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New album
Morocco : Samira Ben Said success and criticism
Samira's new album, Ayam hayati, was released last month and it has already become a huge hit in the Arabic world, having won a MEMA (Middle Eastern Music Award). In a press conference, held on Tuesday, Samira spoke to the press about her new album and answered some negative comments by journalists who accused her that her songs bear similarities to popular Turkish ones.
Samira explained that her long absence was due to the fact she had been working on this new album and she denied all accusations of her songs being similar to other songs. She stated that, in her new album, she was aiming for "diversity in the quality", away from western influences. Samira also denied the similarities between Hob Mayous Meno and Al Gani Baad Youmeen, as they are both different in content or arrangement, the only similarity is the idea of ‘injured love’.
Samira Ayam hayati
Samira in Eurovision
and the French version
You can also listen to the songs from Samira's new album here.
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Loved "Bikat El Hob" and the french version "Message D'amour".
Samira had the last laugh over the silly jury of 1980. How many other Eurovision artists from that period have had the longevity that Samira has had? Not many.
How great would it be if Morocco returned with Samira for 09? 29 years after her last appearance!!!
Jonny
I think a combination of native language and English would be a good solution 
Stockholm
Yes possibly. Although I think if the language rule was bought back nowadays it would be even more of a disaster for us. Because neighbours often share similar languages, like Russia & Ukraine, or Norway & Sweden, so people are more likely the vote for their neighbours if they can understand the song better. And diaspora are even more likely to vote for their home country if they're singing in their native language, I think beinging back the langauge rule would be a disaster!
Jonny
I think The UK would have done well even without the language rule because you sent so many good songs before 1999
Stockholm
Aaaaah so you Swedes are to blame for the language rule then!! 
Actually you probably did the UK a favour, cos we were one of the very few countries allowed to sing in English
Jonny
Yes, they could only sing in one of their official languages (except in 1973-1976). Sweden sang in English in 1965! hence the language rule the following year.
Stockholm
Oh that means they wouldn't have been allowed to use French. Because before 1999 people could only sing in an official language or the country, even if another one was widely spoken but not official 
thanx for this news. I hope Morroco will return soon to the contest
Vincent,
At earliest in 2010 (unless they broadcasted this years' contest, which I doubt).
Jonny
Wikipedia says "French is widely used in the government in official texts, and in the business community, though neither instance is 'official'."
Stockholm
Yes I do Is French a national language of Morocco, I think it is isn't it?
Jonny
Don't you agree with me that she would have done better had she sung in French?
I can't believe this song did so badly, what a travesty! I really like it And Samira looks very good for her age 
ewww Morocco!!!!!!!!
muireanne,
thanx for this news. I hope Morroco will return soon to the contest
I hope for Arabic countries too.
Newsflash from Belgium (with special thanks to my niece there): Morocco wants to return to the ESC. Moroccan tv-station 2MTV wants to join the EBU and return to the festival as a participating nation (they once competed in 1980 where they became 2nd last)... let's wait and see how this evolves shall we?
They should return to the contest....
It would be nice to have an arabic country (or more) back on the constest, for the sake of diversity, on one hand, since now all the songs sound the same, but also because it would have its importance on the... bonding of the different societies involved.
she is 50 years old? she look great
and I hope thay back to Eurovision song contast
such a unique pleasure: to hear the arabic language and music on the ESC stage. I love this entry, not so much for the merit of the song itself(it was a nice sng indeed), but becuase it is so unique in the history of the contest. Our dear juries had little appreciation for this entry though..i would love to see morroco, lebanon, maybe kasakhstan, uzbekistan, lichtenstein participating soon
I know what this song reminds me of! A theme tune to one of those old, American crime-fighting shows..."if there are criminals about watch out! Samira and the children of friendship are here to kick your asses to the curb!" 
I think that Samira would have done better in 1980 if she had sung "Bitakat hob" in French. I would love to see Morocco back in ESC
Great to see Samira still going strong. In her 50s and still looking as stunning as ever.
Euro Sheep
Unfortunately they would have to show the whole show, start to finish, obviously alowing for advert breaks but they wouldn't be allowed advert breaks during the voting sequence (I think)
Wow, what a stunning collection of songs! I'm downloading it from iTunes as we speak, and I can't wait to listen to all the songs in full! Thanks for the tip, Esctoday!
Morocco and Turkey were the only two juries which did not give the legend that now is Jonny Logan any points
Because of that only, I would say I don't want Morocco back...lol...but anyway I think it might be interesting and different if they joined..although I don't like ethnic entries much. I just heard to their 1980 entry and I didnt like it much.
Ron Lerner
Actually, I think it would be possible for Lebanon to take part because ESC 2005 and 2008/9 are very different. If both Lebanon and Israel were in different semis (and Israel failed to qualify) then Lebanon could take part in final (if they qualified) without a problem - because there is no rule from the EBU about not showing all of the voting sequence, of which I am aware. But then again, if both qualified then there would be a real problem, so once again it looks like there will be no return for Lebanon or Morocco.
Simon Clifford
Thanks for the offer but there is a heart containing the Moroccan flag on the diggiloo thrush lyrics site!
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