Nancy Ajram - What are You?نانسي عجرم - انت ايه؟Enta Eih?

"Enta eih" means "what are you," but really means like "what are you that you would behave like this" or something along those lines. It conveys the meaning of "what's wrong with you why would you do this to me" or "why are you so cruel/mean," maybe even "who do you think you are (doing this to me)". Many might also be pleased to see that the video is subtitled in English though its not quite the same one I've done.Nancy Ajram...

Cheb Khaled - Aishaشاب خالد - عائشةAicha

This song was written by the legendary French songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman.Khaled - AichaAs if I don't existShe was passing by meWith no regard, the Queen of SheebaI said, Aisha, take this, all of it is for youHere, the pearls, the jewels,also the gold around your neckThe fruits, well ripe with the taste of honeyAnd my life, Aisha if you...

Abdel Halim Hafez - Why are You Blaming Me?عبد الحليم حافظ - بتلوموني ليه؟

This is one of those songs that is ostensibly about a girl but the object of desire is grammatically masculine. I couldn't translate it as suchAbdel Halim Hafez - Why are You Blaming Me?Why are you blaming me, why are you blaming me?If you saw how beautiful her eyes areYou would say my preoccupation and sleeplessnessAre not too much for her, so why are you blaming me?Captive of the beloveds, ones my heart is meltingI am trapped...

Above the Palm Trees/I've Got a Friend Up Thereفوك النخل\فوق إلنا خلFoug El Nakhel/Foug Ilna Khill

We've translated many an Arabic folk song here on the blog performed by various artists, but the discussion on this song is so massive and the versions so numerous that it deserves its own post. "Fog al-Nakhel (فوق النخل)" is one of the most famous Arabic songs. It originated in Iraq and quickly spread throughout the Arabic world with the advent of radio and television. One of the earliest versions was performed by Nazem al-Ghazali,...

Amr Diab - The Perfect Solution

UpdatedAmr Diab. This is one of his earlier songs, that features a delicious keyboard solo. Amr Diab - The Perfect SolutionThe perfect solutionEither we live life togetherOr I stay right where I amO darling so long as you are awayI live in the world aloneI became tired of the feelings with the painAnd my heart which is that which is so wrongedAnd...

Souad Massi - Storytellerسعاد ماسي - راويRaoui

Updated media and translation Souad Massi - StorytellerOh storyteller tell us a storyMake it a taleTell me about the people of oldTell me about 1001 NightsAnd about Lunja the daughter of the GhoulAnd about the son of the SultanI'm about to tell a story (I'm just told that this phrase--hajeetak majeetak--is what is said before you tell a story,...