Arab Music In America
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Submitted by freefortermpapers on 06/24/2008 03:00 PM
- Category: Philosophy
- Words: 376
- Pages: 2
- Views: 6
- Popularity Rank: 2057
Arab Music In America
We have all heard the song that was performed by Sting featuring the Algerian Arabic Singer Cheb Mami. This is the first of its kind. No other musician in American culture has teamed up with an Arabic musician. The result, a number one hit.
Prior to September 11th, it seemed as if American culture and Arab culture were slowly comming together. The smash hit desert rose is an example of the two cultures mixing together. It proves that both culture groups are open to other styles of music. In the begining verse, you hear Cheb Mami singing a melodic melody completley in Arabic, followed by the traditional sounds of Arabic violins, combined with the percussion, and bass that makes American music so distinct from others. Sting himself sings in Arabic as well. "I dream of rain (oh night oh night). Oh night is of course in Arabic.
Sting has not been the only singer in recent times to combine Arabic music with that of American. Bruce Springsteen who is a famous musician and songwritter has also taken part. This is after the events of September 11th however. He had decided to compose a tribute album to the heros and those lost in the attacks. The song that contains Arabic is called "Worlds Apart" In the begining, you hear the traditional Arabic violins along with a man singing chants in Arabic. We are not clear who the singer is, or what it means in Arabic, but in all honesty, most do not care, they simply like the song. The lyrics are what make this song unique. Springsteen has a definite talent for songwritting. It is almost as if he puts the listener right there with what he is describing. He makes references to "Allah" as well as many other items in Arab culture.
It is interesting to see the works of such artists develop as they have. It is funny how world events effect musicians and songwritters of the times. Looking back through past songs that were popular, is almost like reading America's personal diary. The lyrics to the songs are...
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