Rising artist SORAYA has unveiled her powerful new single, The Story of the Phoenix, a deeply evocative charity ballad that blends orchestral, pop, and classical elements to highlight the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people. Known for her emotionally charged music, SORAYA delves into profound themes of grief, loss, and resilience, weaving a personal and political narrative into her latest track. The song features the acclaimed Palestinian Galilee Quartet, whose hauntingly beautiful contributions elevate the composition into a moving reflection on struggle and rebirth.
Written in June 2023 during a period of personal reflection, The Story of the Phoenix came to life as SORAYA mourned the death of her father in Iran and navigated the heartbreak of a recent breakup. Sitting at the piano in the solitude of a quiet house in the hills, she composed the song in a single cathartic session. The chorus, a poignant blend of sorrow and hope, draws from a poem she wrote during the 2018 Great March of Return, creating a direct link between her personal grief and the broader Palestinian struggle. This connection was further solidified by the involvement of the Galilee Quartet.
Comprised of four Palestinian siblings—Mostafa, Ghandi, Omar, and Tibah Saad—the Galilee Quartet brings a unique fusion of Western classical and Arabic traditional music to the track. Their story of resilience is deeply entwined with the song’s themes, particularly through Omar Saad, who was famously imprisoned for refusing to serve in the Israeli army. Now based in Paris, the quartet has performed across the Middle East and Europe, captivating audiences with their evocative performances and standing as symbols of resistance and survival.
The Story of the Phoenix is both a deeply personal anthem and a universal expression of hope, using the mythological phoenix as a symbol of rebirth from destruction. SORAYA’s moving piano ballad builds gradually, eventually introducing a military snare drum in the final third, evoking themes of war, loss, and resilience. The lush arrangement of piano, strings, and percussion creates a cinematic soundscape that draws listeners into the emotional core of the song, contrasting sorrow with a persistent sense of hope.
“The Phoenix as a symbol befits the Palestinian cause so aptly,” SORAYA explains. “Even as Gaza burns—and has burned so many times—the Palestinian spirit endures. With each assault against its existence, new life emerges with remembrance as if the wind itself carries the name ‘Palestine’. By the time I had the honor to meet the Galilee Quartet, Gaza was aflame again. The ongoing genocide in Palestine is one of the worst humanitarian crises of this century. I do believe Palestine will rise from the ashes—but until then, we must all do what we can to raise awareness and keep the word ‘Palestine’ on our lips. The Galilee Quartet are incredibly talented musicians who breathed life into the song. We hope to raise as much as possible, with 100% of the proceeds donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians.”
Born in Dubai and shaped by her Iranian and New Zealand heritage, SORAYA’s music reflects her multicultural background and broad array of influences. Her academic background in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University has fueled her passion for social causes, particularly refugee rights and Palestinian liberation. These causes continue to deeply inform her music and artistic vision.
The Story of the Phoenix is dedicated to the Palestinian people, with all proceeds from the song supporting humanitarian efforts in the region through Medical Aid for Palestinians.