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.
Mastiha Hiotiki
Eleni Dimou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Απόψε θα ‘μαι πολύ χρωματιστή
Στον τοίχο η μαντόνα
Σκισμένα τα σεντόνια
Και ο σφυγμόσ ο σφυγμόσ σαν σφυρί
Μαστίχα χιώτικη
Μασάω τισ νύχτεσ και πονώ
Τρεισ παρά πέντε και ύφοσ κυριλέ
Σαν τον μπελούσι
Τον τύπο με τα μπλε
Εσύ τρελό μορτάκι
Κι εγώ παραμυθάκι
Τρεισ παρά πε παρά πέντε το πρωί
The first verse describes a vivid scene where the singer declares that her hair will be very colorful tonight, with both blue and red shades. The imagery also includes a Madonna on the wall, torn bed sheets, and a heartbeat that resembles a hammering sound. This setting creates a sense of intensity and chaos, potentially symbolizing emotional turmoil or a passionate encounter.
The chorus introduces the mention of "mastiha hiótiki," a reference to a traditional Greek gum resin with a distinct flavor. The act of chewing on the nights and feeling pain suggests a bittersweet experience or perhaps a form of self-inflicted suffering in the context of the song. The singer acknowledges that she is different, hinting at a sense of uniqueness or disconnection from societal norms.
The second paragraph delves into numerical symbolism and references to a "kyrile" style attitude. The use of the numbers three, five, and the gentlemanly demeanor evokes a sense of sophistication and elegance. The comparison to the "beloúsi," a character with blue eyes, further reinforces an air of mystery and allure within the narrative.
In the final part, there is a playful interchange between the singer and another character, possibly portrayed as a "crazy boy" and herself as a "fantasy." The repetition of the numbers three, four, and five in the early morning hours adds a touch of whimsy and lightheartedness to the overall narrative, creating a sense of a surreal or dreamlike interaction. The song as a whole seems to weave together elements of passion, individuality, sophistication, and playful flirtation within its lyrical landscape.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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