"Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur" (English: "Tears in Kuala Lumpur") is a song written by Malaysian P. Ramlee. The song was composed before his death on 29 May 1973, at the age of 44. The song was recorded by his wife, Saloma. The song was intended to be used in a film of the same title. The film would have been the first colour film Ramlee directed, but Ramlee died before it could be shot. Saloma's recording was released as the title track of an album in 1974.

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song as written by P. Ramlee describe the gloomy days and feeling of unhappiness and despair. In the song he wrote "''Hancur musnah impian mulia''" ("Noble dreams are shattered"), "''Gelaplah pasti masa hadapan''" ("The future is certainly dark"), "''Zahirku hidup hai batinku mati''" (My appearance is alive but my mind is dead"), and "''Remuk redam hatiku'' hancur" (My heart is crushed). The song may be interpreted as his feeling of disappointment and sadness at failing to achieve his dream in Kuala Lumpur after years with the Malay Film Productions in Singapore. The line "''Istana ku bina menjadi pusara''" ("I built a tomb out of the palace ") describes his sense of failure. In the line 'Jiwaku merayau utara dan selatan''" ("My soul wanders North and South"), he wondered if he should go back North to his birth place

Penang Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...

or South to Singapore. The song, however, was sung by his wife Saloma, and it could be also interpreted as her feeling at his unexpected death.

Covers

The song has been covered by many artists, including Liza Hanim in her tribute album to Ramlee ''Dimana Kan Ku Cari Ganti'', Siti Nurhaliza, Aishah, and Hazama.

References

External links

* {{authority control 1972 songs Malaysian songs