Today, our Musical World Tour is stopping in the West Asian country of the United Arab Emirates. Known for its wealth, architecture, tourism, and a blending of ancient and modern culture, the UAE also has a distinctive music scene. Here's our info dump to introduce us to this country:
-Capital City: Abu Dhabi
-Official Language: Arabic
-Government: Federal Islamic semi-constitutional monarchy, currently under the leadership of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister/Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, & Vice President Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
-The Emirates (there are 7 that make up the country) became a British protectorate as a part of the Persian Gulf Residency in 1820; declared independence from the UK in December 1971; and admitted the most recent Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, into the nation in February 1972
-Land Area: 32,300 square miles (114th largest nation in the world)
-Population: 11,027,129 estimated as of 2024
-Religion: 63.3% Sunni Muslim; 6.7% Shia Muslim; 4.4% other Islamic affiliation; 12.9% Christian; 6.2% Hindi; 3.2% Buddhist; 1.3% Agnostic; 1.9% other religious affiliation
-Drive on the right side of the road
Emirati music is heavily influenced by Eastern Arabic culture. Music and dance go hand in hand, and the underground music scene is extremely popular. Jazz is also a prominent genre, and Dubai hosts an International Jazz Festival annually. Let's see what we've got to listen to this week!
Ouyouni Bas by Ahlam (written by Qaws, Sahm)
Ahlam bint Ali bin Hazeem Al Shamsi, known professionally as Ahlam, is an Emirati singer and actress. Born in February 1963 in Abu Dhabi, she is the daughter of an Emirati folk singer who, in addition to her own music career, has been a judge on Arab Idol, Saudi Idol, and The Voice: Ahla Sawt. She has performed genres such as classical Arabic, Khaliji ("Gulf Music" in English, a popular Arabic genre relying heavily on traditional string and percussion instruments), and pop in her three decade career. She has released 14 studio albums since 1995, and Ouyouni Bas was originally featured on her 2021 album Fedwat Oyounak, Pt. 1. I liked this; Ahlam has a really lovely and rich tone to her voice, and even though the song was a little on the longer side it didn't feel that way. I'd definitely recommend checking it out. An English translation of the original Arabic lyrics is below.
You want only my eyes/Allah's request, my little one/Be spoilt, nothing will turn you away/I’m here and you command me/I thought you were asking me/Something that I have the power to do/I’ve asked for your eyes/Go ahead, don't consult me/You want only my eyes, my eyes only/Allah's request, my little one, your little one/Be spoilt, nothing will turn you away, I'm here/I’m here and you command me, and you command me/I thought you were asking me, you were asking me/Something that I have the power to do, I have the power to do/I’ve asked for your eyes/Go ahead, don't consult me
Ya Kel Al Hob by Balqees (composer unknown)
Balqees Ahmed Fathi, known professionally as Balqees, is an Emirati-Yemeni singer and actress. Born in October 1988 in Abu Dhabi, she is the daughter of a Yemeni musician Ahmed Fathi, as well as a graduate of Abu Dhabi University. A talented vocalist, Balqees has performed in the genres of Arabic pop, world music, opera, and pop over her fourteen year career. She has released 3 studio albums since 2013, and Ya Kel Al Hob was released as a single in 2012. Like other songs this week, this was fairly long (over 5 minutes), but in this case I felt it helped the instruments shine as much as her vocals. This was alright, and I'm glad I listened to it. An English translation of the original Arabic lyrics is below.
Oh all the love, even if time passes, I say thank you/For your heart, for your feelings, for the pulse of my arteries/Oh all the love, even if time passes, I say thank you/For your heart, for your feelings, for the pulse of my arteries/I feel the universe in your proximity to me, my life, my life is light/And I feel the universe in
Ahateek by Eidha Al-Menhali (composer unknown)
Eidha Al-Menhali is an Emirati singer and poet. Born in January 1977 in Abu Dhabi, he is a talented vocalist who practices the art of Al Shallot (reciting musical poetry without instruments). Over his twenty-three year career, he has released eight studio albums and even gone viral in 2019 when one of his songs was featured in a popular YouTube video. Ahateek was originally featured on his 2013 album Eidha Al-menhali 2013. This was pretty good, albeit a little long, but it flowed smoothly enough. It sounds a little dated at this point, but can still be fun. An English translation of the original Arabic lyrics is below.
I miss you, whose absence occupies my mind/I don't wish anyone could console me despite your absence/Oh, my heart's longing, you see that the covenant has not ceased/And for you, love is sincere from my veins/With patience, even if patience in your absence is long/Your understanding and reward from your separation, voice me/Don't say I will forget you, while you are always on my mind
Dek Heywa by Fayez Al Saeed (composer unknown)
Fayez Al Saeed is an Emirati singer, actor, composer, and producer. Born October 1974 in Kor Fakkan (around 164 miles northeast of Abu Dhabi), he is known throughout the Emirates as the Ambassador of Melodies. In his twenty-nine year career, Al Saeed has released 9 studio albums in the genres of Arabic music and Kaliji. Dek Heywa is featured on his 2012 album Sarokh Fayez El Saeed. This one was alright, not my cup of tea but I see why others would be into it. If you like dancey pop music, this could be up your alley. I unfortunately couldn't find a reliable English translation for the lyrics, but hopefully that doesn't stop you from checking it out.
Wen Ent by Mehad Hamad (composer unknown)
Mehad Hamad Mehad Mohammed, known professionally as Mehad Hamad, is an Emirati singer, composer, musician, and poet. Born in Kalba (around 162 miles northeast of Abu Dhabi), he is best known for interpreting traditional Emirati songs, typically accompanied by an oud (a lute type instrument). Hamad has had a forty-seven year career and currently has 3 compilation albums streaming on Apple Music. Wen Ent is featured on his 2012 album Mehad Hamad Collection 1. This one was ok, not my favorite of the week, but by no means did I find it substandard. I love the art of interpreting traditional or ancient music, and I applaud Hamad for doing so gracefully. An English translation of the original Arabic lyrics is below.
Where are you, who whenever I say where are you/Even the question says where is the answer/Two years of distress and you still haven't found a daughter/My state is between sadness and depression/If I looked in the eyes of people, I wouldn't look/In the eyes of the one who loves you, it's a mirage/If it weren't for love, my friend, I wouldn't have been able to/A chest that has been abandoned has become ruined/Come back to me and I'll wait for you/The situation is the same and the circumstances are similar/If I ask, do you love me, you tell me, I was/And I smile out of love and playfulness/And if you betray me, I know that I haven't betrayed you yet/Except with you, but the traitors are clever/I betrayed you with your ghost, even though I wasn't certain/That you are a secret and a cloud to my distance
Ishi Biladi by New Chorus (written by S. Wahab, A. Ahammed, A. Al Hassan)
Ishi Biladi (Long Live My Nation in English) is the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates. The melody was adopted in 1971, and there's still debate on whether it was composed by Egyptian composer Saad Abdel Wahab or his uncle, Egyptian composer Alhan Ahammed. The lyrics were adopted over a decade later in 1986 and were written by Arif Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan. An English translation of the original Arabic lyrics is below.
Long live my country, long live our union of Emirates/I lived for a people whose religion is Islam and whose guidance is the Quran/I fortified you in the name of God, O homeland/My country, my country, my country, my country/God protected you from the evils of time/We swore to build, we work/We work, we are dedicated, we work, we are dedicated/No matter how long we live, we are dedicated, we are dedicated
Sabry Aalil by Shamma Hamdan (written by S. Hamdan)
Shamma Hamdan is an Emirati singer and guitarist. A gifted vocalist and guitarist, she became the first female Emirati finalist of Arabs Got Talent in 2012. Hamdan has one studio album streaming on Apple Music, and Sabry Aalil was originally featured on her 2003 EP Habibi. This one was pretty cool, both in terms of vocals and instrumentation. It's fun and upbeat and was a good listen. I couldn't find a reliable translation of the lyrics, but check it out for yourself.
I hope you found some interesting new music to check out today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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