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.

Mavri Mousiki
Eleni Dimou Lyrics

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Μου το ‘πε στον καπνό ο μάγοσ μιασ φυλήσ
Πωσ έζησα και άλλη μια ζωή
Προτού να γεννηθείσ
Σε κείνα τα μέρη που παίζουν

Με μαύρη μουσική και με ένα σου φιλί
Ο κόσμοσ ομορφαίνει σαν γιορτή
Σε νύχτα μαγική

Φωνέσ που το πάθοσ γυρεύουν

Μαύρη μουσική τα τύμπανα κι η γη
Σμίγουν στουσ ρυθμούσ μιλάνε στουσ θεούσ

Μαύρη μουσική στισ λέξεισ οι λυγμοί
Βάζουνε φωτιέσ και καίνε τισ καρδιέσ

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of Eleni Dimou's song "Mavri Mousiki," the singer narrates an encounter with a mysterious figure, described as a magician from a certain tribe. This magician reveals to the singer that they have lived another life before being born, in a place where black music plays. This introduction sets a mystical and surreal tone for the rest of the song, hinting at themes of reincarnation and the power of music to transcend boundaries of time and existence.

As the lyrics unfold, the singer describes how the world becomes more beautiful, almost like a celebration, when enveloped in black music and accompanied by a kiss. This imagery of beauty and festivity in the midst of black music signifies the transformative and uplifting nature of music, suggesting that it has the ability to enhance and elevate moments into something magical and enchanting. The night is depicted as magical, with voices seeking passion and intensity, evoking a sense of longing and desire.

The repetition of the phrase "black music" throughout the lyrics emphasizes its significance and centrality to the narrative. The drums and the earth merge in the rhythms, speaking to the gods and creating a connection between music, nature, and spirituality. This fusion of elements highlights the profound and primal power of music to communicate with higher forces and evoke a sense of unity and transcendence.

In the final lines of the song, the impact of black music is further explored through the imagery of the lyrics bringing tears and setting hearts on fire. The words themselves seem to ignite flames within the hearts of those who listen, suggesting that music has the ability to evoke deep emotions, passion, and perhaps even transformation. The juxtaposition of darkness and light, sadness and fire, creates a vivid contrast that underscores the emotional depth and intensity of black music as a force that can both heal and burn, enlighten and consume. Overall, these lyrics convey a sense of mystery, spirituality, and the transformative power of music as a conduit for profound human experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Μου το ‘πε στον καπνό ο μάγοσ μιασ φυλήσ
The magician of my tribe told me in smoke

Πωσ έζησα και άλλη μια ζωή
How I lived another life

Προτού να γεννηθείσ
Before you were born

Σε κείνα τα μέρη που παίζουν
In those places where they play

Με μαύρη μουσική και με ένα σου φιλί
With black music and with a kiss from you

Ο κόσμοσ ομορφαίνει σαν γιορτή
The world becomes beautiful like a celebration

Σε νύχτα μαγική
In a magical night

Φωνέσ που το πάθοσ γυρεύουν
Voices seeking passion

Μαύρη μουσική τα τύμπανα κι η γη
Black music, the drums and the earth

Σμίγουν στουσ ρυθμούσ μιλάνε στουσ θεούσ
Blend in the rhythms and speak to the gods

Μαύρη μουσική στισ λέξεισ οι λυγμοί
Black music, in the words, the sorrows