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.

To ligo
Eleni Dimou Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Το λίγο που μου αρκεί δωσ μου
Κατήφοροσ η καρδιά
Μα μπορώ μ' αυτό το λίγο σου να σωθώ
Έστω και για λίγο

Λίγο μόνο σου ζητώ
Μια ζωή θα στο χρωστώ

Το λίγο που μου αρκεί το κάνω
Σαν θάλασσα να φανεί
Κι απάνω εσύ μονάκριβο νησί
Να σ' αποθεώνω

Λίγο μόνο σου ζητώ
Μια ζωή θα στο χρωστώ

Εσύ μονάκριβο νησί
Να σ' αποθεώνω

Λίγο μόνο σου ζητώ
Μια ζωή θα στο χρωστώ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eleni Dimou's song "To ligo" convey a sense of longing and desperation for a small amount of love and affection. The singer acknowledges that their heart is downhill, implying that they are in a state of emotional distress. However, they believe that with just a little bit of love from the person they are addressing, they can find salvation, even if it's only temporary.

The repeated line "Ligo mono sou zito, mia zoi tha sto chosto" translates to "I only ask for a little from you, I will owe you a lifetime." This line emphasizes the singer's willingness to do whatever it takes to receive even the smallest amount of love and gratitude. It suggests that they are willing to devote their entire life to this person in return for a brief moment of affection.

The following lines, "The little that suffices for me, I make it shine like the sea, and above you, my precious island, I worship you," paint a vivid picture of the singer's devotion and adoration. The imagery of the sea and an island accentuates the idea that this small amount of love is significant and enough to bring joy and fulfillment to their life.

Line by Line Meaning

Το λίγο που μου αρκεί δωσ μου
Give me the little that is enough for me

Κατήφορος η καρδιά
The heart is downhill

Μα μπορώ μ' αυτό το λίγο σου να σωθώ
But I can save myself with this little of yours

Έστω και για λίγο
Even if it's just for a little while

Λίγο μόνο σου ζητώ
I only ask for a little from you

Μια ζωή θα στο χρωστώ
I'll owe you a lifetime

Το λίγο που μου αρκεί το κάνω
I make do with the little that is enough for me

Σαν θάλασσα να φανεί
To appear like a sea

Κι απάνω εσύ μονάκριβο νησί
And above you, precious island

Να σ' αποθεώνω
To adore you

Εσύ μονάκριβο νησί
You, precious island