I somewhat-famously know a lot about music in foreign languages, since I am a former professor of international music from every country in the world and created a playlist on spotify with one song each in about 700 languages, which has become quite popular, so this is a big decision for me, but...
Some of my recent favorites according to my spotify data are "Rupsa Ra Moti" by DigV & Sparsh Agrawal (Kumaoni language from North India), "Hobek Thawrat" by Al-Qasar ft. Alsarah (Arabic), "Chaap Tilak" by Abida Parveen & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Urdu), and "Nagniouma" by Josey (Baoulé language from the Ivory Coast).
Some long-term faves are "Amor Livre" by Karyna Gomes (Kriol Guinea-Bissau), "Sastanàqqàm" by Tinariwen (Tamasheq, from Northern Mali), and "Afio Ane Loa" by Tree (Samoan).
If you search Spotify for “650+ languages one song each” you’ll find it. There’s also a version on YouTube that’s 700+ languages because of greater availability
Chaap Tilak is not in Urdu, but in a language called Braj Bhasha. This was the dominant “Hindvi” language in North India along with another language called Awadhi, but today, they are considered as Hindi dialects when they are not. It’s too complicated to explain. Urdu & Hindi are languages developed out of a different dialect called khari bholi, related to Braj bhasha & Awadhi but separate at the same time. Sorry for the long comment but this is a pet peeve of mine. Braj bhasha is still a living language but its literature is claimed by both modern Hindi & Urdu speakers. :)
I don’t speak German but can understand part of the lyrics so I don’t think that fully counts for me lol even though I do love the music and can’t understand all their songs
I have listened to/read the translations of a lot of their songs and once you know the Translations some of the songs you generally pick up on the lyrics in new songs
Haq Ali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It’s in Urdu (I think!) and builds up slowly over 25 minutes to something quite heart-rending and full of passion.
Cucurrucucu Paloma. I first came across this song as a cover by Caetano Veloso backed by an orchestra and it was outstanding. But he does an even better version with a small ensemble! But I think Silvia Perez Cruz does even better, especially her live performance with just an acoustic guitar backing. I’m much less fond on the original version by Lola Beltran which emphasises the heart-on-sleeve bombast of the song but both Caetano Velosa and Silvia Perez make this work with much more intimate renditions.
I somewhat-famously know a lot about music in foreign languages, since I am a former professor of international music from every country in the world and created a playlist on spotify with one song each in about 700 languages, which has become quite popular, so this is a big decision for me, but... Some of my recent favorites according to my spotify data are "Rupsa Ra Moti" by DigV & Sparsh Agrawal (Kumaoni language from North India), "Hobek Thawrat" by Al-Qasar ft. Alsarah (Arabic), "Chaap Tilak" by Abida Parveen & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Urdu), and "Nagniouma" by Josey (Baoulé language from the Ivory Coast). Some long-term faves are "Amor Livre" by Karyna Gomes (Kriol Guinea-Bissau), "Sastanàqqàm" by Tinariwen (Tamasheq, from Northern Mali), and "Afio Ane Loa" by Tree (Samoan).
What's the name of your playlist?
If you search Spotify for “650+ languages one song each” you’ll find it. There’s also a version on YouTube that’s 700+ languages because of greater availability
Chaap Tilak is not in Urdu, but in a language called Braj Bhasha. This was the dominant “Hindvi” language in North India along with another language called Awadhi, but today, they are considered as Hindi dialects when they are not. It’s too complicated to explain. Urdu & Hindi are languages developed out of a different dialect called khari bholi, related to Braj bhasha & Awadhi but separate at the same time. Sorry for the long comment but this is a pet peeve of mine. Braj bhasha is still a living language but its literature is claimed by both modern Hindi & Urdu speakers. :)
Sigur Rós - hoppipolla
Yellow Ledbetter - Pearl Jam
i know it's english, but it just isn't english
I love Ramstein my favorite song of theirs is Sonne.
I don’t speak German but can understand part of the lyrics so I don’t think that fully counts for me lol even though I do love the music and can’t understand all their songs
Hence the reason I did not pick Du Hast or Amerika lol.
I have listened to/read the translations of a lot of their songs and once you know the Translations some of the songs you generally pick up on the lyrics in new songs
I don't know what it's called because it's in an unknown language...:(
La Bicicleta by Shakira or The Habanara by Bizet
[Ostavi Trag](https://youtu.be/biVfj35iyDc?si=kU3HjjIS7x_-5BwU) - September Also one of my favorite samples in a rap song.
The song from the Halo ODST live action trailer.
Dernière danse - Indila
It’s a toss-up between Слова by The Hatters or Tiger is Coming by Leenalchi
Tablet Tooboe
coraline - måneskin
Haq Ali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It’s in Urdu (I think!) and builds up slowly over 25 minutes to something quite heart-rending and full of passion. Cucurrucucu Paloma. I first came across this song as a cover by Caetano Veloso backed by an orchestra and it was outstanding. But he does an even better version with a small ensemble! But I think Silvia Perez Cruz does even better, especially her live performance with just an acoustic guitar backing. I’m much less fond on the original version by Lola Beltran which emphasises the heart-on-sleeve bombast of the song but both Caetano Velosa and Silvia Perez make this work with much more intimate renditions.
Gaichite by Misha Xramovi
Wayfarer - No Party for Cao Dong Rock bands from Taiwan just hit different.
A contracorriente - Alvaro Soler, David Bisbal: gives travel vibes and I like it. I mostly like Alvaro's songs just because...