Looking at my Spotify liked songs list, I have tunes in French, German, Mandarin, Turkish and more — none of which I understand but I still love to jam out to. With a memorable beat and catchy melody, a song can break any language barrier, connecting us to different cultures. Here are my three picks of songs in foreign languages that you should check out.
You may have heard of the remixed version of this song from its viral stint on TikTok, but before all the trends, “La Foule” dazzled mid-20th-century listeners with its enchanting melody and mesmerizing vocals. Originally a Spanish song, Édith Piaf’s French version of “La Foule” became a hit in France and around the world, emerging as one of the most famous tracks in the singer’s discography. Piaf is generally considered to be the greatest vocalist in French history, and her singing talent is on full display throughout this song. She balances a delicate yet fervent inflection that evokes feelings of yearning, hope and ultimate heartbreak.
The lyrics tell the story of a woman who experiences love at first sight at a concert, only to become separated from her love and never see him again. The story’s progression is best exemplified in the song’s varying melody, which starts off as a romantic, airy tune before evolving into a powerful declaration of longing. The addictive backing rhythm of a Peruvian waltz makes “La Foule” the perfect accompaniment for a ball, a long Stanford walk… or even a TikTok trend.
Performed by Soviet actor Mark Bernes for the 1943 war movie “The Two Soldiers,” the haunting melody of “Тёмная ночь” (translated to “Dark is the Night”) settles into the listener’s mind with a tragic aching. The song’s minor key and slow pace pair beautifully with Bernes’s mournful and searching voice, truly embodying the absolute grief associated with wartime.
The song is told from the perspective of a Russian soldier separated from his family during World War II. He remembers his wife and young child at home, sorrowfully lamenting the war for forcing a separation between them. The soft, gentle sound of Bernes’s vocals as he sentimentally recalls his family shows a different side to war that we rarely hear about: the personal strife each soldier must go through. “Dark is the Night” urges listeners to reflect on their own lives, its tone contributing to an overall melancholy that resonates long after the song is over.
Originally created for a Persian romance movie by the same name, “سلطان قلبها” (translated to “King of my Heart”) starts off with an intense instrumental introduction that lasts nearly 40 seconds and launches immediately into the powerful melody that carries listeners throughout the dynamic tune. Famous Iranian singer Aref lends his resonant vocals to the strong feeling of passion and desire imparted in “King of my Heart,” with his pitch building volume during the compelling chorus.
The lyrics are sung by a man whose heart is torn between leaving or staying with his love, the woman that is the ruler of his heart; no matter where he goes or what he does, he cannot stop thinking about her. Meanwhile, the prominent instrumentals, including an impassioned violin solo in the middle of the piece, convey feverish, ardent love that cannot be contained by words. “King of my Heart” truly encapsulates the overwhelming yet marvelous feeling of love. Its catchy and emotional melody sticks in listeners’ minds and encourages a sing-along during the chorus — even without knowing how to properly pronounce the words.
If you want to try your hand at finding songs in other languages, Spotify is a great place to go. Once you type in the language of your choice that you want to try listening to, you’ll likely find a playlist with some of the most popular hits enjoyed by users in that country. After listening to and saving some of these, Spotify might begin recommending you more niche songs from that language in your regularly updated Discover Weekly playlist or your personalized DJ AI. Alternatively, you can click the three dots and go to a song’s radio for similar tunes in the language. Happy listening!
Editor’s Note: This article is a review and includes subjective thoughts, opinions and critiques.
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