Throughout his childhood he was influenced by the musics that were coexisting in Egypt. The sound of Arabic music entered into his life at that time and has continued until today as one of his biggest influences. At the age of ten, he was intrigued by Jazz and learnt to play the trumpet. As a young boy he also attended the choir of the Greek Byzantine church of Alexandria and sang for five years as a soloist.
However, when Artemios reached the age of fifteen, his life changed. It was the time of the Suez Canal crisis. His family left Egypt and immigrated to their homeland Greece. Artemios then had to work to support his family. During the day he attended school and, at night, he played the trumpet in various clubs in Athens. Two years later, his first band, "The Idols" was formed. Artemios played the Bass Guitar and sang backing vocals as well. One day, as the lead singer needed to rest, he asked Artemios to replace him for a few songs. That night, when Artemios sang "The House Of The Rising Sun" and "When A Man Loves A Woman" the audience was amazed. From then on Artemios was asked to sing again and again.
Within a short period, Artemios was making a sound reputation. It was at this time that he met the man who would later become one of his most successful composer, Lakis Vlavianos. From that meeting a new band was born, the "We Five", with Artemios as the lead singer.
In 1968 Artemios’s journey crossed the road of two other top Greek musicians, Vangelis Papatanassiou and Loukas Sideras. Their associationbecame one of the biggest musical events of the seventies in the form of "Aphrodite’s Child". This ambitious band decided to travel to the United Kingdom for better commercial prospects. Artemios--who had now shortened his name to Demis--would be the singer and the bass player, Vangelis the main composer as well as the keyboard player, and Loukas would play the drums.
However, they were refused entry to the United Kingdom for lack of a work permit. Instead, Aphrodite's Child travelled to Paris, arriving just as the city was going through the May 68 revolution. After a few concerts in some trendy Parisian clubs, a major company offered to record a song of theirs, one that was inspired by Pachelbel‘s canon called "Rain And Tears". This first album of Aphrodite’s Child sold over a million copies in France alone.
Nine months later, as Demis first daughter, Emily, was born, "Rain And Tears" was the top single all over Europe and a top 20 single in the United Kingdom. The band experienced a huge success for three years.
They then released their legendary last album “666”, after which, for various reasons, Aphrodite's Child decided to split up.
Since Demis was one of the main elements of the band, the record company offered him a chance to recorded his first solo single, "We Shall Dance", which was released on the album "On the Greek Side of My Mind". This album and the single jumped into the top five of all the national hit parades of Italy, Spain, France, Holland, Germany and Scandinavia.
Some months later, Demis met with his old friend of the "We Five", Lakis Vlavianos. Lakis was then going through an inspired period and wrote many songs which Demis recorded; these turned into a string of number one hits all over the world, including: "Forever And Ever", "My Friend the Wind", and "Velvet Morning".
After his second child, Cyril, was born in 1975, Demis toured the globe for eight years with his second wife and child. In Brazil, he packed a stadium of 150 000 people--an event that was achieved in that particular stadium twice only. (The other previous artist was Frank Sinatra.) In fact, Demis sold enough records to gain a name in the Guinness Book of records among the personalities of show business in the 70’s and the eighties. He was awarded more than a hundred golden, platinum, and diamond albums and cassettes.
His unique dressing style was often considered eccentric but Demis was following his instinct which told him that the music he was performing should match with the combination of looks between the glorious Byzantine Empire and the Arabic Caftan.
In 1978 his instinct told him again that he should retire for a while, thinking of new things concerning his career and life. And so he took his family to an area of the world where he was unknown, Malibu Beach, California. There, Demis lost over 50 kilograms. He returned to Europe and lived a quieter life between England and Greece, alone with his son, Cyril.
On June 14 1985, wile he was travelling from Athens to Rome, a decisive event occurred. Demis’s TWA airplane was hijacked by terrorists. After two days in that plane praying, Demis was held three days in the prison of Beyrouth with his third wife. Like many other survivors, he went through the shock of a traumatic experience. After that, Demis said he had never understood so well the importance of the nations living in peace and how precious life is when you see death so close. He felt more than ever that his contribution for a better tomorrow could be via music and so decided to return to the recording and performance scene.
He recorded twenty songs and compiled an album called "The story of Demis Roussos". With this album, Demis started to world tour again and found a nostalgic audience who had missed his magic voice. In 1986 Demis toured the USSR for three weeks and was invited to join important scientists, writers and artists at the forum for peace and disarmament in Moscow, during February 1987.
Later that year, during a tight TV schedule in Chile, Demis insisted on fitting in a visit to the Earth summit in Rio to get a clearer picture of the environmental problems, which were a main concern for Demis.
Since then Demis had been a regular visitor of the charts with singles such as "Quand je t’aime" and "On écrit sur les murs", and albums such as "Voice and Vision" and "Immortel".
Since 2008, Demis had been living in Greece by the sea. After being one of the most talented singers of his century, Demis was still working on more magical offerings, with the blessing of music and God.
He died aged 68, on the Hygeia Hospital in Athens on January 25, 2015.
Fire and Ice
Demis Roussos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fire and ice
Fire and ice
Shall the world end in fire and ice
There’s enough hate,
Both will suffice
Fire and ice
Fire and ice
Shall the world end in fire and ice
Cats up on arms
Are watchin’ mice
Grown into rats from an new device
There’s enough hate,
(To see man’s fate)
There’s enough fire and ice
Thieves dice for their lives
Kings are loadin’ dice
Building up their fame
On a dark crimson flame
As a lonesome child
I’d toss a kite on high
I blew birds on’e sky
It’s now so cold
Fellow kids have grown old
Thieves dice for their lives
Kings are loadin’ dice
Building up their fame
On a dark crimson flame
As a lonesome child
I’d toss a kite on high
I blew birds on’e sky
It’s now so cold
(parlé)
The war is on every breast
So mister Twain said
The toy pistols are poppin’
And my buddin’ years are fadin’
Fire and ice
The lyrics to Demis Roussos's "Fire and Ice" speak to the potential end of the world through fire and ice. The repeated line "Shall the world end in fire and ice" emphasizes the uncertain fate of humanity. The song addresses the idea that there is enough hate in the world to bring about destruction by both forces. The line "Cats up on arms are watchin' mice" could be interpreted as those in power watching those who are vulnerable to destruction, yet still do nothing to stop it. The following line "Grown into rats from a new device" highlights the idea that mankind has created new ways to destroy.
The chorus repeats the notion that there is enough hate in the world to cause both fire and ice to bring about an end to humanity. The following lines "Thieves dice for their lives, kings are loading dice" could speak to those in power gambling with the fate of the world. The lyrics also touch on nostalgia and childhood memories, with the lines "As a lonesome child, I'd toss a kite on high, I blew birds on'e sky," contrasting with the dark and uncertain future being described. The song ends with the line "The war is on every breast, so mister Twain said, the toy pistols are poppin', and my buddin’ years are fadin’," highlighting the idea that war and destruction are always present, even in childhood innocence.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire and ice
The idea of two contrasting elements - fire and ice - is introduced, which symbolizes the potential for catastrophic events to occur.
Fire and ice
Repetition of the line to emphasize the significant impact of these elements.
Shall the world end in fire and ice
Ponders whether the world will end in tumultuous or calm times, with the implication that either could lead to destruction and chaos.
There’s enough hate,
The presence of bitterness and ill will in the world, which may contribute to the potential for disaster.
Both will suffice
Both fire and ice are destructive enough that they could bring about the end of the world.
But will the man dice for death or life
Contemplates whether people will choose to take risks that may lead to either their demise or salvation.
Cats up on arms
Imagery of feline predators who are vigilant and prepared, suggesting that danger is imminent.
Are watchin’ mice
Suggesting that those in power observe those who are weaker and are ready to pounce at any moment.
Grown into rats from an new device
Alluding to how inventions can change the nature of things, which may result in unintended consequences.
There’s enough hate,
Repetition to emphasize the importance of recognizing the dangerous levels of animosity present in the world.
(To see man’s fate)
An aside that indicates the singer views the current state of affairs as a reflection of humanity's destiny.
Thieves dice for their lives
Rolling the dice is a metaphor for taking risks, with the implication that those who lack power may be more desperate and willing to take greater chances.
Kings are loadin’ dice
Implies that those in power are manipulating situations to their advantage, and are not playing fair.
Building up their fame
Suggests that the powerful are driven by the desire for recognition and renown.
On a dark crimson flame
The cost of fame and power may be a destructive force that burns away at society, leaving ruins in its wake.
As a lonesome child
Recalling a time of innocence and vulnerability.
I’d toss a kite on high
Playing with a toy that symbolizes freedom and the joy of physical movement.
I blew birds on’e sky
Creating shapes in the clouds as a form of self-expression and imagination.
It’s now so cold
A recognition of the harsher realities of the world that have set in with age and experience.
The war is on every breast
An allusion to the idea that conflict and struggle is a universal experience, regardless of one's station in life.
So mister Twain said
A reference to Mark Twain, who often wrote about the complexities of the human condition.
The toy pistols are poppin’
Metaphor for how even children have to confront violence and aggression as a part of growing up.
And my buddin’ years are fadin’
Acknowledges the passage of time and how one's experiences shape their worldview and sense of self.
Lyrics © ALLO MUSIC EDITIONS
Written by: Stylianos VLAVIANOS, Boris BERGMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rafael Albuquerque
De ano em ano eu venho aqui , e sempre me perco em devaneios ... A sensação é sempre a mesma ,de que eu nunca tinha ouvido essa canção.Grande Demis
Granny Murry
Best voice on the planet
Argus625
.Zmarł Demis Roussos w wieku 69 lat. Jeden z tych artystow , o których nie można zapomnieć. Dziecko Afrodyty spiewajace piekne piosenki z greckim kolorytem. ,,Godbay my love Godbay".
francisco mulas
Fabuloso
Dimitris Vallis
Goodnight sweet prince...
Christophe Mounier
Fire when he was singing...Ice now he's dead !
Fiorentina1969
Che brutta voce che ha questo cantante ... anche il brano e pessimo. Se mi ricordo bene da ragazzina, io avevo paura della sua faccia che era sulla copertina di un disco che compro mio fratello (:
Anna Mazzucchelli
Demis ha cantato in Francia in Spagna e in altri paese esteri circondato da bambini ai quali dava carezze e sorrisi... Tutti lo amavano. Forse ho notato anche io una sua foto su un disco.... Non molto riuscita... Ma a dire che spaventa... Ci vuole tutta!!!. Ci sono foto in cui è bellissimo
.... La voce poi è la migliore.... Non serve essere intenditori 😘
Ciro Petriccione
Ascolta Quand je t'aime..
Fiorentina1969
Si e vero: Forever and Ever e un bel brano, ma la sua voce ... lasciamo perdere. Grazie.