Amr Diab: 10 essential songs you have to know
Quick facts
- Origin: Port Said, Egypt
- Born: October 11, 1961
- Genre: Egyptian Pop, Mediterranean music
- Active since: 1983
- Known for: His consistent chart success and pioneering role in modern Egyptian pop music
About Amr Diab
Amr Diab began his recording career in 1983, rising to prominence in Egypt’s music industry during the 1980s. He has become one of the most commercially successful Arab recording artists, with his albums consistently achieving significant sales figures across the Middle East.
His career highlights include multiple World Music Awards recognizing his commercial success in the Middle East. Diab has maintained a steady presence in Arab popular music through regular album releases since the 1980s.
Essential Amr Diab songs
This collection spans several decades of Amr Diab’s illustrious career in Egyptian pop music. From his breakthrough hits to established classics, these ten songs demonstrate why he has remained one of the Arab world’s most influential and enduring artists.
Nour El Ein (1996)
Sung in Egyptian Arabic, this groundbreaking hit became Amr Diab’s international breakthrough hit. The title means “Light of the Eye” and the album was a major commercial success in the Middle East. The song established a new style termed “Mediterranean music,” blending Western and Middle Eastern/Egyptian rhythms. This innovative approach would become Diab’s signature sound.
🎵 Listen to Nour El Ein on Spotify
Tamally Maak (2000)
The title track means “Always With You” in Egyptian Arabic and became one of Diab’s most recognized love songs. From the album of the same name, the song gained widespread popularity across the Arab world.
🎵 Listen to Tamally Maak on Spotify
Amarein (1999)
The title track from the 1999 album of the same name, meaning “Two Moons” in Arabic. Released through Alam El Phan, this song blends Arabic and Latin pop elements into Diab’s signature style. As the opening track of the album, it helped establish the record’s world music influences and became one of Diab’s international successes.
🎵 Listen to Amarein on Spotify
Leily Nahary (2004)
The title track from Diab’s first album with Rotana Records, meaning “My Night and Day” in Egyptian Arabic. A love song with romantic lyrics about longing to be with someone, composed by Amr Mostafa with lyrics by Khaled Tag El Din. The song combines Latin pop with Arabic music elements, arranged by Nader Hamdy. The accompanying music video was directed by Cameron Casey.
🎵 Listen to Leily Nahary on Spotify
Ana Ayesh (2003)
From the successful album “Allem Alby,” this track (meaning “I’m Living”) showcases Diab’s musical versatility by blending hip-hop, R&B, pop, and rock elements. Composed by Amr Mostafa with lyrics by Rabie El Seufy and arrangements by Hany Yacoub, the song explores themes of living between presence and absence in love.
🎵 Listen to Ana Ayesh on Spotify
We Malo (2005)
From the album “Kammel Kalamak,” this romantic ballad combines traditional Arabic music with modern pop influences. The song, which means “So what”, expresses the desire to escape with a loved one and experience new love, exemplifying Diab’s ability to create emotional love songs.
🎵 Listen to We Malo on Spotify
El Alem Allah (2000)
A passionate love song in Egyptian Arabic from the “Tamally Maak” album. The lyrics center around the theme of intense love, with poetic references to the beloved’s eyes and their effect on the heart. The title is used as an expression emphasizing the depth of emotion.
🎵 Listen to El Alem Allah on Spotify
Yetalemo (2018)
From the album “Kol Hayaty,” the title meaning “They Learn” in English refers to others learning from the gentleness and beauty of the beloved. The song, which quickly garnered over 5 million YouTube views within five days of its release, celebrates unique beauty with lyrics about a special smile and extraordinary eyes that others might try to imitate but can’t match.
🎵 Listen to Yetalemo on Spotify
Wala Ala Balo (2001)
A standout track from the album “Aktar Wahed Beihebak,” meaning “Not Even On His Mind” in English. Composed by Mohamed Rahim with lyrics by Mohamed Refai and arrangements by Tarek Madkour. The music video, directed by Sherif Sabri, helped establish the song as a classic in Arabic pop. The track has maintained its popularity over the years, even inspiring international dance remixes
🎵 Listen to Wala Ala Balo on Spotify
More about Amr Diab
- Recipient of multiple World Music Awards (7 in total – in 1996, 2001, 2007, and 2014)
- First Middle Eastern artist to enter Billboard’s World Albums chart at #1 (with ‘Shoft El Ayam’ in 2014)
- Guinness World Record holder for “Most World Music Awards for Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist”
- Has consistently released music since 1983
- Known for recording primarily in Egyptian Arabic
- Notable collaborations:
- “Alby” featuring Khaled (1999)
- “Bahebbak Aktar” featuring Angela Dimitriou (1999)
- “Al Qahera” featuring Mohamed Mounir (2016)
- Appeared in several Egyptian films in the early 1990s, including roles alongside Omar Sharif and Yousra
- Family:
- Nour, his eldest daughter from his first marriage to Egyptian actress Shereen Reda
- Three children with Zeina Ashour (married 1994): Jana, Kinzy, and Abdallah
- Was married to Egyptian actress Dina El Sherbiny (2018-2020)
Connect with Amr Diab
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