"Salma Ya Salama" (Arabic: سالمة يا سلامة) is a song by Dalida from 1976, based on the original 1918 song by Sayed Darwish. The track became one of the singer's biggest hits and a remix, released in 1997, was certified silver in France.[2]
It was among the first ethnic fusion hits in the world, recorded in five languages: Arabic, French, German, Italian ("Uomo di sabbia") and Spanish. The French version speaks of a man wandering in the desert and sees a mirage of a garden paradise.
Release and reception
First recorded fully in Arabic as a reviving of a 1918 folkloric song by Egyptian composer Sayed Darwish with lyrics by Badi' Khayri,[1] it achieved big success upon its release thus it was later translated to French and released in France in 1977. Both versions are featured on eponymous album by Dalida released the same year, which contains several other hits.[3]
The 45 rpm single was released in two different pressings: the French version (IS 45730) coupled with "Ti amo" (originally by Umberto Tozzi) and the Arabic version (IS 45731) coupled with the instrumental version. The disc was distributed by Sonopresse. When Dalida signed with Carrere in 1978, a third 45 rpm pressing (CA 49354) was made.
The song was then translated into Italian and German.
Dalida remixes
In 1995, Orlando (brother of Dalida, producer and French record label owner) released two completely re-orchestrated versions of the "Salma Ya Salama" in its album release Comme si j'étais là... one in French and the other in an Arabic version (both offered as a bonus).
The song was remixed again in late 1996 for the Dalida album L'an 2005 and as a CD single. This version, released in May 1997, was certified silver having reached the French Top 20 chart. A clip was made for the occasion.
L'argus Dalida: Discographie mondiale et cotations, by Daniel Lesueur, Éditions Alternatives, 2004. ISBN2-86227-428-3 and ISBN978-2-86227-428-7. (in French)
