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.
Bent Sahra
Rachid Taha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
7osn jamalha bahaha
bent l3arbi ya maghlaha
ya smra zink fatan
The lyrics of the song "Bent Sahra" by Rachid Taha is a representation of the life of a desert girl with her captivating beauty, her charm, and her unique way of life. The first two lines refer to how beautiful she is with her playful and joyous nature. The next two lines mention her as an Arab girl who is full of surprises but also fiercely independent. The line "ya smra zink fatan" refers to her dark skin that is a symbol of her culture and heritage. The song is an ode to the beauty of the desert girl who is seen differently from the western ideals of beauty, but is just as desirable.
The lyrics bring to light the struggles that come with being a desert girl, the societal expectations, and cultural norms they have to adhere to. It also celebrates their unique beauty that is different from what the society considers beautiful. The song is a representation of the struggle faced by a marginalized group and the pride that comes with being their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Bent Sa7ra ya ma7laha
Oh, daughter of the desert, how beautiful she is
7osn jamalha bahaha
Her beauty shines like a jewel
bent l3arbi ya maghlaha
Daughter of the Arab, how she enchants
ya smra zink fatan
With her dark complexion like a precious metal
Contributed by Hunter N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-vu7mr1rd1k
@@jamalali5222 #الجمال_الصحراوي
بنت الصحرا يا محلاها🎶🎶 حسن و جمالها بهاها🎵
البنت البدوية مغلاها 🎶🎶 يا سمرا زينك فتان🎵
البنت العربية مغلاها🎶🎶 يا سمرا زينك فتان🎵
يا محلا خر المرحول🎶🎶 في الجحفة لبنات تجول🎵
السمرا ركبت في باصور 🎶🎶 طابعها مربط بثرور🎵
العربي نمر عليها يدور🎶🎶 شجيع و سيد الفرسان🎵
ماحلا البدوية في الخيمة🎶🎶 تحلالك في عينك ديما🎵
ماعلاك يا سمرا في الخيمة🎶🎶 زينك مثل البدر يبان🎵
@moali7525
اسطورة الغناء اللايف رشيد طه الله يرحمه كل الحب من مصر يا عمنا ♥️
@emilivanov2916
In 2000 I was 20..From Malta I ended up Driving into the Chad and Libia and since then....F love his music and felt upset to hear he passed away couple of years ago...You are missed ma Men! Before I go down wanna jump again on a Toyota pickup truck and ride with your music through the heart of Africa!
@user-bt5ou2df6j
Wow !! Great song ... Did you know one Rashids songs is in the movie : Black hawk down . Great artist !!
@user-om2zp4nx2w
كان له الفضل الكبير في إنتشار التراث الجزائري الى العالمية 🇩🇿
@mervi587
طه ده عالم لوحده
@Zahra-io7fx
برافو رشيد اغنية من التراث الجزائري للمرحرم خليفي احمد سنة 1929 اوصلتها للعالمية في ارض الواقع وليس في المواقع الف رحمة نور على عليك ياعالمي حقيقي في ارض الواقع العالمي.
@jamalali5222
خسرنا نجم و انسان بسيط ومحبوب اصعب شي بالدنيا الموت 💔 الله يرحمه ويعوضه الجنه 🙏😢
@abdochougui6527
هذه موسيقى عربية من قبيلة بني هلال العربية من منطقة جلفة وبسكرة ومسيلة وشعر ملحون مع تطوير موسيقى جاءت تحفة فنية
@berylholy2070
Énorme tristesse , un des plus Grands, repose en paix au paradis ,
GRAND FRÈRE ❤
@netanelgutenberg4725
👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍