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.

Xegelo Ton Kathena
Marinella Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Σκούπισα τα μάτια τα κλαμμένα
Έβαψα τα χείλη τα θλιμμένα
Πέρασα το ρουζ στα μάγουλα μου
Έβαλα λουλούδια στα μαλλιά μου

Πήρα το φουστάνι το καλό μου
Κρέμασα στολίδια στο λαιμό μου
Κλείδωσα συρτάρια αναμνήσεισ

Έθαψα χιλιάδεσ συγκινήσεισ

Ξεγελώ λοιπόν τον καθένα
Πωσ καημό δεν έχω κανένα
Αχ καρδιά μου πώσ να σε πείσω
Πωσ δε θα γυρίσει πίσω

Πότισα τισ γλάστρεσ στο μπαλκόνι
Άναψα τα φώτα στο σαλόνι
Κάλεσα τουσ φίλουσ σε τραπέζι
Κ έβαλα το ράδιο να παίζει

Ξεγελώ λοιπόν τον καθένα
Πωσ καημό δεν έχω κανέναν

Αχ καρδιά μου πώσ να σε πείσω
Πωσ δε θα γυρίσει πίσω

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marinella's song "Xegelo Ton Kathena" convey a sense of determination and resilience in the face of heartbreak. The singer describes her actions of wiping away her tears, painting her saddened lips, and putting on a brave face. She adorns herself with jewelry, dresses in her best gown, and tries to bury the memories and emotions associated with her past. Despite these outward signs of moving on, she admits to deceiving herself and everyone around her. She tries to convince her heart that her love will not return, but deep down, she still longs for their presence. She takes care of her plants, lights up her home, invites friends over, and turns on the radio to create an atmosphere of joy and distraction. However, the chorus reiterates her struggle to convince herself that she is not hurt and that her love will not come back.

Line by Line Meaning

Σκούπισα τα μάτια τα κλαμμένα
I wiped away the teary eyes

Έβαψα τα χείλη τα θλιμμένα
I painted the sad lips

Πέρασα το ρουζ στα μάγουλα μου
I applied blush on my cheeks

Έβαλα λουλούδια στα μαλλιά μου
I put flowers in my hair

Πήρα το φουστάνι το καλό μου
I wore my best dress

Κρέμασα στολίδια στο λαιμό μου
I hung jewels around my neck

Κλείδωσα συρτάρια αναμνήσεις
I locked away memories

Έθαψα χιλιάδες συγκινήσεις
I buried thousands of emotions

Ξεγελώ λοιπόν τον καθένα
So I deceive everyone

Πως καημό δεν έχω κανένα
That I have no sorrow

Αχ καρδιά μου πώς να σε πείσω
Oh my heart, how to convince you