Aïcha

Lyrics / theme

The song's lyrics are about a woman named Aïcha, who is being wooed by a man. He promises her pearls, jewels, poems, and other luxuries and romantic things, to which she replies:

Keep your treasures I'm worth more than all that A bar is a bar, even if it's made of gold I want the same rights as you And respect for each day I don't want anything but love

The song's chorus has the following words in French (with English translation):

Aïcha, Aïcha, écoute-moi = Aisha, Aisha, listen to me Aïcha, Aïcha, t'en va pas = Aisha, Aisha, don't go away Aïcha, Aïcha, regarde-moi = Aisha, Aisha, look at me Aïcha, Aïcha, réponds-moi = Aisha, Aisha, answer me

The lyrics were all in French. The Arabic verse by Khaled (his own composition) added later is as follows:

نبغيك عايشة ونموت عليك (Nbghīk ʿāysha wanmūt ʿalīk) = I want you Aisha and would die for you هادي قصية حياتي وحبي (Hādī ksayat ḥayātī waḥabbī) = This is the story of my life and my love انت عمري وانت حياتي (ʾAnti ʿumrī wʾanti ḥayātī) = You are my years and you are my life تمنيت نعيش معك غير انت (Tmannīt nʿaysh mʿāk ghayr ʾanti) = I wish to live with you, only you

Track listings

CD single

1. "Aïcha" — 4:20
2. "Aïcha" (version mixte) — 4:20

Outlandish version

In 2002, the Danish hip hop band, Outlandish, recorded and released an English version of the song "Aicha" that was included in their album Bread & Barrels of Water . It was engineered, mixed & produced and musically performed by Mintman. The song peaked at #2 in the Mega Single Top 100 for two weeks and for three weeks in the Swedish Singles Chart. It also reached the top in Switzerland, and #3 in Austria and Norway, and #8 in Belgium. A video was also shot for the single.

Track listings

CD maxi

1. "Aicha" (4:37)
2. "Aicha" (Mintman Remix) (4:34)
3. "Aicha" (Instrumental) (4:08)
4. Outlandish feat. Majid & Asmaá - "El Moro" (5:24)

Other versions

The original song has since been remade by several singers and bands:

The French version was performed by Khaled with fellow Raï singer Faudel at the famous 1998 1,2,3 Soleils concert in Paris Video on YouTube

A zouk version was made by Kassav'

A salsa version was made by Africando Video on YouTube

A cappella versions by Penn Masala, Stanford Raagapella, Alaa Wardi, and Aquabella

Indian/Dubai based singer, Rayshad Rauf (www.rayshad.com) adapted Outlandish's chorus part in one of his Mashups Don't,

A nasheed (Islamic) version by Omar Esa

It has been adapted to several other languages:

An Urdu version by Amanat Ali, titled Aaisha, was featured on the Pakistani Music program Coke Studio.

A French / Arabic version by Lobo Ismail with altered lyrics and added a uniquely composed Arabic language rap sequence Video on YouTube

An English rock version by Aqmal (vocals) and Sofyan (music) with new lyrics Video on YouTube

A Polish version by Magma Video on YouTube

A Malay version with bits of Arabic by Yasin, titled as Aishah Video on YouTube.

A Serbian version was made by Dragana Mirković and was titled Hajde pogledaj me (Come on, look at me) Video on YouTube

A Korean version by Tony An titled Aisha

A Hebrew version, titled "Aisha" (Hebrew: עיישה‎‎), was written by Ehud Manor and performed vby Haim Moshe Video on YouTube

A Turkish version by Mutaf, titled "Ayşa"

A Greek version, titled "M'aresei" (Greek: M'αρεσει), was performed by Kostas Bigalis. Video on youtube.

A second Greek version, titled "Alithia Sou Leo" (Greek: Αλήθεια σου λέω), was performed by Stamatis Gonidis in 2006 Video on YouTube

A Spanish / Arabic version titled "Aicha" by Amistades Peligrosas Video on YouTube

A Croatian version was made by Duško Lokin. Song title is Aisha.

A Norwegian version titled Aisha" was made by Emiré og Lillebror Video on YouTube

A Breton version, Aisha, was made by Manau.

A techno, Oriental, acoustic-guitar version (Aicha on YouTube) was performed by guitarist Muayad Jajo in Sulaimaniya in August 2014, published by Elite Studios.