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MELLY GOESLAW
Real name: Melliana Cessy Goeslaw
Birthplace : Bandung, West Java
Date of birth : January 7, 1974
Current residence : Jakarta
Melly Goeslaw is not only famous as a singer, but also very famous as a songwriter, music arranger, music producer, actress, writer and movie producer. It can even be said that she is the most sought-after movie theme song writer in Indonesia and noted that her songs were successfully performed by other singers. Her love for music does not only include her role as a singer or music arranger. Melly Goeslaw also demonstrates her exceptional songwriting skills. Her works are not just popular songs, but often touch on various emotional and social aspects. She has created songs that became original soundtracks for movies, soap operas, and collaborative works with various wellknown musicians.
Melly Goeslaw’s uniqueness as a songwriter is the fact that she can’t read notes at all. When she gets inspired, she always asks her husband, Anto Hoed, to write the notes for her. They are known as a couple who are united not only in daily life but also in producing quality works. Melly is also claimed to be a songwriter who is active in intellectual property.
Several music groups were also successfully born from her cold hands as a producer. Among others are Potret (1995-present) where Melly occupies the position as vocalist and BBB (Bukan Bintang Biasa) whose members are well-known artists in Indonesia (2006-2015, 2020-present).
With the nickname as the “Queen of Soundtracks”, until now Melly Goeslaw has recorded dozens of albums and written more than five hundred songs. Her name is highly regarded in the entertainment industry in Indonesia and Malaysia.

CAREER JOURNEY
Born as the only daughter of Ersi Sukaesih and Melky Goeslaw, Melliana Cessy Goeslaw or better known as Melly Goeslaw inherited artistic talent from her father who is also one of the famous singers in Indonesia. Melly began singing since the fifth grade of elementary school in Bandung and then began to seriously pursue music in high school by joining Elfa Secoria (a composer and songwriter as well as the founder of the music group Elfa’s Singers and Elfa’s Music Studio). Her first solo album titled “Pilihanku Deritaku” was made in 1988 when she was 14 years old. The album cover read “Meliana Cessy” to make it look more commercial. To continue her singing career, the Goeslaw family decided to move to Jakarta.
Melly has achieved several achievements in music, including third place in the Indonesian Popular Singer Festival (1989), first place in Cipta Pesona Bintang (1992), first place in Asia Bagus in Singapore (1992), and first place in Bintang Radio TVRI West Java (1993).
When Melly became a backing singer on Katon Bagaskara’s (one of Indonesia’s most famous singers) tour, fate brought her to meet two important figures in her career, Anto Hoed and Arie Ayunir. This meeting not only changed Melly’s musical dynamics but also led her to her true love.
Together with Anto Hoed, the musician and husband she married on August 4, 1995, Melly formed the music group “Potret” where she herself became the vocalist of the group and wrote all the songs. It was also in that year that her career as a professional musician began. The Potret music group, which carries the creative pop genre, has produced seven albums and some of its hits are still listened to by Indonesian music lovers today.
In 1999, her career as a solo singer began with her first professional album titled “Melly”. Her hit song “If”, which she sang in duet with Ari Lasso, sold well in the market. Melly’s career as a songwriter went uphill after in 2002, she and Anto Hoed produced the theme song for the legendary movie Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? The album won the 2004 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) “Best Music Director” award and the 2002 Anugerah Musik Indonesia “Best Songwriter” award.
This success was followed by further successes through albums, various singles, writing short stories and novels, movies and concerts. Melly Goeslaw’s solo concert entitled “GLOW” held on August 19, 2009 at Tennis Indoor Senayan, South Jakarta was a huge success. A series of big names also performed at this concert, such as Yuni Shara, Kristina, Krisdayanti, Rossa, and BBB (Bukan Bintang Biasa).
Right on her 50th birthday, besides celebrating with her family and friends, Melly Goeslaw also inaugurated Balad Melly at Above and Beyond Paskal Hyper Square. Balad Melly is a forum for the community, especially young people, to channel their interests and talents in several fields. According to Melly, Intellectual Property (IP) or intellectual property is the pulse of every creative industry player. IP is wealth born from human intellectual abilities, including technology, science, art, and literature.
On June 1, 2024, titled the “Ada Apa Dengan Melly & Friends” concert which took place at the Axiata Arena Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Melly Goeslaw managed to perform stunningly with sold-out tickets. Closing the year 2024, Melly Goeslaw Rocked Beach City International Stadium, Ancol, Jakarta, with ‘The Greatest Melly Goeslaw Everlasting Harmony Concert: Everlasting Harmony’ on September 29, 2024. The singer-songwriter performed a total of 30 of her best songs. This concert not only features Melly’s all-time hits, but also comes with a mesmerizing stage act.

WORKS
Behind her songwriting expertise, singer Melly Goeslaw admits that she has no talent for playing musical instruments. However, Melly Goeslaw loves to write, including composing letters and poems. Initially, she did not realize that she had a talent for songwriting. Starting from her shy and introverted personality, she used letters as a medium to talk to her mother and friends. This habit continued until finally she also wrote poetry and short stories (short stories).
Melly Goeslaw’s courage to write songs began when she read an article about one of Indonesia’s legendary female singers, Titiek Puspa. The article wrote that Titiek Puspa could not play music, but she could be a songwriter. It was this article that encouraged Melly to try writing songs. At first she asked for help from her friend who could play the keyboard to find notes that fit the song she was making. Until now, Melly Goeslaw can create songs without musical instruments and always works with her husband, Anto Hoed to create songs.
Every music composer does have their own characteristics that are inherent in them. However, Melly admits that she has no special formula when creating a song. She just always tries to make the song that is needed.
As a composer, during the process of making a song, the first thing she thinks about is the lyrics. Therefore, Melly continues to explore the mindset and speech of today’s young generation or commonly called Gen Z. Because according to her, it is one of the keys to continuing to work today. Because according to her, it is one of the keys to keep working until now. By understanding the mindset and language of today’s youth, the songs she creates are expected to be more acceptable and relate to them.
On the other hand, he has also written and sung religious songs. For him, singing a religious song is different from singing an ordinary song. He realizes that every song he makes contains good messages from the religious side. In fact, this religious song not only gives its own effect for him but also for others who listen to it.
Having been in the music industry for so long, Melly sees many differences and changes with the times. In the past, the process was generic, organic and everything was created by herself but now there are many tools, so everyone can write songs and everyone can be a star. On the other hand, with the many conveniences and supporting facilities such as social media and YouTube, she sees that singers now focus more on creating unique and attractive designs on social media and YouTube. But the essence of the song is not really considered, so the song can indeed be a hit but not eternal.
As a songwriter who has a high sensitivity to notes and tones, Melly is also claimed to be a songwriter who is active in intellectual property. Melly and Anto hope that their works can still contribute greatly to the Indonesian music industry in the future. Melly Goeslaw’s works are sung by many famous Indonesian singers such as Kris Dayanti, Rossa, Bunga Citra Lestari and Agnes Monica. Not only that, she has also created two songs for popular singers from Malaysia, Siti Nurhaliza.

INFLUENCE
Melly Goeslaw is one of the most influential figures in the Indonesian music industry. Besides being known as a talented singer, Melly is also known as an accomplished songwriter and music producer. She has become one of Indonesia’s most respected music icons. Melly Goeslaw’s presence in the Indonesian music industry by bringing fresh and straightforward lyrical and musical themes makes their songs very relevant for various generations. Her works are not just popular songs, but often touch on various emotional and social aspects. The lyrics bring a fresh and provocative new style.
Her courage to bring new colors in the country’s music industry proves that Melly Goeslaw is an artist who is able to adapt and develop in various lines of art. Through songs full of emotion and deep lyrics, Melly Goeslaw has inspired millions of listeners and left an indelible mark in the history of Indonesian music. The new color she brings to the country’s music industry not only produces quality musical works, but also provides opportunities for new talents. However, it’s not just her artistic career that Melly Goeslaw is known for. Her controversial statements and stances on various social and political issues in Indonesia have also colored her life. Melly is not only an icon of Indonesian music, but also an influential public figure offstage. Melly Goeslaw not only creates songs about love and life, but also speaks about justice and humanity through art.
With all her achievements, Melly Goeslaw remains humble and continues to work for art and society. Her profile that combines musical talent, courage to voice her views, and an important role in her personal life as a mother and life partner marks the long journey of a Melly Goeslaw in the colorful world of Indonesian arts. These achievements provide proof that as a woman, there is much that can be done in all fields.
In the field of fashion, the woman who is known for her love of color and pattern collision fashion style surprised Indonesian music and fashion lovers when a video clip for her song ‘Terbujuk’ appeared in 1995. The visuals were minimalist, with a bright yellow wall background, a female vocalist in a transparent costume and ‘naughty’ lyrics. The group immediately stole the show and became the talk of the town.
Their second album, ‘Potret II’ with the single ‘Salah’, brought them more attention, especially the lyrics and the vocalist’s style. When performing on stage, her appearance is often in the spotlight. Melly Goeslaw’s fashion is often eccentric and anti-mainstream, which almost always manages to grab the attention of many people. She says there are no special tips or intentions behind her eccentric fashion style, because she wears clothes that reflect her freedom of expression. Not everyone has the courage and free nature to express themselves with eccentric fashion items like her. That what a person wears is a true picture of the wearer’s heart and soul, so the key is to dare to free oneself.
Melly’s appearance is often referred to as the Indonesian version of Lady Gaga. Melly’s creativity is not only applied in songwriting but also in her fashion style that often appears with costumes to headpieces that are antimainstream and steal the attention. Out of the box, the fashion of this woman who is familiarly called Teh Melly always attracts public attention. Her eccentric fashion style is no different when she was before the hijab. This is reflected in how she previously dared to express herself with various colors and unique hairstyles.

AWARDS
Throughout her career, Melly Goeslaw has received several awards. The awards she received were predominantly for the Best Songwriter category, including Best-Best Songwriter, Best Dance/Rap/Hiphop/House Music Songwriter, Best Alternative Songwriter, Best Progressive Pop Songwriter and Best Pop Songwriter, as well as 1 Lifetime Achievement Award. By Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine, two of his songs with the group Potret titled “Salah” and “Bunda” were included in the list of “150 Best Indonesian Songs of All Time”. Each is ranked 74th for the song “Salah” and 110th for the song “Bunda”.
Meanwhile, her work for the soundtrack of the 2002 hit romantic drama film, Ada Apa dengan Cinta? together with her husband Anto Hoed, earned them the Citra Award at the 2004 Indonesian Film Festival. These achievements are proof of Melly Goeslaw’s great contribution in elevating Indonesia’s name in the national and international music scene.
Source:
Lady in Melody, Museum Musik Indonesia, 2024