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Fairuz: THE Ambassador to the Stars

My venture into the world of entertainment was not always a cultured one, especially when it comes to music. My list is not really varied: I listen to modern music, sometimes with male vocals, sometimes primarily instrumental. I usually do so when I read a book or surf the net, and sometimes when I go to the gym or study at home. To me, music is just a commodity, which I use to keep myself going at what I'm doing, whether it be reading the first few pages of a huge book, or surfing the net for vital information pertaining to what I blog about, or when I bench-press tens of kilos of iron. Music isn't something I would devote an entire hour just to listen to. However, there are a number of singers that deserve such time in my opinion, but only one stands out from the rest. What makes this singer unique is that this singer is of the classical genre, not modern. Even stranger is that the singer is not a man, but a woman.

And what a woman. She goes by the name Fairuz, which is actually a pseudonym she adopted when she rose to stardom back in the past few decades.



Fairuz is probably one of the most famous singers in the Arab world, notably because usually the promoters of a certain genre are the most famous. There were others like her at the time, including Um Kulthoum, Abdul-Halim Hafiz, Asmahan, Farid Al Atrash, among others, but in my opinion, none of them match her dignity, her charisma, or her powerful voice. What makes her unique is that she never degenerated like most singers do as they age, like that plastic model Sabah, who, while also a memorable singer, does not match Fairuz in any way possible. Why is that? Fairuz was not just a singer, but also an actress and a composer. She didn't just sing about the same old topic of love that most singers sing about. She sang about a lot of things, including nature, patriotism, daily life, and even folk tales. Also, her music, like many singers, is varied. Amongst her discography, you will find slow-paced and fast-paced songs. Her tone varies as well, from soft and serene, to powerful and exciting, and her music is for all ages and genders alike, as you will find as well songs even children can dance to.

She has a huge fan base here in the MidEast, and rose to fame in a time when darkness and depression swept throughout the Middle East, especially in her home nation of Lebanon. Not one single Arab singer could rival her fame or her popularity. Sure, many people would rather listen to low-profile "divas" like Elissa, Nancy Ajram, Haifa Wehbe, among others, but when Fairuz's voice graces the loudspeaker, all ears are attentive, listening to the sweet melody in her voice and the lively instrumentals that accompany it. As with most classical music, her songs stir senses of nostalgia, even in the minds of Arab children who were born this decade. Among her best hits, in my most humble opinion, were Habbaitak Bil Sayf (حبيتك بالصيف, "I Loved You in Summertime"), Nahna Wil Qamar Jiran (نحن والقمر جيران, "We are Neighbors of the Moon"), Kan Al Zaman (كان الزمان, "There was a Time"), Yara (يارا, "Yara (girl's name)"), Khaleek Bil Bait (خليك بالبيت, "Stay At Home (With Me)", which is probably one of my most favorite of her songs), Qaddaish Kan Fi Nas (قديش كان في ناس , "How Many People (There Were)"), among many. Granted, the titles of her songs may sound strange to foreigners and even some Arabs who are accustomed to listening to modern music, but brushing the cover aside, you'll find the songs to be quite... magical.



However, Fairuz has now come of age, and rarely appears in public. Her music, though, has still made it to restaurants, bars, shops, and even wedding halls all across the Arab world. If you're interested in Fairuz's music, they are still available online in many music stores, online and throughout the Arab world. You can even listen to some samples on Arabic radio and websites like this, though I'd recommend original copies as they are usually the best preserved and less prone to recording/digital errors. But who knows if there are a lot of people who still listen to her music these days as much as they listen to today's tunes? It's true that much of classical music has become a memory, but as for Fairuz, her voice will still be heard, and will go down in history as the most charismatic Arab singer, alongside others like Um Kulthoum (ugh). Fairuz will definitely remain in the hearts of many people, and will still be, regardless of those who try to usurp her acclaim, THE Ambassador to the Stars.

Salaam, from
Saracen

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