OUR SONGS FROM
Everything is a drum
Ay Zuzuma
Arsomo Baba
COUNTRY: Morocco
“Arsomo Baba” is a song from Morocco inspired by a kid drawing a multicolored picture of his dad. (More.)
Bale Ile
Bene Ame
Bambo du Bambo
COUNTRY: Brazil
“Bambo du Bambo” is a samba from Brazil. The original is an embolada, a fast-paced, often-improvised song style popular in northeastern Brazil in which vocalists challenge each other, competing lightly based on verbal and vocal ability. (More.)
Daweedem
E Qee Qee
Kerry Dancing
COUNTRY: Ireland
“Kerry Dancing” transports us to a simpler time in the past when our hearts were full of song and dance. (More.)
Lau Lupe
Mela Babka
COUNTRY: Czechia
“Mela Babka” is a Czech song based upon the 1-2-3 rhythm of a type of song and social dance called the mazurka. In class we sing, but let beanbags do the dancing. (More.)
Nanu Nanu Ney
COUNTRY: Ethiopia
“Nanu Nanu Ney” is a phenomenally funky Ethiopian dance song from the 1980s. In class we use it as inspiration to enjoy the shoulder shaking dance, the Eskista. (More.)
Olafur
Por Colombianas
COUNTRY: Spain
We draw “Por Colombianas” from a set of flamenco rhythms that traveled from Spain to the “New World,” then somehow found their way back. (More.)
Sto Mi E Milo
COUNTRY: Macedonia
“Sto Mi E Milo” is an iconic Balkan folk song about the many benefits of owning a shop in the Macedonian town of Struga. (More.)
Sweetest Darling
COUNTRY: The Philippines
“Sweetest Darling” is a Filipino Independence-era “kundiman” that on the surface seems to be a song about love. (More.)
Tribulchay
COUNTRY: Ecuador
"Tribulchay” is a song from Ecuador, in Quechua, that we sing, in class, as we find our ears. (More.)
Wan Boto
Ya Mustapha
COUNTRY: Egypt
“Ya Mustapha” is a playful song sung in many permutations all over West Asia and the Middle East, but always to a bellydancer's drum beat. (More.)