Snow on the Sahara (song)

"Snow on the Sahara"
Single by Anggun
from the album Snow on the Sahara
Released1997
Recorded1997
GenreNew-age, world
Length4:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Erick Benzi
Anggun singles chronology
"Snow on the Sahara"
(1997) 		"A Rose in the Wind"
(1998)
Music videos

"Snow on the Sahara" (titled "La neige au Sahara" for the French version) is a song recorded by Indonesian singer Anggun for her first international studio album Snow on the Sahara (1997). Originally written in French by its producer Erick Benzi, the song was adapted to English by Nikki Matheson. The song was released in 1997 as her debut international single in 33 countries worldwide.

The song topped the charts in Italy and several countries in Asia. The French version quickly became a hit in France, peaking at number 3 on the French Airplay Chart and number 16 on the French Singles Chart. It became the most-played French-language single of 1997, with a total of 7,900 radio airplays, and was certified Gold for shipment of 250,000 copies.

Two music videos were shot to accompany the song. The first video was directed by Philippe Gautier in Bali, Indonesia, while the second one was made by Anthea Benton for North American release. The video of "Snow on the Sahara" received heavy rotation on MTV Asia, with Anggun being picked as the "Hot Seat Artist of the Month" in September 1998.[1]

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 received 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 received 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

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[20] Gold 250,000*
Summaries
Europe — 1,000,000[21]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Mereka Kreatif Lalu Kaya Raya". SWA. 2007-10-25. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  2. ^ "Anggun – La Neige au Sahara" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20250124035516/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-06-26.pdf#page=18
  4. ^ "Anggun: Snow on the Sahara" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  5. ^ "Anggun – La Neige au Sahara" (in French). Le classement de singles.
  6. ^ "Major Market Airplay" (PDF). p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-24.
  7. ^ "Anggun – Snow on the Sahara" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  8. ^ "Anggun Chart History". FIMI. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 52. 26 December 1998. p. 19.
  10. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 19. New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1999-05-08. p. 47. ISSN 0006-2510.
  11. ^ "Anggun – Snow on the Sahara" Canciones Top 50.
  12. ^ "Anggun – Snow on the Sahara". Swiss Singles Chart.
  13. ^ "Chart Log UK: A - Azzido Da Bass". zobbel.de. Retrieved 2014-12-27.
  14. ^ "All the UK charts" (PDF). 1999-08-21. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-22.
  15. ^ "All the UK charts" (PDF). 1999-08-28. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-07-22.
  16. ^ "Anggun Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  17. ^ "Anggun Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Classement Singles - année 1997". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  19. ^ "J-Wave Website : Tokio Hot100".
  20. ^ "French single certifications – Anggun – La Neige au Sahara" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  21. ^ "Jazz festival boasts top line-up". New Straits Times. September 11, 2003. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
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