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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.
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Abdel Halim Hafez' Songs in the Movies
by Shira
Table of Contents
About Abdel Halim Hafez
Abdel Halim Hafez was born in 1929 in a village north of Cairo. He was orphaned at a young age. His mother died a few days after giving birth to him, and his father died five years later. After a few years of living in an orphanage, he went to live with his aunt and uncle in Cairo. At age 14, he joined the Arabic Music Institute in Cairo.
When he launched his music career, at first he had difficulty achieving success with audiences. His musical style was different from what had gone before. Things began to turn around for him after the 1952 revolution. He sang a number of patriotic songs that celebrated the event, and became known as the "Voice of the Revolution" or the "Son of the Revolution". Gradually, his popularity began to build.
His big break came in 1953 when he was recruited to do a live radio performance to substitute for another artist who was unable to do it. This performance was heard by Hafez Abdel Wahab, the supervisor of musical programming for Egyptian national radio, and he opened doors for the young artist.
Abdel Halim Hafez was known as both a singer and a movie star. His music, in particular, appealed to young women because of its romantic character. His career thrived from the mid-1950's into the early 1970's. He was known as the "Dark Nightingale."
Hafez suffered from fragile health most of his life, having been diagnosed at age 11 with the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia. He died in 1977, and some say his funeral was attended by over 100,000 mourners.
His biggest hits included:
- "Ahwak"
- "Ana Lak Ala Toul"
- "Ay Damet Hozn"
- "Balash el Etab"
- "Be Amr el Hob"
- "Betlomouni Leih?"
- "Gabar"
- "Gana el-Hawa"
- "Hawel Teftekerni"
- "Mawoud"
- "Nibtidi Mneen al-Hikaya"
- "Qariat al-Fingan"
- "Sawwah"
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Introduction
This list identifies movies featuring songs by Abdel Halim Hafez. For each movie that also included singing by another artist, the list also includes the songs by those other artists.
The movies are listed in chronological order, according to the year of release. Click on the year to jump to information for the films released in that year.
1953
- Baad al wedah (After the Farewells)
- Baeat al-Khubz (The Bread Seller)
1955
- Fajr (Dawn)
- Ayyam wa Layali (Days and Nights)
- Layali el-Hob (Nights of Love)
- Lahn El Wafaa (Song of the Truth)
- Ayamana el-Helwa (Our Sweet Days)
1956
- Maw`ed Gharam (A Date with Love)
- Dalila (Delilah)
1957
- Fata Ahlami (Boy of My Dreams)
- Banat al-Youm (Girls of Today)
- El Wesada El-Khalya (The Empty Pillow)
1959
- Sharia el Hob (Love Street)
- Hekayat Hub (A Love Story)
1960
- El Banat Waal Saif (Girls in Summer)
1961
- Youm Min Omri (A Day of My Life)
1962
- El Khataya (Sins)
- Qadi el Gharam (Judge of Love)
1964
- Adham el Sharkawi (Adham el Sharkawi)
1967
- Mabodet el Gamahir (Idol of the Masses)
1969
- Abi Foq al-Shagara (My Father Is Up a Tree)
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1953
Baad al Wedah
- Title in Arabic: بعد الوداع
- English name: After the Farewells
- Year released: 1953
Abdel Halim Hafez did not have an onscreen role in this film, but the soundtrack featured him singing. |
 |
Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Leih Tehseb el-Ayam?" |
ليه تحسب الأيام |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Ali Farrag
Fathi Qoura |
Return to table of contents.
Baeat al-Khubz
- Title in Arabic: بائعة الخبز
- Title in English: The Bread Seller
- Year Released: 1953
Abdel Halim Hafez and Berlanti Hassan did not have an onscreen role in the film. The onscreen actors were Shukry Sarhan and Magda, who were lip-syncing to the song. The film's title can also be spelled as Bayieat al-Khubz. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ahwak" |
أهواك |
Abdel Halim Hafez and Berlanti Hassan |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Hussein El-Sayed |
Return to table of contents.
1955
Fajr
- Title in Arabic: فجر
- Title in English: Dawn
- Year Released: 1955
Abdel Halim Hafez did not have an onscreen role in the film, but the soundtrack featured him singing. |
 |
Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Law Kont Youm Ala Albi" |
لو كنت يوم على قلبي تهون |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed al-Mougy
Mohammed Al Halawani |
Return to table of contents.
Ayyam wa Layali
- Title in Arabic: أيام و ليالي
- Title in English: Days and Nights
- Year Released: 1955
The song "El Toba" in this movie is not the same song as "Ana Koulli Magul el-Toba". |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ashanak Ya Amar" |
عشانك يا قمر |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Mamoun el-Shennawi |
| "Eh Zanby Eh?" |
إيه ذنبي إيه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "El-Toba" |
توبة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Lak Ala Is Toul Ana" |
أنا لك على طول |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Shaghalouny" |
شغلونى |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
Return to table of contents.
Layali el-Hob
- Title in Arabic: ليالي الحب
- Title in English: Nights of Love
- Year Released: 1955
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Aqool Maqolsh" |
أقول ما أقولشي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Fatouny" |
فاتوني |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Riad al-Sombati
Saleh Jawdat |
| "Halifni" |
حلفني |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Kefaya Nourak Alaya" |
خايف مرة أحب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mamoun el-Shennawi |
| "Shoof al-Gana" |
شوف الجنة |
Hind Allam |
Izzat al-Jahili
Fathi Qoura |
| "Ya Sidi Amrak"
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يا سيدي أمرك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mahmoud el-Sharif
Fathi Qoura |
Return to table of contents.
Lahn El Wafaa
- Title in Arabic: لحن الوفاء
- Title in English: Song of the Truth
- Year Released: 1955
This was the first film in which Abdel Halim Hafez held an acting role. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ahen Alaik" |
أحن إليك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Mohamed Ali Ahmed
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| "Akhtar Kayalee" |
احتار خيالي |
Abdel Halim Hafez and Shadia as a duet |
Hussein Junaid
Mohamed Ali Ahmed |
| "Ala Aad El Shooq" |
على قد الشوق |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mohamed Ali Ahmed
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| "El Helw fi el Varanda" |
الحلو في الفراندة |
Mary Ezzeddine |
Ibrahim Hassan
Fathi Qoura |
| "La Taloomny" |
لا تلمني |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mohamed Ali Ahmed |
| "Raqs Raja" |
رقص رجاء |
Not identified |
Not identified |
| "Shabaket Albee" |
شبكت قلبي |
Shadia |
Mahmoud al-Sharif
Fathi Qoura |
| "Taala Akolak" |
اغنية الجنينة |
Abdel Halim Hafez and Shadia as a duet |
Mounir Murad
Fathi Qoura |
| The Operetta "Lahn el Wafaa" |
اغنية لحن الوفاء |
Abdel Halim Hafez and Shadia as a duet |
Riad al-Sombati |
Return to table of contents.
Ayamana el-Helwa
- Title in Arabic: أيامنا الحلوة
- Title in English: Our Sweet Days
- Year Released: 1955
|
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "El Helwa Hayati"
|
الحلو حياتي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamel al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Heya Di Heya" |
هيّ دي هيّ |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamel al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Leih Teshgel Balak" |
ليه تشغل بالك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Ya Albi, Hebei" |
يا قلبي خبّي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
Return to table of contents.
1956
Maw`ed Gharam
- Title in Arabic: موعد غرام
- Title in English: A Date with Love
- Year Released: 1956
|
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| Beyni W Beynak Eh |
بيني وبينك إيه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Helwa wa Kadab" |
حلو وكداب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mahmoud el-Sherif
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Law Kont Youm Ansak" |
لو كنت يوم أنساك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Sodfa" |
صدفة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
Return to table of contents.
Dalila
- Title in Arabic: دليلة
- Title in English: Delilah
- Year Released: 1956
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ehna Kuna Fein" |
احنا كنا فين |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "El Haq Aaleh" |
الحق عليه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Elly Inshaghalt Aleh" |
اللي انشغلت عليه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Habib Hayati" |
حبيب حياتي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Haram Ya Na" |
حرام يا نار |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Hussein al-Sayed
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| "Kan fi Zaman" |
كان في زمان قلبين |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Hussein al-Sayed |
Return to table of contents.
1957
Fata Ahlami
- Title in Arabic: فتى أحلامي
- Title in English: Boy of my Dreams
- Year Released: 1957
The story line for this movie was adapted from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Be'a Albak" |
بيع قلبك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Bokra wa Ba'ado" |
بكره وبعده |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Fathi Qoura |
| "Khosara, Khosara" |
خساره, خساره |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Baligh Hamdi
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Rouhi, Hayati" |
روحي..حياتي (الحب بيسأل) |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed al-Mougy
Abdel Fattah Moustafa |
Return to table of contents.
Banat al-Youm
- Title in Arabic: بنات اليوم
- Title in English: Girls of Today
- Year Released: 1957
The song "Ahwak", which appears in this movie, also made an appearance in an earlier one! In the 1953 movie Baeat al-Khubz, Abdel Halim Hafez and Berlanti Hassan sang it as a duet, but did not appear onscreen. The onscreen actors who were lip-syncing to their vocals were Shukry Sarhan and Magda. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ahwak" |
أهواك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Aqbalak Youm Meladak" |
عقبالك يوم ميلادك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Kont Fein" |
كنت فين |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Ya Albi, Ya Khali" |
يا قلبي يا خالي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Zalamoh Talif" |
ظلموه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
Return to table of contents.
El Wesada El-Khalya
- Title in Arabic: الوسادة الخالية
- Title in English: The Empty Pillow
- Year Released: 1957
The original artist for the song "Asmar Ya Asmarani" was Fayza Ahmed, who popularized it in 1956. In this film, which was released a year later, the person who sings it is Abdel Halim Hafez.
"Tokhono" was the song that launched Baligh Hamdi to stardom. The song was originally intended for Leila Murad, but Abdel Halim Hafez persuaded Hamdi to let him release it. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Asmar Ya Asmarani" |
أسمر يا أسمراني |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Ismail el-Habrouk
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| "Awel Marra Taheb Ya Albi" |
أوّل مرّة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Ismail el-Habrouk |
| "Fi Youm Men Alayam" |
فى يوم من الايام |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Mashghool Wehyatek" |
مشغول |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed al-Mougy
Ismail Al-Habrouk |
| "Tokhono" |
تخونوه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Baligh Hamdi
Ismail el-Habrouk |
Return to table of contents.
1959
Sharia el Hob
- Title in Arabic: شارع الحب
- Title in English: Love Street
- Year Released: 1959
This film is available on DVD with English subtitles under the name Love Street. In it, Nagwa Fouad makes her silver screen debut, dancing in regular clothes (not a dance costume) at a neighborhood celebration. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Abo Oyoun Garee'a" |
أبوعيون جريئة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal el-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz
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| "Alemny el Hob" |
علمني الحب |
Sabah |
Mounir Murad
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "El Layali" |
الليالي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Lah Lah" |
لأه لأه |
Sabah |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Mawali, Mawali" |
موالي..موالي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Na-Am Ya Habibi" |
نعم يا حبيبي نعم |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal el-Tawil
Mamoun al-Shennawi |
| "Oolooloo" |
قولوله |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal el-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
Return to table of contents.
Hekayat Hob
- Title in Arabic: حكاية حب
- Title in English: A Love Story
- Year Released: 1959
|
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Bahlam Beek" |
بحلم بيك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Betlomouny Leih" |
بتلوموني ليه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Fi Youm Fichahr" |
في يوم في شهر في سنة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Hobak Nar" |
حبك نار |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed al-Mougy
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
Return to table of contents.
1960
El Banat Waal Seif
- Title in Arabic: البنات والصيف
- Title in English: Girls in Summer
- Year Released: 1960
|
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Gawab" |
جواب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Rah Rah" |
راح..راح |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
Return to table of contents.
1961
Youm Min Omri
- Title in Arabic: يوم من عمري
- Title in English: A Day of My Life
- Year Released: 1961
The story line was inspired by the American film Roman Holiday. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ba'ad Eh" |
بعد إيه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Mamoun el-Shennawi |
| "Be Amr el-Hob" |
بأمر الحب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Dehek We Lea'b" |
ضحك ولعب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Khayef Mara T'heb" |
خايف مرة أحب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Baligh Hamdi
Mamoun el-Shennawi |
Return to table of contents.
1962
El-Khataya
- Title in Arabic: الخطايا
- Title in English: Sins
- Year Released: 1962
|
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| El Helwa |
الحلوة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| Last Adry |
لست أدري |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Eli Abo Madi |
| Maghror |
مغرور |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed al-Mougy
Mohamed Halawa |
| Ooli Haga |
قوللي حاجة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Hussein al-Sayed |
| Wehyat Albi |
وحياة قلبي وأفراحه |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Fathi Qoura |
Return to table of contents.
Qadi al-Gharam
- Title in Arabic: قاضى الغرام
- Title in English: Judge of Love
- Year Released: 1962
- Songs: None
Abdel Halim Hafez does a cameo in this movie, but does not have a singing role. The cameo is spoken, just a few words. Therefore, there are no songs to list for this film.
Return to table of contents. |
 |
1964
Adham el-Sharkawi
- Title in Arabic: أدهم الشرقاوي
- Title in English: Adham el-Sharkawi (it's a person's name)
- Year Released: 1964
Abdel Halim Hafez did not have an onscreen role in this film, but throughout the film, there are a series of mawawil (vocal solos) by him. These were collected into one song and distributed commercially. |
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Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Adham el-Sharqawi" |
أدهم الشرقاوي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed al-Mougy
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
Return to table of contents.
1967
Maaboudat el-Gamahir
- Title in Arabic: معبودة الجماهير
- Title in English: Idol of the Masses
- Year Released: 1967
This movie took four years to film due to Abdel Halim Hafez's fragile health.
The lyrics to the song "Balash Atab" in this film are very similar to those of another song, "El Shooq w el-Hob" by Najat. The lyricist, Hussein al-Sayed, used the same poem for both, but made some minor changes.
The lyrics to the song "Last Qalbi, Ant Qalabi" are in Modern Standard Arabic. |
 |
Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ahbak" (I Love You) |
أحبك |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Balash Atab" |
بلاش عتاب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Kamal al-Tawil
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Gabar" |
جبار |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Haga Ghareba" |
حاجة غريبة |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Hussein al-Sayed |
| "Last Qalbi, Ant Qalabi" |
لست قلبي ,أنت قلبي |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Kamel el-Shennawi |
Return to table of contents.
1969
Abi Foq al-Shagara
(My Father is on the Tree)
- Title in Arabic: أبي فوق الشجرة
- Title in English: My Father is Up a Tree
- Year Released: 1969
This film is available on DVD with English subtitles under the name My Father is Up a Tree.
This was Abdel Halim Hafez' final movie. It was immensely popular, lingering on theater screens for 36 weeks, making it the most popular Egyptian movie of all time at the time. Some say it was because there were so many kissing scenes. Young people would go to it repeatedly to count the kisses. Later, it was eclipsed in popularity by the 1972 movie Khally Balak Men Zouzou (Pay Heed to Zouzou), so today it holds the position of second most popular.
The plot of the movie centers around a wholesome young man named Adel (Abdel Halim Hafez) who is lured by a nightclub dancer named Ferdous (Nadia Lotfi) into a dark world of gambling, alcohol, smoking, and sex. As they have their affair, he falls in love with her, leaving his former friends feeling disgusted with him. When one of his friends comes to the nightclub to confront him, he defiantly professes his love for her. Immediately after this scene, Adel sings "Gana el Hawa" as he and Ferdous enjoy a trip to Beirut together and cavort in the waves. |
 |
Song Title |
عنوان الأغنية |
Artist(s) |
Composers and Lyricists |
| "Ahdan El Habayeb" |
أحضان الحبايب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed el-Mougy
Abdul Rahman Al-Abnoudi |
| "El Hawa Hawaya" |
الهوى هوايا |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Baligh Hamdi
Abdul Rahman Al-Abnoudi
|
| "Gana el Hawa" |
جانا الهوى |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Baligh Hamdi
Mohamed Hamza |
| "Khalli Al-Qalb" |
يا خلي القلب |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
| "Qadi el Bilaj" |
قاضي البلاج |
Abdel Halim Hafez |
Mounir Murad
Morsi Gamil Aziz |
Return to table of contents.
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