Abdulbasset al-Harethi

“I am Abdulbasset Mohamed Hammud al-Harethi, born in 1959 in Kawkaban city, Mahawit governorate. I am married and I have nine children; seven boys and two girls.

When I think about composing a new melody for a new song, I first think about the lyrics. I first recite the beginning of a poem or any idea and keep singing it. For example, when I composed the music of Night after Night song, there was an event linked to it.

I had some disputes with my wife, and I was lonely, one night after another, because she was not home. I started to blame her for leaving me alone one night after another, and I started to sing the words Night after Night, and then came the song Night After Night, I sang songs… Those who fall in love can’t stop thinking. I composed the melody, and it was a nice song.

The night and myself are close to each other. I like the night and its tranquility. I get inspiration of poems and melodies right before I go to sleep.

Yemeni music has its own quality, an unusual quality that is different from that of Arab music and from what Arab music requires.

Yemeni music has its own specialty that distinguishes it from Arab music, but unfortunately, it does not get enough support in Yemen as there are no institutes or schools to teach music. There are even no music classes in schools. Children in the 1970s used to take obligatory music classes in schools, but now it is all gone. There is nothing like that anymore. 

I wish to see Yemen in stability, and I wish to see many music and fine arts schools and institutes in the country, institutes reaching up to the level of schools, ministries, production companies and TV and radio stations.

I wish Yemen to go along with other countries, who have reached space. Music has become the soul’s food, a cure, and an inevitable part of human life.” 

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