Sabah, known locally as "Al-Sabbouha" was born in Bdadoun, Lebanon. Her father was severe towards her, even beating her sometimes. When she started making a small amount of money out of her movies, he used to take it away from her. She married early to leave her father's overbearing financial control. Her brother killed her mother because he believed she was seeing someone outside marriage.
She began singing and acting in the 1940s in Egyptian movies when Egyptian filmmaker Henry Barakat recognised her talent. Her first featured film was "El Alb Laho Wahed" produced by Asia Dagher. Although a Lebanese national, the majority of her films were co-produced with or focused on Egypt. She starred with many famous actors, such as Abdel Halim Hafez, Kamal El Chenawi, Ahmad Mazhar, Rushdy Abaza and Hussein Fahmy.
Until 2009, she performed both in concert and on television, including such programs as Star Academy (the Arabic equivalent of the United Kingdom's Fame Academy), where she sang her new single onstage opposite a line of mannequins displaying costumes from several of her early films and musicals.
She was known to her affectionate fans as "Sabbouha". She was also famously known as "Al Chahroura" (The Singing Bird), because of her poet uncle who was named "Chahrour Al Wadi".
In the 1990s, she and her former husband Fadi Lubnan (Kuntar) made a documentary about her life.
She also developed a close collaboration with singer Rola Saad in remaking some of her old hits, such as "Yana Yana". The accompanying video, in which Sabah is shown as "the notorious diva" to whom her younger colleague pays tribute, has received wide play on Arabic music channels.[citation needed]
Sabah was hosted on Akher Man Yalam on 31 May 2010.
In the 2011 edition of the famous Beiteddine Art Festival, a show retracing the incredible journey of Sabah as a singer and movie star was performed. In the title role Ruwaida Attieh, shared the stage with more than 40 singers & dancers.
After selling her building in the early 2000s, she moved to "Hotel Comfort" in Hazmieh, Beirut. She lived in "Hotel Brazilia" next to her old hotel. She suffered from many illnesses due to several Thrombus in her brain. This caused her to lose control of her left hand and foot. However she did not lose her memories, but she suffered from a diminished ability to concentrate.
Al Shahrourah, a TV drama based on her life aired during Ramadan 2011. She was portrayed by actress/singer Carole Samaha.
Sabah's reaction was mostly positive towards the series and was happy that it was a success. However, she had some comments about inaccuracies, such as the depiction of her father as wearing the traditional Lebanese costumes.
Sabah was married seven times. Here's a history of her marriages:
Najib Chammas (5 Years); the couple had a son named Dr. Sabah Chammas .
Egyptian violinist Anwar Mansy. The marriage lasted four years; the couple had a daughter, actress and singer Howayda Mansy.
Egyptian television presenter Ahmed Farrag.
Egyptian actor Rushdy Abaza The marriage lasted only one week.
Lebanese depute Joe Hammoud
Lebanese artist Wassim Tabbara.
Lebanese artist Fadi Lebnan.
Her last romantic adventure was with Omar Mehyo, Mister Lebanon 2000, whom she was engaged but not married to in 2003. The relationship ended in 2004. According to Lebanese Media Magazine Al Mawed and Contrary to popular belief, she is not married to her hairdresser Joseph Gharib,who takes care of her daily.
In addition to her numerous concerts in the Arab World she also performed several times on foreign stages such as:
L'Olympia, Paris
Albert Hall, London
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Carnegie Hall, New York
Her only European TV performance was in 1980, when she was a guest on the French TV show Le Grand Echiquier where she performed "Saidi" and the duet "Aal Naddaa" with French singer Enrico Macias. This duet lead to her ban in several Arab Countries,due to Macias' support of Israel.
Constant rumors involving Sabah's death have been circulating in the past decade because of her advanced age. She has been described as "The artist who would not die". However, Sabah was saddened by those rumors, saying :"Am I bothering them while i'm still alive ?".[citation needed] On the topic of death, she said: "I've lived enough".
She has received many awards during her lengthy career, recent awards include:
Lifetime Achievement Award from The Dubai International Film Festival.
She was honored by the Egyptian Cinema in Cairo.
She was honored in Beirut with a statue of herself.
Decoration Award By Lebanese President Michel Sleiman During The Beiteddine Art Festival.
Sabah has acted in more than 87 movies,most of these movies are Egyptian and Lebanese movies, as well as 37 play. Her acting career stretches from 1943 till 2005. Many of Sabah's movies have not been released commercially on either VHS tape or DVD. Some of the movies she played in include:
Iyam El Loulou written by Karim Abou Chakra (As well as Nousi Nousi a play written and directed by Karim Abou Chakra)
Kanat Ayyam (1970)
Nar el shawk (1970)
Mawal (1966)
El Aydi el naema (1963) aka Soft Hands
El Motamarreda (1963)
Jaoz marti (1961)
El Rajul el thani (1960)
El Ataba el khadra (1959)
Sharia el hub (1959)
Salem al habaieb (1958)
Izhay ansak (1956)
Wahabtak hayati (1956)
Khatafa mirati (1954)
Lahn hubi (1953)
Zalamuni el habaieb (1953)
Khadaini abi (1951)
Ana Satuta (1950)
Sabah el khare (1948)
Albi wa saifi(1947)
lubnani fi al gamiaa (1947)
Sabah died on 26 November 2014 at 3AM at her residence at the age of 87. The Lebanese official news agency confirmed her death, saying she died in Beirut.
Al Basata
Sabah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ع البساطة البساطة و يا عيني ع البساطة
و قديش مستحلية أعيش جنبك يا أبو الداراويش
تغديني جبنة و زيتونة و تعشيني باطاطة
عم يحلم قلبي برجال طفران و درويش الحال
يعيشني باودة صغيرة ما فيها غير حصيرة
خللي لغيري الفراطة
خللي لغيري الفراطة
ع البساطة البساطة و يا عيني ع البساطة
و قديش مستحلية أعيش جنبك يا أبو الداراويش
تغديني جبنة و زيتونة و تعشيني باطاطة
ما بدي قصور و لا جاه بس بدي عاشق إهواه
يغمر قلبي بحب كبير و يعمرلي كوخ صغير
و قضي عمري انا وياه لا خناقة و لا شماطة
(موال):
قالوا السعد بقصوري ومالي
وبخزناتي الذهب طافح ومالي
ولما طل محبوبي ومالي
عشقت الفقر كرمال الحّباب
يابا . ياااباي
ع البساطة البساطة و يا عيني ع البساطة
و قديش مستحلية عيش جنبك يا ابو الداراويش
تغديني جبنة و زيتونة و تعشيني باطاطة
بدي لقمة بشهية أكالها بشي برية
انا و حبيب الاحلام . بغيبة شمس نروح ننام
نومة حلوة و هنية
لو كان فرشتنا بلاطة
ع البساطة البساطة و يا عيني ع البساطة
و قديش مستحلية أعيش جنبك يا أبو الداراويش
تغديني جبنة و زيتونة و تعشيني باطاطة
The song "Al Basata" by Sabah is an ode to simplicity and the beauty of a humble life. The lyrics repeat the phrase "Al Basata" which translates to "simplicity" in Arabic, emphasizing the idea that the most fulfilling life can be found in simple things. The singer describes her ideal life, which includes being with her loved one and living in a small, comfortable home. She dreams of a life free from the constraints of wealth and material possessions.
Throughout the song, the singer longs to live a life of ease with her loved one. She desires nothing more than to enjoy a meal of cheese, olives, and potatoes with him. The mention of a small home made only of straw matting highlights the beauty of a simple life. The singer even goes as far as to say that she would choose love and simplicity over luxury and wealth.
The song concludes with a beautiful mawwal, a form of Arabic poetry that is improvised to music. The mawwal discusses how society often perceives wealth and material possessions as a measure of success, but the singer realizes the true value of love and simplicity. Overall, Sabah's "Al Basata" celebrates the beauty and contentment that can be found in a life that is not defined by luxurious possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
ع البساطة البساطة و يا عيني ع البساطة
Emphasizing the simplicity of life and how beautiful it can be
و قديش مستحلية أعيش جنبك يا أبو الداراويش
Expressing how impossible it is to live without someone special and treasured
تغديني جبنة و زيتونة و تعشيني باطاطة
Highlighting how meaningful and satisfying the simplest of foods can be
عم يحلم قلبي برجال طفران و درويش الحال
Expressing the desire for uniqueness and freedom in life
يعيشني باودة صغيرة ما فيها غير حصيرة
Describing how simplicity can be fulfilling, where the artist's satisfaction is met with a little hut.
و لا بدي فراطة و لا مال
Acknowledging that he does not need luxury or wealth to live a happy life
خللي لغيري الفراطة
Claiming that he would give up material things for others to be happy
(موال): قالوا السعد بقصوري ومالي وبخزناتي الذهب طافح ومالي ولما طل محبوبي ومالي عشقت الفقر كرمال الحّباب يابا . ياااباي
In the chorus, he expresses how he has everything society values but has given it for the sake of true love, which is more important than wealth.
ما بدي قصور و لا جاه بس بدي عاشق إهواه
Declaring the lack of desire for material possessions or prestige, only seeking someone to love.
يغمر قلبي بحب كبير و يعمرلي كوخ صغير
Expressing how love can be powerful enough to make up for material wealth in life.
و قضي عمري انا وياه لا خناقة و لا شماطة
Refusing to have a relationship full of conflict, instead desiring to spend their life together in simple harmony.
بدي لقمة بشهية أكالها بشي برية
Desiring natural food, consumed without modernization, which would be satisfying and fulfilling.
انا و حبيب الاحلام . بغيبة شمس نروح ننام
Referencing a desire to escape to a peaceful environment with the love of his life, away from troubles
نومة حلوة و هنية لو كان فرشتنا بلاطة
Expressing happiness with a simple life, even if it includes sleeping on the ground
Writer(s): Michel Toemeh, Souheil Arafa
Contributed by Jasmine W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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