Moustaki was born Yussef Mustacchi on the 3rd May 1934 in Alexandria, Egypt, of Sephardic Jewish parents who had moved there from Corfu, and who ran a bookshop in the city. The family spoke Italian at home, but Georges (then Yussef) spoke Arabic with his friends and attended a French school to which his Francophile parents sent him and his sisters. In 1951 he moved to Paris, where he was inspired by the young Georges Brassens, in honour of whom he changed his name to Georges Moustaki.
Moustaki wrote and sang in French, Italian, Greek, Spanish, English, Yiddish, and Arabic. Early influences included Edith Piaf, with whom Moustaki carried on a year-long romance. His pan-national approach to music made him a star in Europe in the late sixties and early seventies.
He died on the 23rd May 2013 in Nice, France.
Kapou
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ke ta lou-lou diaanthizoun
I nichtes me zali zoune
T'agoria o tan sfyrizoyn
Kiossou sta vradia sinando
Moulene kalispera ala denxe roti napo
Sfyrizo stona gera
Kapou iparchi i agapi mou ma den xero piane
Kapou iparchi i agapi mou ma den xero pou
Tha tin gyrepso stakardia
Tha tin gyrepso stastra
Ke san tin vro, Storkizome pos tha ditho
Pos tha ditho mes t'as pra
Tha tin gyrepso stakardia
Tha tin gyrepso stastra
Ke san tin vro, Storkizome pos tha ditho
Pos tha ditho mes t'as pra
The lyrics in Georges Moustaki's song "Kapou Iparkhi I Agapimou" depict a melancholic and longing atmosphere. The opening lines describe the night, with darkness settling in and the sound of bells chiming. The nights, accompanied by their mysterious aura, intrigue and captivate young boys who become restless. They gather somewhere, possibly somewhere secretive, under the cover of darkness, highlighted by the mention of "vradia" (nights) and "sinando" (together).
The next lines reveal a dialogue, where someone bids good evening ("kalispera") to Moulene, while a question remains hidden in the air. This question is directed at the singer himself, as he tries to figure out why he is currently infatuated or consumed by love. Ideally, love should be understood and located within the heart, but the singer admits to not knowing where it is positioned. The uncertainty arising from this question further accentuates the emotional turmoil and confusion experienced by the singer.
In the chorus, the singer contemplates the various ways they may encounter their beloved, indicating a desire for a reunion or a chance meeting. The singer plans to spin around, dancing and seeking their presence everywhere, in every corner. They are determined to find their loved one, even if it means searching amidst the rain and becoming soaked ("san tin vro").
The repetition of the chorus in the final paragraph emphasizes the intensity of the singer's emotions and their determination to find their beloved. The mention of spinning around ("gyrepso") is reminiscent of a dance, symbolizing the singer's fervent pursuit of love and connection. The word "stastra" stands out, as it suggests something unique or extraordinary that the singer hopes to encounter in their search. Furthermore, the reference to rain may symbolize both the hardships and the cleansing nature of the search, and the mention of "as pra" alludes to the singer's eagerness to finally see and experience love intimately.
Overall, the lyrics of "Kapou Iparkhi I Agapimou" express a yearning for love and a determination to find it, despite the uncertainty and confusion that may accompany such pursuit. The song portrays a sense of longing and an ongoing search for a profound connection, creating a melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Tora pou-ine a nixi
Now that it's night
Ke ta lou-lou diaanthizoun
And the flowers are blooming
I nichtes me zali zoune
The nights pass by with a melody
T'agoria o tan sfyrizoyn
And the boys are whistling
Kiossou sta vradia sinando
Wandering the streets at night
Moulene kalispera ala denxe roti napo
They say good evening but never ask how I am
Sfyrizo stona gera
I whistle to the old age
Kapou iparchi i agapi mou ma den xero piane
Somewhere my love exists, but I don't know where
Kapou iparchi i agapi mou ma den xero pou
Somewhere my love exists, but I don't know where
Tha tin gyrepso stakardia
I will search for her in the squares
Tha tin gyrepso stastra
I will search for her in the streets
Ke san tin vro, Storkizome pos tha ditho
And if I find her, I wonder how I'll see her
Pos tha ditho mes t'as pra
How I'll see her among the crowds
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MANOS HADJIDAKIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elenitheodoridou237
Υπεροχος Καλλιτέχνης με ήθος και ταλέντο.
Σε ευχαριστουμε MR MOUSTAKI. 💙🌿🇬🇷💐
@adrianabortan9387
Superb
@chrisalazariotou
με έκανε πραγματικά να πιστέψω ότι κάπου υπάρχει η αγάπη μου
@mainandros
Τι γλυκός! Ξεπέρασε και τη Μούσχουρη εδώ!
@jean-jacquessimon6703
Étonnant ! Cette magnifique chanson de Manos Hadjidakis fut dédiée à Nana Mouskouri.
@pbot1959
Malheureusement pas très bien prononcée ici et, du point de vue harmonique, un drôle d’arrangement, avec des répétitions de phrases musicales qui dérangent totalement la structure de la chanson et, à mon avis, n’ajoutent rien.
@jean-jacquessimon6703
@@pbot1959 Merci pour ces précisions. Sans doute grand compositeur et même auteur, Moustaki ne disposait pas d'une voix à grande amplitude pour une telle chanson où Hadjidakis exigeait de Nana qu'elle lui en "mette plein les oreilles" au serment final, si l'on en croit ce qu'elle en a confié elle-même. Je découvre avec regret que ce chanteur-compositeur ne possédait pas si bien le grec. Pour le reste, je m'en remets à votre arrêt.
@TxominGoitibera
Ahora que es primavera y las flores brotan las noches me aturden cuando los muchachos silban. Y cuantos encuentro al anochecer me dicen buenas noches pero yo no tengo qué decir tan solo silbo al viento. En algún lugar está mi amor pero no sé quién será en algún lugar está mi amor pero no sé dónde. Lo buscaré en las cartas lo buscaré en las estrellas y cuando dé con él te juro que me vestiré de blanco.
@ntamari23xaliki63
Txomin Goitibera
@econvosworld1317
I always thought this song to be beautiful
With the transition, ;its a exquisite poem!!! Thank you so much. I took Greek in high school, but can't translate! Agapo !