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An important motif in popular Arabic music is that it deals with matters of the heart.
From the expansive, majestic works of Umm Kultum to the modern pop sounds of Ahmed Al Saad, the region’s artists have always found fresh ways to talk about love.
Emirati singer Mehd Hamad once described love as “a house filled with light.” Egyptian singer Abu compared the effect to the beating of a drum. His compatriot Abdul Halim Hafez said love makes one forget about life itself, while Asmahan, a Syrian, warned how love can bring joy to life and then take it away. .
In no particular order, here are 14 songs that explore this timeless emotion.
1. Enta Omri by Umm Kultum (1964)
The song, which translates to “You are my life,” is one of the Egyptian artist’s best love songs.
Originally recorded as a 40-minute piece featuring various movements, Umm Kultum also created a similar shorter version.
Rather than a hummable instrumental passage, the heart of the song lies in the direct lyrics written by Ahmed Kamal, which explore the all-encompassing nature of love.
From the agony of longing to describing a new romance as “the dawn of life,” Umm Kulthum evokes the weight of that emotion in one of her best performances.
2. “Awaq” by Abdel Halim Hafez (1953)
Recorded early in the career of a revered Egyptian singer called Black Nightingale, Awaku (I Love You) is an ideal showcase for Hafez’s sonorous vocals.
Hussein El-Sayed’s lyrics abandon metaphor and speak directly to the heart.
“I love you, and if I could forget you, I wish my soul would forget along with you,” the song begins. “And if you lose it, you can forget about me.”
3. Ashek El Rou, written by Mohamed Abdel Wahab (1949)
I would like to thank Mohamed Abdel Wahab, who pioneered the orchestral sound that leads to today’s classical and contemporary Arabic music.
Translated as “lover of the soul.” Ashek El Row It features conversational lyrics and rhythmic use of strings and mandolin.
This tension is consistent with Abdel-Wahhab’s theme of begging his partner to be emotionally close to him. beside you “
4. “Eina El Rayari” by Asmahan (1932)
In this longing ballad, Syrian singer Asmahan wonders, “Where did all the fun nights go?”
Accompanied by the oud, she pours her heart out, detailing love that ignites and heals.
5. Written by Sallimleh Alayh Fairuz (1999)
One of the Lebanese singer’s most sentimental songs.
The song’s title means “Say hello to him,” and the lyrics can be seen as a tender ode to the sadness that comes from aging relationships and unrequited love.
“Say hello to him,” the song begins. “Say hello to him and tell him it’s from me. Kiss him in the eye and tell him I’m kissing him in the eye – you who understand him.”
6. Written by Avini Kadhim Al Sahil (2004)
It’s hard to choose the best love song by Khadim Al Sahir.
That’s because the Iraqi singer and poet examined the subject from virtually every angle, from romance and obsession to heartbreak and friendships.
and Abini Al Sahil may have come up with the most vulnerable lyrics on this subject, begging his partner to accept him for who he is.
“Love me without complications, throw yourself into the lines of my hands,” he sings in the chorus.
“Love me for a week, a few days, an hour/Because I’m not the kind of person to care about eternity.”
7. Marwan Khoury – Kol El Qasaid (2008)
Khoury has composed some of the most romantic songs of modern Arabic pop for the likes of Elissa and Carole Samaha, but the Lebanese artist also keeps some of his best material for himself. was doing.
in Col El Qasaid (“All the Poems”) He details how love inspired him to write these memorable songs.
“This is a love song that lasts for years / It’s tears and longing for you,” he sings over jaunty strings.
“My heart loves you, who am I without love?”
8. El Hob El Kebir by Ragheb Allama (2004)
Known for his romantic ballads, El Hob El Kebir Lebanese singer Ragheb Allama finds himself remembering the “greatest love of his life”.
Although the song was created as an upbeat pop track, it expresses feelings about strong and lasting relationships, making it a popular Valentine’s Day and wedding song.
9. Shafakat Barek Lela by Mehad Hamad (2018)
Roughly translated to “Ferocious Lightning,” the track is a captivating blend of traditional Emirati folk and blues.
Mehd Hamad’s grizzled tone speaks of being hit by Cupid’s arrow and how love is “medicine for the wounded” and “it is a house wrapped in light” .
10. 3 Dakat Abu ft. Yusra (2017)
Not every romantic song has to be a slow ballad, as this breezy summer hit shows.
The smart lyrics, a collaboration between Abu and fellow Egyptian actress Yusra, liken love at first sight to the increasing rhythm of a song. “My heart beat three times when I saw her/The drums came in my head and played with what was inside/When Riku [a hand percussion instrument] I jumped into my heart and fell in love. What should I do? I started singing. ”
The song was an instant hit, racking up over 125 million views on YouTube within the first three months of its release.
11. Tamari Mark Written by Amr Diab (2000)
The title means “Always with You” and is one of the Egyptian pop artist’s most influential works.
A fusion of Mediterranean guitar and coveted strings, spreading nostalgia. Tamarie Mark Diab recalls an unforgettable relationship.
“Even if you are far away, I will be with you,” he says. “I have your love in my heart.”
12. El Bint El Awiye by Wael Kfory (2021)
This is one of Kfoury’s biggest hits, and he skirts the line between love, heartbreak, and cynicism.
Flashes of flamenco guitar abound, and Kfoury ditches his trademark yearning vocals for a more playful staccato.
“If you ever leave me and stop loving me, I swear you’ll blind me,” he sings.
“My life would be ruined if you left. What would I do? I don’t know.”
Is this a dramatic declaration of love or a joke? If it all sounds so fun and refreshing, who cares?
13. Alekhi Eyon, Ahmed Saad (2022)
Great Arabian love songs aren’t entirely confined to the past, as this beautiful number by Ahmed Saad proves.
An instant hit upon release, it’s a modern piece with gently syncopated drums and smooth synths.
Translated as “You Have Eyes,” the song reflects on the healing ability of love.
“Your story took away all my sadness and made me feel better,” he says.
“It makes my mind feel safe and in tune.”
14. “Hadar Abek” by Issam Al-Najjar (2021)
Released on YouTube, the song became a viral sensation, reaching No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50, a chart that measures how songs are shared across platforms, blogs, and social media.
Built on a breezy folk arrangement similar to singers Ed Sheeran and Jason Mraz, the song exudes a gentle melancholy while detailing a rocky relationship.
Al-Najjar’s lyrics are a mixture of candor and conviction, addressing his partner directly and promising her that he will always be by her side. “I’ll always be with you,” he sings. “Even if everyone is against you, I will continue to love you.”
Best of all is the inventive and simple chorus, “La papa papa la para para pa,” which can be hummed from Amman to Amsterdam.
Updated: February 14, 2024, 9:59 a.m.
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