"Desert Rose" | ||||
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Single by Sting featuring Cheb Mami | ||||
from the album Brand New Day | ||||
Released | January 2000 | |||
Recorded | 1999 | |||
Genre | Worldbeat | |||
Length |
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Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Sting singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Desert Rose" on YouTube |
"Desert Rose" is a song co-authored by British musician Sting and Algerian songwriter Cheb Rabah (Rabah Zarradine), featuring Algerian raï singer Cheb Mami, from Sting's sixth solo studio album, Brand New Day (1999). According to Sting, the lyrics have to do with "lost love and longing".[2] Riding a wave of pre-9/11 interest in Latin and Arabic cultures,[3][4][5] "Desert Rose" peaked at No. 2 in Canada, No. 3 in Switzerland, No. 4 in Italy, No. 15 in the United Kingdom, and No. 17 in the United States.
Sultan cited the success of Sting's "Desert Rose," a 1999 song that climbed to No. 17 on the U.S. charts, as evidence that Western music was ready not only for a Latin influence, but also an Arabic one.
Prior to 9/11, Egyptian pop star Hakim and rai singer Khaled had been contracted to perform in the Desert Roses and Aravian Rhythms Festival [...] In the weeks before the terrorist strikes, the tour had been enjoying good ticket sales as a result of Sting's and Cheb Mami's 1999 hit song, 'Desert Rose,' which brought rai music to American audiences. After 9/11, the musicians decided to discontinue the tour.