Ragheb Alama is one of the Arab world's most popular crooners. Courtesy Mall of the Emirates
Ragheb Alama is one of the Arab world's most popular crooners. Courtesy Mall of the Emirates
Ragheb Alama is one of the Arab world's most popular crooners. Courtesy Mall of the Emirates
Ragheb Alama is one of the Arab world's most popular crooners. Courtesy Mall of the Emirates

The songs that made summer: 70 years of Arabic pop's hottest hits


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Love and heartbreak are favourite subjects of Arabic songs, no matter the season, but when released during the summer months, the tracks can be more upbeat, wistful, and even playful.

From Umm Kulthum’s towering Alf Leila Wa Leila to Haifa Wehbe’s giddy El Wawa, the diversity and richness of Arabic pop music have allowed summer anthems to emerge, with artists hailing from Morocco to the UAE.

In chronological order and spanning more than 70 years, here are 25 Arabic songs either released during the summer or that have become seasonal favourites.

1. Ahwak by Abdel Halim Hafez (1953)

Released in the summer of 1953 as part of the classic Egyptian film Baeat El Khubz (The Bread Seller), the song was recorded early in the career of the revered singer, who was nicknamed The Black Nightingale. Ahwak (I Love You) is an ideal showcase of Hafez's sonorous vocals. The lyrics by Hussein El Sayed aim directly at the heart. “I love you and I wish that if I ever forget you, I also forget my soul with you,” the song begins. “And if it gets lost, it is acceptable if you have forgotten me.”

2. Alf Leila Wa Leila by Umm Kulthum (1969)

This arguably remains a pinnacle of the classical Arabic music form called tarab. For all its nocturnal themed lyrics, Alf Leila Wa Leila (One Thousand and One Nights) went on to become a popular mainstay of languid morning coffee sessions in Levant cafes. Kulthum’s powerful vocals are dynamic as she details the vagaries of love. Indeed, Alf Leila Wa Leila's lyric is full of quotable lines pertaining to matters of the heart; the most popular being the starry-eyed declaration: “What is life, but a night like tonight.”

3. Batwanes Beek by Warda (1986)

Released at the onset of summer, this gem – meaning “I enjoy your company” – should be heard for the sweeping orchestral introduction alone. The rich voice of Algerian singer Warda is why Batwan Beek, a song about the joy of companionship, is hailed as one of tarab music's greatest tracks.

4. Lolaki by Ali Hemeida (1988)

One of the defining summer hits of the 1980s by Egyptian singer Ali Hemeida, Lolaki (a colloquial term meaning “for you”) is a sun-kissed pop affair with a memorable chorus now synonymous with sunny days at the beach.

5. Shiloha Sheila by Miami Band (1997)

Kuwaiti group Miami Band, a Gulf favourite, released this effervescent track full of propulsive Khaleeji percussion as well as catchy call and response vocals.

6. Amarain by Amr Diab (1999)

Meaning “two moons”, Amarain is one of Amr Diab’s many summer anthems and another example of his fusion of Levant and Mediterranean instrumentation and melodies. The Egyptian superstar's vocals are rich and tender as he pines for a love that is rare and transformative.

7. Ah Ya Leil by Sherine (2002)

Sherine Abdel-Wahab's chirpiness is her enduring trademark and it is all over this effervescent hit. Powered by pulsating percussions, the Egyptian singer delivers one of her best vocal performances in this ode to unrequited love. The title is translated to Oh The Nights, as Sherine yearns for those summer evenings with her beau and pleads for him “to end his absence, I don't want anyone but him with him with me”.

8. Ah Wa Noss by Nancy Ajram (2004)

A summer staple with its propulsive darbuka percussion and groove-laden synthesisers. Ajram delivers her most confident vocals to date. The song title is a Lebanese colloquial term meaning “oh and a half” that details the excitement of a new romance.

9. El Hob El Kebir by Ragheb Alama (2004)

Known for his romantic ballads, El Hob El Kebir (The Big Love) finds Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama recalling “the great love of his life”. Released in the summer and fashioned as an upbeat pop track, the song's sentiments about a relationship that's strong and enduring has made it a Valentine’s Day and wedding favourite.

10. El Wawa by Haifa Wehbe (2006)

This Arab pop gem is saved from being a mere novelty track because of Haifa Wehbe's charming performance. Mixing Arabic percussion with vibrant synthesisers and festive horns, El Wawa is an earworm with lyrics using the playful Arabic term for a small bruise as a metaphor for the first pangs of love.

11. Ya Nabi Salam Alayka' by Maher Zain (2011)

It's a track that took the burgeoning nasheed music industry global. Where previously – with the exception of works by the UK's Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) and South Africa's Zain Bhikha – Islamic spiritual music was viewed as niche, Maher Zain made it mainstream with this crossover summer track.

Beautifully produced with lyrics praising the Prophet Mohammed, the song managed to successfully marry traditional instrumentation with Zain's pop vocals. The track is now a Ramadan staple, played during the Holy Month across the globe, with the tireless Zain recording versions in English, Arabic and Turkish.

12. C'est La Vie by Cheb Khaled (2012)

C'est La Vie showed that Algerian rai singer Cheb Khaled's dramatic vocals could also work in the clubs. Sung in Algerian Arabic and French, the anthemic track is joyous and life-affirming. Not only did it top the charts in countries such as France and the Czech Republic, it went on to become a favourite in football stadiums across Europe and got a salsa makeover in 2013, when Marc Anthony covered the track.

13. Boushret Kheir by Hussain Al Jassmi (2014)

The Emirati pop star may have released the track as a fun public announcement, but Boushret Kheir went on to become the biggest hit of his career and an annual summer favourite. Released before the Egyptian election in 2014, this fun and giddy track was composed as a rallying cry for Egyptians to vote. Backed by a video that went viral and was shot in eight different provinces, the song's appeal spread across the region with versions sang in the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian dialects.

14. Lm3allem by Saad Lamjarred (2016)

Everything about Lm3allem is brilliant. It is built upon a first-rate stuttering beat and a stalking, icy synth riff that sounds exciting and futuristic. Lamjarred's assertive, deep and joyful vocals are also a far cry from the mindless dramatics of his peers. Complemented by a slick video that resembles images from a Hassan Hajjaj artwork, the track has amassed more than one billion views on YouTube.

15. Daqat by Abu featuring Yousra (2017)

Egyptian singer Abu captures the wistfulness of a summer romance with lyrics comparing love at first sight to the intemperate rhythm of a drum. “When I saw her, my heart beat three times / The drum entered in my head playing with the things inside / When the riq [a hand percussion instrument] entered in my heart, I fell in love / What could I do? I began to sing.” An instant summer hit, 3 Daqat received more than 125 million views on YouTube in the first three months of its release.

16. Decapotable by Zouhair Bahaoui (2018)

Moroccan melodies meet Latin reggaeton rhythms in this irrepressible hit. Decapotable took over the summer in 2018 and made relatively little-known singer Bahaoui a star in his native Morocco and the Arab world. Meaning “convertible” in French, which is also a metaphor for adventure, Decapotable is an exuberant feel-good track perfect for summer beach parties.

17. Maloun Abou L Echeq by Najwa Karam (2019)

One of Najwa Karam's best songs and translated to “cursed by love”, this is a thumping Lebanese folk-pop track. Karam's voice is husky and powerful and the striking video has her performing with a troupe of dabke dancers in the middle of a Beirut street.

18. Ma Nedikch A L'Vacancia by Aymane Serhani (2020)

French-Moroccan artist Aymane Serhani brought the vibrant sounds of rai music to life, soundtracking the North African summer with his brilliant modern twist. While maintaining the genre's folk melodies and accordion, the song benefits from electronic beats, electric guitars and Serhani's silky vocals. Meaning “I won't take you on holiday”, Ma Nedikch A L'Vacancia is a fun showcase of modern rai music.

19. Sidi Mansour by Saber Rebai (2020)

Saber Rebai's take of the Tunisian folk music staple announced him to the Arab world. This is thanks to the track's modern production which maintained Sidi Mansour's timeless melodies and traditional instrumentation, such as the oud and kanoon, while adding subtle electronic beats and synthesisers.

20. Corona Virus by Mohamed Ramadan (2020)

The summer of 2020 was one of the bleakest in recent memory, with much of the world under strict social restrictions due to the spread of Covid19. Even so, the irrepressible Mohamed Ramadan brought his trademark wit and flair to Corona Virus, a catchy ode to the pandemic. As much a public safety message as it is a showcase of Egypt’s mahraganat genre, the song is packed with zany rhymes urging listeners to stay responsible.

“Take care of yourself, my friend. Say, ‘I am looking after my family and home,’” Ramadan raps. “Coronavirus is officially here, it is my enemy. I will keep it away from me before it enters my body.” While the track now feels like a time capsule, it also proves Ramadan’s instinct for capturing the moment rarely fails.

21. El Bint El Awiye by Wael Kfoury (2021)

Known for his overwrought ballads, Kfoury dialled down the trademark drama for the sun-kissed Mediterranean feel of El Bint El Awiye. Meaning “the strong girl”, flashes of flamenco guitar abound as Kfoury jettisons his yearning vocals for a more playful staccato delivery in a song that explores the upside of heartbreak.

22. Min Awel Dekika by Elissa and Saad Lamjarred (2022)

Elissa’s duet with controversial Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s a lush, string-laden ballad making use of both singer’s strengths. The response was immediate with the song trending regionally and amassing more than 300 million streams on YouTube.

23. Sayrena Ya Donia by Ahmed Saad (2022)

Egyptian singer Ahmed Saad finally got the respect he deserves when this emotive pop track went on to become a regional hit and a summer favourite. Translated as “make us happy, oh world”, the song is an affectionate plea for resilience and a fine showcase of his intensely soulful vocals.

24. Mahboul Ana by Lazaro (2024)

One of the highest-charting Arabic songs on YouTube's Top 100 Music Videos Chart, surpassing entries by Coldplay and Bad Bunny, this breezy track by Moroccan singer Lazaro was arguably the song of the summer of 2024 in Northern Africa. With nearly 200 million streams on YouTube, the bittersweet number about unrequited love marries anguished lyrics with percolating keyboards and regional percussion. The music video, in which Lazaro and his mates are seen simply enjoying themselves in Marrakesh, only adds to the overall charm of Mahboul.

25. Khatiye by Bessan Ismail & Fouad Jned (2025)

A collaboration between Syrian singers Bessan Ismail and Fouad Jned, Khatiye is already on track to be one of the year’s biggest hits – racking up more than 70 million views in its first week. And it’s not hard to see why. A euphoric pop song with a welcome dose of drama, it plays with familiar themes of heartbreak and resilience.

Who is Ramon Tribulietx?

Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role. 

Key fixtures from January 5-7

Watford v Bristol City

Liverpool v Everton

Brighton v Crystal Palace

Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan

Coventry v Stoke City

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

Manchester United v Derby

Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom

Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon

Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City

Manchester City v Burnley

Shrewsbury v West Ham United

Wolves v Swansea City

Newcastle United v Luton Town

Fulham v Southampton

Norwich City v Chelsea

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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi

One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier. 

It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.  

“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October

MATCH INFO

What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru

Super 30

Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

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T20 SQUADS

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shinwari, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem Ashraf.

TOURNAMENT INFO

Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5

8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers

Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends

Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.

TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.

MATCH INFO:

Second Test

Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am​​ daily​​​​​ at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Entrance is free

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

The biog

Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza

Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby

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Specs
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Ahmed Raza

UAE cricket captain

Age: 31

Born: Sharjah

Role: Left-arm spinner

One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95

T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28

The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Power: 295bhp

Torque: 353Nm

Price: Dh155,000

On sale: now 

Australia squads

ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.

T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.

T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures

Tuesday, October 29

Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE

Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman

Wednesday, October 30

Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one

Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two

Thursday, October 31

Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four

Friday, November 1

Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one

Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two

Saturday, November 2

Third-place playoff, 2.10pm

Final, 7.30pm

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Updated: June 11, 2025, 6:28 AM`