Σωτηρία Μπέλλου {Sotiria Bellou} (29th August 1921-27th August 1997) was bo… Read Full Bio ↴Σωτηρία Μπέλλου {Sotiria Bellou} (29th August 1921-27th August 1997) was born in the village of Chalia, near Chalkida, and named after her maternal grandfather, a priest. She sang in her grandfather's church choir, and developed a determination to become a singer. Her father bought her a guitar, and paid for her to have lessons.

An arranged marriage ended in disaster: for throwing acid in her abusive husband's face, Bellou was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, of which she served only four months. She was released, and moved to Athens at the outbreak of World War II.

In Athens she joined the Communist party, made a living as a street musician, and played an active role in the resistance. During the Greek Civil War, her political activities led to further periods of imprisonment. In 1945 she was discovered singing in tavernas by the great rembetis Vasilis Tsitsanis, and they began to perform together. Despite the difficulties of life under the Colonels, Bellou's performances and recordings gained her a following, especially among students.

In the 1960s she began to record a series of albums for the Lyra label, which shot her to national fame and popularity. As well as her collaborations with Tsitsanis, which continued until his death in 1984, Bellou worked with many of the great musicians and composers of rembetika and laika.

Her private life was never settled, however, and her gambling was a persistent problem; towards the end of her life, the Greek government had to provide money for her support, and especially for her medical bills. When she died of throat cancer two days short of her 76th birthday, she was given a State Funeral

Άναψε το τσιγάρο
Σωτηρία Μπέλλου Lyrics

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Είμαι τσιγάρο λαϊκό
Αχ κι εσύ γουστάρεισ “άσσο"
Μα πριν ανάψεισ τη φωτιά
Να πασ έπρεπε πάσο

Όταν χαρμάνησ ήσουνα
Αχ με πάθοσ με ρουφούσεσ
Σε μένα βρήκεσ μου 'λεγεσ

Τη μάρκα που ζητούσεσ

Κι αν σου είμαι γόπα άχρηστη
Αχ μην πασ να με πατήσεισ

Μην έρθεισ στα χαρμάνια σου
Πάλι και με ζητήσεισ

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "Το λαϊκό τσιγάρο" by Σωτηρία Μπέλλου, also known as "The Popular Cigarette" in English. The song speaks metaphorically about a relationship where the singer compares herself to a popular cigarette, expressing her desire for the person she loves to appreciate and desire her like an "Ace" card in a deck of cards. However, she also expresses the need for the person to take the necessary precautions before lighting the fire, symbolizing the importance of taking things slow and carefully.

The lyrics also mention the past, where the singer recalls the passion and intensity they shared when they were together. She emphasizes how the other person found fulfillment in her, discussing the brand or type of cigarette they were seeking. It is possible that she is referencing their compatibility or unique connection.

The final part of the lyrics conveys the singer's insecurities and fear of being disregarded or used. She pleads with the other person not to treat her as useless or to trample on her. Despite this, she envisions a future where the person may return to her and seek her again, perhaps indicating a desire for reconciliation or another chance at love.

Line by Line Meaning

Είμαι τσιγάρο λαϊκό
I am a folk cigarette

Αχ κι εσύ γουστάρεισ 'άσσο
Oh, and you love 'ace'

Μα πριν ανάψεισ τη φωτιά
But before you light the fire

Να πασ έπρεπε πάσο
You should pass to me

Όταν χαρμάνησ ήσουνα
When you were a smoker

Αχ με πάθοσ με ρουφούσεσ
Oh, passionately inhaling me

Σε μένα βρήκεσ μου 'λεγεσ
You found in me, you said

Τη μάρκα που ζητούσεσ
The brand you were looking for

Κι αν σου είμαι γόπα άχρηστη
And if I am a useless stub for you

Αχ μην πασ να με πατήσεισ
Oh, please don't step on me

Μην έρθεισ στα χαρμάνια σου
Don't come back to your addictions