19 Famous Indonesian Songs

“Widodari” by Denny Caknan ft. Guyon Waton

Song Year: 2021

Denny Caknan and Guyon Waton are renowned artists, musicians, and producers from Indonesia.

Denny Caknan is a Javanese pop and Koplo singer known for his songs “Cidro Asmoro” and “Jajalen Aku.”

“Widodari,” his newest release, is about a woman who enters his life and relieves his lifelong loneliness. He sees rainbows in her eyes, claiming she has brought color to a colorless existence.

He calls upon his ancestors to protect him and asks his lover to consider his feelings as he is deeply in love.

This song touches on timeless themes of powerlessness in a relationship. Yet, it celebrates the love that brings us together in the end.

“Hari Bahagia” by ATTA Halilintar & AUREL Hermansyah

Song Year: 2021

ATTA Halilintar is the first Indonesian YouTuber and singer to earn the Diamond Play Button on YouTube.

This pop star is also a social media influencer with nearly 30 million subscribers. His songs have received considerable attention for their profound lyrics and catchy melodies.

“Hari Bahagia” means “fortunate” in Indonesian, and the song is about the beautiful beginnings of a loving and nurturing relationship. The singer expresses joy in finding the right person and hopes this relationship will flourish despite its challenges.

“Serana” by For Revenge

Song Year: 2022

This haunting song boasts a reflective quality that draws the listener in. It touches on the subject of a love lost to time and distance. Although “Serena” is a relatively new song, it has climbed the local charts. It is now one of the most popular videos on YouTube.

For Revenge is a famous Indonesian band formed in Bandung in 2006. The lineup consists of Hagie Juliandri, Archims Pribadi, and Abie Nugraha. They offer beautiful ballads and indie rock songs that have transformed popular music in Indonesia. The band continues to break barriers with its innovative music.

“Cemburu” by Dewa 19

Song Year: 2000

Dewa 19 is an Indonesian rock band formed in Surabaya, East Java, in 1986. They are considered one of the best bands in Indonesian music history and continue to make modern music.

“Cemburu” comes from the Bahasa language and touches on the experience of watching one’s former lover turn into a new partner. The singer expresses his desire to kill his love interest’s new boyfriend as he watches them kiss, exclaiming his desire for revenge.

The song is one of Dewa e 19’s most popular, though the band has released many hit singles since their emergence in 1986.

“Cinta Ini Membuuhku” by D’MASIV

Song Year: 2008

The title of this song, “Cinta Ini Membuuhku,” means “This love is killing me,” and it’s an apt title for this song.

The song discusses the theme of a “tired heart,” trying to convince the singer that his relationship is worth fighting for. However, he sees the cracks in the veneer and challenges the expectation of a happy ending.

D’Masiv is an Indonesian rock band initially formed in Jakarta. It comprises six members, including Nurul Damar Ramadan, Rian Ekky Pradipta, Dwiki Aditya Marsall, Rayyi Kurniawan Iskandar Dinata, Wahyu Piadji, and Vegry Harindah Husain.

The band is known for its unique sound, and they have been making hit music since 2006.

“Salah” by Potret

Song Year: 1997

Although this song was released in 1997, it remains one of the most famous Indonesian songs in the country’s musical history.

“Salah” is about a woman whose love has been lost to others. She laments the loss of her lover, claiming he has been with other women.

However, the song takes a turn when the woman claims that she has been visiting other men, and they must not have been meant to be.

Potret is a ska and pop band formed in Indonesia in the early 1990s. The band continues to make music today, and lead vocalist Melly Goeslaw remains popular in Indonesia.

“Aku Cinta Kau Dan Dia” by Ahmad Band

Song Year: 1998

Ahmad Band is an Indonesian supergroup rock band. They formed the band in 1998 and only released one album, so they are considered a one-off supergroup.

Their hit single, “Aku Cinta Kau Dan Dia,” is about a man in love with two people simultaneously. He wants to decide between them but worries that he will let go of something good when he does. But, because both relationships are young, he cannot make a choice.

Ahmad Band was the brainchild of Ahmad Dhani, and he continues to make music under his solo record deal to this day.

“Melompat Lebih Tinggi” by Sheila On 7

Song Year: 2003

This song has a unique rock and pop influence and sounds similar to American music in the early 2000s.

“Melompat Lebih Tinggi” was released in 2003 and discussed the virtues of relationships formed in hardship.

The song describes the protagonist’s persistence in remaining happy and expressing joy despite his struggles. He explains that we are all connected and can lift each other no matter the difficult moments.

The song’s beautiful message appealed to millions in Indonesia and around the world, earning top spots on the Billboard 100.

Sheila On 7 remains one of Indonesia’s most famous bands.

“Cintaku” by Chrisye

Song Year: 1977

“Cintaku” is about finding love in an otherwise complex world. The song is dedicated to the people who embrace love, and the singer compares this love to the world’s natural beauty. He claims that “there is no power that exceeds the beauty of loving,” a message that transcends popular music and appeals to many.

Although this song was released in 1977, it continues to enjoy tremendous popularity across Indonesia. The singer, Chrisye, is a progressive pop singer and songwriter from Jakarta. His 40-year career has led to over 20 studio albums and many more independent projects. This song remains one of the most famous modern songs in Indonesia.

“I Will Fly” by Ten2Five

Song Year: 2004

This song is about the magic of falling in love. The music touches on the beauty of a new relationship and learning everything about another person. However, it takes a turn when the protagonist is separated from the person she loves, dismayed at learning to love all over again.

Ten2Five is a Jakarta musical group consisting of Imel, Didit, Arief, Lea, Udin, Teguh, Robin, and Poltak. Members formed the band in 1998 and continue to earn considerable popularity for their music.

Best Indonesian Songs, Final Thoughts

However, the songs on this list represent some of the most famous Indonesian songs. They all feature timeless lyrics and beautiful melodies. Due to Indonesia’s burgeoning music industry, you can expect much more to come!

The traditional music of Indonesia is known as gamelan and consists of a basic orchestral ensemble, but as you’ve seen Indonesian music is as diverse as it is beautiful. I hope you enjoyed them.