Misirlou

The Trashmen

About Misirlou

"Misirlou" (Greek: Μισιρλού < Turkish: Mısırlı 'Egyptian' < Arabic: مصر‎ Miṣr 'Egypt') is a folk song from the Eastern Mediterranean region, with origins in the Ottoman Empire. The original author of the folk song is not known, but it was known to Arabic, Greek and Jewish musicians by the 1920s. The earliest known recording of the song is a 1927 Greek rebetiko/tsifteteli composition influenced by Middle Eastern music. There are also Arabic belly dancing, Armenian, Persian, Indian and Turkish versions of the song. This song was popular from the 1920s onwards in the Arab American, Armenian American and Greek American communities who settled in the United States of America as part of the Ottoman diaspora. The song was a hit in 1946 for Jan August, an American pianist and xylophonist nicknamed "the one-man piano duet". It gained worldwide popularity through Dick Dale's 1962 American surf rock version, originally titled "Miserlou", which popularized the song in Western popular culture; Dale's version was influenced by an earlier Arabic folk version played with an oud. Various versions have since been recorded, mostly based on Dale's version, including other surf and rock versions by bands such as the Beach Boys, the Ventures, Consider the Source, and the Trashmen, as well as international orchestral easy listening (exotica) versions by musicians such as Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman. Dale's surf rock version later gained renewed popularity when director Quentin Tarantino used it in his 1994 film Pulp Fiction, and again when it was sampled in the Black Eyed Peas' song "Pump It" (2006). 


Year:
1992
2:07
48 
#1

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Desert shadows creep across purple sands.
Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.

There, silhouetted under and eastern star,
I see my long lost blossom of shalimar

You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.

Old temple bells are calling across the sand.
We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.

You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.

To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above,
Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Trashmen

The Trashmen are a rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962. The group's original lineup was Tony Andreason on lead guitar and vocals, Dal Winslow on guitar and vocals, Steve Wahrer on drums and vocals, and Bob Reed on bass guitar. The group played surf rock which included elements from garage rock. more »

1 fan

Written by: MILTON LEEDS, N ROUBANIS, BOB RUSSELL, FRED WISE

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Misirlou" Origin and Composition
The song "Misirlou" is not originally composed by any of these artists, it's an Eastern Mediterranean folk song with origin in the early 20th century. - The term "Misirlou" refers to an Egyptian woman/Muslim woman from Egypt in the Turkish language. The word itself comes from "Misir," which means Egypt in Turkish.
Relation to Arthur Lyman
Arthur Lyman, a well-known American jazz vibraphone and marimba player, covered Misirlou in 1959. His version was called "Fire Down Below". - Lyman's rendition of Misirlou was in the style of the then-popular exotic music genre, which incorporates island and South Seas themes with the sounds of nature.
Dick Dale's Version
Dick Dale, the "King of the Surf Guitar," was the first to popularize "Misirlou" in the West with his distinct rock version in 1962. - This version, with its fast-paced, high-energy guitar playing, is perhaps the most recognized interpretation of the song to date. - Dale's version was a key inspiration for surf rock, influencing bands like The Beach Boys and The Ventures.
Martin Denny's Version
Martin Denny, known as the "father of exotica music," also recorded a version of "Misirlou" and included it on his 1959 album, "Quiet Village". - He was known for integrating non-traditional instruments and natural sounds like bird calls and exotic rhythms into his music, giving his version of Misirlou a distinctive texture.
The Beach Boys and Misirlou
The Beach Boys, the definitive American surf rock band, made a recording of "Misirlou" for their 1963 album "Surfin' U.S.A". - Their version maintained the surf rock sound mainstreamed by Dick Dale, while incorporating their signature harmonies.
The Trashmen and Misirlou
The Trashmen, a garage-rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, included Misirlou in their 1964 album "Surfin' Bird". - Their version used similar guitar-driven sound, staying faithful to the surf rock idiom.
The Ventures’ Version
The Ventures, an American instrumental rock band, whose music often blended rock and roll with elements of surf music, covered "Misirlou" in their 1963 album, "The Ventures Play Telstar and Lonely Bull". - The band was notable for their precise guitar work, which is particularly apparent in their version of "Misirlou".
Pop Culture Presence and Resurgence
"Misirlou" experienced a huge resurgence in popularity after being featured in the opening credits of the 1994 Quentin Tarantino film, "Pulp Fiction," which used Dick Dale's version. - It has been featured in several other media since, from commercials to video games, helping maintain its status as a classic piece of pop culture history.

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