military coup and former restrictions on Western pop music began to be lifted.

By 1967 Koes Bersaudara was back in the studio recording what would become their most challenging music on Dick Tamimi’s Mesra Record label. Nomo left the group in 1968 and after Tonny, Yon and Yok found their new drummer Kasmuri (Murry). Koes Plus was born in 1969 and became the most popular Indonesian band of the 1970s.

Three Little Words
Koes Bersaudara Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I love you
I love you
If you hear these three little words
As she whispered in your ear
Then you know your heart will fly
I don't know why that it should be
Cause I'm...I'm not in love
You know it's true

And so they say...the stars above
Yes...I'm in blue
If you hear these three little words
As she whispered in your ear
Then you know your heart will fly
I don't know why that it should be
Cause I'm...I'm not in love
You know it's true

And so they say...the stars above
Yes...I'm in blue

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Koes Bersaudara's "3 Little Words" describe the power of the phrase "I love you." The repetition of the phrase emphasizes its impact and how it can make someone's heart soar. The singer acknowledges that they themselves may not be in love, but they recognize the significance of the words and how hearing them can bring both joy and sadness. The use of the phrase "I'm in blue" suggests that it can also bring feelings of longing and melancholy.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality, as if the singer is reflecting on past experiences with love and the effect that those words had on them. It highlights the universal nature of the phrase and how it can impact anyone, regardless of their own feelings towards the person saying it.

Line by Line Meaning

I love you
A strong feeling of affection and attraction towards someone.

I love you
Reiteration of the strong feeling of affection and attraction towards someone.

If you hear these three little words
Referring to the phrase 'I love you', which can have a powerful impact on a person when spoken to them.

As she whispered in your ear
Describing the personal and intimate experience of hearing those words from someone you care about.

Then you know your heart will fly
The phrase 'your heart will fly' refers to the exhilaration and joy that can come from feeling loved and appreciated.

I don't know why that it should be
Expressing confusion over why the feeling of being loved can have such a strong impact on us as humans.

Cause I'm...I'm not in love
The singer is not currently experiencing romantic love, but still recognizes the power of those words.

You know it's true
Asserting the validity and genuineness of their feelings.

And so they say...the stars above
Referring to common sayings or beliefs about the power and significance of love, often associated with the cosmos or celestial bodies.

Yes...I'm in blue
The phrase 'in blue' is often associated with sadness or melancholy, which could indicate a longing for love and affection.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TONNY KOESWOYO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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