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.
Fly Me To The Moon
Ilham Al Madfai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a, Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you
Fill my heart with song
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, in other words
I love you
The song “Fly Me to the Moon” by Ilham Al Madfai is a version of the classic jazz standard originally composed by Bart Howard in 1954. The song is a romantic ballad that speaks to the desire to leave earthly troubles behind and escape to the stars. The title of the song and the first lines suggest a desire to transcend boundaries and explore new realms, whether they are spring on Jupiter or Mars.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer emphasizes his love and admiration for his partner, asking them to hold his hand, kiss him, and fill his heart with song. He declares that his lover is all he longs for, worships, and adores, underscoring the intensity of his emotions. The verses repeat the same message, each time using slight variations on the same themes of love, companionship, and escape.
The song’s smooth, wistful melody and poetic lyrics have made it a well-loved standard in the jazz repertoire. It has been covered by countless artists since its creation, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Nat King Cole, and even arranged for instrumental groups like jazz quartets and big bands. Its timeless appeal stems from its blend of romantic sentimentality and dreamy aspirations, as well as its open-ended invitation to explore the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Fly me to the moon
Take me on a romantic journey to a place where we can be alone and surrounded by stars
Let me play among the stars
Allow me to experience the wonder and beauty of the universe
Let me see what spring is like on a, Jupiter and Mars
Let's explore and discover new worlds together
In other words, hold my hand
I need your love and support to make this journey with me
In other words, baby, kiss me
I want to feel your love and passion as we embark on this journey together
Fill my heart with song
Let the beauty and magic of this experience fill me with joy and happiness
And let me sing for ever more
I want to express my love and gratitude for you through music and words
You are all I long for
You are the center of my universe and the one I desire most
All I worship and adore
You are my everything and I cherish and adore you deeply
In other words, please be true
I need your honesty and loyalty to make this relationship work
In other words, I love you
I am deeply in love with you and want to share my life with you
Fill my heart with song
Let the beauty and magic of this experience fill me with joy and happiness
Let me sing for ever more
I want to express my love and gratitude for you through music and words
You are all I long for
You are the center of my universe and the one I desire most
All I worship and adore
You are my everything and I cherish and adore you deeply
In other words, please be true
I need your honesty and loyalty to make this relationship work
In other words, in other words
To put it another way, what I mean to say is
I love you
I am deeply in love with you and want to share my life with you
Writer(s): GASPARI MARIA GIOCONDA, CARRERA ETTORE, HOWARD BART
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.