Lilin-Lilin Kecil

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil" ([ˈlilinlilin ˈkɛt͡ʃil], English: "Little Candles") is an Indonesian pop song written by James F. Sundah for the Prambors' 1977 Youth Songwriting Competition (Indonesian: Lomba Cipta Lagu Remaja) and performed by Chrisye.

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil"
Remastered cover
Single by Chrisye
from the album LCLR Prambors I
Released	1977
Genre	Pop
Length	4:23
Label	Prambors
Songwriter(s)	James F. Sundah
Chrisye singles chronology
"Merpati Putih" (1977) "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" (1977) "Sabda Alam" (1978)
Audio sample
Chrisye - "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" (1977 version) file help

Considered as Chrisye's signature song, "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" has been covered by more than fifty artists. Rolling Stone Indonesia listed it as the thirteenth best Indonesian song of all time.

Writing

James F. Sundah, then only 21,^[1] wrote "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" for the Prambors' Youth Songwriting Competition of 1977. The initial song was written in D and F.^[2]

Chrisye was chosen to be the singer for his smooth vocals.^[3] The song was arranged by Jockie Soerjoprajogo.^[4]

Themes

According to Sundah, "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" is about his friends who had difficulties in life when older generations had successful careers.^[2] It has also been described as a memorial song.^[5]

Reception

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil" placed fifth in the competition and was the most popular of the finalists on the Lomba Cipta Lagu Remaja album.^[2]

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil" launched Chrisye's career and has been called his signature song.^[2] He considered its success to be due to its immersing melody and romantic lyrics with his smooth vocals.^[3]

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil" has been covered by over fifty singers and bands, including Blue Diamonds, Victor Wood, and Arie Kosmiran. Instrumental versions were released by Alex Faraknimella and Yockie Soerjoprajogo.^[2]

Rolling Stone Indonesia listed "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" as the thirteenth best Indonesian song of all time.^[2]

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil" has been used as a memorial song, such as at the sixth anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombing.^[5]

1992 version

"Lilin-Lilin Kecil"
Song by Chrisye
from the EP Cintamu Telah Berlalu
Released	February 1992
Length	5:03
Label	Musica
Songwriter(s)	James F. Sundah

In 1992, Chrisye re-recorded the song for his first and only EP Cintamu Telah Berlalu. This version featured Bina Vokalia, who provided children's backing vocals,^[6] and was produced by Younky Soewarno.

Personnel

Personnels adapted from album's liner notes.^[7]

• Younky Soewarno – drums, keyboards, arrangement
• B.U.90 – backing vocals
• Bina Vokalia – children's choir
  • Aria - children's voices
  • Asti - children's voices
  • Donny - children's voices
  • Gina - children's voices
  • Rily - children's voices
  • Tina - children's voices