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.
O Kaliteros Mou Filos
Eleni Dimou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Κάθισε εδώ στον καναπέ
Κι όπωσ τα λέγαμε και πίναμε καφέ
Φίλοι φίλοι το σταφύλι
Κι έπαθα τέτοια ταραχή
Σαν να μου παίρναν οι αγγέλοι την ψυχή
Και για να μη πολυλογούμε
Με τον καλύτερό μου φίλο αγκαλιά
Και του είπα έρωτά μου
Είναι η σάρκα ασθενήσ
Γι' αυτό ποτέ μη γίνεισ φίλοσ αλληνήσ
Δεν εμπιστεύομαι φιλίεσ
Με φλιτζανάκια του καφέ
Στισ τρεισ τη νύχτα σε διθέσιο καναπέ
Είμαι παθούσα και μαθούσα
Ξύπνησα μέσα στα φιλιά
Με τον καλύτερο μου φίλο αγκαλιά
Λογικά μπορεί να ήταν
Μόνο μια σχέση φιλική
Μα η καρδιά έχει δικιά τησ λογική
In Eleni Dimou's song "O Kaliteros Mou Filos," the lyrics convey a story about a close friendship that has developed into something more intimate and romantic. The singer describes their best friend sitting on the couch with them, reminiscing about their shared experiences while drinking coffee. The phrase "φίλοι φίλοι το σταφύλι" (friends, friends like grapes) suggests the closeness and bond they share. However, this closeness leads to inner turmoil, as if the angels were stealing the singer's soul. This line conveys the overwhelming emotions and conflicts that arise when a friendship crosses into romantic territory.
The second verse of the song continues to explore the complexities of this relationship. Waking up amidst kisses, the singer finds themselves in the arms of their best friend. They express their love, but also acknowledge that it is a fragile passion, an "είναι η σάρκα ασθενής" (the flesh is weak). This line highlights the vulnerability and uncertainty that comes with mixing friendship and romantic feelings. The singer warns their best friend not to become involved with someone else, suggesting a desire for exclusivity in their newfound connection.
The third verse reveals the singer's mistrust in friendships formed over cups of coffee. The mentioning of "φλιτζανάκια του καφέ" (coffee cups) may symbolize shallow or superficial connections. The reference to a two-seater couch at three in the morning implies a more intimate setting, where the singer can explore their passionate and impulsive side. "Είμαι παθούσα και μαθούσα" (I loved and learned) suggests that the singer has experienced pain and knowledge through love. The verse concludes with them waking up in the embrace of their best friend, emphasizing the blurred lines between friendship and romance.
In the final line, the singer reflects on the situation, acknowledging that logically, their relationship may have been nothing more than a friendly bond. However, the heart has its own logic, its own reasoning. This line implies that emotions and feelings cannot always be rationalized or explained, emphasizing the complexity and depth of their connection.
Overall, the lyrics of "O Kaliteros Mou Filos" explore the intricate journey of transitioning from best friends to potential lovers. The song portrays the mixed emotions, conflicts, and uncertainties that arise when crossing the line between friendship and romance. Through vivid imagery and introspective lines, Eleni Dimou captures the complexity and depth of human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Ο καλύτερόσ μου φίλοσ
My best friend
Κάθισε εδώ στον καναπέ
Sit here on the couch
Κι όπωσ τα λέγαμε και πίναμε καφέ
As we talked and drank coffee
Φίλοι φίλοι το σταφύλι
Friends like grapes
Κι έπαθα τέτοια ταραχή
And I experienced such turmoil
Σαν να μου παίρναν οι αγγέλοι την ψυχή
As if angels were taking my soul
Και για να μη πολυλογούμε
And to avoid talking too much
Ξύπνησα μέσα στα φιλιά
I woke up in the midst of kisses
Με τον καλύτερό μου φίλο αγκαλιά
In the embrace of my best friend
Και του είπα έρωτά μου
And I told him, my love
Είναι η σάρκα ασθενήσ
The flesh is weak
Γι' αυτό ποτέ μη γίνεισ φίλοσ αλληνήσ
That's why you should never be another person's friend
Δεν εμπιστεύομαι φιλίεσ
I don't trust friendships
Με φλιτζανάκια του καφέ
With cups of coffee
Στισ τρεισ τη νύχτα σε διθέσιο καναπέ
At three in the morning on a two-seater sofa
Είμαι παθούσα και μαθούσα
I was passionate and I learned
Ξύπνησα μέσα στα φιλιά
I woke up in the midst of kisses
Με τον καλύτερο μου φίλο αγκαλιά
In the embrace of my best friend
Λογικά μπορεί να ήταν
Logically, it could have been
Μόνο μια σχέση φιλική
Just a friendly relationship
Μα η καρδιά έχει δικιά τησ λογική
But the heart has its own logic
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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