This week I want to share a Bahasa Malaysia song, written by the talented Aubrey Suwito, who’s also an amazing pianist! I still remember coming over to Kuala Lumpur to study music and being exposed to so many opportunities to watch concerts. The grand finale of Malaysian Idol was one of the live events I traveled to Genting Highlands to watch. It was also where this song was debuted by Jaclyn Victor. It was such a powerful delivery that everyone went crazy and gave her a rousing standing ovation!
Berjuta bintang menyanyi
Ku di antara yang satu
Mungkin cahaya dan impianku
Di sini... Gemilang
Lalu ku redah onak duri
Dan lautan api
Kemuncaknya ingin ku tawan
Aku jelajahi
Chorus
Kini gemilang itu
Semakin pasti ku genggam
Gemilang suara keyakinan kian dalam
Gementar harus jangan
Jiwaku harus bertenaga
Mungkin kini
Menjadi realiti
Lalu ku redah onak duri
Dan lautan api
Kemuncaknya ingin ku tawan
Aku jelajahi
As a musician myself, I had the chance to perform this song as well. Personally, I love songs with a lot of chord changes, for me that keeps me engaged intellectually. My take on this song is that it never lets you settle. Take the verse for instance, before you know it, it’s moved on to pre-chorus, and mind you, you won’t be hearing those melodies again! Chorus is quickly followed by the bridge, leading up to a transposition, as if we’re not having our adrenaline pumped up enough. Finally, we’ve settled for some familiarity a pop song usually provides, with the chorus being repeated twice at the end.
Here’s the transcription for the song if you want to give it a go! :)
https://open.spotify.com/track/1as6Qfl8wdbPMQRWAvQpff?si=RaX-lOaMT8-DkCtw5g_VCA
