He blends a lot of musical traditions in his work, from popular to electronic. He has composed a lot of songs based on poems by Greek and foreign poets, such as Euripides, Aristophanes, Constantine P. Cavafy, Giorgos Seferis, Yannis Ritsos, Odysseas Elytis and Nikos Kavvadias as well as Bertolt Brecht, Nazim Hikmet, Wolf Biermann and Maurice Maeterlinck. He has also written operas, symphonic music, chamber music and music for the theatre and cinema.
One of his most popular works was the setting to music of poems by Nikos Kavvadias in his albums Grammes Orizonton (Horizons' Lines) and Stavros tou Notou (Southern Cross). Some of the music was originally written for a TV series, the theme of which was marine. The songs were liked and he went on to the studio to record some more many of which were included in the aforementioned albums.
Thanos Mikroutsikos has also been involved in Greece's political life since the 60's. During the turbulent years of the military junta (1967-1974), he was persecuted by the regime for his anti-dictatorial activities and ideas. When the junta collapsed he continued being actively involved in politics as a member of the maoist EKKE, especially in the first years after the restoration of democracy.
After the elections of October 1993 he was appointed by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) which formed the new government, as Alternate-Minister of Culture with late Melina Mercouri as minister. In 1994 after the death of the latter he was appointed minister of culture. He remained at this position until 1996. His brother is the popular TV host and musician Andreas Mikroutsikos.
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Thanos Mikroutsikos Lyrics
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δέκα ρεπόρτερς καταγράφαν τα συμβάντα
Πριν στο χορό τους μας τραβήξουν οι μαινάδες
οι ανεμώνες μας βρεθήκαν μείον σαράντα
Πού πας χλωμός καλέ μου Μιγκέλ
γέμισε ο τόπος κίτρινες τουλίπες
και στην πλατεία Χόρχε ντ' Αλβαράδο
Οι σεισμολόγοι στο Παλάσιο Νασιονάλ
τα βάζανε με τους κρατήρες της Σάντα Άννα
Φοράς σομπρέρο κι έχεις πρόσωπο οβάλ
κι ούτε που πρόλαβες να παίξεις στην αλάνα
Πού πας γυμνός καλέ μου Μιγκέλ
γέμισε ο τόπος με κηλίδες απουσίας
Τις τεφροδόχους κλείσαν σε κρυφή σπηλιά
και μας πουλάν ενέσεις ευθυμίας
The lyrics describe a chaotic and unsettling scenario where various events are taking place. The first paragraph talks about a banjo being played while ten reporters are recording the events. However, before they can capture our dance, the "maniacs" (referring to an unidentified group of people) disrupt the scene and the atmosphere becomes less pleasant, symbolized by the mention of our "winds" being reduced by forty.
In the second paragraph, the lyrics address someone named Miguel, questioning where he is going while looking pale. The lyrics mention the place being filled with yellow tulips and dangerous creatures like dinosaurs and vultures roaming around Plaza Jorge of Alvarado. This creates imagery of a disordered and unsettling environment.
Moving on to the third paragraph, the lyrics depict seismologists at the National Palace having confrontations with the craters of Santa Anna. The person being addressed is described as wearing a sombrero with an oval-shaped face, signifying his distinctive appearance. However, before he can even play in the "alana" (a type of dance) or engage in any activity, he is already out of time or unable to participate.
Finally, the fourth paragraph addresses the same person, Miguel, questioning where he is going while being naked. The lyrics mention the place being filled with spots of absence. It is then revealed that the vials of ashes have been locked away in a hidden cave, and they are now selling us injections of happiness.
Overall, these lyrics present a surreal and dystopian scene, with elements of chaos, disruption, and an oppressive atmosphere. The character of Miguel seems to be wandering through this unsettling environment, and the lyrics suggest a sense of disconnection and hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Το μπάντζο σφίγγανε στα χέρια οι μιγάδες
The mandolin was tightly held in the hands of the wanderers.
δέκα ρεπόρτερς καταγράφαν τα συμβάντα
Ten reporters were documenting the events.
Πριν στο χορό τους μας τραβήξουν οι μαινάδες
Before the madwomen pulled us into their dance.
οι ανεμώνες μας βρεθήκαν μείον σαράντα
Our winds found themselves down by forty.
Πού πας χλωμός καλέ μου Μιγκέλ
Where are you going pale, my dear Miguel?
γέμισε ο τόπος κίτρινες τουλίπες
The place filled with yellow tulips.
και στην πλατεία Χόρχε ντ' Αλβαράδο
And in Jorge D'Alvarado Square.
περιπολούν δεινόσαυροι και γύπες
Dinosaurs and vultures patrol.
Οι σεισμολόγοι στο Παλάσιο Νασιονάλ
The seismologists at the National Palace.
τα βάζανε με τους κρατήρες της Σάντα Άννα
They clashed with the craters of Santa Anna.
Φοράς σομπρέρο κι έχεις πρόσωπο οβάλ
You wear a sombrero and have an oval face.
κι ούτε που πρόλαβες να παίξεις στην αλάνα
And you didn't even have time to play in the open space.
Πού πας γυμνός καλέ μου Μιγκέλ
Where are you going naked, my dear Miguel?
γέμισε ο τόπος με κηλίδες απουσίας
The place filled with spots of absence.
Τις τεφροδόχους κλείσαν σε κρυφή σπηλιά
They closed the urns in a secret cave.
και μας πουλάν ενέσεις ευθυμίας
And they sell us injections of joy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alkis Alkaios, Thanos Mikroutsikos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind