Marinella (Greek: Μαρινέλλα) (born May 20, 1938) is a popular Greek singer … Read Full Bio ↴Marinella (Greek: Μαρινέλλα) (born May 20, 1938) is a popular Greek singer whose career has spanned several decades. Even though Marinella is often considered a singer of folk songs, her range is quite broad and has included a variety of musical styles including traditional, laika, pop, blues, and jazz. Marinella is characterised as "The Great Lady of Song" in Greece, where she is regarded with great respect. She rarely makes public appearances, and her concerts are few.

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.

Tora
Marinella Lyrics

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Τώρα που ήρθε η στιγμή
Για πάντα να μ' αφήσεισ
Τράβα μπροστά και πίσω σου
Ούτε ματιά μη ρίξεισ

Γιατί θα δεισ στα μάτια μου
Δάκρυα να κυλάνε
Τα χέρια μου ν' απλώνονται

Πίσω να σε ζητάνε

Το μίσοσ σου το άντεξα
Μα ο χωρισμόσ με λειώνει
Νά 'ταν να σε ξανάφερνε
Το πρώτο χελιδόνι
Το πρώτο χελιδόνι

Σου άνοιξα μιαν αγκαλιά
Να μπεισ να σε ζεστάνω
Μα ζέστανα τη συμφορά
Στο στήθοσ μου επάνω

Φύγε λοιπόν δε σε κρατώ
Είναι δικαίωμά σου
Για μένα έκλεισε η ζωή
Στα χέρια τα δικά σου

Το μίσοσ σου το άντεξα
Μα ο χωρισμόσ με λειώνει
Νά 'ταν να σε ξανάφερνε

Το πρώτο χελιδόνι
Το πρώτο χελιδόνι

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "Tora" by Marinella. The song speaks about a moment of separation and the pain it brings. The singer implores the other person to move on and not even glance back, as looking into their eyes would reveal tears and outstretched hands longing for their presence. The singer admits that they endured the other person's hatred, but it is the separation that is truly breaking them. They wish that the first swallow, a symbol of spring and renewal, could bring them back together.

In the second verse, the singer says that they opened their arms to offer warmth and comfort to the other person, but in doing so, they ended up warming their own misfortune on their chest. They ultimately give permission for the other person to leave, acknowledging that it is their right to do so. The singer states that their life has closed, now in the hands of the other person. They reiterate that they tolerated their hatred, but it is the separation that is truly devastating, longing for the return of the first swallow.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of heartbreak and longing for a lost love. They depict the pain of separation and the desire for reconciliation, showcasing the emotional toll it takes on the singer.

ToraMarinella Lyrics

Tora
Marinella Lyrics