Dear friends,

Here are 10 of the best and most iconic ancient/old-school Iranian songs:

1. Morq-e Sahar (Bird of Dawn): A powerful, historical political anthem often considered the unofficial national anthem of Iran’s artistic.
2. Ey Iran (Oh Iran): A patriotic hymn written in 1944 that holds deep patriotic emotional value for many Iranians, acting as a historical national anthem.
3. Elaheyeh Naz (Goddess of Love) by Gholamhossein Banan: A deeply sentimental classical masterpiece, often hailed for its pure traditional melody.
4.Bordi Az Yadam (You Forgot Me) by Delkash and Vigen: A nostalgic, iconic song representing the “Golden Age” of Iranian popular music in the 1950s/60s YouTube.
5. Gole Yakh (Ice Flower) by Kourosh Yaghmaei: A defining, melancholy rock-ballad from the 1970s that bridged Western influence with Persian sentiment.
6. Soghati (Souvenir) by Hayedeh: An emotional anthem of homesickness and love, performed by one of Iran’s most revered female voices.
7. Jamal Jamaloo (Oh My Beloved): A traditional Shiraz folk song popularized in the 1950s that recently achieved global recognition.
8. Mard-e Tanha (The Lonely Man) by Farhad Mehrad: A haunting, atmospheric song that became a cultural mainstay.
9. Hamsafar (Companion) by Googoosh: A catchy pop song from the 1970s reflecting the modernizing, vibrant era of pre-revolutionary Iran.
10. Majnoon Naboudom (I Was Not a Madman) by Sima Bina: A traditional Khorasani folk song showcasing the deep roots of Iranian folk music.

These songs bridge the gap between classical Iranian poetry (Radif) and modern melodic forms, retaining their popularity across generations.

Soghati (“Souvenir”), released in 1976 in Tehran, is a cornerstone of Persian pop music created by composer Mohammad Heydari, lyricist Ardalan Sarfaraz, and arranger Naser Cheshmazar, and performed by the legendary vocalist Hayedeh.

History and Creation

Release Year: 1976 in Tehran, Iran, just before the major political changes of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Original Intent:Composer Mohammad Heydari initially intended the track for Hayedeh’s sister and fellow singer, Mahasti, but it was ultimately recorded and immortalized by Hayedeh.

Global Reach: The song transcends language barriers and has been covered or adapted internationally, including a notable Spanish interpretation by Israeli singer Yasmin Levy.

Song Meaning and Themes

Longing and Expectation: The Persian word Soghati means “souvenir” or “gift brought from a journey”. The lyrics express deep emotional pinning, patience, and the visceral anticipation of a loved one’s footsteps and return.

Exile and Nostalgia: Though written as a romantic ballad about a missing partner, the track took on profound symbolic meaning for millions of Iranians displaced by history. After Hayedeh fled Iran during the revolution, the song’s themes of yearning, absence, and a fractured home evolved into a collective anthem of homesickness for the Iranian diaspora.

Lyrics Translation into English

When you come, your footsteps are heard from every road
It is as if they come not from a distant town, but from the whole world
Until the door opens and the moment of reunion arrives
Every road on the earth reaches straight to my heart

Oh, you are my everything
Without you, my breath is taken away
If I have you with me
I will achieve everything I want
I will achieve everything I want

When you are not here, for whom should I repeat my heart?
For whom should I wake up the sleepy flowers?
For whom should I feed the doves of love?
Can my lonely soul live without you?

Oh, you are my everything
Without you, my breath is taken away
If I have you with me
I will achieve everything I want
I will achieve everything I want

The dearest souvenir for me is the dust on your shirt
Seeing you and smelling you means my life is lived again
I do not want you for my own ego or for mere desire
You are my life lived again, I want you just so I can breathe

Oh, you are my everything
Without you, my breath is taken away
If I have you with me
I will achieve everything I want
I will achieve everything I want

I have here a clip of Soghati sang by the legenday Hayedeh in Royal Albert Hall, London, in 1986, for your enjoyment

Phạm Thu Hương

Soghati – Hayedeh – Royal Albert Hall, London, 1986
Collection of Persian Dutch Network