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Rita Butar Butar is one of Indonesia's legendary singers known for her powerful and emotional high vocal range. Her name began to rise in the Indonesian music industry in the 1980s thanks to the song “If I Had Wings,” created by maestro Rinto Harahap.
The singer, born in Pematang Siantar on May 11, 1960, has not only succeeded on the national pop stage but also played a significant role in the development of Batak pop music and Christian spiritual songs. Her career was shaped by encounters with great musicians and support from her family, especially her mother who always accompanied her.
Behind the fame of her iconic songs that skyrocketed her name, Rita's career journey is full of dynamics and achievements across various music genres. Her uniqueness lies in her powerful high vocal range, which has become a hallmark of every performance and has a significant impact on the Indonesian music industry. Check out her complete profile below.
1. The Beginning of Rita Butar Butar's Career

Profile of Rita Butar Butar (credit: instagram/ritabutarbutar16)
Rita Butar Butar's professional career began in 1980 when she was still young and just starting her journey in the music world. Her encounter with Rinto Harahap, a famous musician and the owner of Lolypop Records, became a significant moment in her life.
Rinto saw great potential in Rita's vocals and created a song titled "If Only I Had Wings" specifically for her. This song was included in an Indonesian pop album and received an immediate warm welcome from the public, especially in Eastern Indonesia.
2. Popularity Through the Song "If Only I Had Wings"
The song "If Only I Had Wings" became a turning point in Rita's career and introduced her as a prominent female singer in the 1980s. The emotional lyrics and touching melody made this song easily accepted by various audiences.
The popularity of this song even transcended generations, as evidenced by its cover by the band Geisha, and its frequent performances in talent shows like Indonesian Idol and Golden Memories. This song became an icon that is hard to separate from Rita's name.
3. Other Songs by Rita Butar Butar

Profile of Rita Butar Butar (credit: instagram/ritabutarbutar16)
After that song, Rita released other works such as "I Don't Want to Beg Anymore" (1981) and "Oh Wind" (1985). Although they received positive responses, neither was able to match the popularity of "If Only I Had Wings".
Nevertheless, both songs still strengthened her existence in the music industry and showed that Rita is a singer with a strong vocal identity and a distinctive style. These songs added variety to her music catalog.
4. Transition to Batak Pop Music and the Song "Didia Rokkap Hi"
After succeeding in the Indonesian pop scene, Rita's devoted mother encouraged her to record songs in the Batak language. She then collaborated with Dakka Hutagalung, a renowned Batak songwriter.
This collaboration resulted in the song "Didia Rokkap Hi" in 1990, which tells the story of a woman and her mother in the context of life and age. This song became popular and is often rearranged by famous Batak singers such as Judika, Lyodra, and Joy Tobing.
5. Contribution in Christian Spiritual Songs and Music Heritage

Profile of Rita Butar Butar (credit: instagram/ritabutarbutar16)
After achieving success with pop and Batak songs, Rita expanded her contributions to gospel and Christian spiritual songs. These songs were well-received by the Christian community due to their spiritual messages and Rita's touching vocal quality.
Now, Rita is recognized not only as a national pop and Batak singer but also as an important figure in Christian spiritual music in Indonesia. Her works are still remembered and sung by many people.
6. Popular Questions About Rita Butar Butar
Q: Who is the creator of the song "Seandainya Aku Punya Sayap"?
A: The song was created by Rinto Harahap, a legendary Indonesian musician who is also the owner of Lolypop Records.
Q: Which song made Rita Butar Butar famous?
A: The song "Seandainya Aku Punya Sayap" is the work that made her name soar in the 1980s.
Q: What are some popular Batak songs performed by Rita Butar Butar?
A: Among them are "Didia Rokkap Hi", "Batu Gantung", and "Surat Narara".
Q: Does Rita Butar Butar also sing spiritual songs?
A: Yes, she actively sings Christian spiritual songs and is known in the Indonesian gospel music scene.
Q: When was the song "Didia Rokkap Hi" first recorded?
A: The song was first recorded in 1990.
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Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.