<span>It is </span><span>not unusual for musicians to say that </span><span>a song</span><span> is close to their hearts, but Ragheb Alama really means it. The </span><span>Lebanese pop</span><span> star's career spans more than three decades and is full of songs that were inspired by those nearest and dearest to him, </span><span>including the 1997 </span><span>hit </span><span><em>El Hob Khaled</em></span><span>, which was </span><span>about his </span><span>elder son. </span> <span>Similarly, </span><span><em>Betzakar Ya Emmi</em></span><span>, is a heartfelt paean to his </span><span>mother</span><span> who </span><span>died about </span><span>20 years ago. </span><span>The song, which is accompanied by</span><span> a black and white music video, was first released 17 years ago, but a reworked version came out last week. While the new track retains the melodic shape of the original, the studio technology now available has given it a more modern sound.</span> <span>"I have been singing this song for a long time in honour of my mother," Alama </span><span>tells </span><span><em>The National</em></span><span>, moments before </span><span>a performance</span><span> in Dubai, recently. "But I wanted to present it in a new and fresh way, and re</span><span>introduce it to a new generation of fans. It is also a way for them to get to know me and the people </span><span>who inspired me."</span> <span>Despite rising to prominence during the 1980s, </span><span>Alama, 56, has been able to reach a younger audience while </span><span>holding on to his </span><span>original fan</span><span>base</span><span> – a feat that allows </span><span>the singer to remain relevant both on and off the stage. </span><span>He continues to headlin</span><span>e major festivals across the region, in addition to </span><span>selling out European tours, while Alama also endeared himself to a wider audience </span><span>after he appeared as a judge on </span><span><em>Arab Idol </em></span><span>from 2011 to 2013.</span> <span>Alama says he enjoyed the </span><span>experience of working on television, </span><span>but he doesn't miss it. "It is really a different way of working," he says. "I was busy all the time during that period, because I was also doing music as well. Now I feel I have more control of my time and that is very important to me."</span> <span>One of his most memorable moments on the show</span><span> came during the </span><span>2013 season, </span><span>when Palestinian performer Mohammed Assaf </span><span>took the title. He was given the nickname "The Rocket" by Alama, after the judge praised Assaf's explosive talent.</span> <span> </span><br/> <span>Despite leaving </span><span><em>Arab Idol</em></span><span> six years ago, Alama </span><span>takes a </span><span>diplomatic approach when </span><span>asked if the level of </span><span>talent on the show has waned over the years. "Everyone has their own journey," he says. "But at the same</span><span> time, you can't discount the effect that these kind of shows have </span><span>on the artistic world. I think they are more positive. </span><span>More young people are </span><span>becoming interested in music and the arts and they are </span><span>more inspired."</span> <span>Alama has </span><span>not been short of inspiration of late. </span> <span>With </span><span>a substantial back catalogue of hits,</span><span> which includ</span><span>e</span><span> </span><span><em>Ya Rayt</em></span><span> and </span><span><em>Nasini El Donya,</em></span><span> </span><span>he could have easily </span><span>continued to perform live shows without the need to write new material. </span><span>However, the artist has continued to </span><span>release</span><span> new music consistently</span><span>.</span> <span>He </span><span>says the positive reaction </span><span>these songs have received from his fans</span><span> – particularly the </span><span>ballad </span><span><em>Redelli Kelmati</em></span><span>, the video for which </span><span>has been watched on YouTube more than </span><span>four million </span><span>times</span><span> – has helped </span><span>him to </span><span>determine the direction for </span><span>an upcoming album. </span> <span>"I have been in the studio and working on the next project," </span><span>says Alama. "I still think the album is an important form. But doing these singles also helps</span><span>, as it shows what people's tastes are. I am glad </span><span>they still enjoy what I am doing after all these years."</span>