Favorite Non-Western & Non-English-Language Songs
Last updated: Thursday March 14th, 2024
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World, International and Various Non-Western Music Favorites
Mbube (aka "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" or "Wimoweh") by Solomon Linda 1939
Ur o Muite Aruka (aka Sukiyaki) by Kyu Sakamoto
Erghan Diado by the Bulgarian State Television Female Choir
La Chareada by Linda Ronstadt
Jai Ho by A.R. Rahman (composer), Sukhwinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer, and Vijay Prakash (performers)
Vid spilum endalaust by Sigur Ros
La Bamba by Ritchie Valens and/or Los Lobos
The Sound of the Drums by Angelique Kidjo
Linda Linda by The Blue Hearts
La Misere by Kaia Kater
Croi Croga by Clannad
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira. Though her version of the song was based on a song, Zamina Mina (Zangalewa) by an African group called Golden Sounds.
Kajra Re by Alisha Chinai, Javed Ali and Shanker Mahadevan
Djelem Djelem by Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra
Rosemary by Hrdza
Angelus by Milton Nascimento
Toku Suru Karada by Puffy AmiYumi (aka Puffy)
Guinean Song by Hugh Masekela
Luz de Mi Vida by Los Lobos
A Cat Has Four Legs by Otava Yo
Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66
Pilentze Pee by The Bulgarian State Television Female Choir
Por Ti Volare by Andrea Bocelli
Pancham Se Gara by Ravi Shankar
Szerelem Szerelem by Marta Sebestyen
Bii Biyelgee by The HU
Mitwa by Shafqat Amanat Ali
Walpurgisnacht by Faun
Uyadela by Miriam Makeba
I Riden Sa by Gjallarhorn
Twiggy Twiggy by Pizzicato Five
Matador by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Govinda by Kula Shaker
La Cigarra by Linda Ronstadt
Fljotavik by Sigur Ros
White Mountain by Otyken
Oran an Roin (Song of the Seal) by Julie Fowlis
Ulvetime (Hour of the Wolf) by Songleikr
La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf
Aaja Nachle by Sunidhi Chauhan
Chan Chan by the Buena Vista Social Club
Svatba (The Wedding) by The Bulgarian State Television Female Choir
Maidens Have Sown the Flax by Otava Yo
Betar divka by Hrdza
Tisom Tise by Barcelona Gipsy Balkan Orchestra
Amor Amigo by Milton Nascimento
Nomali by Hugh Masekela
Milky Way by Shonen Knife
Lasya by Anoushka Shankar
Gobbledygook by Sigur Ros
Caruso by Andrea Bocelli
Vesoul by Pomplamoose
Maria Altatoja by Marta Sebestyen
El Pozo Amargo by Ana Alcaide
Wolf Totem by the HU
Ivan the Crayfish by Otava Yo
99 Luftballoons by Nena
Atem Shalom by Yamma Ensemble
Taliat by Mdou Moctar
Si Te Vas by Shakira
Sekunjalo by Hugh Masekela
Ramunder by Gjallarhorn
Catavento by Milton Nascimento
Hei skal by Songleikr
Deewani Mastani by Shreya Goshai
Ara batur by Sigur Ros
Nee Quelque Part by Anggun and Angelique Kidjo
Spodre manu auguminu by Tautumeitas
Cumbia Raza by Los Lobos
Ylfa by Faun
Ne Me Quitter Pas by Dee Dee Bridgewater
Agua De Beber by Astrud Gilberto
Paradise by Shonen Knife
Jaan Pehechan Ho by Mohammed Rafi
Como Fue by Ibrahim Ferrer
Luna Sefardita by Ana Alcaide
Polegnala e Todora by the Bulgarian State Television Female Choir
Aruanda by Gil Gilberto
Ako by Fela Kuti
Oye Como Va by Tito Puente and/or Santana
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo by Palak Muchhal
Caisleain Oir by Clannad
Festival by Sigur Rose
Ojos Asi by Shakira
Tattya by Kula Shaker
Meu Venenu by Milton Nascimento
We We by Angelique Kidjo
Dola Re Dola by Kavita Krishnamurthy and Shreya Goshai
Poquito Para Aqui by Los Lobos
Fly Bird Fly by Marta Sebestyen
Uyadela by Miriam Makeba
Not Yours by Hrdza
Adonde Voy by Linda Ronstadt
Daydream Believer by Shonen Knife
El Silencio de la Espera by Andrea Bocelli
Avec le Temps by Abbey Lincoln
Jaya Jale by Lata Mangeshkar and M.G. Sreekumar
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Angelique Kidjo
Ca Plan Pour Moi by Plastic Bertrand
Joe le Taxi by Vanessa Paradis (Then 14 year old French singer)
Begin the Beguine by Julio Inglesias and others
I need to spend a weekend making playlists on Spotify so I can listen to your lists whilst I'm out on the road.
Thanks for this list, I've got a few new songs to check out
This list is great though
I am a great fan of the Dil Se soundtrack, which features Jiya Jale (which you've included), one of my favourite songs. It's title song "Dil Se Re" by AR Rahman is another favourite.
Some of my other favourites (you should give these a try, if you haven't):
1. Tanha Dil by Shaan (2000)
2. Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha by Asha Bhosle and Amit Kumar (1979)
3. Neele Neele Ambar Par by Kishore Kumar (1983)
4. Senorita (2011), it combines Spanish flamenco and Bollywood pop music
5. Mitwa by Shafqat Amanat Ali (2006)