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Ofra Haza — Ya Ba Ye
Album: Desert Wind
Avg rating:
4.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 495









Released: 1989
Length: 5:04
Plays (last 30 days): 1
(Ya Bi Na Ya...
Tell me why
Tell me why
Ya bi na
Tell me why
Tell me why
You run?

My mother always told me
Ya bin ti
Don't forget
Min fain in-ti
Remember who you are
Listen to the voice
That plays in your head
Make the right choice
Tell me why
Tell me why
Ya bi na
Tell me why
Tell me why
You run?

My mother says my mother says
Ya ba ye yaba ye
My mother says my mother says
Ya ba ya ba ye

Had to see it my way
'Cause life is very short
The more I seem to learn
The less I seem to know, oh
Oh- I cry in bed
Ye, I miss my home
The home I can't forget
I hear my mother's voice

Tell me why
Tell me why
Ya bi na ya
Tell me why
Tell me why
You cry?

My mother says my mother says
Ya ba ye ya ba ye
My mother says my mother says
Ya ba ya ba ye
(Repeat)
Don't run away
Ya ba ya ba ye
Comments (30)add comment
 siqbal wrote:

Ofra was huge in the Middle East in the late 80s/early 90s amongst Israelis and Arabs alike. The 80s production is very dated to be sure so certainly not everyone's cup of tea. The big global hit was "Im Nin Alu" (which RP should play sometime if it's not already in the rotation) . "Yachilvi Veyachali" also got some global exposure and was popular regionally. 



This helps. 
The whole Levant was alive with this musical sound in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. From Turkey to Saudi Arabia musical tastes were changing. I had never heard this track until just now but I liked it. 
Old comments, old folks less open minded!
Listening and enjoying it a lot, what a surprise i had seeing the ratings, it's a 10.
Ofra was huge in the Middle East in the late 80s/early 90s amongst Israelis and Arabs alike. The 80s production is very dated to be sure so certainly not everyone's cup of tea. The big global hit was "Im Nin Alu" (which RP should play sometime if it's not already in the rotation) . "Yachilvi Veyachali" also got some global exposure and was popular regionally. 
WTF!
this would probably have a more welcome audience on the global mix.
The only thing this song does for me, is want a kebab!
 Chongo1959 wrote:
 
 Everything before the "but" is dishonest!




Have you ever notice when someone says "No Disrespect but..."  They are about to disrespect in a big way.  as if saying that before insulting someone makes it OK
 
Beautiful voice. Not so great song. 
Strange that vuvuzela-sounding horn during the bridge.  I hear this too in Arab music.  What is that exactly?



Bat-Sheva Ofra Haza  
19 November 1957 – 23 February 2000
Known professionally as Ofra Haza (עפרה חזה), was an Israeli singer, actress, Grammy Award nominated recording artist, writer and journalist commonly known in the Western world as 'The Israeli Madonna', or 'Madonna of the East'. 
Of  Mizrahi Jewish descent, Haza's music is known as a mixture of traditional and commercial singing styles, fusing elements of Eastern and Western instrumentation, orchestration and dance-beat.
She became successful in Europe & the Americas and during her singing career earned many platinum and gold discs.
In Israel, Haza was an influential cultural figure who helped to popularize Mizrahi Culture.

Somewhere between a 4 and an 8, depending on my mood I guess.  She kind of sounds like an Israelli Samantha Fox.  LLRP and new to me tunes in the eclectic mix!  And RIP Ofra Haza.  
There's also an interesting tune on YouTube....Ofra Haza vs. Madonna.
this is a fantastic Ofra Haza tune and was huge! Guess what H8ters! I am blind to you and you are all probably dead now anyways…
It’s been a while since I’ve heard this song. Knew who it was two notes in. Was a fan of hers when this album came out. Not entirely sure this song and album are timeless but here we are.
I always think of Yaz whenever this comes on.

btw I see she died at age 42 from AIDS and pneumonia. How terribly sad.
 eric wrote:
No disrespect to the dead intended but this sucks ass. What a horrible mix of "ethnic" music and 80s crap.
 Everything before the "but" is dishonest!

All these negative comments are 18 years old! I wonder what people think now. I'm enjoying this; maybe a 7...
Sorry. This is my first Sucko-Barfo. Though this was a \'rock\' station? Maybe i just don\'t get it...
Originally Posted by eric: No disrespect to the dead intended but this sucks ass. What a horrible mix of "ethnic" music and 80s crap.
I completely agree!
No disrespect to the dead intended but this sucks ass. What a horrible mix of \"ethnic\" music and 80s crap.
That was fun, a great song to mix in. Never heard of this woman before (though she apparently sings on Temple of Love by Sisters of Mercy, a favorite song of mine); I was impressed. I love Dead Can Dance, Cheb Mami, and various Persian and Turkish dance songs--she\'ll be a great addition to my collection (someday).
a unique talent. here's more
yikes. :p
Nice beat, with an eastern sound. I like it. And to the person who said that he/she thought this station was about quality music, quality in music is subjective. This station is about an eclectic mix of music that bill thinks is good. Sometimes we agree, somtimes we don\'t. The only thing that is certain is that what I think is quality others will think sucks and viceversa. Kevin
Ofra Haza has a lot of amazing, excellent work, from haunting to elevating. But this ain\'t it. :roll: Her more traditional-sounding songs are worth checking out ...
Huh? Is there supposed to be something good here? :( Sorry to hear she died, though, and that Bill likes her music. I hope we can get a better representative song, then...