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.
Habina
Rachid Taha Lyrics
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Wa aâla bi el houbi wa aâla Wa a darbi el hawa baâla W ya ma wya ma tlawaâna Wiya ma waraki mchina
The lyrics to Rachid Taha's song Habina are in Algerian Arabic and speak of the desire for love and connection. The repetitive chorus of "Hibina hibina habaynek hibina" roughly translates to "Let us join together, my love, let us join together. If we do not, our eyes will close and we will not be comforted." The song speaks of the fear of being alone and the longing for romantic companionship. The following verse emphasizes this fear, stating, "If we are not with you, we will not be content. We will not settle or come to you."
The song also speaks of the joy and happiness that comes with finding love. The verses speak of the lover's devotion and dedication, their willingness to do anything for the one they love. The use of the words "houbi" and "hawa" emphasize the intensity of this love. The song ultimately speaks to the universal human experience of seeking love and connection, and the fear of being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Hibina hibina habaynek hibina (bis)
We are joyfully swaying to the rhythm of your love
Law ma habayna aâyounek (bis)
If we did not have your eyes as our guide
Mataâddabna wla la jina
We wouldn't have been composed, nor would we have come
Wa aâla bi el houbi wa aâla
Rise up for love and rise up
Wa a darbi el hawa baâla
And hit the path of love hard
W ya ma wya ma tlawaâna
Oh day, oh day, we wander
Wiya ma waraki mchina
And with us, we take our dreams
Contributed by Sarah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.