# What is this "middle eastern" melody? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067 "2019-01-19T19:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/1 "2019-01-19T19:18:41Z")
It’s \*not \*[“The Streets of Cairo”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcamJ5WSFQ). This is just the first few bars (in the key of Em), but I think you’ll recognize it if you know it: Note: B\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Bb\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_G\_F#_E\_\_\_\_F#**G\_\_\_\_E Beat: 1\_\_\_\_2\_\_\_\_3\_\_\_\_4\_\_\_\_1\_\_\_\_2\_\_\_\_3\_\_\_\_4\_\_\_\_1\_\_\_\_2\_\_\_\_3\_\_\_\_4\_\_\_\_1\_\_\_\_2\_\_\_\_3\_\_\_\_4**_ ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/2 "2019-01-21T20:10:49Z")
Bump. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/3 "2019-01-21T20:29:19Z")
Sounds like this piece off the Aladdin soundtrack to me. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VE27c4l1rnc?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLhktuC9hQ_jAr9qliOuHZq5K-OkG5pl0l ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/4 "2019-01-21T20:50:20Z")
If you have a sample of it playing, Shazam on ios and Android does a good job of identifying music. The database is really large as it recognized some Asian music from the 80’s that really isn’t that well known. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/5 "2019-01-21T22:31:40Z")
Do you have any way of converting that to an audio file? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/6 "2019-01-21T22:58:20Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Sounds like this piece off the Aladdin soundtrack to me. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE27c4l1rnc&index=14&list=PLhktuC9hQ\_jAr9qliOuHZq5K-OkG5pl0l](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE27c4l1rnc&index=14&list=PLhktuC9hQ_jAr9qliOuHZq5K-OkG5pl0l) Similar, but not it. It couldn’t have been written for the film - I’ve heard it much earlier (e.g., on the Red Skelton Show in the 1950’s). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/7 "2019-01-22T01:56:26Z")
Question: Why do you think it’s Middle Eastern? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/8 "2019-01-22T06:22:38Z")
I cannot read music/notes at all, so I’d have a potential answer but I’d need to make sure I’m actually correctly guessing what piece of music you’re referring to. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/9 "2019-01-22T06:48:32Z")
It’s not quite an exact match, but hits the first five or so notes: [Marche Slave](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhwm5u8Og2s) by Tschaikovsky? If it’s a somewhat known song, I do have to think this is the one. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/10 "2019-01-22T09:00:04Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s not quite an exact match, but hits the first five or so notes: [Marche Slave](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhwm5u8Og2s) by Tschaikovsky? > > If it’s a somewhat known song, I do have to think this is the one. Again, very similar. In fact, I’m glad to learn the name of that one. But it’s not the one I posted. Some background on why I asked this: I play a slide guitar instrumental called “[Guitar Rag](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plsT3v5tlg4)”. It’s a country blues, and long ago, I started throwing in snippets of other melodies from memory, including “The Streets of Cairo” (referred to in my OP), Marche Slave (cited above by pulkamell) and the melody I’ve asked about. They’re about as far from country blues as you can get, so they add novelty and contrast. > [@terentii](#): > > Question: Why do you think it’s Middle Eastern? 😕 Mainly, the minor key with the flatted fifth (Bb), which is common in middle eastern music. Hope that clears up your confusion. 🙂 A better answer: because it \*sounds \*middle eastern. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/11 "2019-01-22T14:26:42Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Mainly, the minor key with the flatted fifth (Bb), which is common in middle eastern music. Hope that clears up your confusion. 🙂 > > A better answer: because it \*sounds \*middle eastern. I agree that it sounds remarkably like “Marche Slave” (aka “Slavonic March”). ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/12 "2019-01-22T16:04:55Z")
I don’t know it but I thought I’d try to help turning the OPs description into something auditory for those of us without a mind for music. > **[Sequence #1029034](https://onlinesequencer.net/1029034)** > > OnlineSequencer.net is an online music sequencer. Make tunes in your browser and share them with friends! ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/13 "2019-01-22T21:46:25Z")
I don’t recognize it, and I’ve heard a lot of middle eastern music. Hmmmmm ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/14 "2019-01-22T22:46:12Z")
I recognize it, although I think the first two notes are typically 2 beats rather than 4. I’ve been looking at several cartoons with middle eastern or African settings (it seems like I’ve heard it used as a jungle theme as well). Drawing blanks so far… ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/15 "2019-01-22T23:01:39Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I don’t know it but I thought I’d try to help turning the OPs description into something auditory for those of us without a mind for music. > > [Sequence #1029034 - Online Sequencer](https://onlinesequencer.net/1029034) Well that certainly helped me. It’s the song from the Bugs Bunny cartoon [A-Lad-In His Lamp](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fbz2c), although I don’t know the name. Maybe this will help someone else get a step closer. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/16 "2019-01-22T23:15:20Z")
Interesting. IMBD calls it “a Vision of Salome” A version on youtube [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uk1N6mS3P3I/hqdefault.jpg "Wison Keppel and Betty - Vision of Salome") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk1N6mS3P3I) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/17 "2019-01-22T23:34:11Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Well that certainly helped me. It’s the song from the Bugs Bunny cartoon [A-Lad-In His Lamp](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fbz2c), although I don’t know the name. Maybe this will help someone else get a step closer. For those looking for it, it appears most obviously at 3:03. That does seem to be the OP’s tune. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/18 "2019-01-22T23:37:43Z")
[quote=“Folly, post:16, topic:828067”] Interesting. IMBD calls it “a Vision of Salome” A version on youtube [/QUOTE] more on the creators of that version: > **[Wilson, Keppel and Betty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson,_Keppel_and_Betty)** > > Wilson, Keppel and Betty formed a popular British music hall and vaudeville act in the middle decades of the 20th century. They capitalised on the fashion for Ancient Egyptian imagery following the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. The "sand dance" that formed the highlight of their act was a parody of postures from Egyptian tomb paintings, combined with references to Arabic costume. The lithe and extremely lanky Wilson and Keppel, who wore long moustaches and make-up to emphasise the shar... ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/19 "2019-01-22T23:41:54Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > more on the creators of that version: > > [Wilson, Keppel and Betty - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson,_Keppel_and_Betty) Anyone “condemned by Joseph Goebbels as indecent” is OK by me! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067/20 "2019-01-23T00:09:47Z")
Here is a clip of them performing. The OP’s song is at 2:45 YouTube has a surprising number of 21st Century dancers re-creating their act. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-middle-eastern-melody/828067.md?page=2)