Murder, suicide and chemical weapons in Arabic love songs

Arabs are known for being emotional, passionate and hot blooded creatures. We love to express our emotions and thoughts with grand hand gestures, loud voices and fervent expressions. For example, we use the word "ebmoot" or "dead" to describe how much we love someone, we say "ebmoot fik," which means "I’d die for your love." If we ate too much we say "rah moot mn el akel," which means "I’m going to die from eating." If we are being affectionate towards someone we say "teqberni" or "may you bury me" … you get the picture, right?

This rather violent way of expressing ourselves manifests itself fabulously in our love songs. These are 9 examples.

Albi Esa’alu – Nawal Al Zoghbi

In this song, Nawal says: "واللي بيفكر يجرحك برتاح منه بقتلو" or in English: "I’ll get rid of whoever thinks of hurting you … and murder him." So Nawal is happy to have blood on her hands in order to keep her love safe … If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is!

Yalla etnam – Fairouz

One of the most beloved and enduring lullabies in the Arab world has this disturbing line: "يالله تنام لادبحلك طير الحمام," which means "hush little baby, I’ll slaughter a pigeon for you." The song’s next line explains that this terrible cruelty towards that poor little bird is a mere joke. But why plant such adistressing thought in the minds of little kids to begin with?! Like, "I’m going to skin this little kitten alive … But don’t cry little baby, I’m only joking!"

Ejrahli Albi – Wafiq Habib

Despite being lethal and prohibited, chemical weapons are the weapon of choice for Wafiq Habib! He says: "اجرحلي قلبي ولا تداوي ورش عليّ كيماوي" or "cut me and don’t bother to stitch me up and spray me with chemicals" … Because nothing says I love you more than agreeing to be sprayed with some chlorine.

Ma bkhabbi alayk – Najwa Karam

Najwa is ready to literally kill herself if her lover leaves her or goes away. She says: "بغيابك بقتل حالي" meaning "when you are away I kill myself." That’s not psychotic … That’s just love!

Qooli bihebni – Mohamad Eskandar

Eskandar’s message to all rivals is clear: "اللي بيرميك بوردة براسو بخرطش فردي," meaning "if you as much as think of throwing a rose at my woman, I’ll plant some bullets inside your skull!" In another equally disturbing line he shamelessly declares that he will "kill whoever looks at his woman and make his children orphans." Eskandar is doing his bit in the battle against guns and violence … He’s just on the wrong side of it.

Eghmorni – Marwan El Shami

Al Muhandes sings: "والله لو حبيت غيري لاقتلك وأموت بعدك," which means "if you love someone else but me, I’ll kill you then I’ll kill myself." What is it with death, suicide, murder and Arab songs?! Are we seriously incapable of expressing love without turning into convicted murderers?!

Eghmorni – Marwan El Shami

Now this song has a bundle of romantic violence, from strong embraces capable of breaking ribs “اغمرني كسرلي ضلوعي” to wishing haters to suffer from strokes “انشالله اللي بدو يحسدنا تصيبو سكتة قلبية”. But El Shami knows that he is not entirely normal to say stuff like that, because he proceeds to ask his lover to “treat him from his psychiatric illness." You don’t say!

Lam-sheelik hafi – Fares Karam

Now I don’t know whether a woman should feel loved or ask for a restraining order against Karam when he sings to her: "لادبحلك عنتر وأهديك راسو" meaning "I’ll slaughter Antar and offer you his head as a gift."

Ya A’alem – Elissa

Back to the favourite theme in Arabic love songs … you guessed it, DEATH! Now it is Elissa’s turn to give us the Arab version of Romeo and Juliette. She sings: "يا نعيش مع بعض حبيبي يا نموت إحنا الاثنين" meaning "we either live together or die together." Basically what Elissa is trying to say: you ain’t gonna have fun without me! As if imma let you date that skinny yoga trainer after I’m gone! You are coming to the grave with my mister! Or something like that.