Find that song!
April 20, 2024 9:36 AM Subscribe
This is a tough one! I heard this song at a party in France. The French and other European people seemed to know it well; I’d never heard of it.
The song was kind of club/pop style, danceable, but with very haunting, evocative, dreamy vocals. The singer was female and was singing in Arabic (I think). So I can’t provide any lyrics. Nor can I hum the tune. The genre of song itself was not what I associate with Arabic “style” music. The lyrics seemed to mostly consist of a repeated phrase. I’d say it was probably from the 90s or 2000s or 2010s, not extremely contemporary, judging by its popularity with the demographics of the party. Good luck!
The song was kind of club/pop style, danceable, but with very haunting, evocative, dreamy vocals. The singer was female and was singing in Arabic (I think). So I can’t provide any lyrics. Nor can I hum the tune. The genre of song itself was not what I associate with Arabic “style” music. The lyrics seemed to mostly consist of a repeated phrase. I’d say it was probably from the 90s or 2000s or 2010s, not extremely contemporary, judging by its popularity with the demographics of the party. Good luck!
Could be the Todd Terje remix of Yali Yali by Nese Karabocek
posted by rollick at 10:15 AM on April 20
posted by rollick at 10:15 AM on April 20
Im Nin'alu by Ofra Haza ?
Sung in hebrew
Was a big hit in many European countries in the late eighties
posted by bluedora at 10:16 AM on April 20 [3 favorites]
Sung in hebrew
Was a big hit in many European countries in the late eighties
posted by bluedora at 10:16 AM on April 20 [3 favorites]
Maybe something by Yasmine Hamdan/one of her projects? She worked with Mirwais on one of her albums (released under the name Y.A.S.) so French people being aware of her isn't out of the question.
(I don't think it's "Get It Right" but ...)
posted by edencosmic at 2:17 PM on April 20
(I don't think it's "Get It Right" but ...)
posted by edencosmic at 2:17 PM on April 20
Probably not the right song - but it is dreamy-tuned and partially sung in Arabic.
7 Seconds by Youssou N'Dour feat. Neneh Cherry.
(SLYT)
posted by Rabarberofficer at 2:41 PM on April 20 [1 favorite]
7 Seconds by Youssou N'Dour feat. Neneh Cherry.
(SLYT)
posted by Rabarberofficer at 2:41 PM on April 20 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: None of these. The voice was a bit like Yasmine Hamdan. The track was poppier, dreamier, and rhe lyrics more simple than these guesses.
Thanks for the recommendations!
posted by Balthamos at 9:40 AM on April 21
Thanks for the recommendations!
posted by Balthamos at 9:40 AM on April 21
If everyone knew the words, it was popular.
My first guess would be Sezen Aksu's Şinanay, which was a gigantic hit in Europe and had several years of ongoing popularity. It's in Turkish, though.
posted by yellowcandy at 7:41 AM on April 22
My first guess would be Sezen Aksu's Şinanay, which was a gigantic hit in Europe and had several years of ongoing popularity. It's in Turkish, though.
posted by yellowcandy at 7:41 AM on April 22
Was it similar to any of the songs discussed in this 2023 Pitchfork article about Arabic music on TikTok?
posted by rollick at 3:04 PM on April 24
posted by rollick at 3:04 PM on April 24
There is also a 2023 YouTube video on 20 Arabic songs that went viral on TikTok
posted by rollick at 3:09 PM on April 24
posted by rollick at 3:09 PM on April 24
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posted by chrisulonic at 9:51 AM on April 20 [1 favorite]