Girl Just Wants to Have Fun

I know I've already run one Carole Samaha video this month (and how many blogs do you read that can claim that?), but over the last couple of days I keep running across this one and find myself smitten - it's random and poppy and just great fun.

It's the Lebanese diva's hit "Ali", and in it she, a couple of girlfriends, and a pair of I'm quite totally certain platonic pals dance it up. I'm loving the ice-cream colors, the Demoiselles de Rochefort choreography, the very 1986 synth hook, and the way it makes me think of numbers from things like Star Struck, if it were Middle Eastern instead of Australian.

Eastern Beats

I know we've ventured into the world of Arab pop quite recently, but I find myself very taken with this new song, "Ma Bkhaf" ("Don't be Scared") by Lebanese diva Carole Samaha, now in heavy rotation on the local video channels.

It's actually a pretty good dance song. Samaha appears to be staking out a Jennifer Lopez sort of role for herself, and the overall affect is a little more minimalist than some of her competition. The clip is causing a certain amount of controversy, not just, as usual, for the amount of skin on display, but for the daring casting of its extras. Check out the saucy couple at around 1:23 and you'll see what I mean.

I'm always happy when this part of the world surprises with its diversity, on all fronts...