Lirih


"Lirih" is a song and a final official recording by Indonesian singer, Chrisye, released posthumously by Musica Studios on 1 August 2008, a year after his death from lung cancer on 30 March 2007. Although the song's existence and its recording date is unknown, many presumed that the song was recorded circa February 2007, a month prior to his death. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Vicky Sianipar. It is one of the three Chrisye's songs that released posthumously, the others being "Rindu Ini" and "Yang Kusayang".

Creation

Chrisye had a forty-year career in Indonesia's music industry, starting as a bassist with Sabda Nada before his first stint as a vocalist on the indie album Guruh Gipsy. Following the success of his debut single "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" and album Badai Pasti Berlalu, he began his solo career and signed with Musica Studios. He had released 20 studio albums, an EP and a few compilation albums with Musica prior to his death from lung cancer on 30 March 2007.
To coincide with the first anniversary of Chrisye's death, Musica released his final official recording, entitled "Lirih". The song was originally intended to be part of his 15th studio album, Sendiri Lagi. Aryono Huboyo Djati, the song's composer, said "Lirih" was not included in Sendiri Lagi as "it didn't meet standards, unless it needed minor revisions". Aryono revealed due to the deadline, the song was ultimately dropped from the album. Indrawati Wijaya, head of Musica Studios revealed that he and the Musica managements did never know Chrisye recorded the song secretly and he never knew "if the song is kept on Musica, it's really tucked away".

Composition

The track is three minutes and forty six seconds long, was composed by Aryono Huboyo Djati. Chrisye choose to kept the song's existence a secret, while its recording date is also been kept secret. Aryono said that it was recorded just "for fun". The lyrics was written after a disagreement with a group and revealed that Chrisye had simplified the song's meaning and turn it into a song about love. Aryono described "Lirih" as his "obituary" to him and a "closing chapter" to Chrisye's songs.

Release

"Lirih" was released as Chrisye's last single on 1 August 2008 and marketed as his "secret song". The song's music video was directed by Vicky Sianipar and featuring Ariel of Peterpan, Giring of Nidji, and Chrisye's widow, Damayanti Noor. Chrisye's longtime collaborator, Guruh Sukarnoputra also made a guest appearance. The video was filmed and released in April 2008. The song is also the one of the three songs by Chrisye to be released posthumously after his death, the others being "Rindu Ini" in 2020, followed by "Yang Kusayang" in 2022.