Rinto Harahap: the greatest Indonesian songwriter who ever lived?

IMHO, he’s the greatest of all of them, the M Nasir of the Indonesian songwriting scene. I would even say that among songwriters in the Malaysian-Indonesian language, Rinto Harahap is at the very top.

Of course he’s got stiff competition – Indonesia has many excellent songwriters, like Charles Hutagalung, Obbie Messakh, Bartje Van Houten, Ebiet G Ade, Arie Wibowo and more recently, Ahmad Dhani (Dewa19). And it has to be mentioned that A Riyanto composed all the songs in the monumental Achir Sebuah Impian soundtrack, not even Rinto could top that.

Rinto was a member of the legendary band The Mercy’s, of which the late Charles Hutagalung was also a member.

Here are some of his best compositions, you can bet you can find these in all karaoke bars in this region:

Betharia Sonatha – Kau Tercipta Untukku

The Mercy’s – Oh Adinda Sayang

Diana Nasution – Benci Tapi Rindu

I’is Sugianto – Nasibku Nasibmu

I’is Sugianto – Jangan Sakiti Hatinya

Christine Panjaitan – Tangan Tak Sampai

Diana Nasution – Aku Tak Tahan Lagi

Rita Butar Butar – Aku Tak Ingin Mengemis Cinta (probably the greatest ever Indonesian female vocalist)

Betharia Sonatha – Aku Ingin Cinta Yang Nyata

Rita Butar Butar – Seandainya Aku Punya Sayap
Hetty Koes Endang – Dingin
Christine Panjaitan – Jangan Simpan Tangismu
Betharia Sonatha (?) – Masih Adakah Rindu
The Mercy’s – Dendang Melayu
Nur’Afni Octavia – bila kau seorang diri
The Mercy’s – Ayah
The Mercy’s – Love
The Mercy’s – Tak sedetikpun

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