Ya Rayah
Encyclopedia
"Ya Rayah" is an Algerian "chaabi" song composed and performed in the 1970s by Dahmane El Harrachi
(Amrani Aberrahmane). Up until the past 15 years this song was known to be Dahman El Harrachi's original song and in the Chaabi/Andalous tradition of Algiers
. This song is a ballad of the traveler, the exiled, the longing to come back, the immigrant, the "wanderin' star", etc. hence it's universal appeal. In 1993, it was also performed by French
-Algeria
n pop
singer Rachid Taha
on his second self titled album. Also in 2003 by Enrico Macias
at the Olympia
in Paris
. Later on Rachid Taha included the song on Carte Blanche (1997) and Diwân
(1998). In September 1998, Taha performed the song live with fellow Algerian singers Khaled
and Faudel
at the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy
in Paris
, France
. Their version was induced on the live album
1,2,3 Soleils
the following year.
Taha released the song as a single
in August 1997 and reached number eleven on the French singles chart. There have been also multiple renditions of El Rayah by different artists in different languages including Hebrew
, Indu, Turkish, Greek ("Ki an se thelo" by George Dalaras
) and some Balkan languages from the former Yugoslavia. In February 1998, the song was certified
silver in France.
CD single
(573-890-2; Released 26 August 1997)
Dahmane El Harrachi
Dahmane El Harrachi , , was an Algerian Chaâbi singer of Chaoui Berber origin. He is mostly remembered for his song "Ya Rayah" which has since been made famous again by Rachid Taha....
(Amrani Aberrahmane). Up until the past 15 years this song was known to be Dahman El Harrachi's original song and in the Chaabi/Andalous tradition of Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
. This song is a ballad of the traveler, the exiled, the longing to come back, the immigrant, the "wanderin' star", etc. hence it's universal appeal. In 1993, it was also performed by French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer Rachid Taha
Rachid Taha
Rachid Taha is an Algerian singer and activist based in France who has been described as "sonically adventurous." His music is influenced by many different styles such as rock, electronic, punk and raï.-Early life:Taha was born in 1958 in Sig , Algeria, although a second source suggests he was...
on his second self titled album. Also in 2003 by Enrico Macias
Enrico Macias
Gaston Ghrenassia, known by his stage name Enrico Macias, is an Algerian French Pied noir singer and musician...
at the Olympia
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Later on Rachid Taha included the song on Carte Blanche (1997) and Diwân
Diwan
Dewan, Diwan or Divan may refer to:*The Arabic/Persian word Dewan or Divan , with a range of meanings:**"book"*** The Diwan or Girgam, a record of the Kanem Empire...
(1998). In September 1998, Taha performed the song live with fellow Algerian singers Khaled
Khaled (musician)
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
and Faudel
Faudel
Faudel , born Faudel Belloua on June 6, 1978 in Mantes-la-Jolie, is a French singer of Algerian descent.-Early years:...
at the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy
Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
Opened in 1984, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, often abbreviated as POPB or Bercy, is an indoor sports arena on boulevard de Bercy located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Their version was induced on the live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
1,2,3 Soleils
1,2,3 Soleils
-External links:*...
the following year.
Taha released the song as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in August 1997 and reached number eleven on the French singles chart. There have been also multiple renditions of El Rayah by different artists in different languages including Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, Indu, Turkish, Greek ("Ki an se thelo" by George Dalaras
George Dalaras
George Dalaras , also possibly spelled as Yorgos or Giorgos Dalaras, is a Greek singer. He is of international fame and has recently been selected as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency. He was born in Nea Kokinia, Piraeus. His father was Loukas Daralas, a singer of rebetiko.-Early...
) and some Balkan languages from the former Yugoslavia. In February 1998, the song was certified
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
silver in France.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Ya Rayah".CD single
(573-890-2; Released 26 August 1997)
- "Ya Rayah" – 6:13
- "Jungle Fiction" – 4:01
Charts
| Charts (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French Albums Chart | 11 |