'I danced on stage once -- it was real torture'
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
It's a term flung around way too often, but Chrisye is a legend on the local music scene. He has been around since the 1970s, but the 53-year-old singer/songwriter still manages to remain on top, even when competing with much younger singers.
While he looks poised and a bit retiring when performing, Chrisye (real name Chrismansyah Rahadi) is actually quite self- assured in person, and a bit unpredictable. Sometimes, he gives short answers, sometimes he is left nonplused by the question, and at other times he suddenly laughs and becomes talkative.
"I don't like to complicate things," the father of four teenagers said, taking yet another drag on a cigarette, his ever- present companion.
Question: If you had the choice, what would you be doing now?
Answer: I don't dare to make a choice. I'm very grateful with what I have now.
Q: Which trait do you most like about yourself?
A: I don't know, it's got to be somebody else who judges that ... OK, I'm an open person.
Q: And deplore?
A: Many things. I'm sure I have many flaws.
Q: Whom do you admire?
A: My parents. Because of them I can be what I am now. I look up to them and follow their principles -- commitment, honesty and responsibility.
As for musicians -- professionally, because I don't know them personally -- I admire Koes Brothers, Bing Slamet, Benyamin S. As for foreign musicians, I admire The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton.
Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear? You seem to be quite trendy...
A: Not really. This (jeans and a polo shirt) is what I wear every day. But when it comes to performing, of course, it has to be different. I like the designs of Oscar (Lawalata). He can mix western styles with traditional.
Q: What makes you angry?
A: When things don't go as expected. It's normal, right?
Q: What characteristics do you dislike in others?
A: (Pause) Hypocrisy. Like politicians. Just be who you are. Don't be pretenders.
Q: What makes you cry?
A: Many things, especially when it relates to humanity. Disasters.
Q: Like the recent floods, for example?
A: Yes. Thank God I didn't get hit. It's terrible. I know what it's like to get caught in a flood because I experienced it when I lived with my in-laws. The water was up to my chest, terrible.
Q: Wow, you smoke a lot, don't you?
A: Yes, I'm a heavy smoker. But not as heavy as I used to be, when I was on two packs a day. Now, it's a pack a day.
Q: If there was something you could change about your appearance, what would it be?
A: Nothing. I don't worry about weight either. Whether I eat a lot or eat a little, my body is always like this.
Q: What makes life worth living?
A: According to my religion (he is a Muslim), this life is only temporary. It will determine how the quality of our lives after death will be. So, I live my life sticking to that.
Q: Do you have a favorite song?
A: All of my songs are my favorite. But there is one special song that I really like, Ketika Tangan dan Kaki Bicara (When Hands and Feet Speak) -- the lyrics were written by (poet) Taufik Ismail. The song implies that there are rules for everything in this life. And that one day each part of our bodies will testify to God, whether we used them well or not.
Q: What is the cost of popularity?
A: Privacy, of course. How my family is also in the spotlight while it's me who's the public figure. They don't like that. But there are good things as well. The perks, like getting parking a lot more easily at the mall (laughs).
Q: Some critics say that your music has always been the same...
A: I think they're wrong. From one album to another, there's always some changes. Always. I have to change bit by bit, but still, there's gotta be a line that connects those albums.
Q: A section of the lyrics in your latest single Andai Aku Bisa (I Wish I Could) is similar to James Ingram's I Don't Have The Heart. How come?
A: Yeah, someone sent me an e-mail saying the same thing, too. I'm confused. The song was written by Bebi Romeo and (Dewa's) Dhani Ahmad. But I would say they didn't intend to steal the lyrics ... It's a risk for people like me. There's always jealous people who think that everything I do is wrong. Well, let them be.. Why should I think about that?
Q: What is your recipe for success? Hardly any of your peers are still going...
A: First of all, music is my profession. If I didn't do it, then how could I earn money? Secondly, I have to appreciate people so that they will appreciate me, my work.
And then we also have to be able to evolve. I don't want to follow trends, but I take some elements of the trends that suit me.
Q: You seem to be shy on stage. You hardly move your body, and look out of place with all the dancers and models...
A: Actually, we have to teach the audience that what matters more is the music, not the stage performance. It's different in Europe and the United States, for example. Their appreciation of music is high. They don't really care about the performance. Even if the singer stands still or sits, they don't really care.
Many criticize me, though, saying that I have to dance and stuff ... I just can't. It's not me. I tried once in the 1980s, using choreography and stuff. It was real torture!
Q: What do you think about the local music industry now?
A: It's great. Regeneration occurs, the industry runs. I'm really proud. If I have to quit someday, I'll be content.
Q: What will be your next project?
A: I want something unique. I want an album, something of an homage to songs that once were hits, from the 1940s to 2000. A song representing each decade, something like that.
Q: If the world were going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
A: (Pause) What was that again? I don't know.. I want to go straight to Him (laughs)
Q: Do you have any regrets?
A: No. There's nothing to be regretted in this life. What has happened in the past is a lesson we have to learn.