This page is undergoing an overhaul at the moment -lots more information coming

On this page you will find information about some of the most popular Egyptian classical composers and singers and where to find good dancers versions and translations of their songs .

CDs unless stated can be bought from www.aladdinscave.com .

Some tracks can be downloaded from www.emusic.com

Some downloaded from www.amazon.co.uk

singer and composer (1907-1991)

He composed some of the most well known classical Egyptian music.The tune Aziza is probably the most well known tune across the Arabic world. He wrote for some of Egypts great singers Om Kolthoum and dancers Samia Gamal and Tahia Carioca.

Born in Cairo in 1907 he loved music and acting as a child and joined a drama group at the age of seven. Later he sang at religious festivals. His family wanted him to study religion but he followed his passion for music. He trained formally both in western and Arabic music styles. He had a beautiful baritone singing voice and played the oud.

He composed music for stage and film that incorporated western elements combining the quarter tone of Arabic music with western rhythms such as samba, tango, waltz and rumba. He also mixed western instruments into the Arabic orchestra.

He also starred in 7 films which continue to be viewed on television even today throughout the Arabic world. In the 1950s he left films and concentrated on his singing career in a more serious style. His songs were patriotic and included composing the musical scores for Egypt’s national anthem and the anthems of Oman and the United Arab Republic.

In the 1960s he retired from singing but continued to compose for other people including Om Kolthoum. He wrote "Ente Omri" for her, a recording that became Egypt’s all time best seller. He also wrote for Abdel Halim Hafez.

He died of heart failure in 1991. His career had spanned over 74 years. He composed over 1800 romantic and patriotic songs.

Egypt honoured him with a huge military funeral. The long procession included the Prime Minister and other politicians, well known actors, singers and musicians. The media coverage was that of a major world figure. A banner raised during his funeral read "Adieu to Egypt’s Fourth Pyramid

Aziza-There are so many versions of this tune. This is Hossam Ramzys version.

Turkish version.Aziza is very well known over all the Middle East and Turkey. There is even a version of the tune with Turkish lyrics which have nothing to do with the original composition but its a lovely modern version.

Zeina- Nice version on Bellydance Superstars Vol 1

Samia Gamal dancing to Zeina

Msafer Wahdek-lonely traveller. I love this song. Its is typical Mohammed Abdel Waheb. Here he mixes beautiful lyrical Arabic music with a dramatic Spanish feel. I like the version on Wash ya Wash 2

Mohammed Abdel Waheb singing Msafer Wahdek

Nebtedi Menien el hekaya-where do we begin to tell loves story. Written for Abdel Halim Hafez. Very beautiful long song with different parts to it. There are many dances versions of this-some just of one or two of the parts. There are some great tunes in this one song so many of the dancers versions sound different. CD Bellyicious Raks has two sections of it including an instrumental of the first part of the song

Abdel Halim Hafez singing the begining of the song

CD Mystery and Mastery has a different section of the song

Abdel Halim Hafez singing this part of the song.

These bits are the most popular bits to dance to and come up in most dancers versions but there is also a lot more of the song

Translation here.

El Fen-another Spanishy sounding melody.CD Wash ya Wash 3

composer and singer (1910-1974)

Photo of Farid El Atrache and Samia Gamal.

A Lebanese born composer, musician and singer, he was one of the most important contributors to Egyptian film music. Born as a Druze Prince in the village of al Qajra in 1910, he featured in many films with Egypt’s leading actresses. Although he was inspired by his love for Samia Gamal they never married. They spent 5 years together. He wrote some of his best music for her.He was from a musical family and a skilful oud player. His sister, Asmahan was a singer and nearly as popular as Om Kolthoum before she died in a car crash in mysterious circumstances.He starred in 31 films.Although he fell in love with various of his co stars he never married claiming that marriage killed art. After his relationship with Samia Gamal ended he played up the lonely hero image in his films often having his character called Walid (lonely).Prior to the revolution in 1952 he became friends with King Farouks consort Queen Farida. The relationship continued after her divorce but her family did not accept him which sent him into depression and the start of his major health problems which continued till his death. When he got older he proposed to a young singer but pulled out of the wedding at the last moment. Despite increasing frailty he continued to work as much as he could till his death on 26th December 1974.

Gamil Gamil- such beauty- CD Ahlan Wa Sahlan Vol 2

Farid Atrache singing Gamil Gamil

Ma Alli We Oltelu-he did not tell me and I did not tell him www.shira.net I like the short version on CD Bellydancing for fame and fortune-not sure if this Cd is still available

Farid sings and Samia dances to Ma Alli we oltelu

Hebina hebina-Love us  www.shira.net Nice version on this CD Sherihan available from www.dahal.com

Farid sings Hebina Hebina- The song was written in 1971,this is from a film made in the 1970s. Farid looks much frailer and older-it must have been one of the last films he made. The treatment of the song is very 1970s and I did spend the first minute or two wondering if the debke line was serious!!! I love the song though.

Rachid Taha the Algerian Rai singer has a version of this song which is interesting. This is a live version. Download of the track available from Amazon.

Raks Leyla- nice version on Kings Favourite Very Cairo Vol 3.Good Cd with a lot of short versions of music from the films of the 1950s and music composed to sound as if was from that era

Another nice version of Raks Leyla on this CD Belly Dance with Farid Atrache Vol2. Unfortunately most of the CD is a bit old fashioned in its treatment of the songs now Lots of 70s keyboard. This track is nice though.

Ya Habaybi Ya Ghaybin- One of my favourite songs of farid Atrache. Good version on this CD Music for Oriental dance which then goes into a version of Hebina hebinna. Sadly this Cd is also slightly old fashioned now but this track is a good one. 

Farid singing Ya Habaybi ya Ghaybin

Modern version of Ya Habaybi Ya Ghaybin on CD Sahara by Alabina.

Alabina's version of Ya habaybi ya Ghaybin

Singer 1929-1977

One of the most popular Egyptian singers in the Middle East in 1950s-70s. He was born 50 miles north of Cairo. He mother died in childbirth and he was brought up by his uncle in Cairo. When he was 11 he joined the Arabic music institute and become known for his versions of Mohamed Abdel Waheb songs. He also played the oboe.

His big break came in 1953 when he was singing in clubs and he was asked to step in for another singer due to make a live broadcast on the radio in honour of the first anniversary of the 1952 revolution. He was very popular and is now considered to be one of the four greats of Egyptian music along with Farid Atrache, Om Kalthoum and Mohamed Abdel Waheb.

He never married though rumours persisted he had married an actress for 6 years but this was denied by both of them. The story goes that he had only ever been in love once with a young women whose parents would not allow them to marry. They eventually changed their minds and the wedding date was sent but the girl died before the wedding. He never recovered and dedicated many of his saddest songs to her including Fi youm,fi shuter,fi san (In a day ,a month,a year) and Qariet el Finegan (the fortune teller).

As a child he contracted a parasitic water borne disease which he was treated for the rest of his life. He died while undergoing treatment for it. His funeral was attended by thousands of people. 4 women committed suicide on news of his death. He starred in 16 films and a biopic of his life was released in 2006 starring famous Egyptian actor the late Ahmed Zaki.

His songs are still very popular today and great choices for dancers. There are some really good dancers versions of his songs. A lot of credit for the songs enduring popularity must go to the great composers, particularly Baligh Hamdi, who wrote for him. All the following were Baligh Hamdi songs.

Ganal El hawa- Love found us written by Baligh Hamdy   A song from the film "Abi Foq El-Shagara" (1969), starring Abdel Halim Hafez.Good version on Leila presents Helwa www.faridadance.com lots of nice instrumentals around including on on CD Sherihan and CD Oriental Fantasy 2

Shortish instrumental version (5m)that keeps upbeat on CD Bellyicious Raks

Clip from the film of Abdel Halim Hafez singing Ganna el hawa

Translation here

Ana Kull Magul El Toba-Everytime I say never again.written by Baligh Hamdy. Love this great song version on Outi's Cd Al Amoura www.aladdinscave.com 

Another version I love with some vocals but mainly instrumental is on a CD by Adam Basma called Hobi of Belly Dance

Abdel Halim Hafez in concert 

Translation here

Sawah-This is one of my favourite of Abdel Halim Hafez songs written by Baligh Hamdy.Although I love the original I've not found the perfect dancing version yet.

There is a version on Outi's second CD Helm el Raqs which is getting there but its a bit long. Translation here

Abdel Halim Hafez in concert singing Sawah- if you look at the more info on the youtube page the lyrics and translation is included.

Mawood- written by Baligh Hamdy.Good version on CD Sukara but at 11 mins its a bit long.

Shorter version on CD Laura in Balady and a nice version of just one section of it, the whole of the original song is over 20mins long-longer in live version.

  CD Samasem presents music for oriental dance vol 2.This section is the bit missed out of the version in Laura in Balady. 

A part of the original song sung  By Abdel Halim Hafez in concert

Lovely version of Mawood with Nour dancing (Russian dancer who danced for many years in Cairo) and her husband Yasser singing

Translation of Mawood here

Ala Hezbwidad-with all that my heart desires. On Yasminas CD Aheb Masri.Translation in the CD notes.

Abdel Halim Hafez in concert singing Ala Hezbwidad

Translation

Zay al Howa

Another lovely song written by the great Baligh Hamdi. great version on Leilas CD Om al Dunya

For a change, here is Amr Diab in concert in 1992 singing Zay al Howa.

Translation here

There are around 35 of his songs translated on www.arabicmusictranslation.com

And 18 on website www.orientaldancer.net

Prolific composer 1934-1993

To say this man composed so many songs I have, until recently, been able to find out very little about him. He was born in Cairo in October 1934 and died of a heart attack in Cairo in September 1993. He studied law but gave it up to study music. He wrote for many of Egypts great singers including Om Kalsoum during the years between 1966 and 1974 and also wrote for Abdel Halim Hafez- till they had creative differences, Warda and Walid Toufic. He was married to Sabah and for 7 years to Warda. He composed some of my personal favourite songs.I recently discovered this article wriiten about Baligh Hamdi by his brother.

Egypt Today Article 

Baligh Hamdi wrote over 3000 songs during his career so these are just a few of them of on this page.

Ya Bahaia- great version of this on CD Ya Bahaia  and translation on www.bahaia.com

Alf leyla Wa leyla-Nice version on CD A tribute to Om Kalthoum same version on CD Raks Aziza translation on www.shira.net  Composed for Om Kalsoum in 1969. Download available from www.emusic.com

Asal Wa Suker- Honey and Sugar on Yasminas CD Heya Di Yasmina.Translation in the CD notes

Yasmina dancing to Asal wa suker

You might also be interested in reading this article which is about a rapper from the USA who sampled one of Baligh Hamdi's songs, Khosara that he wrote for Abdul Halim Hafez without acknowledging him as composer. It is written from the Egyptian point of view.

Article 

There is a CD of techno versions of popular Baligh Hamdi tunes which the less traditional may like by Said Mrad called Said Mrad plays Baligh Hamdi. I wish someone would do a more traditional CD of his songs for dancers-now theres a thought!!.

Singer 1939-

Born in Paris in 1939. She had an Algerian father and a Lebanese mother. She grew up listening to music from her fathers nightclub.She first sung on the radio when she was 11. When she was 15 her father allowed her to sing at his nightclub in Paris the TAM TAM (stood for Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) his club was a very popular one among the Arabs in Paris. Her brother taught her to speak Arabic and she used to sing the songs of Om Kalthoum.She left Paris when the authorities closed down the club. They moved to Beirut and Warda continued singing. She was very lucky to meet Mohamed Abdul Waheb who came to hear her sing and was impressed. She came to Cairo and became famous. Many composers wrote for her. after a short return to Algeria where she got married and had two children and got divorced she returned to Cairo and married the composer Baligh Hamdy . She starred in 6 films and sang many famous songs that have become almost standard for belly dancers to dance to; songs like Akteb Aleyk, Haramt Ahebak, Esmaouni and Betwannes Bek.

Akdeb Aleyk- I'd be lying to you.Originally written for Warda and is about half an hour long!!best version of this song I've found is by Fadel Shaker on his 2003 CD which is Fadels tribute to Baligh Hamdy all the songs on this CD are writen by him.This version is a bit shorter 3.45m but lacks a bit of oomph for dancing.

 a great dancers version is on CD called Mastery and Mystery by Karen Barbee, a dancer from the US. You can get it from Karens website and pay with paypal www.karenbarbee.com

Warda singing the original song (some of it)

Recent clip of Warda in concert singing the popular bit.

Fadel Shaker singing the first 2 sections of Akteb Aleik

Translation here

Tab wana Mali Great version of this on Leilas CD OM el Dunya (www.faridadance.com) Another version on CD Cairo by Nourhan Sherif

Warda singing Tab wana mali

Translation here

Batwannes Beek-I really wish someone would do a good dancers version of this song. There are instrumentals but none with the power of the original song. There are a few greatest hits of Warda CDs with the song on.

Warda singing Batwannes Beek filmed in concert fairly recently

A good version with Haifa Webbe singing Batwannes Beek with English subtitles

www.orientaldancer.net  has translations to 30 Warda songs