Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (March 29, 1943 - May 17, 2022), known pr… Read Full Bio ↴Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (March 29, 1943 - May 17, 2022), known professionally as Vangelis, was a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, new age, jazz, and orchestral music. He is best known for his Academy Award-winning score for the film Chariots of Fire, composing scores for the films Blade Runner, Missing, Antarctica, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, and Alexander, and the use of his music in the PBS documentary Cosmos: A Personal Voyage by Carl Sagan.
After having taken piano lessons, Vangelis began his professional musical career working with several popular bands of the 1960s such as the Forminx and Aphrodite's Child, with the latter's album 666 going on to be recognized as a psychedelic classic. Throughout the 1970s, Vangelis composed music scores for several animal documentaries, including L'Apocalypse des Animaux, La Fête sauvage and Opéra sauvage; the success of these scores brought him into the film scoring mainstream. In the early 1980s, Vangelis formed a musical partnership with Jon Anderson, the lead singer of progressive rock band Yes, and the duo went on to release several albums together as Jon & Vangelis.
In 1981, he composed the score for the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. The soundtrack's single, the film's "Titles" theme, also reached the top of the American Billboard Hot 100 chart and was used as the background music at the London 2012 Olympics winners' medal presentation ceremonies. Vangelis also received acclaim for his synthesizer-based soundtrack for the 1982 film Blade Runner.
Having had a career in music spanning over 70 years and having composed and performed more than 50 albums, Vangelis is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of electronic music.
Vangelis was born 29 March 1943, in Agria, near Volos, Greece. Largely a self-taught musician, he reportedly began composing at the age of three. His earliest memory is "playing piano, some percussion and whatever else that was available that made a noise. Right from the start, I was only interested in playing my own music". He refused to take traditional piano lessons, and throughout his career did not have substantial knowledge of reading or writing musical notation. When he was six, Vangelis's parents enrolled him at a specialist music school in Athens. He recalls "I was lucky not to go because music schools close doors rather than open them". He studied painting, an art he still practices, at the Athens School of Fine Arts.
In 1989 received Max Steiner Award. France made Vangelis a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1992 and promoted to Commander in 2017, as well Chevalier de la Legion d’ Honneur in 2001. In 1993 received music award Apollo by Friends of the Athens National Opera Society. In 1995, Vangelis had a minor planet named after him (6354 Vangelis) by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center (MPC) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; the name was proposed by the MPC's co-director, Gareth V. Williams, rather than by the object's original discoverer, Eugène Joseph Delporte, who died in 1955, long before the 1934 discovery could be confirmed by observations made in 1990. In 1996 and 1997 was awarded at World Music Awards.
NASA conferred their Public Service Medal to Vangelis in 2003. The award is the highest honour the space agency presents to an individual not involved with the American government. Five years later, in 2008, the board of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens voted to make Vangelis an Honorary Doctor, making him Professor Emeritus at their Faculty of Primary Education. In June 2008, the American Hellenic Institute honoured Vangelis with an AHI Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award for his "exceptional artistic achievements" as a pioneer in electronic music and for his lifelong dedication to the promotion of Hellenism through the arts. On 16 September 2013, he received the honour of appearing on the Greek 80 cent postage stamp, as part of a series of six distinguished living personalities of the Greek Diaspora.
After having taken piano lessons, Vangelis began his professional musical career working with several popular bands of the 1960s such as the Forminx and Aphrodite's Child, with the latter's album 666 going on to be recognized as a psychedelic classic. Throughout the 1970s, Vangelis composed music scores for several animal documentaries, including L'Apocalypse des Animaux, La Fête sauvage and Opéra sauvage; the success of these scores brought him into the film scoring mainstream. In the early 1980s, Vangelis formed a musical partnership with Jon Anderson, the lead singer of progressive rock band Yes, and the duo went on to release several albums together as Jon & Vangelis.
In 1981, he composed the score for the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. The soundtrack's single, the film's "Titles" theme, also reached the top of the American Billboard Hot 100 chart and was used as the background music at the London 2012 Olympics winners' medal presentation ceremonies. Vangelis also received acclaim for his synthesizer-based soundtrack for the 1982 film Blade Runner.
Having had a career in music spanning over 70 years and having composed and performed more than 50 albums, Vangelis is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of electronic music.
Vangelis was born 29 March 1943, in Agria, near Volos, Greece. Largely a self-taught musician, he reportedly began composing at the age of three. His earliest memory is "playing piano, some percussion and whatever else that was available that made a noise. Right from the start, I was only interested in playing my own music". He refused to take traditional piano lessons, and throughout his career did not have substantial knowledge of reading or writing musical notation. When he was six, Vangelis's parents enrolled him at a specialist music school in Athens. He recalls "I was lucky not to go because music schools close doors rather than open them". He studied painting, an art he still practices, at the Athens School of Fine Arts.
In 1989 received Max Steiner Award. France made Vangelis a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1992 and promoted to Commander in 2017, as well Chevalier de la Legion d’ Honneur in 2001. In 1993 received music award Apollo by Friends of the Athens National Opera Society. In 1995, Vangelis had a minor planet named after him (6354 Vangelis) by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center (MPC) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; the name was proposed by the MPC's co-director, Gareth V. Williams, rather than by the object's original discoverer, Eugène Joseph Delporte, who died in 1955, long before the 1934 discovery could be confirmed by observations made in 1990. In 1996 and 1997 was awarded at World Music Awards.
NASA conferred their Public Service Medal to Vangelis in 2003. The award is the highest honour the space agency presents to an individual not involved with the American government. Five years later, in 2008, the board of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens voted to make Vangelis an Honorary Doctor, making him Professor Emeritus at their Faculty of Primary Education. In June 2008, the American Hellenic Institute honoured Vangelis with an AHI Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award for his "exceptional artistic achievements" as a pioneer in electronic music and for his lifelong dedication to the promotion of Hellenism through the arts. On 16 September 2013, he received the honour of appearing on the Greek 80 cent postage stamp, as part of a series of six distinguished living personalities of the Greek Diaspora.
Friends of Mr. Cairo
Vangelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Okay, this is the picture
Johnny's been hurt, he's hurt bad
Look, we can't leave him here, we can't
Look, he's in a pool of blood, he's gonna die, I know it
We've gotta leave him here, honey, we gotta
He won't talk, I promise you that, will you Johnny?
Frankie, I don't care whether he talks or not
I just can't leave him like this
Listenm leave me here, I can handle it
Oh, Johnny, no
The cops are outside, Luke is in the car
Come on, let's get the hell outta this joint
Frankie, when they get here we're gonna be dead
I know we are, we don't have a gun (Listen, we got three million)
Listen, Spud, we got three million in the can, here
We'll look after him, I'll send the bird to his mother
Come on, let's just get out of this place, we can do it
Oh, Johnny, no
Frankie: Okay now, just lean up against that door. When I give the word "Go" we just..., we just go through it and blast at the same time.
She came, as in the book, Mickey Spillane
That Saturday night dark masquerade
Had filled his friend with lead, the same, sweetheart
But then, as nothing happens quite the same
Investigation is the game
He had to check her story right away-he dead
Sam Spade his buddy Archer first to go he got it
She spelt it out, how could they know the 'Fatman' got it -he dead
Her sister didn't really live at all-confusion-he dead
His chase led to the Fatman, to face the friends of Mr. Cairo
(movie like speech:)
Woman: Hey, there's a really terrific dress shop. Can we stop this raid while I buy a new gown?
Frankie: I'll buy you the whole factory, sweetheart. Don't worry.
That night, the double crosser got it right
Pretending he was really dim
He slipped to Sam a double gin (Mickey Finn)
He woke, the boys had gone, but not his gun
They'd left a note to lead him on
The chase to find the Maltese Falcon-you bet-
Early thirties gangster movies
Set to spellbind population
From Chicago to Hong Kong
Via Istanbul the Talking Tong
Dirty rats through' prohibition
Money flowed through gangsterism
Acting out this fantasy
In Hollywoods vicinity
The best part for the best rendition
Al Capone he sent to prison
Citizen Kane came fast and quickly
Conquering ol' New York City
Poking fun at superstition
Media became television Give me Cagney anyday
Or Jimmy Stewart for President
Or Edward 'G' and all those guys
Who always shoot between the eyes
Between the eyes
Between the eyes
(movie like speech:)
Kasper: ha, ha, well done Mr. Cairo, and what do you have to say about that, my friend?
Spade: Allright. So you've got me in it. What about her?
Brigid: Don't worry about me, I'm okay
Kasper: Very magnanimous, sir, very magnanimous indeed, ha, ha, ha
Mr. Cairo: You mean..., you won't make us an offer we... we can't refuse...
Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Chances could call, and accept that, be no other
Science as it might, disappear correspond with colour
Chance is the fruit, will outlive, what is now the brother
Call for total wealth to distribute like a picture
In black and white, give it joy, give it, let it hit you
Spoil our existence by extreme gift to population
Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Tell me straight be the Godfather be no other
Media Kings give us now give us total movie
Straight right now, give it clear, give us total movie
Now being here, being now, being here believing
(movie like speeches:)
Man: I don't know which words to put in there sweetheart, you know, I can't do it. Pretty kind of useless, though, don't you think so Mary?
Man: Come with me to the far lands of Baghdad.
Woman: Oh, if only I could. That's what I want more than anything in the world, but it could never be...
Man: Of course it can...
Woman: But my father would find us wherever we went. Yes, he has forbidden me to... to even speak to you, if he finds me now. I don't know what he'd do...
Man: But he doesn't know that I'm... I'm a prince. Before, I was the thief of Baghdad now...
Woman: It doesn't matter...
Man: Then follow me, darling, follow me now to the ends of the Earth
One on one to talk to you
Like film stars they get close to you
You've mirrored his appeal
He wants you so, he wants to be beside you
Then you pass by giving him the other side of you
Like the mystics do
So that every time he moves, he moves for you
Soul and light can always see
The meeting of true love and she
This silent night and I,
I guess a lonely mind might see
I've seen love on the screen
I've seen a screen goddesss and me-oh
How often this, how often, this the power of you
And so, I must confess
Whatever I see
I'm meant to be there with you
With you with you
Silent golden movies, talkies, technicolour, long ago
My younger ways stand clearer, clearer than my footprints
Stardom greats I've followed closely Closer than the nearest heartbeat
Longer that expected-ther were great-
Oh love oh love just to see them
Acting on the silver screen, oh my
Clark Gable, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan
Fantasy would fill my life and I
Love fantasy so much
Did you see in the morning light
I really talked, yes I did, to Gods early dawning light
And I was privileged to be as I am to this day
To be with you. To be with you
(movie actor like speech:)
Mr. Cairo: Listen. I have arranged this display for... for all of you people to... to come here this evening and I... I know you have been searched, but, what you... you don't realize is, is that in the back of the Maltese Falcon, I have it ...
Johnny's been hurt, he's hurt bad
Look, we can't leave him here, we can't
Look, he's in a pool of blood, he's gonna die, I know it
We've gotta leave him here, honey, we gotta
He won't talk, I promise you that, will you Johnny?
Frankie, I don't care whether he talks or not
I just can't leave him like this
Listenm leave me here, I can handle it
Oh, Johnny, no
The cops are outside, Luke is in the car
Come on, let's get the hell outta this joint
Frankie, when they get here we're gonna be dead
I know we are, we don't have a gun (Listen, we got three million)
Listen, Spud, we got three million in the can, here
We'll look after him, I'll send the bird to his mother
Come on, let's just get out of this place, we can do it
Oh, Johnny, no
Frankie: Okay now, just lean up against that door. When I give the word "Go" we just..., we just go through it and blast at the same time.
She came, as in the book, Mickey Spillane
That Saturday night dark masquerade
Had filled his friend with lead, the same, sweetheart
But then, as nothing happens quite the same
Investigation is the game
He had to check her story right away-he dead
Sam Spade his buddy Archer first to go he got it
She spelt it out, how could they know the 'Fatman' got it -he dead
Her sister didn't really live at all-confusion-he dead
His chase led to the Fatman, to face the friends of Mr. Cairo
(movie like speech:)
Woman: Hey, there's a really terrific dress shop. Can we stop this raid while I buy a new gown?
Frankie: I'll buy you the whole factory, sweetheart. Don't worry.
That night, the double crosser got it right
Pretending he was really dim
He slipped to Sam a double gin (Mickey Finn)
He woke, the boys had gone, but not his gun
They'd left a note to lead him on
The chase to find the Maltese Falcon-you bet-
Early thirties gangster movies
Set to spellbind population
From Chicago to Hong Kong
Via Istanbul the Talking Tong
Dirty rats through' prohibition
Money flowed through gangsterism
Acting out this fantasy
In Hollywoods vicinity
The best part for the best rendition
Al Capone he sent to prison
Citizen Kane came fast and quickly
Conquering ol' New York City
Poking fun at superstition
Media became television Give me Cagney anyday
Or Jimmy Stewart for President
Or Edward 'G' and all those guys
Who always shoot between the eyes
Between the eyes
Between the eyes
(movie like speech:)
Kasper: ha, ha, well done Mr. Cairo, and what do you have to say about that, my friend?
Spade: Allright. So you've got me in it. What about her?
Brigid: Don't worry about me, I'm okay
Kasper: Very magnanimous, sir, very magnanimous indeed, ha, ha, ha
Mr. Cairo: You mean..., you won't make us an offer we... we can't refuse...
Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Chances could call, and accept that, be no other
Science as it might, disappear correspond with colour
Chance is the fruit, will outlive, what is now the brother
Call for total wealth to distribute like a picture
In black and white, give it joy, give it, let it hit you
Spoil our existence by extreme gift to population
Father love do you work, do you work for Mother
Tell me straight be the Godfather be no other
Media Kings give us now give us total movie
Straight right now, give it clear, give us total movie
Now being here, being now, being here believing
(movie like speeches:)
Man: I don't know which words to put in there sweetheart, you know, I can't do it. Pretty kind of useless, though, don't you think so Mary?
Man: Come with me to the far lands of Baghdad.
Woman: Oh, if only I could. That's what I want more than anything in the world, but it could never be...
Man: Of course it can...
Woman: But my father would find us wherever we went. Yes, he has forbidden me to... to even speak to you, if he finds me now. I don't know what he'd do...
Man: But he doesn't know that I'm... I'm a prince. Before, I was the thief of Baghdad now...
Woman: It doesn't matter...
Man: Then follow me, darling, follow me now to the ends of the Earth
One on one to talk to you
Like film stars they get close to you
You've mirrored his appeal
He wants you so, he wants to be beside you
Then you pass by giving him the other side of you
Like the mystics do
So that every time he moves, he moves for you
Soul and light can always see
The meeting of true love and she
This silent night and I,
I guess a lonely mind might see
I've seen love on the screen
I've seen a screen goddesss and me-oh
How often this, how often, this the power of you
And so, I must confess
Whatever I see
I'm meant to be there with you
With you with you
Silent golden movies, talkies, technicolour, long ago
My younger ways stand clearer, clearer than my footprints
Stardom greats I've followed closely Closer than the nearest heartbeat
Longer that expected-ther were great-
Oh love oh love just to see them
Acting on the silver screen, oh my
Clark Gable, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan
Fantasy would fill my life and I
Love fantasy so much
Did you see in the morning light
I really talked, yes I did, to Gods early dawning light
And I was privileged to be as I am to this day
To be with you. To be with you
(movie actor like speech:)
Mr. Cairo: Listen. I have arranged this display for... for all of you people to... to come here this evening and I... I know you have been searched, but, what you... you don't realize is, is that in the back of the Maltese Falcon, I have it ...
The Field of Mr. Cairo by Vangelis is a musical story that tells the tale of a movie plot. The song opens up with the sound of gunshots and a conversation between a group of people. A woman is asking them to help a man who is badly hurt, but they abandon him, leaving him there to die. The story continues with a reference to the book character Mickey Spillane and the story of the Maltese Falcon. The character Sam Spade is after the killer of his friend Archer and ends up chasing the Fatman and the friends of Mr. Cairo. The song then switches to a conversation between a man and a woman about buying a new gown, essentially juxtaposing the light conversation with the intense action of the previous lines.
In the last part of the song, the lyrics get more cryptic, and the sound of a man speaking in a movie-actor like manner appears again, discussing a planned display, with a hint that there is something hidden or secret behind the Maltese Falcon. The song ends with a romantic and surreal description of the love between two people.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EVANGELOS PAPATHANASSIOU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@andybullemor-music5928
My Dad had this album on vinyl, still does. I used to bug him to play the full 12 minute version of this song. Really captured my imagination. RIP Vangelis.
@jbg101
I was lucky to have had an older brother. 7 years older than me. He taught me some new type of music that I never would have know. May he be blessed.
Almost 2 years since his passing .
But it is all good
@Steve-oq7pk
I once got on Virgin radio, DJ asked me what song I wanted playing, I asked for this one, DJ never heard of it, couldn’t find it in their music library, shocking, haven’t listened to Virgin since , this song an absolute classic and year’s ahead of it’s time
@francoispasquet1394
Me also...
@lachlanj9901
@@jbg101 like listening to a story..my favorite series boardwalk empire. I agree with you
@lachlanj9901
Amasing how she does that chorus, let alone rest
@bluewaters3100
My husband and I loved Vangelis. One day he brought home this album and we just went insane for it. When my kids were little we had it on our big stereo all the time. Thanks you Vangelis for all your music. You are the Greek God of music forever.
@lecutter9382
RIP Vangelis. Thanks for the great music.
@WaitAMinute1989
40 years later and I'm still listening to this tune.
@eroche12
40 years ago I discovered this song on French TV while on holidays. I didn't wait long to find the LP (yes LP) of the Friends of Mr. Cairo. Epic. Ground braking songs with Jon. And then my discovery of China album and much more. In all your songs you have just that moment where the angels just kindly touch the notes and we listened together with you. RIP Maestro