With such a large Arabic community, there’s no wonder they have so many great songs. Arab musicians cover everything from rap to pop and all genres in between.
Whether you’re new to Arabic music or you’re simply looking for a classic you miss, here are some famous Arabic songs you need in your life.
“Boushret Kheir” by Hussain Al Jassmi
Song Year: 2018
Hussain Al Jassmi is a well-known composer, pianist, and singer. “Boushret Kheir” is a catchy, upbeat song about positivity and speaking up for what you believe. The lyrics address how those standing against you gain the most from your silence, so it’s crucial to use your voice when you have the chance.
There are specific mentions in the song about areas and cultures Arabic people will recognize. The details make this song a rallying cry to empower the people.
“Décapotable” by Zouhair Bahaoui
Song Year: 2018
Zouhair Bahaoui is a Moroccan singer who got his start with rapping in school. You hear elements of that talent in the song “Décapotable,” which has a catchy beat that pushes the song’s momentum forward.
The upbeat track contrasts with the lyrics, which are about a girl who thought she was special but is too superficial for the singer. He’s tired of girls treating him badly because they think they’re better than him, so he resolves to find the right person instead of sticking with someone negative.
“Ya Lili” by Balti featuring Hamouda
Song Year: 2017
Balti is a rapper and singer from Tunisia who started with the group Wled Bled before going solo. In “Ya Lili,” he partners with Hamouda, a young boy just getting started in the music industry. This song has the most YouTube views of any Tunisian and Arabic artist.
The lyrics address how a child wants to live his own life, but his parents keep him protected from the drugs and evil in the neighborhood. The singers don’t want that life, but they want a chance to be themselves.
“3 Daqat” by Abu featuring Yousra
Song Year: 2017
Abu is a well-known singer who paired with Yousra, a stunning Arabic pop star, to record one of the most famous Arabic songs. The cheerful song talks about the depth of love you can feel at first sight, specifying the three beats that sound like an excited drum.
Despite the happiness in this track, the lyrics also foreshadow the inevitable heartbreak. However, the singers both agree it’s worth the risk to experience such an all-encompassing love.
“Shou Helou” by Ziad Bourji
Song Year: 2017
Ziad Bourji is a singer and actor from Lebanon and one of the most famous Arabic public figures. “Shou Helou” sounds more traditional than many songs on this list as it uses beats and instruments well-known in Arabic culture.
The mid-tempo pace of the song is a wonderful choice for the lyrics about how the singer’s beloved is as beautiful as the moon. He wants to spoil his love and give them the world, protecting them to ensure they don’t get upset by others. The singer is willing to give his partner his own heart to keep them happy.
“Let Go” by Saad Lamjarred
Song Year: 2017
Saad Lamjarred is a popular Moroccan singer, dancer, and actor. He’s the best-selling Arabic musician of all time, so it’s no surprise that his name appears multiple times on this list. Lamjarred started playing piano when he was young, but “Let Go” is more of a dance song.
The lyrics express the heartbreak he feels after his love cheats and lies. The girl acts like she didn’t do anything wrong and expects the singer to stay with her.
“Howeh El Hob” by Adham Nabulsi
Song Year: 2018
Adham Nabulsi became a well-known Jordanian singer after appearing in the singing competition The X Factor. Though he retired from the music industry in 2021 because it conflicted with his religious views, he released many amazing singles in his short career.
“Howeh El Hob” is a stunning song that brings in many traditional Arabic beats and instruments. The lyrics address how love is such a strong emotion that it can throw you off course and make you act in ways you normally wouldn’t.
“Rahti Al Nafseya” by Ali Jassim and Mahmoud Alturky
Song Year: 2018
Both Ali Jassim and Mahmoud Alturky are successful solo singers, so it’s no surprise that their duet is one of the top Arabic songs. The singers trade off verses, singing about how they feel after bad breakups.
Though the breakup is in the past, they’re still hurt by the experience, even though other people laugh and think they should get over it. The singers still want their former love back because they don’t value life as it is without their love.
“Blach Blach” by Jamila
Song Year: 2015
One of the best Arabic songs is this pop tune by Jamila. Her voice brings a happy vibe to the song even though the lyrics discuss her confusion in life despite having a great relationship with her love.
She notes how he made her obsessive in a way she didn’t want to feel. Once he betrayed her, she realized it was better that they remained apart so she could move on and enjoy life.
“Mafia” by Mohamed Ramadan
Song Year: 2019
Mohamed Ramadan is an Egyptian singer, rapper, and dancer. He also has experience as an actor, which you can see in the cinematic video for his single “Mafia.” As you’d expect from the title, the song is about feeling powerful and unafraid of others because of mafia ties.
Though the song may seem vindictive or violent, the lyrics address how the singer strives for humility and wants to share wellness and good intentions with the community.
“AROSA” by Esraa Al Aseel
Song Year: 2018
Esraa Al Aseel is an Iraqi singer and songwriter, the daughter of the well-known musician Ali Alaseel. Her strong voice tells the story of seeing a man for the first time and immediately falling in love. She wants to marry the man, but he doesn’t even notice her. The lyrics talk about how she’ll try to convince the village elders that he’s the one for her so they can bless the marriage.
“Aw’at” by Nassif Zeytoun
Song Year: 2021
Nassif Zeytoun started his musical career after winning Star Academy, an Arabic reality talent show. “Aw’at” is a slow, emotional ballad about how much love hurt the singer in the past. Because he was so upset by past breakups, he hardened his heart against future relationships.
The lyrics address how a cruel experience in the past can prevent people from opening themselves to new situations when they instead should allow those betrayals to strengthen them.
“Ya Banat” by Nancy Ajram
Song Year: 2012
Nancy Ajram started performing on TV as a child before becoming the Queen of Arab Pop as a young adult. “Ya Banat” is a single that gives you a good idea of her style, with an upbeat feel and charming voice singing about the love she feels for her daughter.
The lyrics address the beauty and curiosity of childhood, such as playing games, clapping, dancing, and trying new foods.
“Ahebbak” by Hussain Al Jassmi
Song Year: 2018
Hussain Al Jassmi is on the list again with his hit single “Ahebbak.” This song embraces the sounds of traditional Arabic music with a prominent string section and vocal styles best known in that culture.
The lyrics are about how it hurts the singer to remember the past, but their love lives on in memories. Despite experiencing heartbreak, the singer vows to keep loving their partner until the end of time.
“Leih Beydary Keda” by Ruby
Song Year: 2005
Ruby is a famous Arabic singer from Egypt who also acts and models. “Leih Beydary Keda” is a song that shows off her rich voice as she sings about lost love. She can still see his face, but he doesn’t visit her anymore. The singer still wants to be with him, but she worries that he ran away from her and won’t return her feelings.
“Ensay” by Mohamed Ramadan and Saad Lamjarred
Song Year: 2019
Both artists of this song are on the list for the second time, but it’s their first song as a duet. The powerful song “Ensay” addresses how love isn’t always a good situation for the people involved. The singers take turns singing about how they harmed their partners and want their loves to forget them.
The lyrics talk about how the singers won’t bother their loves anymore to hope that helps them forget the painful experience of their relationships. The dark music creates the perfect undercurrent for this emotional song.
“Zahgana” by Hala Al Turk
Song Year: 2012
Hala Al Turk is a young Jordanian-Syrian singer. She got her start on Arabs Got Talent at nine years old. “Zahgana” is a single Hala Al Turk released when she was ten years old, so the lyrics address how she’s bored because her parents are busy and she’s stuck at home. She only has a teddy bear for company, but she wants to travel and live life to the fullest.
“Ana Lamma Bheb” by Amjad Jomaa
Song Year: 2020
Amjad Jomaa is an Arabic musician best known for his deep voice full of emotion. In “Ana Lamma Bheb,” he sings about how he plans to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage. He wants her to enrich his life because he feels empty without her. However, her father asked for a large dowry, hindering their romance.
“Ya Rayah” by Rachid Taha
Song Year: 1993
This song is one of the oldest on the list and also one of several songs starting with Y. Rachid Taha was an Algerian singer who died in 2018, though his record company released his last album posthumously in 2019.
“Ya Rayah” addresses how many people travel the world looking for something new to inspire them to become their best selves. Still, they stay their true selves no matter where they go, so the only way to make their heart happy is to give their heart to God.
“Ma Baaref” by Yara
Song Year: 2014
Yara is a Lebanese singer who started her career on the music competition show Kass el-Nojoum. Her real name is Carla Nazih al-Berkashi, but she and her producer agreed on a catchy stage name and chose Yara.
Yara’s beautiful voice sings about how she loves her partner so much she wants to die for him. She loves how safe he makes her feel and how she loves the life they’re creating as they marry. The world is brighter because of their partnership, and their heart feels like it’s laughing with happiness.
“Kun Anta” by Humood Alkhudher
Song Year: 2015
Humood Alkhudher is from Kuwait and works as a singer and producer. He used to sing backup for his uncle’s band before going solo in 2015.
“Kun Anta” is an uplifting song about how appearances don’t matter and you shouldn’t strive to fit in with the crowds. If you’re true to yourself, your inner beauty will show, and you’ll enjoy your life because being happy with your truth is more important than what others think of you.
“Ghaltana” by Saad Lamjarred
Song Year: 2016
Saad Lamjarred has another hit on this list with his famous song “Ghaltana.” The song is about how a past love who wronged him comes back, wanting forgiveness for cheating. They regret their actions, but the singer explains how regret doesn’t make a difference in what happened.
The singer says the woman was greedy for her actions, abandoning their love because they were hoping to chase something better. Only when they didn’t find happiness did they decide to come back to their ex and try to pretend they care and are sorry for their actions.
“Qafel” by Noor Alzien
Song Year: 2018
“Qafel” is a song that has many traditional Arabic sounds as the foundation. The lyrics are modern and romantic, with Noor Alzien singing about the pure love he feels for his partner. No one else attracts his attention, and he devotes his entire soul to her. He spends his time thinking of her until his vision goes blurry with emotion.
“Min Awel Dekika” by Elissa and Saad Lamjarred
Song Year: 2022
This beautiful song is a duet between Elissa and Saad Lamjarred, both big names in the Arabic music scene. Elissa has 12 albums to her name, and though she announced her retirement in 2019, she continued releasing singles, including this love song.
Saad Lamjarred’s voice adds depth to this emotional song, with lyrics addressing how much they love each other and want to be together for two lifetimes. Both singers express how much they want other people to use their love as an example of how to live.
“El3ab Yalla” by Oka Wi Ortega
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YVydzZHU6U
Song Year: 2017
Oka Wi Ortega is an Arabic duo that began performing when they were 13. They perform rap and dance songs, making them a popular choice for weddings and parties. “El3ab Yalla” means “Let’s play,” a concept that suits the funky electronic dance beats that make up the background of this song.
The lyrics, however, are a bit darker. They address Satan luring the listeners into sin. There’s no reason to find yourself by Satan’s side, however, as the song ends with encouraging you to ask for God’s protection so you live a good life.
“Disco Maghreb” by DJ Snake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7xQEdKHtv0
Song Year: 2022
DJ Snake is a French DJ and producer who wrote “Disco Maghreb” to honor his Arabic roots. The beats of the song bridge DJ Snake’s heritage with his current mindset and career. He wants to welcome all different cultures and generations with this song that captures traditional sounds while making them uniquely modern.
The song’s title refers to a record company, and the music combines electronic dance beats with oriental sounds from DJ Snake’s childhood. The stunning video shows many aspects of Arabic culture.
“Fi Ha” by Burak Balkan
Song Year: 2017
Burak Balkan got his start in the Arabic music industry at a young age, writing and releasing his own songs by the time he was 13. “Fi Ha” is a song that exemplifies Burak Balkan’s style, with a strong dance beat and catchy vocals.
The lyrics address the conflict many people feel when they’re in love. While they invest their hearts, their minds know something isn’t right. The singer is dreaming about paradise and a simple life, hoping God will honor him with it.
Best Arabic Songs, Final Thoughts
These songs are just a few of the best Arabic songs ever. If you like any of the artists from this list, check out more of their music so you can get a better idea of the Arabic-speaking music industry. Just as in other countries, there are many genres with Arabic lyrics, so you’re sure to find something you love.