She was born Kyriaki Papadopoulou, in the city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece. She released her first song in 1957, "Nitsa Elenitsa" ("Little Helen"). Her early career was marked by her collaboration with singer Stelios Kazantzidis.
Marinella was the first Greek singer to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1974, placing eleventh with the song "Krasi, Thalassa Kai T' Agori Mou" ("A little wine, a little sea and my man"). She also performed in several Greek musicals, both as singer and actress. Her popularity rose in the 70's and 80's, with a string of successful albums and live shows. She developed a new standard for shows in the Greek night clubs, introducing costumes, dancing, and special lighting effects. Many of today's popular Greek singers (Anna Vissi, Despina Vandi etc.) have modelled their shows on Marinella's shows of the 80's.
In 1998, Marinella performed in the Megaron Music Hall of Athens, performing her older hits to great acclaim. In 2003, she collaborated with George Dalaras. They gave concerts in Athens and Thessaloniki as well as abroad. The tour was titled "Mazi" ("Together") and the released CD from these performances reached platinum status. In 2004, she released a brand new album with new songs by Nikos Antypas and Lina Nikolakopoulou. In the same year she performed at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
In 2005, Marinella released a new album titled Tipota Den Ginete Tyhea, composed by famous Greek composer and lyricist Giorgos Theofanous. The album reached gold status and includes duets with famous Greek singers, such as Antonis Remos, Glykeria and Kostas Makedonas. In 2006, 2 new compilations of Marinella were officially released, the first titled Sti Skini and containing older live recordings and the second one titled Ta Logia Ine Peritta - 50 Chronia Tragoudi, which is a complete 8 CDs boxset with Marinella's greatest hits from the beginning of her career till her collaboration with Kostas Hatzis at "Recital".
Marinella returned to nightlife by performing live with Antonis Remos in the winter season 2007-2008 at Athinon Arena. It was a much anticipated show in Greece, especially given that Marinella had not appeared in any music club for 10 years. Her great quality of voice and the strength of her performances turned this live show to the most successful one for this year in Athens! At the same time Minos EMI and Sony BMG Greece jointly released a double album titled "Marinella - Antonis Remos LIVE" with recordings from these live shows, which has already reached platinum status for sales.
Tha 'thela Na Isoun
Marinella Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
σαν γλυκιά ανταύγεια να σε προσκυνώ
να μη σ' έχει αγγίξει χέρι άλλο ξένο
και να σε πηγαίνω ως τον ουρανό
Αγάπη μου, αγάπη μου
εγώ μονάχα σ' αγαπώ
αγάπη μου, αγάπη μου
Θα 'θελα να ήσουν άπιαστο λουλούδι
να 'σουνα τραγούδι που δεν το 'χουν πει
πρώτη να διαλέξω να σε τραγουδήσω
και να σε στολίσω με το καθετί
Αγάπη μου, αγάπη μου
εγώ μονάχα σ' αγαπώ
αγάπη μου, αγάπη μου
πολύτιμη σαν φυλαχτό
The lyrics of Marinella's song Tha 'thela Na Isoun (Agapi Mou) express the singer's desire for her beloved to be like a holy icon, unblemished by any other hand but hers. She longs to worship him like a sweet radiance that she alone has access to. Thelyrics convey a depth of devotion and tenderness as well as an element of protection and ownership. The second verse likens the beloved to a rare and precious flower or a unique melody that she holds dear and only shares with the world through her own singing. The song expresses a deep sense of admiration and appreciation, while also painting the picture of a very possessive and protective love.
The overall theme of the song seems to be centered around the idea of cherishing something or someone especially when such things or people are uncommon, rare or precious. Additionally, the song appears to depict a protagonist seeking to or have the upper hand or control over the object of her affections.
Line by Line Meaning
Θα 'θελα να ήσουν σαν εικόνα άγια
I wish you were like a holy image
σαν γλυκιά ανταύγεια να σε προσκυνώ
that I could adore like a sweet sunrise
να μη σ' έχει αγγίξει χέρι άλλο ξένο
unscathed by any other stranger's hand
και να σε πηγαίνω ως τον ουρανό
and take you to the heavens
Αγάπη μου, αγάπη μου
My love, my love
εγώ μονάχα σ' αγαπώ
I love you and you alone
πολύτιμη σαν φυλαχτό
precious like an amulet
Θα 'θελα να ήσουν άπιαστο λουλούδι
I wish you were an untouchable flower
να 'σουνα τραγούδι που δεν το 'χουν πει
a song that has never been sung before
πρώτη να διαλέξω να σε τραγουδήσω
to choose it first to sing to you
και να σε στολίσω με το καθετί
and adorn you with everything
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.