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.

Tha Sou Grapso Sto Harti
Eleni Dimou Lyrics

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Θα σου γράψω στο χαρτί
Το τηλέφωνό μου
Να κρατάμε επαφή
Φίλοι ασ μείνουμε καλοί
Σ' έχω ανάγκη φωσ μου
Να μιλάμε τισ γιορτέσ
Ν' ανταλλάσσουμε ευχέσ
Στισ χαρέσ του κόσμου

Κι αν η άνοιξη φανεί
Πιο νωρίσ στη γειτονιά σου
Να με παίρνεισ να μου λεσ
Για τισ άσπρεσ μυγδαλιέσ
Και τ' αγιόκλημά σου

Να κλειδώσεισ το χαρτί
Με το νούμερό μου
Στο συρτάρι που φυλάσ
Τα γραμμένα π' αγαπάσ
Άπιαστο όνειρό μου

Είμαστε άνθρωποι του χθεσ
Κι οι παλιέσ οι κυριακέσ
Είχαν γεύση δυόσμου
Κι ο χειμώνασ αν ριχτεί
Ξαφνικά στο πέρασμά σου
Να με παίρνεισ να ζητάσ
Την γαλήνη τησ φωτιάσ
Και τα γιατρικά σου

Θα σου γράψω στο χαρτί
Αριθμούσ καρδιά μου
Να με παίρνεισ να μου λεσ

Τα βραδάκια συμβουλέσ
Για το πρόβλημά μου

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eleni Dimou's song "Tha Sou Grapso Sto Harti" convey a heartfelt message of maintaining a strong connection and friendship with someone. The singer expresses the desire to write their phone number on a piece of paper, suggesting a longing to stay in touch and remain close. They emphasize the importance of communication and sharing their joys and wishes during celebrations, symbolizing the desire to support and be there for each other. The lyrics also mention the beauty of spring, with a request to be informed about the blooming almond trees and the neighbor's garden of holy basil, indicating a longing for the familiar and comforting aspects of a loved one's presence.

The song portrays the sentiment of locking away this written connection, sealed with the singer's phone number, in a drawer as an intangible dream. It suggests that despite being individuals of the past, characterized by nostalgic moments and past experiences, they still have the taste of freshness, like mint leaves. The reference to winter suddenly appearing in the singer's journey alludes to unexpected challenges in life. It expresses the hope that during such difficult times, the person will reach out seeking peace, the warmth of fire, and the healing touch of their expertise.

Overall, "Tha Sou Grapso Sto Harti" is a heartfelt plea to maintain a strong and supportive connection, even when physical proximity may be challenging. It conveys a longing for communication, joyous exchanges, and the comfort of being there for each other during both joyous and difficult moments.

Line by Line Meaning

Θα σου γράψω στο χαρτί
I will write to you on paper

Το τηλέφωνό μου
My phone number

Να κρατάμε επαφή
To keep in touch

Φίλοι ασ μείνουμε καλοί
As friends, let's stay good

Σ' έχω ανάγκη φωσ μου
I need you, my light

Να μιλάμε τισ γιορτέσ
To talk about celebrations

Ν' ανταλλάσσουμε ευχέσ
To exchange wishes

Στισ χαρέσ του κόσμου
In the world's joys

Κι αν η άνοιξη φανεί
And if spring appears

Πιο νωρίσ στη γειτονιά σου
Earlier in your neighborhood

Να με παίρνεισ να μου λεσ
To take me and tell me