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.

Magissa Zoi
Eleni Dimou Lyrics

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Παρέα με τον ήλιο μου
Τον πιο εντάξει φίλου μου
Και με καρδιά μικρού γαλάζιου κρίνου

Ραβδί μου και ομπρέλα μου
Η δόξα και η τρέλα μου
Και το ταξίδι έξοδοσ κινδύνου

Παρέα με το όνειρο
Που με κρατάει όμηρο
Και δεν του δίνω λύτρα να μ' αφήσει

Πυξίδα και φανάρι μου
Το άγνωστο φεγγάρι μου
Περνά ο καιρόσ κανείσ δε θα γυρίσει

Ποιοσ θεόσ ποιο αστέρι θα μου πει
Πού πήγεσ μάγισσα ζωή
Ποιοσ καημόσ ποια αγάπη θα μου πει
Αυτά που θέλει το κορμί

Παρέα με το λάθοσ μου
Με το αρχαίο πάθοσ μου
Και την ψυχή ηφαίστειο του κόσμου

Να λιώνω και να φλέγομαι
Για λίγο φωσ να καίγομαι
Και η φωνή ακοίμητη εντόσ μου

Παρέα με το όραμα
Ζωούλα μου πανόραμα
Ο θάνατοσ αδέσποτοσ γυρνάει

Πορεία μου το άπειρο

Οι έρωτεσ σε πάπυρο
Και η πληγή αιώνια θα πονάει

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eleni Dimou's song "Magissa Zoi" convey a sense of being in harmony with oneself and the world. The singer describes being accompanied by her "sun" and "most trustworthy friend," representing a positive and constant presence in her life. With a heart as small as a blue lily, she embraces simplicity and purity.

The lyrics also mention her "wand" and "umbrella," symbolizing protection and guidance. Her "glory" and "madness" mirror the contrasting elements of her personality, while the idea of a "journey, an exit full of danger" suggests a willingness to take risks in life.

The singer also acknowledges being held captive by her dreams, yet refusing to redeem herself and be set free. Her "compass" and "lantern" act as her guiding lights, but she understands that time will never turn back.

The chorus of the song raises a series of questions addressed to higher powers or celestial entities. The lyrics yearn for answers about the whereabouts of the "witch of life" and the expression of emotions and desires.

Continuing with her self-reflection, the singer embraces her mistakes and her ancient passion. Her soul is compared to a volcano, implying intensity and passion. She wants to dissolve and ignite momentarily, giving a brief moment of light, while her voice remains untamed within.

The lyrics also mention her companionship with her "vision" and her desire to capture life's panorama. The untamed "death" resurfaces, indicating the cyclical nature of existence. The references to infinity, love written on papyrus, and the eternal pain of a wound emphasize the everlasting struggle to find meaning and fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

Παρέα με τον ήλιο μου
Accompanying my sunshine

Τον πιο εντάξει φίλου μου
My most loyal friend

Και με καρδιά μικρού γαλάζιου κρίνου
With the heart of a small blue lily

Ραβδί μου και ομπρέλα μου
My staff and my umbrella

Η δόξα και η τρέλα μου
My glory and my madness

Και το ταξίδι έξοδος κινδύνου
And the journey, an exit of danger

Παρέα με το όνειρο
In company with the dream

Που με κρατάει όμηρο
That keeps me hostage

Και δεν του δίνω λύτρα να μ' αφήσει
And I don't give it ransom to let me go

Πυξίδα και φανάρι μου
My compass and my lantern

Το άγνωστο φεγγάρι μου
My unknown moon