Mouskouri's family lived in Canée, Crete, where her father, Constantin, worked as a film projectionist in a local cinema. Her mother, Alice also worked in the same local cinema as an usherette. When Mouskouri was three, Constantin moved the family to Athens. Mouskouri's family worked extremely hard in order to send Nana and her elder sister, Jenny, to the prestigious Athens Conservatoire. Mouskouri had displayed exceptional musical talent from the age of 6. However her sister, Jenny, appeared to be more the more gifted of the two. In fact Mouskouri only had one 'working' vocal chord (rather than the normal two). This a rare condition gives her voice its particularly original timbre.
Mouskouri's childhood was colored by the Nazi occupation of Greece. Her father became part of the Nazi resistance movement in Athens. Mouskouri began singing lessons at age 12. Despite the flaw in her vocal cords, Mouskouri took singing lessons regularly. During the Nazi German occupation, her family no longer had the financial means to pay for her singing lessons. But her teacher saw that she had a certain talent and continued to give her lessons free of charge. As a child, she listened to radio broadcasts of American jazz singers such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday as well as French chanson stars like Edith Piaf.
In 1950, she was accepted at the Conservatoire. She studied classical music with an emphasis on singing opera. The young Mouskouri committed herself into classical music studies with a passion, perfecting her vocals with extraordinary self-discipline as well as taking piano and harmony classes. After 8 years at the Conservatoire, Mouskouri was encouraged by her friends to experiment with jazz music. She soon began singing with her friends' jazz group at night and they even managed to get a radio slot. However, when Mouskouri's Conservatory professor found out about Mouskouri's involvement with a genre of music that he considered to be absolutely worthless, he flew into a fury and prevented her from sitting her end of year exams. Consequently, the Conservatoire expelled her. Mouskouri's dreams of becoming an opera singer were dashed.
Mouskouri left the Conservatoire and began performing at the Zaki club in Athens. She began singing jazz in nightclubs with a bias on Ella Fitzgerald repertory. It was at the Zaki in 1958 that Mouskouri met the famous Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis. Hadjidakis was immensely impressed by Nana’s original voice and immediately offered to write songs for her. He became her mentor. In 1959 Mouskouri performed Hadjidakis' Kapou Iparchi Agapi Mou (co-written with poet Nikos Gatsos) at the inaugural Greek Song Festival. The song won first prize, and Mouskouri began to be noticed. At the 1960 Greek Song Festival, she performed two more Hadjidakis compositions, Timoria and Kiparissaki. Both these songs tied for first prize. Mouskouri soon ventured further and participated at the Mediterranean Song Festival, held in Barcelona where she performed Kostas Yannidis' composition Xypna Agapi Mou. The song won first prize. Her wins attracted interest from several international record companies. Mouskouri wound up signed a recording contract with the Paris-based Philips-Fontana axis.
In 1961, Mouskouri performed the soundtrack of a German documentary about Greece. This resulted in the German-language single Weisse Rosen aus Athen ("The White Rose of Athens"). The song was originally adapted from a folk melody by Hadjidakis. It became an enormous hit, selling over a million copies in Germany. The song was later translated into several different languages and it went on to become one of Mouskouri's signature tunes. Mouskouri married Yorgos Petsilas in 1961. Mouskouri and Petsilas have two children, son, Nicolas born in February 1968 and daughter, Hélène born in 1970. In 1974, Mouskouri and Petsilas separated and she moved to Geneva, Switzerland. In 1975, Mouskouri and Petsilas were officially divorced.
In 1962, she met renowned American song producer Quincy Jones. Jones got her to go to New York to record an album of American jazz titled, The Girl From Greece Sings. Following that she scored another hit in the United Kingdom with My Colouring Book.
In 1963, she left Greece to live permanently in Paris, France. Mouskouri performed Luxembourg's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest that year, À Force de Prier. The song became an international hit, and helped win her the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque in France. Mouskouri soon attracted the attention of French composer Michel Legrand, who composed her two major French hits Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (1964) and L'Enfant au Tambour (1965).
In 1965, she recorded her second English-language album that was released in the United States entitled, Nana Sings. Jamaican-American Calypso musician Harry Belafonte heard and liked the album. Belafonte brought Mouskouri on tour with him through 1966. They teamed for a live duo album entitled, An Evening With Belafonte/Mouskouri. During this tour, Belafonte told Mouskouri to remove her signature black-rimmed glasses when on stage. She was so unhappy with the request that she wanted to quit the show after only two days. Finally, Belafonte relented and respected her wishes to perform with her glasses.
Mouskouri's 1967 French album Le Jour Où la Colombe ascended her to superstardom in France. This album featured many of her French songs, Au Coeur de Septembre, Adieu Angélina, Robe Bleue, Robe Blanche and the French pop classic Le Temps des Cerises. Her rendition of Guantanamera was very well received. Mouskouri made her first appearance at Paris' legendary Olympia concert theater in 1967, with a repertoire blending French pop, Greek folk, and Hadjidakis numbers.
In 1968, Mouskouri turned her attention to the British market and hosted a variety show called Nana and Guests. In 1969, she released her first full-length British LP, Over and Over. It became a smash hit that spent almost two years on the U.K. charts. Mouskouri spent much of the 1970s on the road which helped to broaden her worldwide popularity to levels. In France, she released a series of top-selling albums that included Comme un Soleil, Une Voix Qui Vient du Coeur, Vielles Chansons de France, and Quand Tu Chantes. She also recorded a successful version of Habanera, from Bizet's opera Carmen. She continued to release highly received albums in Europe, including her 1975 album Sieben Schwarze Rosen which was a significant success in Germany, and her English-language album Book of Songs that sold millions of copies worldwide.
In 1979, Mouskouri had another English-language album named Roses and Sunshine. This album was very well received in Canada. She scored a worldwide hit in 1981 with Je Chante Avec Toi, Liberté, which was translated into several languages after its widespread success in France. The momentum from this album also helped boost her following German album, Meine Lieder Sind Meine Liebe. In 1984, Mouskouri returned to Greece for her first live performance in her homeland since 1962.
In 1986, Mouskouri recorded Only Love, the theme song to a BBC TV series that went on to top the U.K. charts. The song was also a hit with its French version, L'Amour en Héritage. That same year, Mouskouri made a play for the Spanish-language market with the hit single Con Todo el Alma. The song was a major success in Spain, Argentina and Chile. She released five albums in different languages in 1987, and the following year returned to her classical conservatory roots with the double LP The Classical Nana (aka Nana Classique), which featured some of her favorite opera excerpts.
Mouskouri's 1991 English album, Only Love: The Best of Nana Mouskouri became her best-selling release in the United States. She spent much of the 1990s with her rigorous global touring schedule. Among her early 1990s albums were spiritual music, Gospel (1990), the Spanish-language Nuestras Canciones, the multilingual, Mediterranean-themed Côté Sud, Côté Coeur (1992), Dix Mille Ans Encore, Falling in Love Again: Great Songs From the Movies. Falling in Love reunited her with Harry Belafonte on two songs.
She recorded several more albums over 1996-1997, including the Spanish Nana Latina (which featured duets with Julio Iglesias and Mercedes Sosa), the English-language Return to Love, and the French pop classics, Hommages. In 1997, she staged a high-profile Concert for Peace at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. This concert was later released as an album, and aired as a TV special on PBS in the U.S.
Mouskouri was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in October 1993 [1]. She took over from the previous ambassador, American actress Audrey Hepburn. Mouskouri's first U.N. mission took her to Bosnia to draw attention to the plight of children affected by Bosnian war. She was deeply moved by her experience in Bosnia and went on to give a series of fund-raising concerts in Sweden and Belgium.
Mouskouri represented Greece in the European Parliament from 1994 until 1999 as a member of the largely conservative New Democracy party.
In 1993, Nana recorded a new album, Hollywood. It was produced by Michel Legrand. Hollywood was a collection of famous film songs. It served was not only a tribute to the world of cinema, but also as a personal reference to childhood memories of sitting with her father in his projection room in Crete.
Between December 11-14, 1997, Mouskouri gave four triumphant performances at the Olympia in Paris to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her singing career. Also in 1997, Mouskouri resigned from her position as a European MP. She explained that a fervent pacifist, she refused to back wars.
Mouskouri currently lives in Switzerland with her second husband, André Chapelle whom she married on January 13, 2003. She still performs about 100 concerts each year. In 2004, her French record company released an unprecedented 34-CD box set of more than 600 of Mouskouri's mostly French songs.
For 2005 and 2007, she plans a farewell concert tour of Europe, Australia, Asia, South America, the United States, and Canada. During an interview with The Australian newspaper, when asked why this would be her final concert series, Mouskouri said she wanted to retire on a high note. "I never thought that I would grow that old. It is better really to stop while you are standing well on your feet. I just want to be proud and in very good form and thank the audience for all this love," she said.
The rose
Nana Mouskouri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Est est en robe rose
Elle cueille des roses
Rose parmi les roses
Roses de septembre
Pour fleurir sa chambre
Roses couleur d'ambre
Roses rouges pour sa chambre
Tu ne sais donc pas
Tu ne sais donc plus
Qu'il ne viendra pas
Qu'il ne viendra plus
Tu attends celui qui t'aimait
Mais qui ne reviendra plus jamais, jamais
Fleurs du jardin (oh, fleurs de son jardin)
(Ne lui dites rien) ne lui dites rien
(Ne lui dites rien) non, non, ne lui dites rien
(Ne lui dites rien) non, oh
Elle croit qu'il vient tout à l'heure
Comme avant la serrer contre son cœur (son cœur)
Elle s'appèle Rose
Est est en robe rose
Elle cueille des roses
Rose parmi les roses
Roses de l'automne
Cueillies pour personne
Roses qui s'étonnent
On les cueillit pour personne
Tu ne sais donc pas
Tu ne sais donc plus
Qu'il ne viendra pas
Qu'il ne viendra plus
Tu attends celui qui t'aimait
Mais qui ne reviendra plus jamais, jamais
Fleurs du jardin (oh, fleurs de son jardin)
(Ne lui dites rien) ne lui dites rien
(Ne lui dites rien) non, non, ne lui dites rien
(Ne lui dites rien) non, oh
Chaque jour elle va fleurir
Un amour qui ne veut pas mourir, mourir
Elle s'appèle Rose
Elle est en robe rose
Elle cueille des roses
Rose parmi les roses
Elle s'appèle Rose
Nana Mouskouri's song "The Rose" is a powerful ballad about the different forms of love and the effect it has on individuals. The song begins by describing how some believe that love is a force that could either break or leave a person bleeding. However, the artist believes that love is like a flower with an individual being its only seed, signifying that love is capable of creating new life and making one grow.
The song proceeds to describe what can hinder individuals from experiencing love fully. Fear, apprehension, and self-doubt are some of the inner barriers that prevent one's heart and soul from experiencing the beauty of love. It describes how people who are so concerned with protecting themselves from being hurt do not learn how to give their love wholly. The musician concludes her lyrics by advising her listeners to remember love's regenerative power during difficult times. The song compares the process of growing a rose to the journey of love which may require patience, goodwill, and trust.
The song The Rose by Nana Mouskouri was not originally hers. The tune was written by songwriter Amanda McBroom, who composed it for the 1979 movie The Rose, which starred Bette Midler.
The Rose became a hit song after Bette Midler’s Oscar-nominated film of the same name.
The Rose spent three weeks at Number 1 on the UK Chart.
The Rose also featured in the soundtrack of the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, as well as a Bollywood film called Rangeela.
In 1980, it earned Amanda McBroom a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
The song was featured in the 1980 film, The Rose, for which Bette Midler received an Oscar nomination.
Amanda McBroom has stated in interviews that she wrote "The Rose" over the course of several years, relying on individual lines and pieces of music to come together into the final version of the song.
McBroom’s inspiration for writing the song came from Janis Joplin’s untimely death in 1970. The songwriter wanted to honor Joplin by celebrating her spirit.
Nana Mouskouri's version of The Rose is her best-known song in the UK
The song was covered by Conway Twitty, LeAnn Rimes, and Westlife.
Chords: G - Em - Am - C - G - Em -D.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say love, it is a river
Love is often compared to a river.
That drowns the tender reed
This river of love can be so strong that it can destroy fragile things like a tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
Love can also be compared to a sharp razor, which can hurt and cause pain if not handled properly.
That leaves your soul to bleed
This razor-like love can cause deep emotional wounds that make the soul bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger
Love can also manifest itself as a strong desire or hunger that never seems to be satisfied.
An endless aching need
This hunger for love can result in a never-ending ache or longing for something that may never be fulfilled.
I say love, it is a flower
In contrast to the negative connotations of love, the singer sees love as a beautiful flower.
And you its only seed
The artist believes that we are all capable of love and that we are all like seeds that can grow into beautiful flowers with the right amount of love and care.
Its the heart afraid of breaking
People who are afraid of getting hurt may find it difficult to open their hearts and let love in.
That never learns to dance
These same people may miss out on the joy of love and the happiness it can bring, akin to not being able to dance at a celebration.
Its the dream afraid of waking
Sometimes, when we hold our dreams too close, we can be scared of what it might mean if they come true or if they are taken from us.
That never takes the chance
This fear might prevent us from taking a chance on love and finding what makes us truly happy.
It's the one who won't be taken
Some people have difficulty accepting love and affection from others for various reasons.
Who cannot seem to give
These people might also have a hard time giving love and affection in return.
And the soul afraid of dying
Some people may fear that they will never find love, and that their soul might die without having known it.
That never learns to live
This fear can stop these people from fully living and experiencing all the joys that life and love have to offer.
When the night has been too lonely
After a long and lonely night, we can feel as if there is no hope left.
And the road has been too long
If our journey has been fraught with trials and tribulations, we can feel as if we will never find what we are looking for.
And you think that love is only
Sometimes when we are at our lowest, we may think that love is only for other people or that it might never come to us.
For the lucky and the strong
We might believe that love only comes to those who are lucky or strong enough to handle it.
Just remember in the winter
However, even during the coldest and darkest times, there is still hope for love.
Far beneath the bitter snows
Just like seeds that lie dormant beneath the snow during winter months, love can be waiting for us, patiently.
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
With the right amount of warmth and light, love can grow and thrive, just like a seed in spring.
In the spring becomes the rose
And just like a rose in bloom, love can bring beauty, joy, and happiness to our lives, even after the coldest and darkest times.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abner Spector, Lona Stevens, Zell Sanders
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susana Ledesma Campos_ Rossati
.....Cuando la noche ha sido demasiado solitaria
Y el camino ha sido demasiado largo
Y piensas que el amor es solo
Para los afortunados y los fuertes.
Sólo recuerda que en el invierno
muy por debajo de las nieves amargas
yace la semilla que con el amor del sol
en la primavera, se convierte en rosa...
Carmen Quero
What a voice! What powerful thoughts in this song!
Loijsette
Thinking of the loss of my sister in law when listening to this song. Gone far too soon. Rest in peace dearest Stacy ❤️
You will always be remembered for the amazing woman you were.
Tru Vi
I'm so sorry. 😢😓😭
Karin Daniel
Amazing voice and beautiful words!
Tru Vi
Das ist so toll! Tausend Dank! 😍🥰❤️
Eckehardt krieger
Amazing song
Josée P.
Tout simplement magnifique🙏🏽❤️
Susana Ledesma Campos_ Rossati
.....Cuando la noche ha sido demasiado solitaria
Y el camino ha sido demasiado largo
Y piensas que el amor es solo
Para los afortunados y los fuertes.
Sólo recuerda que en el invierno
muy por debajo de las nieves amargas
yace la semilla que con el amor del sol
en la primavera, se convierte en rosa...
Liliane Gordier
the rose blyf voor altyd zo mooi
Nicos Nicolaou
Yiassou Nana