Seeing The Existence Of Children's Songs As Part Of The Indonesian Pop Culture

Children during the recording of the song (doc. RFYK)

JAKARTA - Indonesian culture has a long story with children's songs, ranging from people's music which was passed down from generation to generation to the child's pop industry which began to form in the 29170s.

In the early era of the children's pop industry, child singers such as Adi Bing Slamet, Chicha Koeswoyo, Yoan Tamal, and also a band or singer appeared who released children's songs. Big industrial spots make children's songs one of the most promising businesses.

Jumping to the 1990s until the early 2000s, iconic child singers have sprung up, such as Joshua, Tasya, Sherina, Chikita Meidy, Trio Kwek Kwek, and many other names.

Currently, children's songs are not completely gone. There are still some who are still fighting for it. According to the records of the Indonesian Music Award (AMI), the number of children's songs registered for the AMI Awards in the last two years has reached 184 songs (in 2023), and 168 songs (in 2024).

Bringing back the vibrant song of children is certainly not an easy job. A collective role is needed to make Indonesian children's songs return to glory.

Unfortunately, not all parties involved have the will to do that. Every now and then, this effort comes from musicians who are concerned, namely Titiek Puspa who initiated the Ambassador Cinta child group, or Erwin Gutawa who had worked on the above average collective work.

These efforts have many challenges regarding their sustainability. Often, the intention to promote children's songs has no popularity and commercial success. In other words, this is a quiet road for the music industry.

Music observer David Tarigan argues that the popularity of children's songs really depends on the hook of the song, and then how to make the song widely accessible to children through music marketing mechanisms and strategies.

"There is a problem with distribution, there are essential issues that are technical, such as children's song hooks, because children's songs are very important hooks from the song. If you want to make children's songs, once again, it's important to make hooks that are stuck in the child's head. It's easy to remember, "said David Tarigan.

If it is appropriate and there is exposure, it could become popular. However, in today is it possible for business people or entrepreneurs to spend capital or investment on children's songs?

To revive the popularity and trend of children's songs, said David, in the music industry in general, collective spirit from various parties is needed, including adult musicians who have the initiative to release children's songs.

"To make the children's song industry lively again, you can't just come from one party, if there is a collective initiative, you are busy enlivening children's songs by realizing it on purpose or not. That might be interesting," said David.

Collective efforts to revive the vibrant song of children are indeed a shared responsibility, although we cannot force industry players and established musicians to take part in this role. But there are always musicians who see this issue as a moral responsibility, in addition to commercial purposes.

Some of those who participated in enlivening children's songs included Naif, who released the album Bonbinben (2008), and separately in different moments children's songs from Mocca music group were born, and even the movement 'Save Children' in 2016 consisting of former child singers. Most recently, RAN also showed his concern for this realm.

RAN will release a children's album titled RAN For Your Kids on July 23, 2024. The album containing eight tracks consists of four songs and four track voiceovers from Kak Seto. The iconic song Macet Lagi which is synonymous with the character of Si Komo was also revived with a more relevant context.