In 1995 he received his Masters Degree for his thesis: "The Egyptian Song in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century". Not satisfied with just a master degree, Ehab worked toward his Doctorate in Music and Arabic singing, completed in April 2002. The doctorate was entitled "The Methods of Performing Arabic Singing in Egypt during the second half of the last century".
He is seen as one of the top singers in the Arab world, especially revered in his hometown. Arguably, his greatest exposure as an artist came on February 26, 2001, when he performed for 50,000 people at a benefit concert to raise funds for Iraqis who were maimed during the Gulf War in Baghdad.
Critics say the successes of Ehab albums year after year can be attributed to his warm voice, good lyrics, and ability to find talented composers.
In 2006, Ehab denied rumors that he had an affair with the model that appears with him in the video "Alath Kilmit Hub" ("The Sweetest Love Word"). He said that she lives in Germany and came to Egypt solely to work as a model. She was born to an Egyptian father and a German mother, he added.
Awel Kelma
Ehab Tawfik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
واول كلمه بقولها ف حبك
بهواك بحبك انا انا ليك ياعمري انا
قبلك ماعشتش هوي جيتني بهوي عشناه سوي
انا قلبي اختار يا حبيبي مشتاقلك نار يا حبيبي
دوبني ودوب ده انت المكتوب وانت انا
بهواك بحبك انا انا ليك ياعمري انا
قبلك ماعشتش هوي جيتني بهوي عشناه سوي
طول عمري هاعيش هنا جنبك
في الحب مافيش غير قلبك
وف اي مكان وف اي زمان عاشقك انا
بهواك بحبك انا انا ليك ياعمري انا
قبلك ماعشتش هوي جيتني بهوي عشناه سوي
اول كلمه بقولها بحبك
واول كلمه بقولها ف حبك
The lyrics to Ehab Tawfik's song "Awel Kelma" express the singer's intense love and devotion to his partner. The opening lines, "Awel kelma ba'uleha bahebak / w awel kelma ba'uleha fel hobak" (The first word I say is I love you / And the first word I say is in your love), set the tone for the rest of the song. Tawfik describes how he has never truly experienced love before meeting his partner, and expresses gratitude for the love they share. He sings, "Ana qalbi ekhtar ya habibi / Mosh taye'lek nar ya habibi / Dobni w dob da, enta el maktoub, w enta ana" (My heart has chosen you, my love / I'm longing for you, my love / Tie me and tie yourself, you are my destiny and I am yours). The lyrics convey a sense of commitment and dedication to the relationship.
As the song continues, Tawfik expresses his desire to always be by his partner's side, saying, "Tol omri ha'ish hena gannak / Fe l7ob mafish ghair albak / W fee ay makan w fee ay zaman, 3ash2ak ana" (I'll spend my whole life here with you / In love, there's no one but your heart / And in any place and at any time, I am your lover). He reinforces his initial declaration of love, stating "Awel kelma ba'uleha bahebak" (The first word I say is I love you) several times throughout the song.
Overall, "Awel Kelma" is a passionate love song that emphasizes the singer's unwavering devotion to his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
اول كلمه بقولها بحبك
The first word I say is that I love you.
واول كلمه بقولها ف حبك
And the first word I say in your love.
بهواك بحبك انا انا ليك ياعمري انا
I love you with a passion, I belong to you, my love.
قبلك ماعشتش هوي جيتني بهوي عشناه سوي
Before you, I never lived a fulfilling love, but you came and we lived it together.
انا قلبي اختار يا حبيبي مشتاقلك نار يا حبيبي
My heart has chosen you, my beloved, I am longing for you like a flame, my love.
دوبني ودوب ده انت المكتوب وانت انا
Double me and double you, you are my destiny, and you are me.
طول عمري هاعيش هنا جنبك
I will live here beside you, for all my life.
في الحب مافيش غير قلبك
In love, there is nothing but your heart.
وف اي مكان وف اي زمان عاشقك انا
Wherever and whenever, I am your lover.
اول كلمه بقولها بحبك
The first word I say is that I love you.
واول كلمه بقولها ف حبك
And the first word I say in your love.
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.