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 treasuresI'm worth more than all thatA bar is a bar, even if it's made of goldI want the same rights as youAnd respect for each dayI 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 meAïcha, Aïcha, t'en va pas = Aisha, Aisha, don't go awayAïcha, Aïcha, regarde-moi = Aisha, Aisha, look at meAïcha, 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 youهادي قصية حياتي وحبي (Hādī ksayat ḥayātī waḥabbī) = This is the story of my life and my loveانت عمري وانت حياتي (ʾAnti ʿumrī wʾanti ḥayātī) = You are my years and you are my lifeتمنيت 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.