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Rachid Taha — Barra Barra
Album: Made In Medina
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3801









Released: 2000
Length: 5:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
barra barra, hozd wel boghd ou zawara
"Out out; Sadness, hate and the reign of arbitrary"

barra barra, fezd wel l'hozd ma b'qa amene
"Out out; Destruction, jealousy ; there is no trust left"

barra barra, l'alach we ness menhoussine
"Out out; Thirst and people are unlucky"

barra barra, la horma dolm wet ouboudia
"Out out; No honour, but oppression and slavery"

barra barra, nechfou l'widane helkou b'houratte
"Out out; Rivers were dried up and seas have ruined everything"

barra barra, noujoum t'fate derguete chems
"Out out; Stars are switched off and the sun went down"

barra barra, ma b'qa kheir la saada wala z'har
"Out out; There is neither good, nor happiness, nor luck anymore"

barra barra, ma b'kate sadjra sektou la t'iour
"Out out; There are no trees left and the birds stopped singing"

barra barra, ma bka lil ka n'har ghir dalma
"Out out; There are neither nights, nor days left; darkness only"

barra barra, jahanama ma b'ka zine
"Out out; Hell; there is no beauty left"

(...)

barra barra, k'tar z'mane ma b'kate horma
"Out out; Time has increased, there is no honour left"

barra barra, fozd l'harb we dem isil
"Out out; Ruin and war and the blood is flowing"

barra barra, ghir l'hitane l'hitane waqfine
"Out out; There are only walls left, walls standing up"

barra barra, l'khaouf wa ness saktine
"Out out; Fear and people remain silent"

barra barra, l'hozd wel boghd wa zawara
"Out out; Sadness, hate and the reign of arbitrary"

barra barra, wel hozd ma b'qa amene
"Out out; Destruction and jealousy ; there is no trust"

barra barra, nechfou l'widane helkou l'bhourane
"Out out; Rivers were dried up and seas have ruined everything"

barra barra, noujoum t'fate derguette chems
"Out out; stars are switched off and the sun went down"

(...)

barra barra, ma b'qa kheir la saada wata z'har
"Out out; There is neither good, nor happiness, nor luck anymore"

barra barra, ma b'qa z'djour saktou la tiour
"Out out; There are no trees left; the birds stopped singing"

barra barra, ma b'qa lil la n'har ghir dalma
"Out out; There are neither nights, nor days left; darkness only"

barra barra, gh'bina jahanama ma b'ka zine
"Out out; Desolation, hell, there is no beauty left"

(...)

barra barra, k'tar z'méme ma b'qate horma
"Out out; Time has increased, there is no honour left"

barra barra, l'fezed wel harb wa dem isil
"Out out; Ruin and war and the blood is flowing"

barra barra, ghir l'hitane hitane waqfine
"Out out; There are only walls left, walls standing up"

barra barra, l'khaouf ness saktine
"Out out; Fear and people remain silent"

barra barra, l'hozd fezd ou zawara
"Out out; Sadness, hate and the reign of arbitrary"

barra barra, fezd wel hozd ma b'qa améne
"Out out; Destruction, jealousy ; there is no trust left"

(...)

barra barra, noujoum t'fate derquéte chéms
"Out out; Stars are switched off, and the sun went down"

barra barra, ma b'qa kheir la saada la z'har
"Out out; There is neither good, nor happiness, nor luck left"

barra barra, ma b'qa z'djour sektou lé tiour
"Out out; There are no trees left ; birds stopped singing"

barra barra, ma b'qa lil ka n'har ghir dalma
"Out out; There are no neither nights nor days left; darkness only"

barra barra, djahanama ma b'qa zine
"Out out; Desolation, hell, there is no beauty left"

barra barra, k'tar z'méne ma b'qate horma
"Out out; Time has increased, there is no honour left"

(barra barra...)
Comments (710)add comment
the bad ass of Rai!
This is used in Blackhawk Down.  Works really well. 
 bigbargain wrote:

Not sure when it happened (maybe was always there) but i appreciate the inclusion of an English translation.  There seems to be muych mistrust between US and the world and being clear about what you're saying in your lyrics seems a good idea.

Like many of the reviews, I like it for its uniqueness.  And i was thus interested in the message too.




I Agree. Same here!
 BBoyes wrote:

From Wikipedia: 

Taha suffered from Chiari malformation diagnosed in 1987. "I'm tired of people thinking I'm a drunk on stage. While these are the symptoms of Arnold Chiari disease. I'm stumbling because I'm losing my balance. I'm wavering. It generates a disruption in the body."[43]

Taha died from a heart attack in his sleep on 12 September 2018, six days before his 60th birthday.[44] He is survived by his longtime partner Véronique Pré and their son, Lyes.[45] A posthumous album, Je suis Africain, previously finished before his death, was released on September 20, 2019.[46]

Reminder to self: don't judge anyone by appearance. And: I have nothing to complain about. Some people have way more than their share of hardship and misfortune.




GREAT TUNE!!  Thank You for the info. I agree about being judgemental. Very well stated!  PS: May he rest in peace! 
From Wikipedia: 

Taha suffered from Chiari malformation diagnosed in 1987. "I'm tired of people thinking I'm a drunk on stage. While these are the symptoms of Arnold Chiari disease. I'm stumbling because I'm losing my balance. I'm wavering. It generates a disruption in the body."[43]

Taha died from a heart attack in his sleep on 12 September 2018, six days before his 60th birthday.[44] He is survived by his longtime partner Véronique Pré and their son, Lyes.[45] A posthumous album, Je suis Africain, previously finished before his death, was released on September 20, 2019.[46]

Reminder to self: don't judge anyone by appearance. And: I have nothing to complain about. Some people have way more than their share of hardship and misfortune.

Not sure when it happened (maybe was always there) but i appreciate the inclusion of an English translation.  There seems to be muych mistrust between US and the world and being clear about what you're saying in your lyrics seems a good idea.

Like many of the reviews, I like it for its uniqueness.  And i was thus interested in the message too.
 bitbanger wrote:

I know this is a common perception of America in Europe but it is a misconception. Having been to Europe many times, one thing I am always struck by is the homogeneity of national cultures while in the US there is a rich cultural diversity.

For example, in a small building I lived in I had a Russian and Ukrainian family across the hall, a family from Jamaica and one from Iraq just below. This building was in a neighborhood that had a lot of folks from Eastern Europe, and much of my family is English. My favorite grocery store is owned and run by a couple of guys from the Dominican Republic (who happen to make some of the best Cuban sandwiches in town) while their main competition is from Yemen (who make some pretty special German pastries). Some of my closest friends are from Israel even though I was raised in a protestant family. We will frequent Irish bars with Italian friends. And this is just an example.

As such, although many Americans will not travel to a foreign country, all many have to do is knock on their neighbor's door to experience the world.









Very well stated!  I live in a college town in  southeast Ohio. There are  a lot of foreign students , professors & TAs. A LOT of cultural diversity going on around here!  25 miles  from WV.   
 obankenobi wrote:



and sometimes ignorance is simply ignorance.  One living in the middle of the United States is not surrounded at multiple languages and cultures such as one living in Germany.  The distance between Germany and Algeria is around 2,500 km, which is similar to the distance between California and Kansas.  Many Americans live their lives without leaving the country.  Probably not as common for the average European.

I know this is a common perception of America in Europe but it is a misconception. Having been to Europe many times, one thing I am always struck by is the homogeneity of national cultures while in the US there is a rich cultural diversity.

For example, in a small building I lived in I had a Russian and Ukrainian family across the hall, a family from Jamaica and one from Iraq just below. This building was in a neighborhood that had a lot of folks from Eastern Europe, and much of my family is English. My favorite grocery store is owned and run by a couple of guys from the Dominican Republic (who happen to make some of the best Cuban sandwiches in town) while their main competition is from Yemen (who make some pretty special German pastries). Some of my closest friends are from Israel even though I was raised in a protestant family. We will frequent Irish bars with Italian friends. And this is just an example.

As such, although many Americans will not travel to a foreign country, all many have to do is knock on their neighbor's door to experience the world.






Might not be the right song to listen to on repeat... but mark my words:
When this song plays over a memorable scene in some high concept series, next day it's up in the charts! ;)
Right away an 8 for me!
jesus wept 
6 to 7 
Love this!
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
 bitbanger wrote:



Stereotypes are frequently reflective of ignorance and resentment.



and sometimes ignorance is simply ignorance.  One living in the middle of the United States is not surrounded at multiple languages and cultures such as one living in Germany.  The distance between Germany and Algeria is around 2,500 km, which is similar to the distance between California and Kansas.  Many Americans live their lives without leaving the country.  Probably not as common for the average European.
 ger-man wrote:

Amerikaner und Geografie: Algerien ist nicht im Mittleren Osten, sondern in Nordafrika.
Algeria is not in The Middle East, it´s in Nordafrica.



Stereotypes are frequently reflective of ignorance and resentment.
Out out; There are neither nights, nor days left; darkness only" so it’s night then right.
Oddly threw me back to 'Right through you' (verses anyway) by Alanis Morrissette; good reminder to revisit Jagged Little Pill...
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:

So. Why the low ratings? This is a great track, no question. 

I am going to say that it is because there is a middle eastern flavour to it, and in todays MSM propaganda rich soup we live in, there is a tendency for those who have bought into the fear being peddled, to automatically reject anything that is even remotely connected with peoples or styles from that area. 

Me? I gave it a solid 10. 




I'm hovering around an 8, but hey - I'm getting there.
There's a a certain crowd in here who will coughs up their skulls at anything remotely foreign. Might be threatening their sense of 'furrrdom, lubberty and chissyayn walues' (I'm told that' how you write redneck 😜)
Music, the ultimate art form. Even when you don't understand a single word, the feeling created by the lyrics just hits you like if you knew the story being told... 
dude can roll his r's like no other.
10 for me
for the curious:
Taha suffered from Chiari malformation diagnosed in 1987.
"I'm tired of people thinking I'm a drunk on stage. While these are the symptoms of Arnold Chiari disease. I'm stumbling because I'm losing my balance. I'm wavering. It generates a disruption in the body."
Stuff like this is why I have stuck  with RP for so long.  I doubt I would hear this anywhere else. 
 mjbaumann wrote:


Bull$hit...Bull$hit! (My Arabic Translation)

BTW; Algeria is in North Africa, not the "Middle East" and was a French Colony when this man ( and yes, I just assumed his gender) was born there; so maybe the translation should be more like Merde...Merde!


Barra literally mean out, but it's often used as an exclamation as in Get Out! (ah memories growing up when our father would banish us from the room) 
 chasech5 wrote:

I like saying "BARRRRRRRAA BAAARRRRRRAAAA!" real loud when this comes.

Family gives me the stinkeye.


I really wish I could roll my 'r's like this guy:o)
Who cares about the music this dude has some serious hair. Rate 7 on that alone!
why oh why?
Bump from 7 to 9.  Sends shivers up my spine every time it comes on.  If you don't get it, read the English translation.  (Thanks for the translation!)
Really like this. I cringed before I peeped the Average Rating. Unfortunately, no surprise there...
 shaun2 wrote:

This is why I just love Radio Paradise.This is what its all about! Music you don't generally hear anywhere else! Thanks heaps!



If I could give you 10 thumbs up I would. 
This is why I just love Radio Paradise.This is what its all about! Music you don't generally hear anywhere else! Thanks heaps!
Loved the segue from Tom Waits.
One who can be rock in his country. RP Rachid Taha
I like this song.  If I ever visit Casablanca at night I hope this is playing.
more alugalug cat
Yuk.
The guitar is powerful and the vocals superb, even if I don't understand a word.                   this guy's            
Around 7 and 8 note. But the sound level ALWAYS goes to 10000000000 when it is aired. F#CK THE NEIGHBORS!    :)
 ger-man wrote:

Amerikaner und Geografie: Algerien ist nicht im Mittleren Osten, sondern in Nordafrika.
Algeria is not in The Middle East, it´s in Nordafrica.



Deutsche und Klugscheißen: zum einen ist es North Africa und zum anderen geht es dem OP um den Stil der Musik und nicht um ein spezifisches Land. Ich finde seine Kritik sachlich vorgebracht und nachvollziehbar.
Germans and smartass: for one thing, it's North Africa, and for another, the OP is concerned with the style of the music, not a specific country. I find his criticism factually put forward and understandable.

Enough ranted! 
I think he's saying "those damn blue collar tweakers are running this here town!"
 pigtail wrote:
Barra Barra!
 

Bull$hit...Bull$hit! (My Arabic Translation)

BTW; Algeria is in North Africa, not the "Middle East" and was a French Colony when this man ( and yes, I just assumed his gender) was born there; so maybe the translation should be more like Merde...Merde!
7 > 8; love it!
This has a fantastic groove. I like the way it burns for a long time then starts building.
To my surprise, I've really grown to like this song.  

Radio Paradise has a way of doing this to me.  Sneaky bastards...
Black Hawk Down the great OST......
Taha was a great musician, but this song is not one of his best. I suggest the twin albums Diwan and Diwan 2.
Love this. The power of that build. Very satisfying. Interestingly followed (2/1/21) by Massive Attack's "Angel" with it's cycling build. Thumbs up all round.  👍
Many thanks for the bilingual translation, things were pretty bad over there and here, even in 2000....
 RabbitEars wrote:
 
Trippy!
love it when he begins to shout 'bullshit !!'  the lyrics say out, out !
great track breaks up the music styles and makes your ears prick up. 
instantly bought the live cd - gimme more scotsmen with metal cobras hanging out of their riffs!!
RIP Rachid.
Merci RP.
 SuperWeh wrote:

I love middle eastern music!
 

 Proclivities wrote:
I love this song!!!!
 

a nice recovery here with him :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
So. Why the low ratings? This is a great track, no question. 

I am going to say that it is because there is a middle eastern flavour to it, and in todays MSM propaganda rich soup we live in, there is a tendency for those who have bought into the fear being peddled, to automatically reject anything that is even remotely connected with peoples or styles from that area. 

Me? I gave it a solid 10. 
 

pretty transparent virtue signalling there, looks like people actually fall for it. congrats.
 m_logie wrote:


I gave this song a low rating because the vocal style and backing track are not to my taste.  There's plenty of music from the middle east which I do like, and I have spent a lot of time in the region and find the people and culture truly beautiful.

My dislike of this song has nothing to do with anti-middle eastern propaganda.  My dislike of this song is probably partly to do with my upbringing in the western musical tradition, but that's the extent of my prejudice.  I do not think this is a great track, and asserting it is so rather than accepting that such a judgement is purely subjective creates a straw man.

Me? I just don't like it.
 
Amerikaner und Geografie: Algerien ist nicht im Mittleren Osten, sondern in Nordafrika.
Algeria is not in The Middle East, it´s in Nordafrica.
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
So. Why the low ratings? This is a great track, no question. 

I am going to say that it is because there is a middle eastern flavour to it, and in todays MSM propaganda rich soup we live in, there is a tendency for those who have bought into the fear being peddled, to automatically reject anything that is even remotely connected with peoples or styles from that area. 

Me? I gave it a solid 10. 
 

I gave this song a low rating because the vocal style and backing track are not to my taste.  There's plenty of music from the middle east which I do like, and I have spent a lot of time in the region and find the people and culture truly beautiful.

My dislike of this song has nothing to do with anti-middle eastern propaganda.  My dislike of this song is probably partly to do with my upbringing in the western musical tradition, but that's the extent of my prejudice.  I do not think this is a great track, and asserting it is so rather than accepting that such a judgement is purely subjective creates a straw man.

Me? I just don't like it.
This is one of the least optimistic songs ever written! Read the lyrics and weep (maybe the intended effect).
 onelittlemoose wrote:
I have no idea what's he's saying, but I love the beat and the melody. And you have to respect anyone who can rrrrrrrroll their rrrrrrrrrrrrrr's like that. That takes skill and practice. 
 
Amazing - almost as if he's a professional
After hearing this song a few times here, I streamed the whole album - it's worth a listen. 
Wow. Storm Comin' by the Wailin Jennys, then this? That was a ****storm for sure.

Another masterful segue, B&R.
Love the intense progression!
 vanillagorilla wrote:
Sounds like a scotsman coaxing a cobra out of a basket while wacked on hashish and trying to play some metal riffs on his electric sitar
 
LOL! That's it exactly! Love it! 
Fantastic track. Solid 10 from me. Captures raw emotion and desperation.
 Duc1098 wrote:
Following up "Aja" with this? Talking about going from the sublime to the ridiculous.
 
I can see not liking the song, but to call it ridiculous?!  Read the lyrics in the box to the left.  Just. READ. them.  Try to understand the frustration and the sense of hopelessness that the artist is trying, quite successfully, to convey.  There's nothing ridiculous about that.
 kingart wrote:


Algerian Singer Rachid Taha Dies at 59
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/rachid-taha-dead-dies-1202940376/
 

ارقد في سلام
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
So. Why the low ratings? This is a great track, no question. 
 
How about because it genuinely give me the creeps? 
I've been listening to this album since hearing this song on RP.  This is one of a bunch of good tracks. 
This song ruined more than one of my famous RP Naps lol...

Still, a 7 :0)
Play it loud, or you will not like it :-)
 DragonSixGolf wrote:
 It could be because the lyrics, while unknown, still manage to be repetitive and tedious. Or maybe the the simple instrumentation is boring, until layered with ministry-like samples and becomes annoying. 
 
Hmm. Repetitive lyrics, simple instrumentation. I don't know ANY songs like this, except maybe every rock song ever. (Ok, 80%). It's just a matter of what floats your boat. I find this song thrilling. It reaches something very deep. Sorry you don't like it. 
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
So. Why the low ratings? This is a great track, no question. 

I am going to say it is that it is because there is a middle eastern flavour to it and in todays MSM propaganda rich soup we live in there is a tendency for those who have bought into the fear being peddled, to automatically reject anything that is even remotely connected with peoples or styles from that area. 

Me? I gave it a solid 10. 
 

Maybe it's because we don't like it.  Speaking of making automatic judgements... 
Very catchy tune. I could listen to more of this Algerian Arabic.
(My wife made me say that, she's from Beirut!)
Just kidding, I do like it.
Yes, give us more of this sexy, mysterious music!
 Carlo9151 wrote:
Surprised: just discovered there's the hand of Brian Eno when performing live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jde6OjPtunw 
 
I didn't know that. And now that I do I admire Eno even more. I really love his work with David Byrne on My Life In the Bush Of Ghosts. If you not already know this track, go listen to Regiment of that album. This also has this Middle Eastern vibe to it. 
Hé Hé also Robert Plant like him. So why don't you ?? 
 kingart wrote:


Algerian Singer Rachid Taha Dies at 59
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/rachid-taha-dead-dies-1202940376/
 
I was at a conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, last month when a colleague informed me of this. Sad - RIP.


Algerian Singer Rachid Taha Dies at 59
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/rachid-taha-dead-dies-1202940376/
First heard this in Black Hawk Down - sounds GREAT loud
 
Thanks Bill+Rebecca
 dabeyc wrote:
bill, i am going to ask you again to please stop playing this song. 

 
Play it again, Sam...äh, Bill!
According to the play history:

Last play: Apr 23, 2017 
 dabeyc wrote:
bill, i am going to ask you again to please stop playing this song. 

 
You're not the boss of Bill.
Following up "Aja" with this? Talking about going from the sublime to the ridiculous.
5.8? What;s wrong with you people? Don't like kebab either?
 Proclivities wrote:

You say that as if it's a bad thing.

 
Fantastic comment!
bill, i am going to ask you again to please stop playing this song. 
 vanillagorilla wrote:
Sounds like a scotsman coaxing a cobra out of a basket while wacked on hashish and trying to play some metal riffs on his electric sitar

 
You say that as if it's a bad thing.
 maboleth wrote:
I rated 10, I simply adore this tune.

 
It gets even better with every listen.  Fantastic tune
oh not again.
I rated 10, simply adore this tune.
I logged on to RP specifically so I could rate the is 1, turns out I already did :)
Surprised: just discovered there's the hand of Brian Eno when performing live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jde6OjPtunw 
Sounds like a scotsman coaxing a cobra out of a basket while wacked on hashish and trying to play some metal riffs on his electric sitar
"Not that easy to listen to but still very powerful and quite interesting."
That's a pretty darn good assessment. They made me listen all the way through, but it definitely wasn't because it was so soothing. 
Still gets airplay in my car!
I appreciate the diversity of music provided by RP, but how low a score does it take to get a song out of regular rotation?  
Not that easy to listen to but still very powerful and quite interesting. Too bad Taha has this problem with alcohol...
Difficult to listen to the last 30 mins... 
 For me quite the opposite .  I had to turn it up louder   canuckian69 wrote:
Rarely do I have to turn off RP because of a song. This one qualified.

 


 canuckian69 wrote:
Rarely do I have to turn off RP because of a song. This one qualified.

 
You should use the PSD button and never leave "Paradise".
I love this song! Haven't a clue what they are saying but the beat and the motion could bring a cripple to his feet! 8 - 4me
Rarely do I have to turn off RP because of a song. This one qualified.
Love this song's arrival in this set, as it washes away the smooth jazzy sounds of Aja directly preceding it.
hRRRRbRRRR you what? I could only sing that right after brushing my teeth :)
Nice song though somehow... 
 cebadores wrote:
Имеет право на существование, но это арабское "барра-барра", вызывает отторжение. Алла, я в бар, нах!

 
Indeed
Имеет право на существование, но это арабское "барра-барра", вызывает отторжение. Алла, я в бар, нах!
Has a right to exist, but it is the аrab "Barra-Barra", causes rejection. Alla, I'm in a bar, nah!
Very much up my alley, thank you!
Love this track
 BesoC wrote:
Great piece of music, especially as 'Black Hawk Down' soundtrack {#Motor}

 
Very well used in the scene showing US troops choppering into Mogadishu to capture two advisors of the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid...
Still annoying.
Woo! This following the Clash, Rock the Casbah? Awesome.I have loved Rachid Taha since BHD soundtrack came out and have seen him several times live. Really hot!!
 
 dabeyc wrote:
just can't hear this song any more. 
 
Yep totally grates on my nerves.  One of those songs that causes me to turn RP off for a few hours or days.  Just can't stand it.
Great piece of music, especially as 'Black Hawk Down' soundtrack {#Motor}
just can't hear this song any more. 
This is actually quite awesome.
 squirto wrote:

Why so serious? It's just a cool song...
 
I tend to get "serious", like many of the other commenters, when casually accused of racism. Glad you like the song, but there's a more accurate explanation for it's low rating. The world doesn't need you to be offended for it.
 DragonSixGolf wrote:

Or , maybe, just maybe...we don't think the song is very good. It could be because the lyrics, while unknown, still manage to be repetitive and tedious. Or maybe the the simple instrumentation is boring, until layered with ministry-like samples and becomes annoying. There's so many musical reasons not to like this, but you've made up your mind it's predjudice. Maybe the reason you like it, is you are a SJW try-hard? That argument as just as valid (and silly).

Edit: Just read the lyrics: another reason this song is weak. #im15andthisisdeep

 
Why so serious? It's just a cool song...

Fantastic! :)
Liked this song the first few times I heard it, but as someone who listens to Radio Paradise nearly every day, I can't stand it anymore. It always seems to be in heavy rotation. Bench it for a while.