Taha was born in 1958 in Sig (Mascara Province), Algeria, although a second source suggests he was born in the Algerian seacoast city of Oran. Oran was the "birthplace of raï" music, and 1958 was a key year in the Algerian struggle for independence against French authority. He began listening to Algerian music in the 1960s, including street-style music called chaabi. And music from the Maghreb region was part of his upbringing. He moved with his parents to France when he was ten years old, settling in an immigrant community around the French city of Lyon in 1968. His father was a factory worker.
While working in a heating appliance factory in the late 1970s, Taha founded Les Refoulés ("The Rejects"), a nightclub where he would spin mashups of Arabic pop classics over Led Zeppelin, Bo Diddley, and Kraftwerk backbeats.
Based in Paris where he began his solo career after his beginnings as the leader of the French rock band Carte de Séjour, he usually sings in Arabic. In 1981, while living in Lyon, Taha met Mohammed and Mokhtar Amini. The three of them, Rachid, Djamel Dif and Eric Vaquer would later form the band "Carte De séjour" (green card) and record their first maxi Album "Carte De Séjour" in 1983. Their first LP Rhoromanie, came out in 1984. Their second and last LP entitled Ramsa (Five) was released in 1986 and included their famous and ironic cover of Douce France, originally sung by Charles Trenet. The band dissolved in 1989.
His breakthrough album as a solo artist was Diwân, featuring remakes of songs for the Algerian and Arab traditions. His album Tékitoi, produced by Steve Hillage and released in 2004, also brought him great acclaim and recognition from other rock musicians. In 2005 he performed with Robert Plant, Patti Smith and Brian Eno.
He covered The Clash song "Rock the Casbah" (in Arabic, as "Rock El Casbah"), which appeared in the 2007 film about Clash frontman Joe Strummer, "The Future Is Unwritten".
Some critics attribute Taha's unique sound to his use of the mandolute, a mixture of the traditional oud with European fretted instruments.
The song "Barra Barra" from his album "Made in Medina" was featured in the 2001 film "Black Hawk Down "as well as in the Games Convention 2008 trailer of the game Far Cry 2. Recently was featured in the 2007 film The Hunting Party. His song "Garab" from "Made in Medina" was used in the movie "The Truth About Charlie" in 2002, and also in "Blood and Chocolate" in 2007.
Rachid Taha died in September 2018.
Ya Rayah
Rachid Taha Lyrics
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شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
شحال شفت البلدان العامرين والبر الخالي
شحال ضيعت اوقات وشحال تزيد ما زال تخلي
يا الغايب في بلاد الناس شحال تعيا ما تجري
بـِك وعد القدرة ولّى زمان وانت ما تدري
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
علاش قلبك حزين وعلاش هكذا كي الزاوالي
ما تدوم الشدة والى بطيت اعلم وأكتب لي
ما يدوموا الايام ولا يدوم صغرك وصغـرّي
ياحليلو مسكين اللي خاب سعدو كي زَهري
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا مسافر نعطيك وصايتي ادّيها على بكري
شوف ما يصلح بيك قبل ما تبيع وما تشري
يا النايم جاني خبرك كيما صرا لك أصرا لي
هكذا راد وقدر في الجبين سبحان العالي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
The lyrics to Rachid Taha's song "Ya Rayah" express a sense of longing and regret for things left behind, as well as a warning to those who are about to embark on a journey. The singer addresses the listener as a traveler, asking where they are going and why, and urging them to consider the regrets of those who came before them. He asks how many people have been left behind by such journeys, and how many have wasted their time and opportunities along the way.
The song also speaks to the uncertainties and dangers of travel. The singer warns of the unknown future the listener will face, telling them that destiny will lead them where it will, whether they are aware of it or not. He questions why the listener's heart is sad and urges them to take his advice before buying or selling anything, suggesting that they fix what is wrong with themselves before moving forward.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ya Rayah" convey a sense of nostalgia and uncertainty surrounding travel and change, cautioning the listener to be mindful of their actions and their impact on others.
Line by Line Meaning
يا الرَايح وين مسافر تروح تعيا وتولي
Oh traveler, where are you going? Come and stay awhile.
شحال ندموا العباد الغافلين قبلك وقبلي
How many have regretted before you and I?
شحال شفت البلدان العامرين والبر الخالي
How many rich lands have you seen, and how many empty plains?
شحال ضيعت اوقات وشحال تزيد ما زال تخلي
How many wasted hours and how much more time do you plan to waste?
يا الغايب في بلاد الناس شحال تعيا ما تجري
Oh absent one in the land of people, how much do you experience without truly living?
بـِك وعد القدرة ولّى زمان وانت ما تدري
Destiny promised you greatness, time has passed, and you are unaware.
علاش قلبك حزين وعلاش هكذا كي الزاوالي
Why is your heart sad? Why are you like a wanderer?
ما تدوم الشدة والى بطيت اعلم وأكتب لي
Hardship won't last forever, write me when you're at peace.
ما يدوموا الايام ولا يدوم صغرك وصغـرّي
Days won't last forever, neither will your youth nor mine.
ياحليلو مسكين اللي خاب سعدو كي زَهري
Poor thing, how sad to be deceived like a flower wilting.
يا مسافر نعطيك وصايتي ادّيها على بكري
Oh traveler, let me give you my advice to share with future generations.
شوف ما يصلح بيك قبل ما تبيع وما تشري
Look at what is worth keeping before buying or selling.
يا النايم جاني خبرك كيما صرا لك أصرا لي
Oh sleeper, let me tell you something important as it happened to me.
هكذا راد وقدر في الجبين سبحان العالي
Thus do fate and destiny prevail, glorified be the Most High.
Lyrics © DELABEL EDITIONS
Written by: Abderrahmane Amrani, Rachid Taha
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind