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.
O Pilotos Nagel
Thanos Mikroutsikos Lyrics
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άμα έδινε κανονική πορεία στα καράβια
που φεύγαν για τους άγνωστους και μακρινούς λιμένες
κατέβαινε στη βάρκα του βαρύς, συλλογισμένος,
με τα χοντρά τα χέρια του στο στήθος σταυρωμένα,
καπνίζοντας ένα παλιό χωμάτινο τσιμπούκι
και σε μια γλώσσα βορεινή σιγά μονολογώντας
έφευγε μόλις χάνονταν ολότελα τα πλοία.
Ο Νάγκελ Χάρμπορ, πλοίαρχος σε φορτηγά καράβια,
αφού τον κόσμο γύρισεν ολόκληρο μια μέρα
κουράστηκε κι απόμεινε πιλότος στο Κολόμπο.
Μα πάντα συλλογίζονταν τη μακρινή του χώρα
και τα νησιά που ΄ναι γεμάτα θρύλους, τα Λοφούτεν.
Όμως μια μέρα επέθανε στην πιλοτίνα μέσα
ξάφνου σαν ξεπροβόδισεν το Steamer Tank Fjord Folden
όπου έφευγε καπνίζοντας για τα νησιά Λοφούτεν
The lyrics of the song "O Pilotos Nagel" by Thanos Mikroutsikos depict the story of a Norwegian pilot named Nagel Harborg. The first paragraph describes Nagel as a pilot in Columbus who appears pensive and heavy-hearted as he watches ships depart for unknown and distant ports. He stands on his boat with his thick hands crossed on his chest, smoking an old clay pipe, and murmuring quietly in a northern language. As the ships disappear from view, Nagel seems to be lost in his thoughts, contemplating the vast expanse of the sea and the journeys ahead.
In the second paragraph, Nagel is portrayed as a captain of cargo ships who, after navigating the world one day, decides to retire and become a pilot in Columbus. Despite this change in occupation, he always reminisces about his distant homeland and the legendary islands of Lofoten. The mention of his sudden death at the helm of the Steamer Tank Fjord Folden adds a tragic element to the narrative, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the unforeseen twists of fate.
The lyrics convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for Nagel's homeland and the mythical islands of Lofoten, which hold a special place in his heart. The repetition of his contemplative nature and his deep connection to his roots suggests a profound sense of longing and belonging to his native land. The imagery of smoking his pipe and reciting monologues in a northern tongue adds a mysterious and introspective quality to Nagel's character, highlighting his introspective and philosophical nature.
Overall, the lyrics of "O Pilotos Nagel" paint a poignant portrait of a man torn between his past adventures as a captain and his longing for the familiar landscapes of his homeland. Nagel's story serves as a reflection on the transient nature of life and the enduring ties that bind us to our roots, emphasizing themes of memory, longing, and the haunting beauty of distant shores. The poetic language and vivid imagery in the lyrics capture the essence of Nagel's emotional journey and invite listeners to contemplate the universal themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Ο Νάγκελ Χάρμπορ, Νορβηγός πιλότος στο Κολόμπο,
Nagel Charbor, a Norwegian pilot in Kolombo,
άμα έδινε κανονική πορεία στα καράβια που φεύγαν για τους άγνωστους και μακρινούς λιμένες
when he was guiding the ships that sailed to unknown and distant ports
κατέβαινε στη βάρκα του βαρύς, συλλογισμένος,
he descended to his boat heavily, contemplative,
με τα χοντρά τα χέρια του στο στήθος σταυρωμένα,
with his thick hands crossed on his chest,
καπνίζοντας ένα παλιό χωμάτινο τσιμπούκι
smoking an old clay pipe
και σε μια γλώσσα βορεινή σιγά μονολογώντας
whispering slowly in a northern tongue
έφευγε μόλις χάνονταν ολότελα τα πλοία.
he would leave as soon as the ships disappeared completely.
Ο Νάγκελ Χάρμπορ, πλοίαρχος σε φορτηγά καράβια,
Nagel Charbor, captain of freight ships,
αφού τον κόσμο γύρισεν ολόκληρο μια μέρα
after circling the whole world one day
κουράστηκε κι απόμεινε πιλότος στο Κολόμπο.
he grew tired and remained a pilot in Kolombo.
Μα πάντα συλλογίζονταν τη μακρινή του χώρα
But he always thought of his distant homeland
και τα νησιά που ΄ναι γεμάτα θρύλους, τα Λοφούτεν.
and the islands full of legends, the Lofoten Islands.
Όμως μια μέρα επέθανε στην πιλοτίνα μέσα
But one day he died in the pilot's cabin
ξάφνου σαν ξεπροβόδισεν το Steamer Tank Fjord Folden
suddenly as the Steamer Tank Fjord Folden broke loose
όπου έφευγε καπνίζοντας για τα νησιά Λοφούτεν.
where he would depart smoking towards the Lofoten Islands.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nikos Kavadias, Thanos Mikroutsikos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind