ME AND LIZAWATI

As I sip to my morning coffee while thinking of what to blog? I am NOT going to blog about how upsetting this year Final of EuroFootball 2012.

Its has been a very tiring weeks for me waiting and not getting enough sleep.  Thanks to the remote control, I can flip the channel without moving myself.  Coincidentally, I flip to the radio channel, that when I heard the song 'LIZAWATI'. 

I smile to myself, as that song brings back so many memories from the past till today.


Well the thought of it is clear, I shall blogged about it!  Mainly because many have been misunderstood with my song LIZAWATI. So, how do I begin this "grandfather" story of mine. 



A song I wrote the lyrics in the early 80s with a dear friend the late Osman Ghani. Im sure most of you know who he is.

My 3rd album, The title of the album TETAP MENANTI ( was the targeted song )
"LIZAWATI' was not even focus to be the Number one song..

Strangely, I only realize that many fans and radio DJ's will always connect me with that song. ALWAYS. I do not understand but I guess I could just be so full of myself  for a moment. That song is a One hit Wonder don't you think? Even though it was such a long time ago. How times flies. Thirty years just flew through the keyhole and still that song is being played over and over again.

The titles they give, the trademarks. I would just deliver a warm smile back when they start to say.


RAHIM MAAROF!!!!! AND HIS POPULAR SONG -  L I Z A W A T I !!!!!!!!

Yes, I have not sang this song for a very long time, even by special request, I just turn it down.

...or maybe that I'm the most well known person for that song. I must say a Big Thank You to all the radio stations. Please do remember I do have other songs as well.

I am not denying that the song gave me a BIG BREAKTHROUGH in my early career.

Since that song was always attached to me and my name for the last three decades. I was so often asked during  the radio interviewed and in the Press. I am sorry to say that I was pissed off with the same question. Don't blame me, how will you feel, if you were to be asked the same question for so many years. Its like asking when the red light shines do we go or stop? - Figure of Speech.

Indeed it was a hit song. I also have it done in different versions, in Salsa later in the early 90s. Maybe I will remake it again in rockish version. - Then again, I will. Because you know why? I am versatile.

*drum rolling* Terrrrrr...! the moment you all have been waiting for.  WHO WAS LIZAWATI?? 

Good question. LONG ANSWER. Care to read more?

Yes, there was a LIZA in my life but not with a Wati.


I always remember her face when I sing that song in the past. Always, its like the sound of angels that kept coming through my mind with the ease of the symphony.

NOW, I GOT YOUR ATTENTION. Everybody likes a love story, yes?

I want to reveal her. She is as real as you and I.


LIZA was her name. A girl I knew from my hometown. She is a very amazing person. Ohh how she sparked my life when I was just a boy. I could say, she was my first crush, she was staying not far from my house at Kota Bharu, KELANTAN.

She is so beautiful, with long black hair, I could say that her hair is so divine that even if you touch, it felt so sinful to do so, and her eyes? Ohh, those perfect set of eyes with long lashes. It sparkles like the stars at night, only brighter and better and when she looked at me, her eyes were the size of the moon. So beautiful I could just die of happiness inside. Her skin was so fair and the surface of her skin just looked so porcelain. I adore her dimples when she smile. Oh that smile that melt my heart every time I take a glimpse at her. Those pink luscious lips. Can you all imagine how Beautiful LIZA IS?

I will blush in front of her when we met eye to eye. I could feel all those red hearts coming out from my herat, that wonderful feeling of what they called LOVE. Kind of a puppy love thing when you are in the early teen.

I would wait for her to pass by my house in the evening after school and my friends will be teasing me or  making fun of me. What to do, you have a packed of foolish friends when it comes to them knowing you have a crush on someone.  I do notice at time, when she tries to steal a look at me. I get all shy and I just smile at her.

( The dream magazines of every teenagers those days )

We spoke casually, We share about our interest on books, music, movies, collecting Pin-up posters of stars. Just like most teenagers do those days. Slight conversations can be just as amazing than now days. There were no dating, holding hand or any indecent activities. Most of our meeting was co incident or impromptu in the market or in town.

  I NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN FELL IN LOVE IN THE INTERNET 

" My  most cherished moment was when I was walking with her one day after school. We spoke about our classes and how annoying a teacher was back then. Because just the same day I got public canning. The embarrassment I feel by portraying what a bad student I was, as she was a good student from educated family. Her family were lawyers "

I told her that I was going to Kuala Lumpur soon. She was surprised. How could I live so soon? I was 14 back then and I barely have the right to choose my ways. She tells me to have a good journey and life in Kuala Lumpur. But her eyes were denying how happy she was. I knew she was about to cry. That moment I just couldn't bear knowing that I broke her heart.


When the day came for me to leave, I waited for her to say Goodbye, because I told her that I want to see her for the last time. Sadly, she did not show up. I hope and believe that she would, but there were no signs of her anywhere So, I left. Heavy heartened I felt. I just have to go.

I did go back to Kota Bharu for holidays and during Hari Raya, hoping to meet her again. But she was not there anymore. I've heard the family migrated to oversea and she further her study there. I regret, I did not asked her where. I often wonder where is she. Why must our live crisscross to a path that way?

Composing the song with Osman and humming to his guitar at a park, trying to finish the last song for my 3rd album. Due to the melody, spontaneously came out the word Liza.  At that moment, I suddenly remember one girl back at my hometown Liza as we ( me and my friends ) know her but don't know her full name.

Osman knew that I can go with any melody so he kept on strumming the guitar and joining me by humming to the song. Once, roughly almost complete that song call 'Liza'.. But my mind kept asking me should I add another name that suit the lyric to described a beautiful girl

So it was called LIZAWATI.

THAT YEAR WHEN LIZAWATI WAS NO. 1 song, many baby girls was named LIZAWATI. 

To all you Lizawatis, my fans  and to all that have not heard this song. I personally edited the video and the lyric from the original version. Especially to Liza of Kota Bharu with the message ' you are my inspiration'. THANK YOU.

Did I met her again?....................................well that's another story.