Contrary to popular opinion, Celine Dion isn’t the only 1980s Eurovision veteran with a flourishing career. While the 1988 winner may gobble up most of the western attention, another star has been thriving in the east – Samira Said, Morocco’s only ever Eurovision entrant.
The 1980 contestant and “Bitakat Hob” singer first embedded herself in the Wiwi conscience last autumn, with the release of her mega-smash “Mazal”. Ever since she’s been hard to ignore. The accompanying video rivalled the output of American divas half her age, and last month she was one of 3 Eurovision alums to take home a World Music Award.
The fabulousness looks set to continue with the 2nd cut from her upcoming album – “Elly Benna (What’s Between Us)”. The track is an infectious bundle of Arabian sunshine. Light and fluffy, with a hint of the desert. It may lack the mainstream appeal of “Mazal” – the sass and general stompiness are gone – but nevertheless it looks like Said has another hit on her hands. Now all we have to do is wait for the video. How exactly will she beat those candle-wax (complete with flames) shoulder-pads?
I swear I can hear ‘The Balkan Girls’ here with a Moroccan flava.
The song is palatable but it’s certainly not more than a possible beach summer hit Light as a feather..
Marocco please come back in 2015!