A musical journey to the Greek islands (Part 2)

Hello! I’m currently in Skyros, my late grandfather’s home island, a great place to unwind, relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. One may argue that most Greek islands are such places. True. However, there is a very good reason why Skyros tops that list. The island is home to Skyros Center, Europe’s first course-based holiday center. Located in the middle of the Aegean, Skyros is the largest and southernmost of the Sporades islands (the other three of the group are Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos). I’ve been here for a few days now, having driven all the way from Thessaloniki (a six-hour drive to the east coast of Evia, followed by an hour and a half on the ferry). On my way here, my 3-hour playlist, a musical journey to the Greek islands, kept me company.

Today, I’m sharing the second half of this playlist, 23 songs in total.

A musical journey to the Greek islands: songs 23-45

I’m kicking off today’s musical journey to the Greek islands with a song from the 1960s. ‘An Thymitheis T’ Oneiro Mou’/‘The Honeymoon Song’ was written by the renowned Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis and featured in the soundtrack of the 1960 film ‘Honeymoon’. It was first performed in Greek by Yovanna; a few years later, it was covered by the Beatles (in English). Here is another cover version by the Greek band Melisses.

My musical journey to the Greek islands continues with two more songs by Melisses: ‘Ola Moiazoun Kalokairi’ (Everything Looks Like Summer) and ’To Kyma’ (The Wave).

I’ve been a fan of Minor Project for quite a few years now. This lesser-known band recently released a new song, ‘Ta Kymata’ (The Waves).

Named after the small Cycladic island I visited a few summers ago, ‘Folegandros’ is another Minor Project song that I particularly enjoy in the summer.

‘Faros’ (Lighthouse) is my favorite song by Kostis Maraveyas, a Greek singer-songwriter whose music reminds me of Greek songs from the 1960s.

My musical journey to the Greek islands continues with two more songs by Maraveyas: ‘Varka Sto Gyalo’ (Boat On The Seacoast) and ‘To Kalokairi Efyge’ (The Summer’s Gone).

‘To Kalokairi Mou’ (My Summer) is one of my favorite songs by Mihalis Hatzigiannis, a Greek-Cypriot singer-songwriter, with a career spanning over two decades. Although it was released 10 years ago, ‘To Kalokairi Mou’ still remains as fresh and summery as a slice of watermelon.

Kostas Martakis may not be my favorite Greek singer, but two of his songs have made it to my playlist, nonetheless. ‘Ta Kalokairina Ta S’ Agapo’ (The summer I love yous) and ‘Thelo Epeigontos Diakopes’ (I urgently need holidays) are both perfect for my musical journey to the Greek islands.

One of the most popular Greek singers since the early 1990s, Corfu-born Sakis Rouvas is the ultimate pop star in Greece. Having twice represented the country in the Eurovision Song Contest, he has achieved recognition in Europe too (albeit not success). ‘Kalokairi Kai Fos’ (Summer And Light) may not be his most popular song, but it’s perfect for my playlist.

Swedish-born singer Elena (Helena) Paparizou represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005, and won. ‘Kalokairi Kai Pathos’ (Summer And Passion) is one of her most recent songs, as well as her summer-most.

Georgian-born singer Tamta represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, when she finished in the 13th place. Nevertheless, Tamta has been a successful recording artist in Greece since the mid-noughties, when she finished second in the talent show Super Idol. Two of her latest releases, ‘Ilious Kai Thalasses’ (Suns And Seas) and ‘Arhes Kalokairiou’ (Early Summer) have made it to my playlist.

Albanian-born singer Eleni Foureira has also represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest; after she finished in 2nd place in 2018, her international fanbase has considerably increased. ‘Radevou Stin Paralia’ (Rendez-vous On The Beach) has been a summertime anthem since it was first released a few years ago, where this year’s ‘Temperatura’ will probably follow in the same footsteps.

Born in Cyprus on the same day as me (but many years earlier), Anna Vissi has been one of the most popular singers in Greece since the 1970s. ‘Kalokairina Filia’ (Summer Kisses) is one of her most recent, as well as most summery songs.

Kings may not have recorded many songs, but ‘Pagoto’ (Ice Cream) is as summery as the title suggests. Another excellent choice for my musical journey to the Greek islands. The video was filmed in Syros, in the Cyclades (not to be confused with Skyros).

‘Summer In Athens’ is one of the newest songs that made it to my playlist. Although the Greek capital is in the mainland, it is, nonetheless, the gateway to the Greek islands (in case you’re wondering why this song made it to my playlist). Someone Who Isn’t Me, a.k.a. S.W.I.M., is an indie band consisting of three Greek women singing in English.

Keep Shelly In Athens are a chillwave/dream pop duo consisting of composer RPR and singer Jessica Bell. Bell replaced Myrtha, who had replaced the original singer Sarah P. Originally from Athens, their minimalistic sound and English lyrics have made them popular with audiences all over the world; they have performed in European countries, as well as in North America, including at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. ‘Late Summer’ is of particular relevance to my late-summer holiday, more so than ‘Cyclades’. Nevertheless, both songs are perfect for my musical journey to the Greek islands.

Last but not least, Canadian-born singer Nikki Ponte participated in the X-Factor in 2010, and finished in the third place. For me, ’Remembering The Summer Nights’ is the epitome of Greek summer.

Further listening

‘A musical journey to the Greek islands (Part 1)’ started on 22 August 2020. Check out the full playlist here.

You may also want to check out my previously published posts:

‘Now & then: a musical journey to Greece’

‘Traveling to Greece through film & music’

Or, listen to Serifos Radio, an online radio playing music inspired by Serifos island and the Aegean Sea. Only a few of the songs are Greek; it is the kind of music you’d listen to at a beach bar right by the waves with a colorful drink (or two): summertime chill-out lounge meets relaxing tropical house (you get the gist).

Alex

(the Traveling-again-Psychiatrist)