TRACK 5 OF 8
Performed by Marwan Abdelhamid & Cheb Bilal
Written by Bilal Moufok, Khalil Cherradi, Marwan Abdelhamid, Mohamed Khafage & Cheb Bilal
Produced by Khalil Cherradi
Guitar by Nazim Bakour
Violin by Moez Bouali
Additional vocals by Naïka Richard
The genesis of Let Her Go occurred during a session with collaborators Marek Razzouk and Khalil Cherradi at Khalil’s home early in 2023. There, Khalil introduced Saint Levant to Cheb Bilal’s track Di Ayza Kalam which immediately resonated with Marwan, inspiring him with its melodic richness and over-all feeling. The session quickly evolved into an impromptu creation process, where SL began to incorporate elements of Bilal’s song into a new composition, melding the original melody with contemporary beats to form a unique musical blend.
Recognizing the potential of this new track, Marwan pursued a direct collaboration with Cheb Bilal, inviting him to reinterpolate his own song into Marwan’s contemporary framework. This collaboration is a highlight of the track, offering a direct link between the original inspiration and its new expression. The involvement of Cheb Bilal not only authenticates the homage but also enriches the song’s cultural depth.
Further enhancing the track’s complexity, Marwan worked with lyricist Mohammed Khafage to craft a second verse that introduces Egyptian thematic elements, broadening the song’s appeal and cultural resonance. The addition of Nazim Bakour on guitar, who also contributed on Comme C’est Beau, introduces another layer to the music, incorporating Algerian Raï influences into the composition.
The recording process also included contributions from local Algerian musicians, whose identities were facilitated through Rashid Abdelhamid (Saint Levant’s father), showcasing the grassroots level of cultural engagement Marwan pursued for the authenticity of Let Her Go. These musicians provided vocal layers that Marwan describes as reminiscent of Algerian “cabaret singers,” adding a raw, authenticity to the track that celebrates the street music scene of Northern Africa.
Let Her Go is a bridge between traditional and modern sounds. The song not only pays tribute to its roots in Cheb Bilal’s original but also pushes the boundaries of genre by incorporating elements from across the Arab world, from Egyptian lyrics to Algerian instrumentation. This synthesis of styles and cultures within a single track echoes Marwan’s ongoing exploration of the intersections of identity, heritage, and contemporary music, making Let Her Go a standout piece in Saint Levant’s evolving musical narrative.
its been running through my mind lately
You were my home away from home
I’m paid to travel round the world now lil baby
But I’ll never make it alone
You been in and out my life lately
You were my home away from home
I’m paid to travel round the world now lil baby
But I’ll never make it alone
So if we're really meant to be, baby, ay ay ay ay
And if you're really meant for me, baby, ay ay ay ay
هي دخلت قلبي
و فرجتني الحرية
هي سكنت قلبي
reste la, reste la
and i'll never let her go
j'ai essayé mais j'arrive pas
ya habibti mon amour
reste la, reste la
حبيبتي و انا معاكي
بتمناش حياة بدونك babe
انت على بالي و ما الي غيرك
عمري فداكي
بصيلي و انا معاكي
if only you knew everything i did
you would never look at me the same
عمري فداكي
So if we're really meant to be, baby, ay ay ay ay
And if you're really meant for me, baby, ay ay ay ay
هي دخلت قلبي
و فرجتني الحرية
هي سكنت قلبي
reste la, reste la
and i'll never let her go
j'ai essayé mais j'arrive pas
ya habibti mon amour
reste la, reste la
j'y pense beaucoup récemment
it’s been running through my mind lately
عم يدور براسي هالفترة
tu étais mon refuge loin de chez moi
you were my home away from home
كنتي الدار لمّا كان الدار بعيد
Je suis payé pour voyager autour du monde maintenant, ma cherie
i’m paid to travel round the world now lil baby
صرت مدفوع عشان أسافر حوالي العالم يا حبيبتي
mais je n'y arriverai jamais seul
but I’ll never make it alone
بس ما رح أقدر أوصل لوحدي
you entres et sors de ma vie récemment
you been in and out my life lately
إنتي عم تفوتي وتطلعي من حياتي هالفترة
tu étais on refuge loin de chez moi
you were my home away from home
كنتي الدار لمّا كان الدار بعيد
je suis payé pour voyager autour du monde maintenant, ma cherie
i’m paid to travel round the world now lil baby
صرت مدفوع عشان أسافر حوالي العالم يا حبيبتي
mais je n'y arriverai jamais seul.
but I’ll never make it alone
بس ما رح أقدر أوصل لوحدي
alors si c'est vraiment nous, bébé, ay ay ay ay
so if we're really meant to be, baby, ay ay ay ay
إذا عنجد مكتوب نكون مع بعض يا حبيبتي آي آي آي آي
si t'es vraiment faite pour moi, bébé, ay ay ay ay.
and if you're really meant for me, baby, ay ay ay ay
وإذا مصيرك تكوني لي، حبيبتي آي آي آي آي
Who’s strong gonna stay strong
aha ya lli fort fort
آه يا اللي فور فور
Doesn’t need explanation
di aayza kalem
دي عايزة كلام
So stay away from us
aha ya weddi 9ilouna
آه يا ودي قيلونا
They hit and run
chachra yedarbouha toul
شاشرة يدربوها طول
Good job
Joli ya Salam
جولي يا سلام
Don’t worry they know who we are
aha ya weddi 3arfouna
آه يا ودي عرفونا
Who’s strong gonna stay strong
aha ya lli fort fort
آه يا اللي فور فور
Doesn’t need explanation
di aayza kalem
دي عايزة كلام
So stay away from us
aha ya weddi 9ilouna
آه يا ودي قيلونا
They hit and run
chachra yedarbouha toul
شاشرة يدربوها طول
Good job
Joli ya Salam
جولي يا سلام
Don’t worry they know who we are
aha ya weddi 3arfouna
آه يا ودي عرفونا
mon amour, quand je suis avec toi.
my love, when I’m with you
حبيبتي و انا معاكي
je ne veux pas vivre une vie sans toi mon amour
i don’t want to live a life without you babe
بتمناش حياة بدونك حبيبتي
tu occupes mon esprit et je n'ai que toi
you’re on my mind and I’ve got no one else
انت على بالي و ما الي غيرك
et je donnerais ma vie pour toi
and I’d give my life for you
وعمري فداك
regarde-moi quand je suis avec toi
look into my eyes while I'm with you
بصيلي و انا معاك
si tu savais tout ce que j'ai fait
if only you knew everything i did
لو عرفتي كل شي عملته
tu ne me verrais plus jamais pareil
you would never look at me the same
حتشوفيني غير إنسان
et je donnerais ma vie pour toi
and I’d give my life for you
وعمري فداك
alors si c'est vraiment nous, bébé, ay ay ay ay
so if we're really meant to be, baby, ay ay ay ay
إذا عنجد مكتوب نكون مع بعض يا حبيبتي آي آي آي آي
si t'es vraiment faite pour moi, bébé, ay ay ay ay.
and if you're really meant for me, baby, ay ay ay ay
وإذا مصيرك تكوني لي، حبيبتي آي آي آي آي
Who’s strong gonna stay strong
aha ya lli fort fort
آه يا اللي فور فور
Doesn’t need explanation
di aayza kalem
دي عايزة كلام
So stay away from us
aha ya weddi 9ilouna
آه يا ودي قيلونا
They hit and run
chachra yedarbouha toul
شاشرة يدربوها طول
Good job
Joli ya Salam
جولي يا سلام