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Aïcha

1996 song by Khaled

Image credit is listed at the end of this article.

Aïcha "Aïcha" (/ˈʃə/ eye-EE-shə, French: [a.iʃa]; Arabic: عائشة, romanized: ʿāʾisha, pronounced [ˈʕaːʔiʃa]; Algerian Arabic: 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.

01Lyrics

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 are all in French, as well as an Arabic verse sung by Khaled.

02Track listings

German maxi-CD single

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

03Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996-1997) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 25
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 1
France (SNEP) 1
Germany (GfK) 33
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 14
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 11

Year-end charts

Chart (1996) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 7
France (SNEP) 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 84
Chart (1997) Position
Germany (Media Control) 59
Romania (Romanian Top 100) 80

04Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA) Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP) Diamond 750,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

05Outlandish version

"Aicha"
Single by Outlandish
from the album Bread & Barrels of Water
Released10 June 2003 (2003-06-10)
Recorded2002
StudioMintman (Copenhagen)
GenreR&B
Length4:37
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Mintman
  • Outlandish
Outlandish singles chronology
"Gritty"
(2002)
"Aicha"
(2003)
"Man binder os på mund og hånd"
(2004)
Music video
"Aicha" on YouTube

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 and performed by Mintman, along with the band. 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
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 8
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 4
Germany (GfK) 1
Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40) 35
Italy (FIMI) 42
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 2
Norway (VG-lista) 3
Romania (Romanian Top 100) 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2003) Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 74
Germany (Media Control GfK) 7
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 21
Romania (Romanian Top 100) 29
Sweden (Topplistan) 6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 4

06Other 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.
  • 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:

Watch videos about AïchaExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article Aïcha, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

Images, from Wikimedia Commons:

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