Eleni Dimou (real name Eleni Gkikodimou / Ελένη Γκικοδήμου) was born in Ath… Read Full Bio ↴Eleni Dimou (real name Eleni Gkikodimou / Ελένη Γκικοδήμου) was born in Athens. She graduated from the National Conservatory and started her singing career at the age of 16. In 1980 she performed during a radio session to promote the work of new composers, where she sang songs from Dimitris Lekkas. That same year, she participated in the Thessaloniki Music Festival, ending third. The following year she returned with the song ’Mia Agapi stan ki anti’ (‘A love like this’), written by Sasha Manetas and won the first price. In 1981 she also appeared participated in Manos Loizou’s international concert tour.

Her first album ‘Mila mou apla’ (‘ Just speak to me’) was a collaboration with new singers Manolis Lidakis and Melina Tanagri, based on songs composed by Taki Bougas with lyrics from Antonis Andrikaki. With every following album, Dimou’s popularity increased, thanks to her modern, natural and flexible interpretations, combining the more traditional Greek roots with western pop style.

In 1986 she collaborated with Lakis Papadopoulos on her album ‘Kata bathos alepou’ (‘Basically fox’). With her by that time already highly acclaimed husky, sultry voice she sang both ballads and pop-rock songs. In this periode of time, she collaborated with famous artists like Georgios Dalaras and Mikis Theodorakis.

Her 1988 album ‘Prosopika’ (‘Personal’), recorded with G. Spanos, was both artistically as commercially a great success. In the next decade Dimou keeps releasing new albums regularly, always combining Greek folk music with western arrangements and world music influences. In 1990 she released the album ‘Pathis’ (‘Passions’), on which she chanted byzantine hymns on a requiem by D. Papostolou.

In the second half of the nineties, popularity and album sales decreased. A new generation of Greek pop singers seemed to have taken her place. Dimou seemed to be stuck between Greek folk and modern pop, unable to rejuvenate herself. Around the start of the new millennium, inspiration and creativity seemed to have returned, resulting in more frequent album releases and collaborations with international artists like Alpha Blondy, Salif Keita, The Christians, Gipsy Kings and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

In her almost thirty year spanning career, Eleni Dimou recorded more than 20 albums, nine went gold and three platinum in Greece. She is married to producer and engineer Akis Golfidis and the couple have a son named Anthony.

Alkoolikos
Eleni Dimou Lyrics

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Η νύχτα άρχισε ξανά την πόλη να χαϊδεύει
Ο ουρανόσ διαιτητήσ
Στου φεγγαριού την κόντρα και τησ γησ
Ανάμεσά τουσ μπαίνει

Κρυφή χαρά σε προκαλεί και σε παρακινεί
Τη νύχτα να γευτείσ
Για άλλη μια φορά η τελευταία σου φορά

Απείλησεσ πνιχτά
Το είδωλο σου στον καθρέφτη

Αλκοολικέ φωνάζουν
Την ησυχία σου ταράζουν
Σε τρομάζουν

Στουσ μυστικούσ σου περιπάτουσ
Οι γάτεσ και οι σκύλοι
Οι καλύτεροι σου οι φίλοι

Δε μοιάζουμε σε τίποτα τουσ είχεσ πει
Μόνο την πύλη του θανάτου
Θα περάσουμε μαζί

Το δάκρυ αλμυρό πάνω στα χείλη
Και στο μυαλό σου φτερουγίζει εκείνη
Που πόθησεσ πολύ
Και σ' άφησε μια νύχτα σαν κι αυτή

Και από κείνη τη στιγμή
Τισ νύχτεσ που τησ μοιάζουν τριγυρνάσ
Εκδίκηση ζητάσ

Αλκοολικέ φωνάζουν
Την ησυχία σου ταράζουν
Σε τρομάζουν

Στουσ μυστικούσ σου περιπάτουσ
Οι γάτεσ και οι σκύλοι
Οι καλύτεροι σου οι φίλοι

Δε μοιάζουμε σε τίποτα τουσ είχεσ πει

Μόνο την πύλη του θανάτου
Θα περάσουμε μαζί

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eleni Dimou's song "Alkoolikos" depict a nighttime atmosphere and the inner struggles of the singer. The night begins again, gently caressing the city, as if the sky were the referee in a duel between the moon and the earth. The singer finds themselves caught in the middle of this cosmic conflict, symbolizing their own inner turmoil and conflicting desires.

There is a hidden joy that tempts and urges the singer to taste the night once again, despite the threat that hangs in the air. The last time, the final chance, is presented as a dark threat that silently suffocates. The mirror reflects the singer's idol, implying that they may be haunted by their own image and desires.

The chorus repeats the phrase "alkoolikes" (alcoholics), suggesting that the singer is surrounded and disturbed by a chaotic and unsettling atmosphere. This could be a metaphor for the singer's own inner demons and struggles, as well as the external influences that disrupt their peace and stability.

The walks in the secret paths represent the singer's personal journeys and encounters with the cats and dogs, who are portrayed as their best friends. These creatures, known for their instincts and loyalty, could symbolize the singer's inner voice or instincts, guiding them through the darkness.

The singer claims they are nothing like what others have said, only resembling the gate of death. This line suggests that the singer, despite their struggles, is unique and cannot be fully understood or defined by others. The idea of passing through the gate of death together could symbolize a desire for transformation or rebirth, a journey that they are determined to undertake with someone they deeply desire or miss.

The salty tear on the lips and the memory of the person they long for fluttering in their mind adds a touch of melancholy to the lyrics. The singer seeks revenge from those nights that resemble the one they desire, possibly indicating a longing for closure or to confront their own inner demons.

Overall, "Alkoolikos" portrays a restless soul caught in the darkness, trying to navigate through their own desires and external disruptions. The lyrics suggest a yearning for connection, exploration, and ultimately, finding peace within themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Η νύχτα άρχισε ξανά την πόλη να χαϊδεύει
The night has once again begun to caress the city

Ο ουρανόσ διαιτητήσ
The sky as the referee

Στου φεγγαριού την κόντρα και τησ γησ
In the contradiction between the moon and the earth

Ανάμεσά τουσ μπαίνει
You enter between them

Κρυφή χαρά σε προκαλεί και σε παρακινεί
A secret joy provokes and urges you

Τη νύχτα να γευτείσ
To taste the night

Για άλλη μια φορά η τελευταία σου φορά
Once again, your last chance

Απείλησεσ πνιχτά
You silently threaten

Το είδωλο σου στον καθρέφτη
Your idol in the mirror

Αλκοολικέ φωνάζουν
Alcoholics shout

Την ησυχία σου ταράζουν
They disturb your peace