Aïcha Explained

Aïcha
Cover:	aicha_khaled.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Khaled
Album:	Sahra
Released:	1996
Genre:	Raï
Length:	4:19
Label:	Barclay
Producer:	Jean-Jacques Goldman
Prev Title:	Bakhta
Prev Year:	1995
Next Title:	Le jour viendra
Next Year:	1997

"Aïcha" (; in French a.iʃa/; Arabic: عائشة, ar|ʿāʾisha, pronounced as /ar/; عايشة) is a song written by French singer-songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman, performed by Algerian raï artist Khaled. In 1996, the song was released as a single containing two versions: a French version and a bilingual version sung in both French and Arabic. The Arabic lyrics were written by Khaled. On his 1996 album Sahra, the bilingual version is featured. The song's music video, which also uses the mixed language version, was directed by Sarah Moon.^[1]

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, which she declines.

The lyrics were all in French, as well as an Arabic verse sung by Khaled.

Track listings

French CD single and French Promo 12"

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

German Maxi CD single

1. "Aïcha" (bilingual version) — 4:20
2. "Aïcha" — 4:20
3. "Sratli" — 4:33

Charts

Peak positions

Chart (1996–1997)	Peak position
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart^[2]	25
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart	1
Dutch Top 40^[3]	10
French SNEP Singles Chart	1
German Singles Chart	33
Swiss Singles Chart	11

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)	Position
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart^[4]	7
Dutch Top 40	84
French Singles Chart^[5]	4
Chart (1997)	Position
Germany (Official German Charts)^[6]	59

Certifications

Outlandish version

Aicha
Cover:	Aicha-outlandish.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Outlandish
Album:	Bread & Barrels of Water
Length:	4:37
Label:	RCA BMG Denmark
Producer:	Mintman Outlandish
Prev Title:	Gritty
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Man binder os på mund og hånd
Next Year:	2004

In June 2003, Danish hip hop band Outlandish released an English version of the song, "Aicha", that was included on their album Bread & Barrels of Water (2002). Their version was produced by the band along with Mintman. The song peaked at number one in Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, and Switzerland and became a top-10 hit in Austria, Flanders, and Norway. 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)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[8]	4
Romania (Romanian Top 100)^[9]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[10]	17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[11]	74
Germany (Official German Charts)^[12]	7
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[13]	13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[14]	21
Romania (Romanian Top 100)^[15]	29
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[16]	6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[17]	4

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
• Between 1996-1997, the Egyptian-born Brazilian singer Gilbert performed the song. The song was part of 1997-1998 Brazilian telenovela Por Amor soundtrack.^[18]
• A zouk version was made by Kassav'
• A salsa version was made by Africando
• A cappella versions by Penn Masala, Stanford Raagapella, Alaa Wardi, and Aquabella
• Indian/Dubai based singer, Rayshad Rauf 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
• An English rock version by Outlandish
• A Polish version by Magma
• A Malay version with bits of Arabic by Yasin, titled as Aishah .
• A Serbian version was made by Dragana Mirković and was titled Hajde pogledaj me (Come on, look at me)
• A Korean version by Tony An titled Aisha
  • A Hebrew version, titled "Aisha" (Hebrew: עיישה), was written by Ehud Manor and performed by Haim Moshe A Turkish version by Mutaf, titled "Ayşa"
• A Turkmen version by Mekan Ataýew, titled "Aişa"
• 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, Modern (1453-);: Αλήθεια σου λέω), was performed by Stamatis Gonidis in 2006
• A Spanish / Arabic version titled "Aicha" by Amistades Peligrosas
• A Croatian version was made by Duško Lokin. Song title is Aisha.
  • A Norwegian version titled Aisha" was made by Emiré og Lillebror A Breton version, Aisha, was made by Manau.
• A techno, Oriental, acoustic-guitar version was performed by guitarist Muayad Jajo in Sulaimaniya in August 2014, published by Elite Studios.^[19]
• A German version titled Aicha by Moe Phoenix
• A Mandarin Chinese version titled Aicha by Ayisha Elseenya on youtube

See also

• List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s

Notes and References

1. Khaled Ya-Rayi bonus DVD credits
2. "Aïcha", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 20 April 2008)
3. Web site: Single top 100 over 1997 . Top40 . Dutch . 22 April 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111206113408/http://top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%201997.pdf . 6 December 2011 .
4. 1996 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 20 April 2008)
5. 1996 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved 20 April 2008)
6. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts. German . . 17 April 2018.
7. French certifications Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved 20 April 2008)
8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 21. 29. 8. 12 July 2003.
9. Web site: Arhiva romanian top 100: Editia 43, saptamina 10.11 – 16.11, 2003. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050220015606/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10094.html. 20 February 2005. 23 November 2021.
10. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2003. austriancharts.at. de. 14 February 2020.
11. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2003. Ultratop. nl. 30 December 2019.
12. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2003. GfK Entertainment. de. 30 December 2019.
13. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003. Dutch Top 40. 30 December 2019.
14. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003. MegaCharts. nl. 30 December 2019.
15. Web site: Topul anului 2003. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050122205325/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2003.html. 22 January 2005. 23 November 2021.
16. Web site: Årslista Singlar – År 2003. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 30 December 2019.
17. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003. hitparade.ch. de. 30 December 2019.
18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iczty96pz1E|. Video of the song on Youtube with name of the song and Brazilian telenovela Por Amor
19. https://www.facebook.com/muayadjajo Muayad Jajo's