Arab Washingtonian

Sabah

Mark Balahadia

Sabah, also known as the Lebanese Diva or Sabbouha by her adoring fans is a true artist from the small Arab country of Lebanon. Her long career has stretched from the 1930s to present day. She is still a prominent singer in the Arab world; in 2004 she released a hit dance number, “Shou Feha Al Dini” in the form of a video clip.

Recently she has joined forces with the Lebanese singer/model Rola in presenting a remake of her classic song, “Yana Yana”, originally composed by Baligh Hamdy and written by Morsi Jamil Aziz . She also sang with Rola in “Daloua”, a mix of some of Sabah’s most popular songs featuring Bassem Fehgali, the infamous Lebanese female impersonator (who is ironically related to Sabah).

Although she sang in other dialects, some of her most popular songs are sung in her native Lebanese dialect. Many of her top favorites are in Lebanese dialect including: “Allo Beirut” and “Zay Al Assal”. The song “Allo Beirut” would typify the Lebanese people, with hello in French as part of the title. Zay Al Assal is used extensively by belly dancers in Lebanon as majenci (entrance number).

Whatever the dialect, Sabah’s songs would usually include a mawal. The mawal is Sabah’s trademark throughout her singing career; her ability and skill in the mawal is unequaled except by the other late greats of Arab Music. Even one her movies was called “Mawal” alongside Lebanese folkloric singer Wadi el Safi.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a beautiful and rich songs sung by true talents like Sabah? Just something to think about in this era of synthesized Arabic pop music with little substance or cultural value. As the “singer” Dana, once “sang” in her video clip, “Ana Dana. Ana Dan Dan”.

Permission to quote and reproduce texts from the Arab Washingtonian is readily granted on the condition that the source is credited. ©2006 The Arab Washingtonian
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