Hey 'Sara ‘: I think that even other Arabs won't understand the Raï Slang :-) So, what about a non-Arab Speaker?! I hate these singers; they have a very strange lyrics and sometimes dirty meanings. Look what i head in one of this guy called khaled songs: أنا البحر عليا وأنت اللا = Anaa El bhar alia wnti el-laa If we translate it word to word it gives: The sea upon me, and not upon you!! No sense. Hahaha :p But it has a close meaning to this: No worry about me, the worry is about you. Even with this translation, it cannot be understood 100%. Another example: أنا نعمّر راسي = Anna n'amar rasii = I fill my head ! It means: I drink Alcohol/beer! Another example: أنا نقلش عمري = ana nkalach oumri (the word نقلش, was known just recently as a slang to cherish, neither other Arabs use this word) Means: I cherish my life (here life could be his own life or his beloved) Such Algerian slang songs are mixed up with French words, what makes it very local. As a beginner, I advice you to keep away from the dialects and slang as far as possible ;-)

Usually Arabic POP singers use their own dialects (Egyptians, Lebanese', Algerians, ppl from the Arabic gulf.....they all use their local dialects even here in Algeria we have a great number of dialects) rarely Formal Arabic. The thing it may confuse you, so I think that for a beginner songs won't help much. For more help, feel Free to ask ;-) Take care,

Hi Tom, There is a weekly top of the Arab charts podcaston RadioMonte Carlo Doualiya. It's all in Arabic, but you'll hear the top songs of the Arab world. Go to http://www.mc-doualiya.com/rmcommunar/dynamiques/podcasting.aspx?rubrique=rmradioar and click on the very first stream/download icon برنامج "سباق الأغاني"، اضغط على هذه الوصل Brian

i know a singer named Amr Diab :) a friend of mine sent me his song called '' Hawalek ''. In fact I dont know what the title means but it's so lively ;)

conara de vaneda khaled mania