Snow on the Sahara (song)

"Snow on the Sahara"
Single by Anggun
from the album Snow on the Sahara
Released	1997
Recorded	1997
Genre	New-age, world
Length	4:19 (Album Version) 3:40 (Radio Edit)
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Erick Benzi, Nikki Matheson
Producer(s)	Erick Benzi
Anggun singles chronology
"Snow on the Sahara" (1997) "La Rose des Vents/A Rose in the Wind" (1998)
Licensed audio
"La neige au Sahara" on YouTube
Licensed audio
"Snow on the Sahara" on YouTube

"Snow on the Sahara" is a song by Indonesian singer Anggun from her first international studio album Snow on the Sahara. Written originally in French by Erick Benzi titled "La neige au Sahara", the song was adapted to English by Nikki Matheson. The French version was recorded for Anggun's first French album Au nom de la lune. The song was released in 1997 as her debut international single in 33 countries worldwide. It topped the charts in Italy, Spain and several countries in Asia. The French version quickly became a hit in France, peaking at number 1 on the French Airplay Chart and number 16 on the French Singles Chart. It became the most-played single in France in 1997, with a total of 7,900 radio airplays, and was certified gold for shipment of 250,000 copies. While in Italy, it sold 100,000 copies.

Background and composition

The song was written, produced and arranged by Erick Benzi and later adapted into English by songwriter Nikki Matheson. The song remains to be Anggun's signature song across the world and catapulted Anggun's fame in the international music scene in 1997 and 1998. Sarah Brightman performed a cover version of the song on her album The Harem World Tour: Live from Las Vegas. The song is mainly built on synthesizer and keyboard sounds, mixed with tribal beats. It is considered to be an adult contemporary song, while some others consider it new-age or world music.

Music video

There are 2 versions of the music video for Snow on the Sahara. The first version was shot in Bali and features storyline about Anggun and her lover becoming the sacrifice for some ancient ritual. This version was used also a Neige au Sahara. The second version features Anggun in an "art room" filled with antique furniture. She was also shot in an ice-blue background, singing the lines of the song. This version receives less airplay and was only released for the US and Italian television. The length of this version is shorter than the first one, fading in 3:39. Both version recesived heavy rotation on MTV Asia and managed to topped the MTV Asia Hitlist chart for two weeks. Making her the first Asian artist to do so.

Track listing

1. "Snow on the Sahara" (4:20)
2. "Selamanya" (2:21)
3. "La Neige au Sahara" (4:20)

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1997–99) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[1] 24 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[2] 20 France (SNEP)[3] 16 France Airplay (SNEP)[4] 3 Germany (GfK)[5] 55 Italy (FIMI)[6] 1 Malaysia (RIM)[7] 1 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[8] 16 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] 24 UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[10] 184 UK Club Breakers (Music Week)[11] 3 UK Pop Top 20 (Music Week)[12] 6 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[13] 16 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[14] 22

Year-end charts Chart (1997-1999) Position France (SNEP)[15] 44 Japan (Tokio Hot 100)[16] 46

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[17]	Gold	250,000^*
^* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Anggun – La Neige au Sahara" (in French). Ultratop 50.
2. "Anggun: Snow on the Sahara" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
3. "Anggun – La Neige au Sahara" (in French). Les classement single.
4. "Major Market Airplay" (PDF). p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-24.
5. "Anggun – Snow on the Sahara" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
6. "IT-CHARTS: Classifiche &".
7. "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 19. New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1999-05-08. p. 47. ISSN 0006-2510.
8. "Anggun – Snow on the Sahara" Canciones Top 50.
9. "Anggun – Snow on the Sahara". Swiss Singles Chart.
10. "Chart Log UK: A - Azzido Da Bass". zobbel.de. Retrieved 2014-12-27.
11. "All the UK charts" (PDF). 1999-08-21. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-22.
12. "All the UK charts" (PDF). 1999-08-28. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-22.
13. "Anggun Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
14. "Anggun Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
15. "Classement Singles - année 1997". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
16. "J-Wave Website : Tokio Hot100".
17. "French single certifications – Anggun – La Neige au Sahara" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 August 2017.