“Habibi, I can drive my car.”
There have been many creative responses to Saudi women being granted the right to drive. First, Saudi singer Leesa A rapped about having no need for taxis, and now a group of musicians have recorded a special Arabic cover of The Beatles’ 1965 hit, Drive My Car.
Students from the Berklee College of Music in Boston teamed up with Public Radio International to celebrate Saudi Arabia finally lifting its ban on women driving on June 24. The group goes by the name “Nano and the 6-2-4”, in reference to the historic date.
Their rendition of the classic song has been reworked with Arabic lyrics and instruments. Vocals are provided by Syrian singer Nano Raies, with musicians from Palestine, Jordan and the US making up the rest of the group.
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According to the Berklee website, the new version “tells the story of a woman who’s in love with her newly granted freedom, and feels that marriage and family can wait.”
She sings: “Baby, I can drive my car/Yes, I’m gonna be a star/Baby I can drive my car/And maybe I’ll love you.”
The cover has been well-received on YouTube, clocking up more than 60,000 views in less than two weeks. “The Beatles would be so proud,” one viewer commented.
Watch the video here:
Image: Berklee
