#OrangKL: Sudirman and Alleycats, what do they have in common?

ENGLISH punk rock band, The Clash has serenaded us with London Calling, Frank Sinatra’s unforgettable melodious vocals will always be remembered in New York, New York and Freddie Mercury was synonymous with Barcelona, the theme song for Olympics 1992.

Kuala Lumpur is no exception.

Since Union Jack was taken down from Dataran Merdeka on 31 August 1957 until the completion of the world’s highest twin tower in the world, there have been a string of songs that paid tribute to the city of Kuala Lumpur.

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Keroncong Kuala Lumpur - P. Ramlee (1968)

This song is featured in Anak Bapak in the same year. The late Tan Sri P. Ramlee as Che’ Harun attended a circumcision event and was asked by his employees to sing this tune.

Kuala Lumpur Ibu negara Malaysia Aman serta makmur Selepas merdeka
P. Ramlee - Keroncong Kuala Lumpur

Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur - Saloma (1972)

The ballad written by P. Ramlee a year before his demise was the last ballad he co-wrote for his dear wife, the late Puan Sri Saloma.

The heartwrenching lyrics implied his struggle during the end of his career as a renowned performer in Malaysia and Singapore.

Many years and songs later, reality TV star, Hazama performed this song on MeleTOP, produced by Astro RIA.

Hidup sudah tiada bererti Zahirku hidup batinku mati Remuk redah hatiku hancur Air mata di Kuala Lumpur

Saloma - Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur

Senja di Kuala Lumpur - Broery Marantika (1980)

Composed by Datuk Ahmad Nawab, this song cemented this Indonesian crooner’s popularity in Malaysia, who was also synonymous for another tearjerker titled, Biar Bulan Bicara.

Indonesian singer, Poppy Mercury has also popularised a song titled, Tragedi Antara Penang dan Kuala Lumpur, produced in 1991.

Kan ku ingat kan ku kenang Senja indah senja di Kuala Lumpur Kan ku bawa kan ku simpan Senja indah senja di Kuala Lumpur
Broery Marantika - Senja di Kuala Lumpur

Chow Kit Road - Sudirman (1981)

April 14, 1986 will never be forgotten by over 100 thousands of city folks as they witnessed Asia's Best Performer staged a free concert in Chow Kit Road, held as tribute to his fans.

Indahnya petang di Chow Kit Road Kuala Lumpur Indahnya petang di Chow Kit Road Kuala Lumpur

Sudirman - Chow Kit Road

Kuala Lumpur Oh Kuala Lumpur - Malek Ridzuan (1981)

Besides the original singer, this song has been performed by Adam Ahmad for Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) promotional video in 1986 and the alternative rock band Hujan in 2012.

Director Mamat Khalid’s directorial, Rock Oo also featured this song iin the comedy.

Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur Menyinari hidupku Kota yang penuh dengan cabaran

Malek Ridzuan - Kuala Lumpur Oh Kuala Lumpur

Senyumlah Kuala Lumpur - Alleycats (1982)

This song is undoubtedly one of the most popular KL-themed song until today. Complemented by its vocalist, David Arumugam's husky vocals, this song will never cease to sizzle Alleycats' die-hard fans until today.

Kuala Lumpur senyumanmu Di pagi ini Sungguh bererti Kerna cinta bersemi lagi Setelah kemarau panjang

Alleycats - Senyumlah Kuala Lumpur

Sesat di Kuala Lumpur - Kembara (1986)

This is one of the original soundtracks for Kembara Seniman Jalanan, a film starring Datuk M. Nasir, Amy Search and the singer of Saya Anak Malaysia, Dr Sam Rasputin.

Not long after, the latter released Oleh-Oleh di Kota Raya with his band Musafir.

Sesat di Kuala Lumpur Dosa dan pahala bercampur Tapi kita perlu hidup Kita perlu terus hidup
Kembara - Sesat di Kuala Lumpur

Hujan Bunga di Kuala Lumpur - Ana Raffali (2010)

One of Ana’s songs which catapulted her name as an indie pop singer/songwriter in the local music scene.

Several artistes followed in her footsteps which saw the release of other tunes that paid tribute to KL such as The Times' Panik di Kuala Lumpur in 2007 and Kuala Lumpur (2008) by Hujan.

Hujan bunga di Kuala Lumpur Kini sudah tiada Masa untuk mencari payung Berteduh kita bawah surat khabar Lalu terbaca berita kata Hujan ini tak akan reda

KL Kita - Yuna & Qi Razali (2012)

Featured in Yuna’s Terukir di Bintang, this song was picked as the soundtrack for Kolumpo, a movie that comprised three interrelated stories by three different directors.

Waktu mencemburui aku Kota raya menjamahku Di mana perginya mimpiku Mungkin dijemarimu

Kotarayaku - Altimet & Noh (2014)

This song was initially performed by Tom in 2012 but the subsequent version gained better traction among fans largely due to Altimet’s masterful rap wordplay.

Oh Kuala Lumpur Kau yang tak pernah tidur Menjaga mimpi yang luntur Oh kotarayaku Kisah seribu satu Abadi di jalananmu