Arabian Nights Lyrics - Aladdin

Arabian Nights Lyrics

Arabian Nights

[GENIE]
(Spoken)
Sal?m, and good evening to you, worthy friends.
Welcome to the fabled city of Agrabah.
City of flying carpets, soaring heroes, famous love ballads,
and more glitz and glamour than any other fictional city in the world

Oh I come from a land, from a faraway place
Where the caravan camels roam
Where it's flat and immense
And the heat is intense
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home

When the winds from the East
And the sun from the West
And the sand in the glass is right
Come on down, stop on by
Hop on a carpet and fly
To another Arabian night

(Spoken)
And of course, you know what Agrabah's famous for? This magical lamp. Don't be fooled by its "commonplace" appearance;
like so many things, it is not what's on the outside but what's on the inside that counts. Woah, got a little deep there for a second. This lamp put Agrabah on the map. You've never been? Well... we can fix that!

(Sung)
Follow me to a place
Where incredible feats
Are routine every hour or so
Where enchantment runs rampant
It's wild in the streets
Open Sesame, here we go

See the dervishes dance
In ridiculous pants
Then romance to your heart's delight
Come on down

[GENIE & COMPANY]
Come on in
Let the magic begin
It's another Arabian Night

Arabian Nights...
Like Arabian Days...
More often than not
Are hotter than hot

[GENIE]
In a lot of good ways

[GENIE & COMPANY]
Arabian Nights...
'Neath Arabian moons...
A fool off his guard
Could fall and fall hard
Out there on the dunes

[COMPANY]
In that magical place
In that mystical land
There's a Genie inside every jar
He'll do all your bidding
Your wish, his command

[GENIE]
It's demeaning, but hey, there you are

[COMPANY]
Unbelievable, yes
An unethical mess
Nonetheless, no one's very contrived
You come here and you've
Come to a land where any mountain can move
A land of high intrigue with tricky logistics
By prophets and Mystics

[GENIE]
And I've got statistics to prove

[COMPANY]
Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights

[GENIE, spoken]
Agrabah
Come for the hummus
Stay for the floor show
Even the poor people
Look fabulous!
And everyone here has a minor in dance
And now, for the softer side of Agrabah

[COMPANY]
Arabian Nights...
Arabian Nights

[GENIE]
And of course, you must watch
Your step here in Agrabah
For danger lurks around
Every corner and ugly bad guys too

[COMPANY]
Arabian Nights

[GENIE]
It's a city where a penniless nobody
Can turn out to be...
A noble somebody

[COMPANY]
Arabian Nights

[GENIE]
It's a place where a princess
Would give up her crown for true love
But her father, the Sultan, is a stickler
For the Ancient ways

And our hero's pals are as
Thick as thieves
"Adorable"... but thieves
Oh, and did I mention...
Everybody sings

[GENIE & COMPANY]
Arabian Nights
Like Arabian Days
More often than not
Are hotter than hot
In a lot of good ways

Arabian Nights
'Neath Arabian moons
A fool off his guard
Could fall and fall hard
Out there on the dunes

[COMPANY]
Arabian Nights... (x5)


Song Overview

Arabian Nights Lyrics video by Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin
Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin is singing the 'Arabian Nights' lyrics in the music video.

Song Credits

  • Featured: James Monroe Iglehart
  • Producers: Chris Montan, Alan Menken
  • Writers: Alan Menken, Tim Rice, Howard Ashman
  • Release Date: 2014-05-27
  • Genre: Broadway, Musical, Disney Soundtrack
  • Album: Aladdin (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Instruments: Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Violin, Guitar, Percussion, Drums, Bass, Cello, French Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Reeds
  • Conductor: Michael Kosarin
  • Orchestration: Danny Troob
  • Label: Walt Disney Records

Lyrics Analysis and Meaning

Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin performing song Arabian Nights
Performance of 'Arabian Nights' by Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin in the music video.

The show's original Arabic greeting, "Salam", means "peace be upon you," which is sometimes substituted in performances or begins with "Peace and good evening." Critics argue that Disney made an Arabian city up instead of a real one in Turkestan or China. The Middle East experiences extreme temperatures, with the east wind symbolizing temptation, evils, and damnation.

The story revolves around Agrabah, where anything can happen, unlike the West, where the sun is supposed to rise. The Genie, who pulls out a magic lamp each night, often refers to Aladdin as the diamond in the rough. This lamp is a key symbol of the show and its popularity in pop culture.

The show also references the physical appearance and dance skills of the characters on stage, with some shows using the genie to say "and everyone here has 0% body fat." Jafar, the villain, is portrayed as the "pitiless nobody" who saves the land from Jafar, the evil advisor to the Sultan. This allusion is to Jasmine's confession in These Palace Walls, where she seeks true love and despises being trapped inside the palace.

The song Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim highlights the four friends as close friends but unproductive, thieving delinquents. The show's humor breaks the barrier between the stage and the audience, making it a memorable experience for audiences.

Setting the Stage for a Magical Adventure

From the very first syllable uttered by the charismatic Genie, Arabian Nights casts a shimmering veil over the audience, welcoming them into the fabled city of Agrabah. A place painted with strokes of mystery, mischief, and magic. The opening spoken lines instantly set the tone, blending humor with intrigue:

Welcome to the fabled city of Agrabah. City of flying carpets, soaring heroes, famous love ballads and more glitz and glamour than any other fictional city in the world.

Playful Storytelling and Cultural Whimsy

The song text is a glittering tapestry woven with colorful idioms and visual metaphors. From "the heat is intense" to "hop a carpet and fly," the lyrics brim with theatrical exaggeration, almost like a carnival barker beckoning wide-eyed children into a fantastical fairground. The Genie's quips about common appearances masking hidden magic hint at deeper themes of inner worth — a narrative thread central to Aladdin’s story.

Musical Craftsmanship

The production breathes with energy, thanks to a score that combines brassy Broadway pizzazz with Middle Eastern-inspired flourishes. You can almost feel the dust of the dunes kicking up under a thundering parade. The orchestration by Danny Troob and vibrant conducting of Michael Kosarin sprinkle enchantment over every beat, making the whole city of Agrabah feel alive and mischievous.

Metaphors and Symbolism

One cannot overlook the clever symbolic warnings embedded in the Genie's playful tone:

A fool off his guard could fall and fall hard out there on the dunes.
A nod to the theme of vulnerability amidst beauty, and how adventure often lurks side by side with danger. There's a sly undercurrent suggesting that while dreams glimmer under Agrabah’s moons, peril is never far behind.

Similar Songs

Thumbnail from Arabian Nights lyric video by Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin
A screenshot from the 'Arabian Nights' music video.
  1. "Be Our Guest" – Original Broadway Cast of Beauty and the Beast
    Both songs act as grand invitations into a world of wonder, hosted by a flamboyant guide — Lumière in one, Genie in the other. They're both soaked in a sense of theatrical showmanship, peppered with dazzling rhymes and cheeky self-awareness.
  2. "Friend Like Me" – Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin
    "Friend Like Me" shares not only the performer (James Monroe Iglehart) but also the bombastic energy and witty fourth-wall-breaking humor. Both tracks flaunt a vaudevillian sparkle that encourages the audience to feel like part of the show itself.
  3. "Magic To Do" – Original Broadway Cast of Pippin
    Another musical opening number designed to mesmerize and intrigue. "Magic To Do" and "Arabian Nights" both promise the audience an otherworldly experience where magic is abundant, reality is flexible, and anything might happen when the curtain rises.

Questions and Answers

Scene from Arabian Nights track by Original Broadway Cast of Aladdin
Visual effects scene from 'Arabian Nights'.
Who sings the lead in "Arabian Nights"?
James Monroe Iglehart, portraying the Genie, leads the vocals, bringing his signature vibrancy and humor to the song.
What is the main theme of "Arabian Nights"?
The song introduces the city of Agrabah as a place where magic, danger, romance, and adventure weave together seamlessly.
How does "Arabian Nights" connect to the story of Aladdin?
It sets the stage for the tale, establishing the mystical setting and hinting at major themes like hidden worth and the adventure awaiting.
What musical styles influence "Arabian Nights"?
The composition blends Broadway theatricality with Middle Eastern musical motifs, using brass, percussion, and sweeping strings to create a vibrant atmosphere.
Is "Arabian Nights" different in the Broadway version compared to the animated film?
Yes, the Broadway version is extended with more detailed lyrics and spoken interludes, fleshing out Agrabah and deepening the humor and magic for live audiences.

Awards and Chart Positions

While "Arabian Nights" itself did not individually chart, the Aladdin (Original Broadway Cast Recording) album earned critical acclaim and helped solidify the show's success, contributing to Aladdin winning a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for James Monroe Iglehart (the Genie).

Fan and Media Reactions

The YouTube performance brims with enthusiastic responses celebrating the dynamic staging and the Genie's larger-than-life charisma.

"James Monroe Iglehart IS the Genie. Nobody else could match that energy!" — BroadwayFanForever
"This song instantly makes you feel like you're stepping into a fantasy land. Chills every time." — MusicalDreamer01
"The staging and lighting are next level. Broadway magic at its finest!" — StageDoorKid
"The humor, the vibe, the vocals — pure Disney Broadway perfection." — MagicOnStage
"You can practically taste the desert air with how vivid this song is." — DesertRoseMusical

Critics lauded the number for its "rollicking energy" and "technicolor explosion" of a performance, noting that it set a high bar for the rest of the show. James Monroe Iglehart, in particular, was showered with praise for his charisma and command of the stage, blending comedy with a heart as big as Agrabah itself.



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Musical: Aladdin. Song: Arabian Nights. Broadway musical soundtrack lyrics. Song lyrics from theatre show/film are property & copyright of their owners, provided for educational purposes