George Wassouf (Arabic: جورج وسوف) is a notable Syrian singer. He was born … Read Full Bio ↴George Wassouf (Arabic: جورج وسوف) is a notable Syrian singer. He was born on December 23, 1961, moved to Beirut at a young age, and was called the miraculous child at that time, for his artistic talent in singing.

George Wassouf started singing very young at the age of 10 years old in his hometown Kafroun that consequent to Mashta Al Helou in Tartous, Syria on different occasions such as marriages, parties, hotels, etc. Shortly thereafter he moved to Lebanon where he started singing and his popularity grew. It was at the age of 16 years old when he became known as "Sultan El-Tarab" as called by the famous international Actor Omar Sharif, Arabic for "The Sultan of Singing", with his classic song "el-Hawa Sultan".

People at that time thought of him as being the only one who could provide tarab with his magical and crystal voice that was very sharp and high-pitched when he was young and matured into the deep, commanding voice that he is now known for. A few of his first songs include "Hawa Sultan", "Rohi ya Nesmah", "Helif el-Amar", "Law Naweit" are the ones that really brought him up to fame.

The family name "Wassouf" is first of all the name of a statue God that was worshipped in the middle ages (around 1500 b.c.). Wassouf's magical voice was discovered by his first manager and producer "George Al-Khouri". This happened when Wassouf was 12 years old - he was singing at a wedding party. George Wassouf also got married very young at the age of 21 to Shalimar, who is originally from Sierra Leone. They have three children: Wadee', Hatem, and George Jr. His oldest son's name is Wadee', which is why he is known as Abu Wadee'.

George Wassouf has produced more than 30 albums and has performed concerts all around the world. Started from the famous Lebanese show which fired the fame of many Lebanese singers "Studio El Fan" 1980 when he was only 16 years old, surprisingly he was called at this time "Sultan of Tarab". The Song "Hilef il Amar" made a massive hit in the Arab world, although Wassouf was quite young at that time. However Wassouf was able to rise to the rank of "king" of Arab Tarab. Many Singers are jealous of wassouf , and that's why they try to copy his unique style and performance. Some of the younger singers who attempt to copy his style are George al-Rassi and Wael Jassar. Wassouf is one of the few singers that were able to attract millions of fans in a short period of time. In addition, Wassouf is not only famous in the Arab World but is also known in Europe and the States as one of the Best Arabian Singers.

According to his life and his fame he should have been called also "The King of Rumors" as he lived a life that was filled with rumors about his love life, his health and so on that it was told once earlier in 2001 that he died of an overdose.

He doesn't like to shoot his songs into video clips although he had some successful hits in the early 1990s, he used to say about this: "I don't feel I can act ... I really can't... I only find myself when I'm on the stage ... singing, but the video clip forces me to act".

On June 2002 , Sultan Al Tarab Released his new album "Salaf Wi Dein", which made a huge success in both the Arab world and abroad.

El Hawa Sultan
George Wassouf Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان

يا حبيب قلبي (يا حبيبي) يا غرام
يحرم عيني (عيني عيني) من المنام
يا حبيب قلبي (يا حبيبي) يا غرام
يحرم عيني (عيني عيني) من المنام
فرحة فؤاده، بليالي سهاده
فرحة فؤاده، بليالي سهاده
(عذابو راحه (راحة راحة) وأنا بصراحه (بكل صراحة
(عذابو راحه (راحة راحة) وأنا بصراحه (بكل صراحة
قلبي بعذابه كثير فرحان
قلبي بعذابه كثير فرحان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان

أناجي طيفو (آه يا عيني) لو يغيب
أشكي أشواقي (أشواقي) للحبيب
أناجي طيفو (آه يا عيني) لو يغيب
أشكي أشواقي (أشواقي) للحبيب
أحن لعذابو، لقسوة شبابو
أحن لعذابو، لقسوة شبابو
(عذابو راحه (راحة راحة) وأنا بصراحه (بكل صراحة
(عذابو راحه (راحة راحة) وأنا بصراحه (بكل صراحة
قلبي بعذابه كثير فرحان
قلبي بعذابه كثير فرحان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان
على القلوب الهوى سلطان

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
يا يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان

Overall Meaning

The song "El Hawa Sultan" by George Wassouf is a delicate and poetic expression of love and longing. The repetitive chorus "El Hawa Sultan" means "Love is a king," emphasizing the power and dominance of love over all other emotions. The singer urges all the lovers to recognize the supremacy of love and understand that it reigns over their hearts, bringing both joy and pain.

In the verses, the singer speaks directly to his beloved, describing the depth of his affection and the intensity of his suffering in separation. He longs to be with his beloved and speaks of the happiness that comes with the pain of his love for her. He speaks of the moments he spends awake at night, consumed by thoughts of her and her absence in his life.

The song's message is one of devotion, perseverance, and recognition of love's hold over the human heart. The song's passionate delivery of the lyrics is an homage to the beauty and power of love itself, rising above all other feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

الهوى سلطان الهوى سلطان
Love is a ruler, love is a king

يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
Oh lovers, love is a ruler

أشكي للزمان، ويقولي الزمان
I complain to time, and time tells me

على القلوب الهوى سلطان
Love rules over hearts

يا حبيب قلبي (يا حبيبي) يا غرام
Oh my beloved, my heart, my passion

يحرم عيني (عيني عيني) من المنام
It keeps me sleepless at night

فرحة فؤاده، بليالي سهاده
Its joy fills my heart, during sleepless nights

(عذابو راحه (راحة راحة) وأنا بصراحه (بكل صراحة
Its torment gives me comfort, and I admit it truthfully

قلبي بعذابه كثير فرحان
My heart rejoices in its torment

يا يا عاشقين الهوى سلطان
Oh lovers, love is a ruler

أناجي طيفو (آه يا عيني) لو يغيب
I yearn for his presence, even if it disappears