[2] It was among the first ethnic fusion hits in the world, recorded in five languages: Arabic, French, German, Italian ("Uomo di sabbia") and Spanish.
The French version speaks of a man wandering in the desert and sees a mirage of a garden paradise.
In 1995, Orlando (brother of Dalida, producer and French record label owner) released two completely re-orchestrated versions of the "Salma Ya Salama" in its album release Comme si j'étais là... one in French and the other in an Arabic version (both offered as a bonus).
"Salma Ya Salama" has been performed by many other artists, such as Haifa Wehbe, Alabina, Chantal Chamandy, Jean Michel Jarre, Giota Lydia, Ziynet Sali, Krum & Miro, Mika, WAMA and Tiziana Rivale.
The song is used in the soundtrack of 1996 French film Pédale douce directed by Gabriel Aghion.