Thread: Looking for ME covers of Western pop songs

I'm doing two numbers at a local Pride festival in a couple of weeks. Last year I did the Turkish version of "I Will Survive" (Bambaska Biri) and it went over awesomely, so I'd like to try and do something fun like that again this year for my second piece.

I'm trying to think of some others, but the only one I'm coming up with is that ME cover of "Rock the Casbah". I know there must be others, but I'm drawing a blank. I don't mind if the lyrics are sung in English, although I would prefer it to be sung in Arabic, Turskish, etc.

The one thing I'm not interested in is doing a Western song with a ME flavor. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it wouldn't have the surprise element that Bambaska Biri did so well last year.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I love the Rock the Casbah cover, and it's usually a big hit when I use it at American parties (usually at the end of my set as an audience participation piece).

Where can I find the "Rock the Casbah" version? Thanks!

What about an upbeat version of Miserlou as a drum solo? That would get the crowd going!

itunes - it's by Rachid Taha.

How about the Arabic version of Shaft? It's by Malik.

Or Rich Girl, by Tara (if I recall correctly this was the original before Gwen Stefani took it over).

Both are on a CD called La Casbah Paris, but the better version of Rich Girl is on Supreme Orient 2.

Casbah Paris is like a mix album; some of the songs blend together so it's hard to separate tracks.

-Walk like an Egyptian (Cleopatra and Hakim)

-Take 5 (George Mgrdichian)

-Smells like Teen Spirit (Transglobal Underground)

-My Humps (same as above)

-Music ({as in Madonna's song of the same title, not just random music *g*} Sertab Erener)

I also like the Misirlou version done by Eleni Tsaligopoulou. It's a nice mix of surf guitar and ME chants. Eartha Kitt's Uskudara is also very interesting. I like the mix of Eartha's unique voice with this sort of rhythm.

HTH some,

Kem

I suspect the Pride folks would like Eartha Kitt.

Just a feeling.

DUH! How could I forget Walk Like an Egyptian???? Our troupe has a choreo to this that we haul out for American events.

Originally Posted by kemintiri

-Walk like an Egyptian (Cleopatra and Hakim)

-Take 5 (George Mrgdichian)

-Smells like Teen Spirit (Beach Bellydance Babylon)

-My Humps (same as above)

-Music ({as in Madonna's song of the same title, not just random music *g*} Sertab Erener)

I also like the Misirlou version done by Eleni Tsigopoulou (sp.?) it's a nice mix of surf guitar and ME chants. Eartha Kitt's Uskudara is also very interesting. I like the mix of Eartha's unique voice with this sort of rhythm.

HTH some,

Kem

Smells Like Teen Spirit? Really?

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Smells Like Teen Spirit? Really?

Hey, everyone likes to rock out.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I suspect the Pride folks would like Eartha Kitt.

Just a feeling.

Ya think? *g*

One of my friends has this huge crush on her. He has a poster of Eartha in full Catwoman regalia. I liked Julie Newmar in the role, but Eartha gave it a lil' something more, you know? Batman seemed to sweat more anyway! LOL

It's for Pride? Have I got the song for you!

The whole CD (Local Strangers by Dolapdere Big Gang) is pure gold as ME covers of Western music go, but I'm not sure where you can buy it right now: it seems to be unavailable through Amazon and Tulumba at the moment. Perhaps you could contact the band via their Myspace page?

LMAO

Ainsley, I love it!!!

Lolole by Alabina?

I have no idea if the lyrics match up, but it's the same tune as Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by The Animals.

I love the idea of a Nirvana cover! Gonna have to find it!

Natacha Atlas has a few. She's done "Whatever Lola Wants" and "I put a Spell on you" and "Man's World."

Wow - thank you all so much, these are some awesome ideas!

Originally Posted by Ainsley

It's for Pride? Have I got the song for you!

The whole CD (Local Strangers by Dolapdere Big Gang) is pure gold as ME covers of Western music go, but I'm not sure where you can buy it right now: it seems to be unavailable through Amazon and Tulumba at the moment. Perhaps you could contact the band via their Myspace page?

Amusingly enough, I heard on the down low that another dancer is doing The Weathergirls version of It's Raining Men. But otherwise that would be brilliant! That said, the Dolapdere Big Gang stuff is almost exactly what I'm looking for. I will have to see if I can get a hold of legal downloads from them.

Turkish cover of I Will Survive (Pride!)
Album: Akademi Turkiye, title: Bambaska Biri, singer: Elcin...should be on iTunes.

(edited to add* Duuuude I totally skimmed this and missed that you mentioned this in your FIRST sentence...I am stupid today.)

Lilya- in your one simple sentence you just solved a 3 year dillemma of searching for that song!

Edit to add, since it seems an appropriate place to ask. I once heard a lovely arabic mix with the catch line "I got the Power" in there. Anyone know who it would be?

Amira_Siddiqah, you are thinking of "The Power of Bhangra" by Snap vs. Motivo. It's Panjabi.

REmember that song by the German guys in the 80s 'Da Da Da I don't love you, you don't love me' well...there's an Arabic version of that. :)

There's an awesome but way too short cover/mashup of James Brown's I Feel Good done by Hamada Helal--I cry when it fades out partway through because I want it to keep on going! You can find it at emusic.

Amina also covers "My Man," made famous by Billie Holiday, though iirc she sings it mostly in English, so maybe it wouldn't suit your purposes as a Middle Eastern cover.

Originally Posted by bul_bul_ksa

REmember that song by the German guys in the 80s 'Da Da Da I don't love you, you don't love me' well...there's an Arabic version of that. :)

OMG - please, please, please share what it is called, who did it and how I can get a hold of it! This song was popular in my highschool days in Germany - I NEED to have that tune!!!! (talking about the Arabic version, of course)

Well, I was going to mention Walk Like an Egyptian (LOVE that one), Rock the Casbah and The Power of Bhangra but it looks like y'all got that covered so....

I got nothin' else for ya.

can't believe this one completely slipped my mind, but ^^
"Chori Chori" by Arash feat. Aneela is a cover of Snow's "Informer". the lyrics are completely different, but the tune is unmistakable.

One of my students is convinced that "Aisha" is the same music as an American pop song from the 80s, sung by a guy. Not to hijack, but does that sound familiar at all?

Aicha is an arab, or french-arab song. sung by a guy.
which version does your student have?
is there an english version of it?

She swears it's the same music as a James Taylor song from the 80s -- I think James Taylor. Actually now that I think about it, I don't think it's James Taylor, but some other singer from the 80s. I need to ask her

I'm talking about Khaled's "Aisha" -- and she claims it's a "remake" of an American song. I think she's crazy. I don't even think it's the same music.

this is like the best music thread ever!! This is cracken me up!

Have you heard "Istanbul pas Constantinople" by Ayhan Sicimoglu ?

It's adorable! I bought it off itunes. There's a part where she talks about how her uncle or grandpa (can't remember) first recorded the song. It's a really cute song, but you might want to edit out the part where she's explaining it, if you were going to perform it.

Not traditional bellydance music by any means, but uber-cute music.