Ilham Al Madfai
Ilham al Madfai (Arabic: إلهام المدفعي ) is an Iraqi guitarist, singer, an… Read Full Bio ↴Ilham al Madfai (Arabic: إلهام المدفعي ) is an Iraqi guitarist, singer, and composer.
His musical talent began to develop seriously when he was twelve years old. He started as, and still is, a guitarist at heart. His musical career formally started when he formed his first band, the Twisters, in the 1960s. They were the first band in Iraq, and probably the Arab world, that used modern instruments to play Arabic music (guitar, drums, bass, & piano). He was the first to modernise traditional and folk Arabic songs, giving a new, wider appeal and freshness, and placing it squarely in the modern era. Although the Twisters created a new wave in Arabic music, the media criticised al Madfai heavily for being an eccentric and for modifying long-maintained musical traditions . His family enjoyed a high social profile, some of them in high governmental positions in the 1940s and 1950s; they were not against his musical style as such, but were against his involvement in music in general.
A few years later, al Madfai left Baghdad for England, in order to study architecture. The young student played with a group and performed at Al-Bayt Al-Baghdadi (Cafe Baghdad) in London; he attracted an audience that included Paul McCartney, Donovan, and Georgie Fame, as well as many jazz musicians.
On his return to Baghdad in 1967 he formed his well-known band, 13 ½. This time he introduced Spanish guitar rhythms from Andalusia to Iraqi traditional songs, appealing to a newer, younger audience. He reached a peak in popularity in the 1970s, becoming Iraq’s most popular musician.
In 1979 al Madfai left Iraq, leaving his wealth, popularity, and his music. He travelled to various countries in pursuit of a a new career, but his passion for music remained, and every now and then gave a concert somewhere in the world. Recordings of these concerts made their way to Baghdad, to the delight of his fans, keeping them in touch with his newer work. Then in 1990 he returned to Baghdad and decided to restart his musical career. He formed Firqat Ilham (Ilham's Band), combining Western and East styles of music.
Most of his releases are his own compositions, such as "Khuttar", "Chathab", "Maasaal", "Baghdad", and "Ana Blayak". He has also set lyrics by famous Arab poets such as Nizar Qabbani, Bedr Shakir Al-Sayab, Ilyya Abu Maadhi, Abul Qasim Al-Shabi, and Abdel Wahab Al-Bayati.
His musical talent began to develop seriously when he was twelve years old. He started as, and still is, a guitarist at heart. His musical career formally started when he formed his first band, the Twisters, in the 1960s. They were the first band in Iraq, and probably the Arab world, that used modern instruments to play Arabic music (guitar, drums, bass, & piano). He was the first to modernise traditional and folk Arabic songs, giving a new, wider appeal and freshness, and placing it squarely in the modern era. Although the Twisters created a new wave in Arabic music, the media criticised al Madfai heavily for being an eccentric and for modifying long-maintained musical traditions . His family enjoyed a high social profile, some of them in high governmental positions in the 1940s and 1950s; they were not against his musical style as such, but were against his involvement in music in general.
A few years later, al Madfai left Baghdad for England, in order to study architecture. The young student played with a group and performed at Al-Bayt Al-Baghdadi (Cafe Baghdad) in London; he attracted an audience that included Paul McCartney, Donovan, and Georgie Fame, as well as many jazz musicians.
On his return to Baghdad in 1967 he formed his well-known band, 13 ½. This time he introduced Spanish guitar rhythms from Andalusia to Iraqi traditional songs, appealing to a newer, younger audience. He reached a peak in popularity in the 1970s, becoming Iraq’s most popular musician.
In 1979 al Madfai left Iraq, leaving his wealth, popularity, and his music. He travelled to various countries in pursuit of a a new career, but his passion for music remained, and every now and then gave a concert somewhere in the world. Recordings of these concerts made their way to Baghdad, to the delight of his fans, keeping them in touch with his newer work. Then in 1990 he returned to Baghdad and decided to restart his musical career. He formed Firqat Ilham (Ilham's Band), combining Western and East styles of music.
Most of his releases are his own compositions, such as "Khuttar", "Chathab", "Maasaal", "Baghdad", and "Ana Blayak". He has also set lyrics by famous Arab poets such as Nizar Qabbani, Bedr Shakir Al-Sayab, Ilyya Abu Maadhi, Abul Qasim Al-Shabi, and Abdel Wahab Al-Bayati.
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Ilham Al Madfai Lyrics
Allah Alayek الله عليك الله عليك لتحيرني الله عليك تحرمني من هذا الجمال …
Ana Blayak انا بلياك اضل محتار دمعة و تكسر الخاطر وتمنى تصير تصير…
ASGHAR BE SHAMA أشقر بشامة يا ابو ابتسامة أشقر بشامة يا ابو ابتسامة ليلي ما…
Ashgar Be Shama أشقر بشامة يابو ابتسامة ليلي ما نامه بعيوني السهر عيونك شذر…
Baghdad مدى بساطى وامليا اكوابى وانسى العتاب فقد نسيت عتابى مدى بساط…
Bien El Assir بين العصر و المغرب مرت لمه خياله و عرفت فرس و ليفي لانها…
Chal chal alayea el rumman جلجل عليه الرمان شلشل عليه الزمان النومي فزعلي هذا الحلوة م…
Chal Chal Alayea El Rumman (Remix) خطار عدنه الفرح اعلك صواني اشموع خافن يمر بالعكد رش العكد…
Chal Chal Alayea El Rumman (Remix) [2003 Remastered] جلجل عليه الرمان شلشل عليه الزمان النومي فزعلي هذا الحلوة م…
Chathab ردتك . ولو كذاب ردتك . تطش بعمري صم عتاب ردتك .…
El Tufah تريد مني التفاح منين احيب التفاح ياريت اصير فلاح وازرع ثمر أ…
Fly me to the Moon Fly me to the moon Let me play among the stars Let…
Foug El Nakhal فوق النخل فوق يابه فوق النخل فوق مدري لمع خده يابه…
Haya Bina يضربنى طول الليل أنا بالخيزرانه يضربنى طول الليل أنا بالخيزر…
Khuttar خطار عندنا الفرح اعلك صواني اشموع خافاً يمر بالعكد رش العكد …
Mali Chughul Bil Soug مالي شغل بالسوق مريت أشوفك، مالي شغل بالسوق مريت أشوفك عطشان…
Marina Mi sono innamorato di Marina Una ragazza mora ma carina Ma l…
Masaal شمسين عيونك و الله والخد شمام أطيب من تمر البصرى و…
Mawtini My homeland My homeland Glory and beauty Sublimity and pr…
Mohamad Bouya Mohamad يا محمد . بويه محمد قتلي . ليش تتعمد يا محمد .…
Sayeb ردتك . ولو كذاب ردتك . تطش بعمري صم عتاب ردتك .…
Sharrabtak El May شربتك الماي، بكفوني السمرة سامحتك هواي، سامح ولو مرة شربتك ا…
The Bazringosh Song يا زارع البزرنقوش د ازرع لنا حنة حنة حنة حنة وجمالنا غربن وا…
Win Ya Galob ون يا قلب ون ون لاترحم العفاف وتظل شماته راح ولفي ون ون ياقل…
Ya Bunaya ﺃﻧﺎ ﺣﺒﻴﺘﻚ ﻳﺎ ﺑﻨﻴﺔ ﻳﺎ ﻭﺭﺩﺓ ﻳﺎ ﺟﻮﺭﻳﺔ ﺣﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻴﺎ ﺷﻮﻳﺔ ﻗﻠﺒﻲ…