"Arabian riff", also known as "The Streets of Cairo", "The Poor Little Country Maid", and "the snake charmer song", is a well-known melody, published in various forms in the nineteenth century. Alternate titles for children's songs using this melody include "The Girls in France" and "The Southern Part of France". This song is often associated with the

hoochie coochie The hoochie coochie () is a catch-all term to describe several sexually provocative belly dance-like dances from the mid-to late 1800s. Also spelled hootchy-kootchy and a number of other variations, it is often associated with " The Streets of Ca ...

belly dance.

History

There is a clear resemblance between the riff and the French song ''Colin prend sa hotte'' (published by in 1719), whose first five notes are identical. ''Colin prend sa hotte'' appears to derive from the lost ''Kradoudja'', an Algerian folk song of the seventeenth century. A version of the riff was published in 1845 by

Franz Hünten Franz Hünten, otherwise known as François Hünten (26 December 179222 February 1878), was a German pianist and composer of salon music. He was born in Koblenz, the son of the organist Daniel Hünten, who taught Henri Herz. Like Herz he moved to ...

as ''Melodie Arabe''. The melody was described as an "Arabian Song" in the '' La grande méthode complète de cornet à piston et de saxhorn par Arban'', first published in the 1850s.

Sol Bloom Sol Bloom (March 9, 1870March 7, 1949) was an American song-writer and politician from New York City who began his career as an entertainment impresario and sheet music publisher in Chicago. He served fourteen terms in the United States House of ...

, a showman (and later a U.S. congressman), published the song as the entertainment director of the

World's Columbian Exposition The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. The centerpiece of the Fair, hel ...

in 1893. It included an attraction called "A Street in Cairo" produced by Gaston Akoun, which featured snake charmers, camel rides and a scandalous dancer known as Little Egypt. Songwriter James Thornton penned the words and music to his own version of this melody, "Streets Of Cairo or The Poor Little Country Maid". Copyrighted in 1895, it was made popular by his wife Lizzie Cox, who used the stage name Bonnie Thornton. The oldest known recording of the song is from 1895, performed by Dan Quinn (Berliner Discs 171-Z). The melody is often heard when something that is connected with

Arabia The Arabian Peninsula, (; ar, شِبْهُ الْجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِيَّة, , "Arabian Peninsula" or , , "Island of the Arabs") or Arabia, is a peninsula of Western Asia, situated northeast of Africa on the Arabian Plat ...

Persia Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

(''Iran''),

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

, deserts,

belly dancing Belly dance (Egyptian Arabic: رقص بلدي, translated: Dance of the Country/Folk Dance, romanized: Raks/Raas Baladi) is a dance that originates in Egypt. It features movements of the hips and torso. It has evolved to take many different f ...

snake charming Snake charming is the practice of appearing to hypnotize a snake (often a cobra) by playing and waving around an instrument called a pungi. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerou ...

is being shown. The song was also recorded as "They Don't Wear Pants in the Southern Part of France" by John Bartles, the version sometimes played by radio host

Dr. Demento Barret Eugene Hansen (born April 2, 1941), known professionally as Dr. Demento, is an American radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograp ...

Travadja La Moukère

In France, there is a popular song which pieds-noirs from

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

brought back in the 1960s called "Travadja La Moukère" (from ''trabaja la mujer'', which means "the woman works" in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

), which uses the same Hoochy Coochy tune. Its original tune, said to have been based on an original Arab song, was created around 1850 and subsequently adopted by the Foreign Legion. Partial lyrics:

In popular culture

Music

Since the piece is not copyrighted, it has been used as a basis for numerous songs, especially in the early 20th century: * "Hoolah! Hoolah!" * "Dance of the Midway" * "Coochi-Coochi Polka" * "Danse Du Ventre" * "In My Harem" by

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russ ...

* "Kutchy Kutchy" * ''Strut, Miss Lizzie'' by Creamer and Layton * In Italy, the melody is often sung with the words ''"Te ne vai o no? Te ne vai sì o no?"'' (''"Are you leaving or not? Are you leaving, yes or no?"''). That short tune is used to invite an annoying person to move along, or at least to shut up. * In 1934, during the Purim festivities in Tel Aviv, the song received Hebrew lyrics jokingly referring to the Book of Esther and its characters (Ahasaurus, Vashti, Haman and Esther) written by

Natan Alterman Nathan Alterman ( he, נתן אלתרמן, August 14, 1910 – March 28, 1970) was an Israeli poet, playwright, journalist, and translator. Though never holding any elected office, Alterman was highly influential in Socialist Zionist politics, ...

, Israel's foremost lyricist of the time. It was performed by the "Matateh" troupe, under the name "נעמוד בתור / ''Na'amod Bator"'' ("we will stand in line").

1900s

* "Scherzo for String Quartet" by Charles Ives (1904)

1920s

* The "Little Egypt" segment of the

scene in ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...

'' (1927)

1930s

* "Twilight in Turkey" by the Raymond Scott Quintette (1937)

1940s

* This tune is quoted in Luther Billis' dance in "Honey Bun" from the musical '' South Pacific.'' (1949) * " Bonaparte's Retreat" by

Pee Wee King Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski (February 18, 1914 – March 7, 2000), known professionally as Pee Wee King, was an American country music songwriter and recording artist best known for co-writing "Tennessee Waltz". Pee Wee King is credited with ...

(1949)

1950s

* "

Istanbul (Not Constantinople) "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" is a 1953 novelty song, with lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy and music by Nat Simon. It was written on the 500th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans. The lyrics humorously refer to the official ren ...

" by

The Four Lads The Four Lads was a Canadian male singing quartet which, in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, earned many gold singles and albums. Its million-selling signature tunes include " Moments to Remember"; " Standing on the Corner"; " No, Not Much"; "Who Nee ...

(1953) and

They Might Be Giants They Might Be Giants (often abbreviated as TMBG) is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as a duo, often accompanied by a ...

(1990) * "Native Dancer" by Abner Silver and Al Hoffman, recorded by

Rusty Draper Farrell Haliday "Rusty" Draper (January 25, 1923 – March 28, 2003) was an American country and pop singer-songwriter and radio and TV host who achieved his greatest success in the 1950s. Biography Born in Kirksville, Missouri, United State ...

(1953) * "

Nellie the Elephant "Nellie the Elephant" is a children's song written in 1956 by Ralph Butler and Peter Hart about a fictional anthropomorphic elephant of that name. Original version The original version, released on Parlophone R 4219 in October 1956, was recorde ...

" by

Ralph Butler Ralph Thomas Butler (12 October 1886 – 8 April 1969) was a British songwriter, responsible for the lyrics of many popular songs of the 1930s and later, mostly with comic or novelty elements. He was active as a songwriter from the late 1920s unti ...

(1956) * "Teenager's Mother (Are You Right?)" by Bill Haley & His Comets (1956) * "Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si" from the motion picture

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi ''Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi'' () is a 1 January 1958 Indian musical comedy film directed by Satyen Bose. Starring Madhubala with the Ganguly brothers —Ashok Kumar, Anoop Kumar, and Kishore Kumar— the film revolves around a middle-aged man wh ...

(1958) * "Oriental Rock" by Bill Haley & His Comets (1958)

1960s

* "

The Sheik of Araby "The Sheik of Araby" is a song that was written in 1921 by Harry B. Smith and Francis Wheeler, with music by Ted Snyder. It was composed in response to the popularity of the Rudolph Valentino feature film '' The Sheik''. "The Sheik of Araby" was ...

" performed by the Beatles during their 1962

Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, a record label * Decca Gold, a classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, a musical theater record label * Decca Studios, a recording facility in W ...

audition, with George Harrison as the lead singer and

Pete Best Randolph Peter Best (né Scanland; born 24 November 1941) is an English musician known as the drummer of the English rock band the Beatles who was dismissed immediately prior to the band achieving worldwide fame. Fired from the group in 1962 ...

on the drums (this track can be found on ''

Anthology 1 ''Anthology 1'' is a compilation album by the Beatles, released on 20 November 1995 by Apple Records as part of ''The Beatles Anthology'' series. It features rarities, outtakes and live performances from the period 1958–64, including song ...

''). * "Egyptian Surf" by

The Temptations (New York vocal group) The Temptations were a vocal group from New York best known for the 1960 hit "Barbara". Issued on Goldisc Records, the song peaked on the Cash Box Magazine chart at #38 and on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at #29. The flip side song on "Barbara" was ...

(1963) * "I've Got the Skill" by Jackie Ross (US #89, 1964) * "

Revolution 9 "Revolution 9" is a sound collage from the Beatles' 1968 self-titled double album (also known as the "White Album"). The composition, credited to Lennon–McCartney, was created primarily by John Lennon with assistance from Yoko Ono and George ...

" by

the Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developmen ...

(1968) * "Funky Mule" by Buddy Miles Express (1968)

1970s

* "The Grand Wazoo" by Frank Zappa (1972) * "Sharon" by

David Bromberg David Bromberg (born September 19, 1945) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. David Bromberg biographyat Billboard.com An eclectic artist, Bromberg plays bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country and western, and rock a ...

(1972) * "Uragiri No Machikado (裏切りの街角)" by Kai Band (甲斐バンド) (1975) * "Pra Lá de Bagdá" by The Fevers (1975) * "You Scared the Lovin' Outta Me" by

Funkadelic Funkadelic was an American funk rock band formed in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1968 and active until 1982. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, pioneered the funk music culture of the 1970s.John, Bush. Funkade ...

(1976) * "Open Sesame" by

Kool & the Gang Kool & the Gang is an American R&B/soul/funk band formed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964 by brothers Robert "Kool" Bell and Ronald Bell, with Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West. ...

(1976) * "One for the Vine" by

Genesis Genesis may refer to: Bible * Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of mankind * Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Book of ...

(1976) * "Egyptian Reggae" by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (1977) * "

King Tut Tutankhamun (, egy, twt-ꜥnḫ-jmn), Egyptological pronunciation Tutankhamen () (), sometimes referred to as King Tut, was an Egyptian pharaoh who was the last of his royal family to rule during the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty (ruled ...

" by

Steve Martin Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He has won five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2013. Additionally, he was nominate ...

(1978) * "White Cigarettes" by

P-Model P-Model (also typeset as P-MODEL and P. Model) was a Japanese electronic rock band started in 1979 by members of the defunct progressive rock band Mandrake. The band has experienced many lineup revisions over the years but frontman Susumu Hira ...

(1979)

1980s

* " Menergy" by Patrick Cowley (1981) * " Lies," by

Thompson Twins Thompson Twins were a British pop band formed in 1977 in Sheffield. Initially a new wave group, they switched to a more mainstream pop sound and achieved considerable popularity during the mid-1980s, scoring a string of hits in the United Kin ...

, immediately after the line, " Cleopatra died for Egypt. What a waste of time!" (1982) * "Monster" by Fred Schneider (1984) * "Starchild" by

Teena Marie Mary Christine Brockert (March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010), known professionally as Teena Marie, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and producer. She was known by her childhood nickname Tina before taking the sta ...

(1984) * "Egypt, Egypt" by

Egyptian Lover Gregory James Broussard (born August 31, 1963), better known by his stage name Egyptian Lover, is an American musician, vocalist, producer and DJ, and was a part of the L.A. dance music, electro, and rap scene in the early 1980s. History Th ...

(1984) * "Jail House Rap" by

The Fat Boys The Fat Boys were an American hip hop trio from Brooklyn, New York, who emerged in the early 1980s. The group was briefly known originally as the Disco 3, originally composed of Mark " Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley, ...

(1984)

1990s

* "

Iesha "Iesha" is the debut single by Another Bad Creation, from the album ''Coolin' at the Playground Ya Know! ''Coolin' at the Playground Ya Know!'' is the debut studio album from American hip hop and R&B group Another Bad Creation, released on Feb ...

" by Another Bad Creation (1990) * "Place in France" by L.A.P.D. (1991) * "Gypsy Reggae" by

Goran Bregović Goran Bregović (born 22 March 1950) is a recording artist from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is one of the most internationally known modern musicians and composers of the Slavic-speaking countries in the Balkans, and is one of the few former Yug ...

(1993) * " Cleopatra, Queen of Denial" by

Pam Tillis Pamela Yvonne Tillis (born July 24, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis and ex-wife of songwriter Bob DiPiero. Tillis recorded unsuccessful ...

(1993) * "Cleopatra's Cat" by the

Spin Doctors Spin Doctors are an American alternative rock band from New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", which peaked on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart at No. 7 and No. 17, respec ...

(1994) * "Whiney Whiney (What Really Drives Me Crazy)" by Willi One Blood (1994) * " The Short-Tempered Clavier and other dysfunctional works for keyboard" by

Peter Schickele "Professor" Peter Schickele (; born July 17, 1935) is an American composer, musical educator, and parodist, best known for comedy albums featuring his music, but which he presents as being composed by the fictional P. D. Q. Bach. He also hosted ...

(1995) * "Skatanic" by

Reel Big Fish Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Orange County, California. The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold-certified album ''Turn the Radio Off''. Soon af ...

(1996) * "Chance to Farewell" (헤어지는 기회) by

So Chan-whee Kim Kyoung-hee ( ko, 김경희, born January 20, 1972), better known by her stage name So Chan-whee ( ko, 소찬휘), is a South Korean singer, best known for her 2000 song, "Tears". Personal life Kim dated Roy of the '' Street Guns'' band (p ...

(소찬휘) (1996) * " Criminal" by Fiona Apple (1997) * "Hokus Pokus" by Insane Clown Posse (1997) * "Rip Rock" by

Canibus Germaine Williams (born December 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Canibus, is an American rapper and actor. He initially gained fame in the 1990s for his ability to freestyle, and eventually released his debut album Can-I-Bus in 1998 ...

(1998) * "Illusion" by Destiny's Child (1998) * "Circus" (马戏团) by

David Tao David Tao (), born Tao Xuzhong () (born 11 July 1969), is a Taiwanese Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter. He is well known for creating a crossover genre of R&B and hard rock tunes which has now become his signature style and for hav ...

(陶喆) (1999)

2000s

* "Playboy" by

Red Wanting Blue Red Wanting Blue (also known as RWB) is a rock and roll band led by Scott Terry that formed in Athens, Ohio in 1996. In 1999 the band relocated its headquarters to Columbus, Ohio, the city Red Wanting Blue now calls home. RWB has been touring for ...

(2000) * "Migdalit" by

Nurit Hirsch Nurit Hirsh ( he, נורית הירש, b. Tel Aviv, August 13, 1942) is an Israeli composer, arranger and conductor who has written over a thousand Hebrew songs. Three of her most famous and widely known songs are '' Ba-Shanah ha-Ba'ah'' (''Next ...

(2002) * " Learn Chinese" by

MC Jin Jin Au-Yeung (; born June 4, 1982), known professionally as MC Jin, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and comedian of Chinese descent. Jin is notable for being the first Asian American solo rapper to be signed to a major record label ...

(欧阳靖) (2003) * "Over There" by

Jonathan Coulton Jonathan William Coulton (born December 1, 1970), often called "JoCo" by fans, is an American folk/comedy singer-songwriter, known for his songs about geek culture and his use of the Internet to draw fans. Among his most popular songs are " Co ...

(2003) (lyrics) * "Act a Ass" by

E-40 Earl Tywone Stevens Sr. (born November 15, 1967), better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click, and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, ...

(2003) * "The Treasures of Ancient Egypt" by

The Backyardigans ''The Backyardigans'' is a computer-animated musical children's television series created by Janice Burgess. The series was written and recorded at Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It centers on five animal neighbors who imagine themselves on fantas ...

(2004) * "Lækker pt. 2 feat. L.O.C."

Nik & Jay Nik & Jay is a Danish hip-hop/pop duo made of Niclas Genckel Petersen (born 8 November 1980 in Herlev) and Jannik Brandt Thomsen (born 16 June 1981). Their #2 single ''Hot!'' won them Hit of the Year and Best New Artist at the Danish Music ...

(2004) * "Would You Be My Girlfriend (你愿意做我女友吗)" by The Flowers (花儿乐队) (2004) * "Naggin" by

Ying Yang Twins The Ying Yang Twins are an American hip hop duo consisting of Kaine (born Eric Jackson on December 16, 1978) and D-Roc (born Deongelo/D'Angelo Holmes on February 13, 1979). They are not twin brothers. They did the windows to the walls song. The ...

(2005) * "Toc Toc Toc" by

Lee Hyori Lee Hyo-ri (; born May 10, 1979) is a South Korean singer, record producer, activist, actress and television presenter. Dubbed as the "Nation's Fairy" during her '' Family Outing'' days, she debuted as a member of South Korean girl group Fin.K. ...

(이효리) (2007) * "Killer (杀手)" by Lin Junjie (林俊杰) (2007) * "Till You Come to Me" by Spencer Day (2009) * "¿Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl)" by Green Day (2009)

2010s

* "Space Girl" by

The Imagined Village The Imagined Village is a folk music project founded by Simon Emmerson of Afro Celt Sound System. It is intended to produce modern folk music that represented modern multiculturalism in the United Kingdom and as such, featured musicians from a ...

(2010) * " Take It Off" by Kesha (2010) * "Who's That? Broooown!" by

Das Racist Das Racist was an American alternative hip hop group based in Brooklyn, composed of MCs Heems and Kool A.D. and hype man Ashok Kondabolu (a.k.a. Dapwell or Dap). Known for their use of humor, academic references, foreign allusions, and unconven ...

(2010) * "Grunt Tube" by Blue Water White Death (2010) * "Spy (间谍)" by

Silence Wong Silence Wang (; born 17 September 1989) is a Chinese pop singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the album ''Slowly Understand'' () on 19 November 2010, and now he has published 10 albums. His songs range from hip hop and rap to contempo ...

(汪苏泷) (2010) * " Shotgun" by Limp Bizkit (2011) * "

Lipstick Lipstick is a cosmetic product used to apply coloration and texture to lips, often made of wax and oil. Different pigments are used to produce color, and minerals such as silica may be used to provide texture. The use of lipstick dates back t ...

" by

Orange Caramel Orange Caramel () is the first subgroup of South Korean girl group After School. The subgroup was formed in 2010 with the third generation After School members Nana, Raina, and Lizzy. As of December 2019, Orange Caramel only has one member u ...

(2012) * "ÆØÅ (Size Matters)" by Kollektivet (2012) * "I'm Not In Your Mind" by

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are an Australian rock band formed in 2010 in Melbourne, Victoria. The band's current lineup consists of Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Lucas Harwood and Michael Cavanagh. They a ...

(2014) * " Gloryhole" by Steel Panther (2014) * " Hypnotic" by

Zella Day Zella Day Kerr (born March 13, 1995) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician from Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona. Day began recording music in her early teens, independently releasing her debut album, ''Powered by Love'', in 2009. Following ...

(2015) * "Back On The Train" by Phish (7/22/2015, Bend OR) * "

Music to Watch Boys To "Music to Watch Boys To" is a song by American singer Lana Del Rey from her fourth studio album ''Honeymoon'' (2015). It was written by Del Rey and Rick Nowels. It was released as the second single from ''Honeymoon'' on September 11, 2015, via di ...

" by

Lana Del Rey Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1985), known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, with frequent r ...

(2015) * " Genghis Khan" by

Miike Snow Miike Snow (pronounced "Mike Snow") is a Swedish indie pop band formed in 2007. The band consists of producing team Bloodshy & Avant and American singer Andrew Wyatt. The band is often represented by a silhouette image of a jackalope. In their ...

(2015) * "Bay of Pigs" by

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

(2015) * "

We Appreciate Power "We Appreciate Power" is a song by Canadian musician Grimes, featuring American musician Hana (American musician), Hana. It was released on November 29, 2018, billed as the lead single from her fifth studio album ''Miss Anthropocene'', however it i ...

" by

Grimes Claire Elise Boucher (; born March 17, 1988), known professionally as Grimes, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her early work has been described as extending from "lo-fi R&B" to futuristic dance-pop, and has i ...

(2018) * "Hide Out" (사라지는 꿈) by Sultan of the Disco (2018) * "I'm So Hot" by

Momoland Momoland () is a South Korean girl group formed by MLD Entertainment (formerly known as Duble Kick Company) through the 2016 reality show ''Finding Momoland''. The show's winners Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy served as t ...

(2019)

2020s

* "Tantrum" by

Ashnikko Ashton Nicole Casey (born February 19, 1996), known professionally as Ashnikko ( ), is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. They rose to prominence with their 2019 single "Stupid" with (Yung) Baby Tate, which gained viral popularity on t ...

(2020) * " Mago" by

GFriend GFriend (stylized in all caps; ) was a South Korean girl group formed by Source Music in 2015. The group consisted of six members: Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji. They debuted with the extended play (EP) '' Season of Glass'' on Ja ...

(2020) * "Lovelife" by

Benny Benassi Marco "Benny" Benassi (; born 13 July 1967) is an Italian DJ, record producer and remixer. He is widely seen as a pioneer of electro house, a genre brought into the mainstream by his 2002 summer club hit " Satisfaction". He started his career ...

feat.

Jeremih Jeremy Phillip Felton (born July 17, 1987), known professionally as Jeremih ( ), is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. In 2009, he signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's commercial debut single, "Birthday Sex", ...

(2020) * "Broke N****s" by City Girls feat.

Yo Gotti Mario Sentell Giden Mims (born May 19, 1981), known professionally as Yo Gotti, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record executive. In 1996, Gotti released his debut album ''Youngsta's On a Come Up'' under the alias Lil Yo. He went on to re ...

(2020) * "Vermelho" by

Gloria Groove Daniel Garcia Felicione Napoleão (born January 18, 1995), known professionally as Gloria Groove (), is a Brazilian singer, rapper, songwriter, actor, voice actor, and drag queen. Napoleão's singing career began when he was 7 years old, as a membe ...

(2022) * "Benny's Got A Gun" by BLK ODYSSY feat.

Benny the Butcher Jeremie Damon Pennick (born November 27, 1984), known professionally as Benny the Butcher or simply Benny, is an American rapper. He is part of the hip hop collective Griselda with frequent collaborators and first-cousins Westside Gunn and Co ...

and George Clinton (2022)

Cartoons

Felix the Cat Felix the Cat is a cartoon character created in 1919 by Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer during the silent film era. An anthropomorphic black cat with white eyes, a black body, and a giant grin, he was one of the most recognized cartoon characte ...

: ''Arabiantics'' (1928) * Mickey Mouse: ''

The Opry House ''The Opry House'' is a 1929 Mickey Mouse short animated film released by Celebrity Pictures, as part of the '' Mickey Mouse'' film series. It was the fifth Mickey Mouse short to be released, the second of that year. It cast Mickey as the owner ...

'' (1929) * Mickey Mouse: ''

The Karnival Kid ''The Karnival Kid'' is a 1929 Mickey Mouse short animated film released by Celebrity Productions, as part of the '' Mickey Mouse'' film series. It was directed by Walt Disney and animated by Ub Iwerks, with music by Carl W. Stalling. It was ...

'' (1929) * Mickey Mouse: '' The Chain Gang'' (1930) * Mickey Mouse: '' Pioneer Days'' (1930) * Mickey Mouse: ''Mickey Steps Out'' (1931) * ''Circus Capers'' (1930) * Betty Boop: ''

Boop-Oop-a-Doop ''Boop-Oop-a-Doop'' is an animated short film created by Fleischer Studios on January 16, 1932, as part of the Talkartoon series. Plot The film begins with a giant Betty Boop flag which flies over the big top. Betty works as a lion tamer and ...

'' (1932) *

Flip the Frog Flip the Frog is an animated cartoon character created by American animator Ub Iwerks. He starred in a series of cartoons produced by Celebrity Pictures and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1930 to 1933. The series had many recurring char ...

: ''Circus'' (1932) * '' Goofy Goat Antics'' (1933) * Mickey Mouse: ''

The Band Concert ''The Band Concert'' is a 1935 American animated short film produced in 3-strip Technicolor by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. It was the 73rd Mickey Mouse short film to be released, and the second of that year. ''The Ba ...

'' (1935) * Mickey Mouse: '' Magician Mickey'' (1937) * Mickey Mouse: ''

Clock Cleaners ''Clock Cleaners'' is a 1937 in film, 1937 American Animated cartoon, animated short film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Pictures, RKO Radio Pictures. The cartoon follows Mickey Mouse, Donal ...

'' (1937) * Donald Duck: ''Self Control'' (1938) * Donald Duck: ''The Autograph Hound'' (1939) * ''

Goofy and Wilbur ''Goofy and Wilbur'' is a 1939 animated cartoon short produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures on March 17, 1939. Although the cartoon is billed as a '' Mickey Mouse'' cartoon (as said on the theatrical poster), it wa ...

'' (1939) * ''Goofy Groceries'' (1940) * Porky Pig: ''

Ali-Baba Bound ''Ali-Baba Bound'' is a 1940 Warner Bros. ''Looney Tunes'' cartoon directed by Bob Clampett. The short was released on February 10, 1940, and stars Porky Pig. The title is a spoof of the song ''I'm Alabama Bound''. Plot In the Sahara Desert, ...

'' (1940) *

Bugs Bunny Bugs Bunny is an animated cartoon character created in the late 1930s by Warner Bros. Cartoons, Leon Schlesinger Productions (later Warner Bros. Cartoons) and Voice acting, voiced originally by Mel Blanc. Bugs is best known for his starring role ...

: ''

What's Cookin' Doc? ''What's Cookin' Doc?'' is a 1944 Warner Bros. cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series, directed by Bob Clampett, and stars Bugs Bunny. The short was also written by Michael Sasanoff, and was animated by Robert McKimson, along with uncredited wo ...

'' (1944) *

Private Snafu Private Snafu is the title character of a series of black-and-white American instructional adult animated shorts, ironic and humorous in tone, that were produced between 1943 and 1945 during World War II. The films were designed to instruct servi ...

: ''Booby Traps'' (1944) * ''Aladdin's Lamp'' (1947) *

Popeye Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar.Woody Woodpecker Woody Woodpecker is an animated character that appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz Studio and distributed by Universal Studios between 1940 and 1972. Woody, an anthropomorphic woodpecker, was created in 1940 by ...

: ''Witch Crafty'' (1955) * Woody Woodpecker: ''Roamin' Roman'' (1963) * ''

Vincent Vincent ( la, Vincentius) is a male given name derived from the Roman name Vincentius, which is derived from the Latin word (''to conquer''). People with the given name Artists *Vincent Apap (1909–2003), Maltese sculptor *Vincent van Gogh ...

'' (1982) * ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer Simpson, Homer, Marge ...

'' episode " Homer's Night Out" (1990) * '' Kirby: Right Back at Ya!'' episode "Caterpillar Thriller" (2003, Japanese version only) * ''

JoJo's Circus ''JoJo's Circus'' is a stop-motion animated television series created by Jim Jinkins, David Campbell, Lisa Jinkins, and Eric Weiner and produced by the Canada-based Cuppa Coffee Studios and Cartoon Pizza. The series was written by Douglas Woo ...

'' – used as the melody of the "Snake Dance" song (2003) * ''

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius ''The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius'' (sometimes shortened to ''Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius'' or commonly ''Jimmy Neutron'') is an American CGI-animated television series. The second installment in the '' Jimmy Neutron'' franchise, it ...

'' episode "Beach Party Mummy" (2003) * ''

'' episode "Secret Mission" (2004) * '' Dave the Barbarian'' episode "Floral Derangement" (2004) * ''

'' episode "

Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is the twelfth episode of the fifteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 15, 2004. The episode was wri ...

" (2004) * ''

King of the Hill ''King of the Hill'' is an American animated sitcom created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It aired its original non-syndicated run from January 12, 1997, to September 13, 2009, and centers on the Hills, an Am ...

'' episode "SerPunt" (2007) * "Super Fast!!" episode ''

Little Einsteins ''Little Einsteins'' is an American animated children's television series based on the Baby Einstein line of videos. It was produced by The Baby Einstein Company (which, at the time, was owned by Disney) and animated by Curious Pictures. The ser ...

'' (2007) * ''

Bob's Burgers ''Bob's Burgers'' is an American adult animated sitcom created by Loren Bouchard that premiered on Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox on January 9, 2011. The show centers on the Belcher family—parents Bob Belcher, Bob and Linda Belcher, Linda and t ...

'' episode " Uncle Teddy" (2014) * '' Family Guy'' episode " Switch the Flip" (2018) * ''

Disenchantment In social science, disenchantment (german: Entzauberung) is the cultural rationalization and devaluation of religion apparent in modern society. The term was borrowed from Friedrich Schiller by Max Weber to describe the character of a modern ...

'' (season 2) opening credits (2019) *'' Big Mouth'' Season 5, Episode 1 (2021) *''

Smiling Friends ''Smiling Friends'' is an adult animated television series created by Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack for Cartoon Network's night-time programming block Adult Swim, which revolves around a small company dedicated to making people smile. The pilo ...

'' Season 1, Episode 3 (2022)

Computer games

From cartoons the song has been adapted to video games. It appears on following computer and video games: * '' Dark Tower'' (1981 electronic game, bazaar) * ''

Venture Venture may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music *The Ventures, an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 *"A Venture", 1971 song by the band Yes *''Venture'', a 2010 EP by AJR Games * ''Venture'' (video game), a 1981 arcade gam ...

'' (1981) * '' Oh Mummy'' (1984) * ''

Bombo Bombo may refer to: Music * ''Bombo'' (musical), a 1921 Broadway production starring Al Jolson * "Bombo" (song), by Norwegian singer Adelén *Bombo criollo or just bombo, a family of Latin American drums *Bombo legüero, an Argentine drum *An 18th ...

'' (1986) * '' Rick Dangerous'' (1989, Level 2 – Egypt) * '' Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire'' (1990, Katta's Tail Inn) * '' Spot: The Video Game!'' (1990, when adding a piece to the right) * ''

Pyramid A pyramid (from el, πυραμίς ') is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single step at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilat ...

'' and ''Pyramid II'' (1990, first level) * '' Lotus Turbo Challenge 1'' (1991, desert level) * ''

Jill of the Jungle ''Jill of the Jungle'' is a trilogy of scrolling platform video games released in 1992 by Epic MegaGames. It was intended to rival platform games previously released as shareware by id Software and Apogee Software. The three episodes in the tr ...

'' (1992) * ''

The Lost Vikings ''The Lost Vikings'' is a puzzle-platform game developed by Silicon & Synapse (now Blizzard Entertainment) and published by Interplay. It was originally released for the Super NES in 1993, then subsequently released for the Amiga, Amiga CD32, M ...

'' (1992, Level 3 – Egypt) * '' Lemmings 2'' (1993, Egyptian tribe) * ''

Zool 2 ''Zool 2'' is a Side-scrolling video game, side-scrolling Platform game, platform video game originally developed by The Warp Factory and published by Gremlin Interactive, Gremlin Graphics for the Amiga in November 1993. It is the sequel to the or ...

'' (1994, Tooting common level 3) * ''

Rampage Through Time ''Rampage Through Time'' is an 2000 action game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Midway Games. It is the fourth game in the ''Rampage (franchise), Rampage'' series and a sequel to 1999's ''Rampage 2: Universal Tour''. In the game, ...

'' (2000, Egyptian time zone) * '' Kirby Mass Attack'' (2011, "Desert Scorcher" and "Lifted Upward") * ''

Rayman Origins ''Rayman Origins'' is a 2011 platform video game developed and published by Ubisoft. It is the fourth main installment in the ''Rayman'' series and the first main installment since '' Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc'' (2003). The game was released for ...

'' (2011) Lums Notes Of Desert Of Dijridoos * ''

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse ''Kirby and the Rainbow Curse'', known in PAL regions as ''Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush'', is a platforming video game in the '' Kirby'' series, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for Wii U. The title, which is a follow-u ...

'' (2015, "More Dig and Dash" (taken directly from the anime) and "Evade Dig and Dash") * ''

Cuphead ''Cuphead'' is a run-and-gun video game developed and published by Studio MDHR. The game follows the titular Cuphead who, in a deal with the Devil after losing a game at the Devil's casino, is sent on a quest to repossess the souls of runaway ...

'' (2017, Pyramid Peril) * ''

Red Dead Redemption 2 ''Red Dead Redemption 2'' is a 2018 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. The game is the third entry in the ''Red Dead'' series and a prequel to the 2010 game ''Red Dead Redemption''. The story is set in 1899 and f ...

'' (2018)

Television

Andy Bernard Andrew Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the NBC comedy television series ''The Office (U.S. TV series), The Office'', portrayed by Ed Helms. He is introduced in Season 3 as the Regional Director in Charge of Sales at the Stamford br ...

sings a variation with a

sitar The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form ...

in the "

Moroccan Christmas "Moroccan Christmas" is the eleventh episode of the fifth season of the television series ''The Office'', and the show's eighty-third episode overall. The episode aired in the United States on December 11, 2008, on NBC. It is the third Christma ...

" episode of season 5 of ''

The Office ''The Office'' is a mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, first made in the United Kingdom, then Germany, and subsequently the United States. It has since been remade in ten other countries. The original series o ...

''. * Tom Ellis as '

Lucifer Lucifer is one of various figures in folklore associated with the planet Venus. The entity's name was subsequently absorbed into Christianity as a name for the devil. Modern scholarship generally translates the term in the relevant Bible passa ...

' plays a part of 'The Streets of Cairo' on the piano in season 4 episode 5.

Film

* In

Charles Lamont Charles Lamont (May 5, 1895 – September 11, 1993) was a prolific filmmaker, directing over 200 titles and producing and writing many others. He directed several Abbott and Costello comedies and many Ma and Pa Kettle films. Biography A Calif ...

's 1932 short film ''

War Babies War children are those born to a native parent and a parent belonging to a foreign military force (usually an occupying force, but also military personnel stationed at military bases on foreign soil). Having a child by a member of a belligerent ...

'', the first film in the

Baby Burlesks ''Baby Burlesks'' was a series of short films produced by Educational Pictures in the early 1930s. The series featured three-year-old Shirley Temple in her first screen appearance. In her autobiography, Temple describes the ''Baby Burlesks'' ser ...

series, the song is briefly used while Shirley Temple's character Charmaine is dancing around in Buttermilk Pete's Cafe. * In Laurel and Hardy's '' Sons of the Desert'' (1933), it is heard briefly in a belly dancer scene at the beginning of the convention. * In ''

The Great Ziegfeld ''The Great Ziegfeld'' is a 1936 American musical drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Hunt Stromberg. It stars William Powell as the theatrical impresario Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld Jr., Luise Rainer as Anna Held, and ...

'' (1936), which won the

Best Picture Oscar The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since the awards debuted in 1929. This award goes to the producers of the film and is the only category ...

in 1937, the song is heard as the backdrop to the "Little Egypt" attraction on the Midway of the

run by Billings, a character portrayed by

Frank Morgan Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...

and loosely based on

. * It is heard in the beginning of Patrice Leconte's short film "Le laboratoire de l'angoisse" (1971). * In

Emir Kusturica Emir Kusturica ( sr-cyrl, Емир Кустурица; born 24 November 1954) is a Serbian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and musician. He also has French citizenship.http://www.serbia.com/emir-kusturica-artist-builder-and-anti-glo ...

's 1993 movie ''

Arizona Dream ''Arizona Dream'' is a 1993 Independent film, indie Surrealist cinema, surrealist comedy drama film co-written and directed by Emir Kusturica and starring Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway, Lili Taylor and Vincent Gallo. Plot Axel has a dr ...

'', the tune is being played several times with accordion by Grace.

Children's culture

The tune is used for a 20th-century American children's song with – like many unpublished songs of child folk culture – countless variations as the song is passed from child to child over considerable lengths of time and geography, the one constant being that the versions are almost always smutty. One variation, for example, is: There's a place in France Where the ladies wear no pants But the men don't care 'cause they don't wear underwear. or a similar version: There's a place in France Where the naked ladies dance There's a hole in the wall Where the boys can see it all. Another

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

-era variation is as follows: When your mind goes blank And you're dying for a wank And Hitler's playing snooker with your balls In the German

nick Nick may refer to: * Nick (given name) * A cricket term for a slight deviation of the ball off the edge of the bat * British slang for being arrested * British slang for a police station * British slang for stealing * Short for nickname Place ...

They hang you by your dick And put dirty pictures on the walls.

References

External links

"Streets of Cairo" sheet music
in the ''Levy Collection'', via Jscholarship * * {{authority control Traditional children's songs Stereotypes 1895 songs Songs written by James Thornton (songwriter) Riffs Songs about Asia

History

Travadja La Moukère

In popular culture

Music

1900s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Cartoons

Computer games

Television

Film

Children's culture

See also

References

External links