THE SOULFUL INDONESIAN SONGSTRESS WITH THE SONG THAT WILL LITERALLY REMAIN IN OUR SOULS

So I was in my third cafe, struggling to get good internet connection in Jakarta last week so that I can send out all my emails and do my work peacefully. My conclusion was that there won't be good internet inside Plaza Semanggi. To make myself feel better, I ordered a bowl of Tom Yam (which was a huge mistake by the way, because I eventually lost my voice) and decided to just chill for a bit before I make my way back to my little box, the sad hotel room.

While sipping Tom Yam soup and doing whatever I could online, this song came on the speakers in the cafe. I first heard this song when rooming with MMA fighter Ann Osman. I loved it but I forgot to ask her the title of the song, so I was so happy to hear the song again! 

Finally found it on Spotify and here it is. This beautiful Indonesian songstress is super talented and her voice melodious. Her jazzy style is very soothing and soulful - I love it. Although her original English songs have pretty superficial lyrics, her voice made the song so good. If you have time, you can check out some of her English song covers, pretty good. 

But this Indonesian song is definitely her best work yet. Tetap Di Jiwa translates directly as  "Remains in my Soul" and it is meaningful in multiple levels. I think most people who have suffered a hurtful mutual break-up can relate to it. But then again, even if you are not in a relationship, I think you can relate to the lyrics in a different way. 

The song describes how when a relationship ends, one still remains true and the person that you once loved, will still forever be in your heart. For when two people changed, their worlds become apart, but still, memories make you remember them. Perhaps that is enough, really. 

I believe in every relationship, romance or friendship, some people will remain in your memory for life because although things have changed as you grew apart, they were in your life for a reason. Sometimes, you just know you have to end the relationship, for the better of both. Nevertheless, all the good or bad times you've gone through together, you learn from the relationship you had with that person and the experience with him or her somehow contributed to shaping the person you are today. I love the interpretation of the song about relationships and I hope you find your own meaning in the lyrics.

Tak pernah terbayang 

Never had I imagine

Akan jadi seperti ini pada akhirnya

That it would end like this

Semua waktu yang pernah kita lewati bersamanya 

All those times we spent together

Telah hilang dan sirna

Are gone

Hitam putih berlalu

The memories passed 

Janji kita menunggu

We promised we wait

Tapi kita tak mampu

But we can't

Seribu satu cara kita lewati tuk dapatkan semua jawapan ini

We've tried a thousand ways to find an answer to this

Bila memang harus berpisah

When we really have to part

Aku akan tetap setia

I will still stay true

Bila memang ini ujungnya

When this is really an end

Kau kan tetap ada di dalam jiwa

You will still be in my heart / soul

Tak bisa tuk teruskan

We can't go on

Dunia kita berbeda

Our worlds are different

Bila memang ini ujungnya

When this is really an end

Kau kan tetap ada di dalam jiwa

You will still be in my heart / soul

Memang tak mudah 

It is not easy

Tapi aku tegar

But I am firm

Menjalani kosongnya hati

To go through this emptiness

Buanglah mimpi kita yang telah terjadi

Let's throw away the dreams that we've been through

Dan simpan tuk jadi histori

And keep it as a memory

Hitam putih berlalu

Janji kita menunggu

Tapi kita tak mampu

Seribu satu cara kita lewati tuk dapatkan semua jawapan ini

Bila memang harus berpisah

Aku akan tetap setia

Bila memang ini ujungnya

Kau kan tetap ada di dalam jiwa

I was never in a romantic relationship with anyone but there were a few guys in my life that really helped me understand love, romance and relationship in life. So even though nothing worked out between us, I'm still so grateful that they were in my life for so many reasons and they will forever be ingrained in my memory, for every single one of them had brought a piece of lesson with them. They helped shape the late-20s me and I am grateful for that. This one is for you G & D, no matter what our endings  will be in future.