NOAH’s English Song Review: My Situation & Hero by Sahabat Aanika

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Introduction: Sahabat Aanika Reviews NOAH’s English Songs

Hello! My name is Aanika and I’ve been a fan of Indonesian band NOAH for over 15 years. As an English speaking fan from America who fell in love with the band through Ariel’s haunting voice that inspired me to write a poem despite not understanding a word of Bahasa Indonesian, I’ve often wished more people around me could hear what I hear.

That’s why I was thrilled (and nervous) when NOAH released their first two original songs in English: My Situation and Hero.

This review shares my honest reflections on both: celebrating the potential, acknowledging the missteps, and offering constructive feedback from someone who has sung along to NOAH songs on sidewalks, buses, and bedroom floors across the world. 

What is a Sahabat NOAH?

Sahabat NOAH are the official fan community of Indonesia’s most iconic alternative rock band NOAH (formerly known as Peterpan).

🎵My Situation – Song Overview

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Writers: Nazril Irham (Ariel)

Producer: NOAH & Steve Lillywhite

Available on:

🎼Lyrics & Language Concerns

Lyrics in official music video description

Technical Details Video Description Issues:

“How the story ends, we can’t be tent”. appears in the official music video description.

I don’t understand what the phrase/sentence “we can’t be tent” means. Is the word contentment shortened to “tent”? Even if it was, this line doesn’t make sense.

Format Inconsistencies:

  • Original music video includes English lyrics in description
  • Acoustic and audio versions don’t include English lyrics
  • In acoustic version at 2:28, Ariel can be seen looking at a piece of paper which I assume has the lyrics

The original music video has the English lyrics in the description. The acoustic and only audio version doesn’t include the English lyrics in video description.

🎥Music Video: Visuals vs Storytelling

I appreciate the visuals and editing independently. However, visuals are confusing as I do not feel like there is much of a story or cohesiveness.

If I watched these visuals anywhere else, I would still appreciate them because editing is fabulous. For me, different scenes do not flow with the lyrics and music in the same way that other NOAH music videos have done in the past.

🎙️Ariel’s Vocal Delivery

Ariel’s voice is wonderful as usual, but the pronunciation is NOT great.

Production Concerns: I’m VERY disappointed because nobody seemed to have coached Ariel properly on word pronunciation before publishing this music video publicly.

Language Context: Learning Process: I acknowledge it’s easier to listen to a song in another language repeatedly and imitate how it’s sung by the original singer even in a language you do not speak or understand very well.

Original Work Challenge: Since this is an original English song by NOAH, there is nothing he can listen to know how specific words should be pronounced.

Performance Issues: There is a stiffness and discomfort in his voice instead of ease. Like he is memorizing the lyrics and trying to say them correctly while singing. Emotion is not present.

💭 First Impressions & Personal Impact Emotional Context

I consider myself to be the biggest English speaking longtime non-Indonesian Sahabat NOAH from America.

Yet, I wouldn’t share this song/music video with my English-speaking circle. Why? Because it’s not that great. It doesn’t represent the best of NOAH much less Ariel’s vocal prowess.

Comparative Success: When the English-speaking people in my life read my story of how I fell in love with Indonesian music, they listened to Mennunggumu. Many of them said they liked this song as it reminded them of old school soft rock. It was their first time listening to an Indonesian song. They liked it! There were no English lyrics. This was a song released over 10 years ago. But they liked it, and they told me they understood why I am so passionate about NOAH’s songs and captivated by Ariel’s ethereal voice. They too saw how talented Ariel was.

🧠 Artistic Integrity & Constructive Criticism

But, Ann, how can you say all that as a HUGE longtime fan and admirer of NOAH/Ariel?

Being the biggest fan means I also have the highest expectations for Ariel/NOAH. And I KNOW Ariel/NOAH can do better. Because they HAVE done better in the past. I have evidence of it.

Evidence of Excellence in Past Performances

I expect better because I’ve heard Ariel sing every single song by NOAH/Peterpan hundreds of times alongside his covers of other English songs and familiar with his vocal range.

Ariel NOAH’s Notable Cover Successes

Audience Test

I made other people listen to Ariel singing these two songs on my phone without seeing the video or knowing any other information and nobody could tell that it was a cover and not the original song.

Other Language Success: Japanese Version

I do not speak Japanese so I cannot comment on pronunciation, but Moshimo Mata Itsuka ft. Ariel Nidji (Japanese Version of Mungkin Nanti) was FANTASTIC! So much emotion when he sung this song. Okay, I know this is slightly cheating since he already knows the lyrics and music so well as original song is in Bahasa Indonesian.

I will not reveal the number of times I’ve replayed it and tried to sing along.

Professional Assessment Constructive Criticism Context

But Ann, how can you say that after everything you’ve written?

I know I am making a HUGE assumption when I say this, but I do not believe Ariel will be offended or hurt if he reads this (I really hope not as that is not my intention).

🔍 Evidence of Ariel’s Perfectionism

Artist Understanding: I think he will understand exactly what I’m talking about.

He understands nuance. He knows more about music and delivery of lyrics than me probably. How can he improve if he doesn’t know what needs improvement? And how can his talent/NOAH’s music be marketed to an international / English-speaking audience if the delivery is not refined?

No, I’m not saying NOAH needs to start producing English songs only moving forward to market themselves effectively to an English-speaking audience.

Plenty of people (excluding me) already appreciate their songs in Bahasa Indonesian.

Artist Character Analysis Work Ethic

Also, my intuition has always led me to believe that he is the type of musician that likes and wants the best of everything when it comes to his work.

Doesn’t matter how big or small it is.

He is a perfectionist who likes things to be correct. And just right.

🔍 Evidence of Ariel’s Perfectionism

Finally, I have evidence (at least I think so) 😉

This is exactly what Shakira Jasmine points out during the process when she collaborated with him on Urieui Iyagi (Korean version of Seumua Tentang Kita). If the YouTube transcription is accurate but please correct me if I’m wrong.

Collaboration Process

Look at the focused way he is discussing the original lyric meanings with the Korean language translator/expert in this video.

Seumua Tentang Kita is an extremely hit song which was composed by Ariel, and the lyrics are written by him. He is not going to just let anybody translate into another language without them truly understanding the meaning of the emotions and story involved.

Professional Integrity

It is not because of his ego.

But because he cares about his work A LOT STILL.

🎤 Imagined Vocal Coaching from Ariel

I have been singing NOAH’s songs in my car, bathroom, grocery stores, on buses in foreign countries, and in my bedroom for over a decade.

In my head, I might think that I have been practicing singing this song (insert any NOAH song under these 3 albums: Taman Langit, Bintang di Surga, Hari Yang Cerah) for over 10 years. My pronunciation can’t be THAT bad. I know the song tune and lyrics so well by now that I can sing it in my sleep.

Once again, I recognize I’m making a HUGE assumption, but I believe the following.

If I have the privilege to meet Ariel and have the honor of singing with him, I believe he will appreciate my sincere effort in trying to sing a song in a language that I do not speak, understand, or hear very often around me.

But I do NOT think he will clap his hands and say “Wow! Great job! That’s awesome!” if he hears me sing one of his songs.

Example of the scenario/conversation that I imagine having in my head:

Ariel: Berhenti…. seperti ini.

Me: OMG!!!! I KNOW THOSE WORDS!!!! Those were in the song lyrics.

Okay, okay I’m paying attention. I’m being serious.

Yes, please go on.

Tell me.

Because I believe that is the type of person he is. That is who he is.

I might be completely wrong. However, this is how I have always believed Ariel is in real life. He is a perfectionist that cares a lot about his work and how his work is portrayed. He wants and likes to see improvement. He expects better.

I think he believes in not only passively supporting but actively encouraging, championing, and elevating other people’s talent and potential.

And I think he would expect me to improve and get better at my pronunciation of singing his songs.

In fact, I think he would have higher expectations from ME than any other fan trying to sing his songs.

🎬 Studio Insight: Steve Lillywhite Quote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tF5hlfGylw

Video Timestamp: 9:03

Steve: You’re analyzing it, before you’ve done it. Do it and then we analyze it.

I am certain Steve Lillywhite is talking to Ariel in this video (someone please correct me if I’m wrong).

Comment

This scene in the video made me laugh inside because this is the same advice everyone in my life has given me for so long. I am a perfectionist that is always analyzing before doing something instead of vice versa.

🌍 International Strategy & Market Potential

I read some of the comments originally written in Bahasa Indonesian underneath the music video using a translation app and they mention how this video doesn’t have that high of a view compared to others and how this music + music video had a very Coldplay and Linking Park vibe. Other fans have also made the same or similar comments regarding other songs/Ariel’s voice. So why not capitalize on that?

Although I didn’t manually compare number of views of this music video to other music videos, I’m not surprised if it did have less views.

Marketing Strategy: Why not capitalize on that Coldplay/Linkin Park vibe that fans notice?

Future Direction: No, I’m not saying NOAH needs to start producing English songs only moving forward to market themselves effectively to an English-speaking audience. Plenty of people (excluding me) already appreciate their songs in Bahasa Indonesian.

Personal Commitment

I’ve been screaming and yelling to everyone to please listen to NOAH’s music since I was 17 years old. I can help but I cannot probably have the same impact and influence that a major music company and marketing, and public relations team can accomplish if they collaborate together towards a common goal.

🎵Hero – Song Overview

Release Date: October 8, 2021

Writers: Nazril Irham (Ariel), Giring Ganesha

Producer: Steve Lillywhite

Available on:

Lyrics in official music video description: “If you ask me how I fell”

When Ariel sings that line, he says “how I feel”.

The audio version doesn’t have lyrics in the description, but Ariel’s pronunciation is clearly “feel” once again.

🎤 Vocal Delivery & Pronunciation

Ariel’s pronunciation is much better here overall than it was in My Situation. I don’t know if this has something to do with him actually co-writing the song lyrics.

🎬 Hero Music Video: Story & Emotional Impact

I like the music video WAY MORE than My Situation because I think it has more depth and the story / creative concept flows better.

💭 First Impressions & Emotional Context

I still have the audio version of Ariel singing “Hero” for the first time in public in the UK at a concert saved on my phone. It was a big deal for me at the time to hear an original English song by NOAH. When the music video came out, I didn’t really like it. Recently, after listening to this song again, I still don’t like it that much. I think it sounds very polished compared to the first time he sang it, and I thought that earlier version had more emotion in it.

Final Thoughts: Why These Songs Matter & And What’s Still Missing

As someone who has long championed NOAH’s music across language and cultural barriers, reviewing these English releases was deeply personal. I want to be able to share NOAH’s music with my English-speaking friends not just because I’m a fan, but because I know how deeply moving and powerful Ariel’s voice can be.

But to truly connect with global audiences, these songs need more than translation, they need emotional ease, refined pronunciation, and visual storytelling that resonates across borders.

I believe in NOAH’s talent. I’ve seen what Ariel is capable of, and I know what this band means to so many people, including me.

That’s why this isn’t just a critique. This isn’t just feedback. It’s a reflection from someone who has been singing along for over a decade.

And who still believes deeply that NOAH’s best English song hasn’t been released.

© 2023-2026 Aanika I. All Rights Reserved.

✅ Ariel NOAH Stories

🎤 Why I Fell for Ariel’s Voice
A personal story of how an American fan became captivated by Ariel and Indonesian music → Love Letter to an Indonesian Rockstar

🧩 Top 5 Struggles of Being a NOAH Fan Outside Indonesia
From translation barriers to inaccessible merch—real challenges faced by a global Sahabat → NOAH Fan Struggles

🥀 The Poem That NOAH Inspired
Written after watching Menunggumu, this poem marked the beginning of a creative awakening → Dark Angel: A Poem

🎨 A Decade of NOAH-Inspired Art
Visual fan art pieces that capture the emotional power of Ariel’s lyrics and presence → Peterpan/NOAH Fan Artwork Gallery

🎶 Visit NOAH Project Archive – explore all stories, reviews, and fan reflections on NOAH’s music journey in one place

#kaleidoscopicfootprints #kaleidosopicheart #arielnoah #sahabatnoah #sahabataanika #mysituationartinya

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