KISAH CINTA
I saw this beautifully written/produced movie "Love Story" acted by Ryan O'Neal and Ali Macgraw. I really liked the song-track sung by Andy Williams. I saw it several times, and each time when the film ended, I walked away with a lump in my throat, when the song was played. One day, Daisy Devan (EMI) called me and asked if I could write the Malay lyrics for Sugiman Jahuri to record in his next album. Without any hesitation, I agreed, and was even prepared to waive any fee that EMI allocated for lyric writers. I knew the English version well by heart, and immediately sat down to put Malay lyrics, depicting myself in the role portrayed in the movie. It was an easy write, and I was pleased with the result.
Sugiman Jahuri sang the song beautifully, but when I was given a copy of the EP, my heart jolted. I noticed an important word in the lyrics was substituted with another, and this totally changed the meaning.
"Dari mulanya ku terkenang wajah yang sungguh jelita" should have been sung this way:-
"Dari mulanya ku terpandang wajah yang sungguh jelita". (The word terkenang was not what I wrote).
Grammatically, nothing was really wrong with that word, and no one even noticed it. Being the writer of the lyrics, I was disappointed because the word "terpandang" made more sense since the lyrics that followed "ku terpandang wajah yang sungguh jelita, senyum mesra dan lemah lembut gayanya" (meaning, that he fell in love with her at first sight, and her beauty, smile and grace, captivated him).
I pointed this out to Daisy. She panicked, and instantly checked with the Producer, and later called to say that it was too late to do anything as the EP was just released. It was a tense moment for EMI. Everyone (including me) was told not to mention this to anyone, for fear that it could be wrongly speculated, and affect the sale.
All fears were put to rest, "Kisah Cinta" became a HIT song, and the best selling album of Sugiman. This is the untold story behind "Kisah Cinta".
Today, "Kisah Cinta" is revived by many new generation singers. I like the vocal in this karaoke version (right). It sounds fresh, and different from the original track,
(Below) "Kisah Cinta" is being given a new treatment by Rudy Djoharnaen. His soothing voice and unique style in delivering the song, make me happy to have written the lyrics.
