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
Το λαϊκό τσιγάρο
Σωτηρία Μπέλλου Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Κι αν σου είμαι γόπα άχρηστη
Αχ μην πασ να με πατήσεισ
Μην έρθεισ στα χαρμάνια σου
Πάλι και με ζητήσεισ
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
Πάλι και με ζητήσεισ
And ask for me again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Λοξίας Ξινόμαυρος
Αν μπορούσαν να έγραφαν και σήμερα τέτοια τραγούδια, θα τα έγραφαν! Αλλά δεν μπορούν και γι' αυτό μας τρελαίνουν στα σκυλάδικα.
sot11cat
Πώωωωωωω....ωωωω!!!! Τι τραγούδι, θεέ μου...!!! Χίλια μπράβο φίλε μου!!!
Γεώργιος Παπαδιανάκης
Ακούγοντας τον ύμνο αυτό του έρωτα από τη ιερογήινη φωνή της Μπέλλου φέρνω μπρος μου μαγικές στιγμές αλλοτινές και θαυμάζω τη δύναμη που έχει η μουσική όταν είναι έκφραση ζωής. Σου χρωστάω φίλε.
KONST. Vasilakos
Τραγουδάρα!!! με ακορντεόν !!!!
Λοξίας Ξινόμαυρος
@sideraspower Έχεις δίκιο. Τον Κορακάκη τον τιμώ, είναι εξαίσιος στο αληθινό λαϊκό τραγούδι!
Mariiiiiaaaaaa
τι να πω Πέτρο μου............. όσο για το τραγούδι....*****!!
Apostolos Doumanis
γεια σου Απειθαρχε, μάγκα μερακλή!
HELLAS ATHENS Gr
!!!!!!!!!!
Phanos Andreou
το καλο ειναι που βρισκονται ανθρωποι και τα λενε με σεβασμο και τα τιμουν. Σ'αυτο το συγκεκριμενο η λιζετα καλημερη δεν γινεται μπελου, αλλα δινει κιαυτη ρεστα..
sot11cat
Πώς στο καλό μπορώ να το κατεβάσω σε mp3???