Tharros I Alitheia (song)
Encyclopedia
"Tharros I Alitheia" is a song by Greek pop
singer Tamta, featuring fellow Greek pop
/rock
singer Sakis Rouvas
. The dance song was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos
with lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou for her third studio album of the same name and was released on 9 December 2009 to radio stations in Greece and Cyprus by Minos EMI
. This was Tamta and Rouvas' second collaboration after a duet recorded for the latter's 2006 album was never released. The song also served as promotion for the two artists' winter 2009–2010 concert series at The S Club.
The song reached high in airplay and became a major club hit. The well-received and sexualized music video earned nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Best Duet or Collaboration Video at the MAD Video Music Awards 2010.
, who she had first collaborated with for her second album
, while the lyrics were written by Viki Gerothodorou, who had previously collaborated with Tamta for her self-titled debut album
. Kontopoulos and Gerothodorou had both previously collaborated with the featured artist, Sakis Rouvas as of To Hrono Stamatao
(2003) and Iparhi Agapi Edo
(2006), respectively, and in collaboration together have created his hits "Ola Gyro Sou Gyrizoun", "Stous 31 Dromous", "+ Se Thelo
", and "Pio Dinata
". Tamta first got in touch with Rouvas during the recording of his 11th studio album, Iparhi Agapi Edo in late 2006. She performed as the opening act at his Sakis on the Waves beach concert and the two eventually recorded a duet together, also written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, with MAD TV adding that the song's theme would provoke reaction. It was widely reported that the duet would appear on his new studio album, however a little before the release of Iparhi Agapi Edo, MAD TV reported that the track had been cut from the album with no explanation why. While at first it was unknown whether this new duet was indeed that song, it became apparent that it was not as in the aforementioned track Rouvas was the lead artist, as well as that this new track was recorded in 2009. Since 2006, the two artists did not find any further opportunity to collaborate until 2009, when Rouvas chose Tamta as his main supporting act for his winter 2009–2010 season concert series, eventually revealed to be at the newly renovated The S Club, where Rouvas is the owner. Thus, "Tharros I Alitheia" was also recorded in promotion of their shows. Tamta expressed how much she really wanted to collaborate with Rouvas: "It was something that I wanted very much. Of course, many times not everything works out according to your own desires. Fortunately though this collaboration was materialized." Tamta revealed that "Tharros I Alitheia" was a song that she liked very much.
song with heavy influences from varying electronic
genres, including house
and ambient
. The song begins with Tamta faintly singing the chorus, proceeding into the traditional verse-chorus format, with Rouvas performing the verse. Tamta and Rouvas' vocal parts never overlap during the song; Rouvas is limited to the verses and Tamta to the chorus. Rouvas does not actually sing in the song, instead performing a spoken
rap
. The song's music and lyrics possess a sensual theme. Lyrically the verses have Rouvas telling Tamta different things that he wants from her, ending with a challenge: "Choose/Truth or dare". In the chorus Tamta responds by professing her love to him. In relation to the song's theme, Tamta said that she always prefers truth, mostly because she is very afraid of lies.
and "Kita Me". The artists involved tried to keep the song a surprise up until its release, although Kontopoulos had posted a video of the artists in the studio, sparking rumors of a collaboration. It was further released as a digital single on 11 January to online retailers such as the iTunes Store
. This is the sixth duet single by Tamta, either as a lead or featured artist and fifth collaboration overall by Rouvas.
was shot on 28 January 2010 by Kostas Kapetanidis
, who Tamta had first collaborated with in 2005 for her debut video for "Ftais", and has since directed her videos "Den Teleionei Etsi I Agapi", "Agapise Me", and "Agapo", while he has also collaborated with Rouvas on multiple occasions since 1995, including on "Ela Mou", "Mia Fora", "Shake It
", both versions of "S'eho Erotefthi", "1000 Milia", "Horis Kardia", and "Irthes". The video was shot at Studio Rapti in Melissia from noon and did not conclude until the next morning. MAD TV crews were on set during shooting and did a photo report that same day. The concept of the video plays on a yin yang-type theme, with the light
and darkness
, innocence
and eroticism
continuously altering, thus contrasting with the song's title. Tamta's multiple wardrobe changes, varying between "classy and trendy" were meant as a means of further highlight these contradictions. MAD TV claimed that the shooting of the video was "demanding". Tamta spoke about the emotions of the video and her image, saying:
, looking in a mirror and getting dressed, continuously alternating between these two scenes, while lights flash constantly. As the first verse begins, the shadowy figure is revealed to be Rouvas, with sweat dripping heavily down his face and an unidentified female hand touching him. A new scene is added with Tamta standing in front of a white background with the wind blowing, wearing various loose, flowy costumes, one of which is a Laskaris Haute Couture creation. The scenes constantly alternate between a single frame to a grid. Throughout the video Tamta wears five different costumes. It was also the first music video where Tamta can be seen with her new look.
The video earned Tamta and Rouvas a MAD Video Music Awards 2010 nomination for Best Duet or Collaboration Video, while also earning Tamta a further award for Female Artist of the Year, based on overall contributions to the music video artform throughout the year.
, proceeds to stand during the second chorus and four female backing dancers appear and perform a choreography. The show moved to Thessaloniki
on 14 May at Politia: Live Clubbin, where a similar routine was performed. Tamta also performed the song as well as others from her album at a guest appearance at Stavro Tou Notou with Isaïas Matiamba.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer Tamta, featuring fellow Greek pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer Sakis Rouvas
Sakis Rouvas
Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas II , often referred to mononymously as Sakis, is a Greek musician, television and film artist, businessman, and former pole vaulter who is one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time in Greece and Cyprus...
. The dance song was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek music composers known for his dance-pop music.-Personal life:Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971...
with lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou for her third studio album of the same name and was released on 9 December 2009 to radio stations in Greece and Cyprus by Minos EMI
Minos EMI
Minos EMI is the domestic trade name of EMI Music Greece, a record company in Greece. It is the Greek record label division of the British-based, multinational EMI Group....
. This was Tamta and Rouvas' second collaboration after a duet recorded for the latter's 2006 album was never released. The song also served as promotion for the two artists' winter 2009–2010 concert series at The S Club.
The song reached high in airplay and became a major club hit. The well-received and sexualized music video earned nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Best Duet or Collaboration Video at the MAD Video Music Awards 2010.
Background and recording
"Tharros I Alitheia" contains music written by Dimitris KontopoulosDimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek music composers known for his dance-pop music.-Personal life:Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971...
, who she had first collaborated with for her second album
Agapise Me
Agapise Me is the second studio album by Greek pop singer and Super Idol contestant Tamta. It was released on May 16, 2007 by Minos EMI. The album was repackaged in early 2008 with Tamta's CD Single Mia Stigmi Esi Ki Ego/Ela Sto Rhythmo....
, while the lyrics were written by Viki Gerothodorou, who had previously collaborated with Tamta for her self-titled debut album
Tamta (album)
Tamta is the first studio album by Greek pop singer and Super Idol contestant Tamta. It was released in 2006 by Minos EMI.-Tracklisting:#"Tornero - Tromero" - 3:00...
. Kontopoulos and Gerothodorou had both previously collaborated with the featured artist, Sakis Rouvas as of To Hrono Stamatao
To Hrono Stamatao
To Hrono Stamatao is the tenth studio album by Greek pop-rock singer-songwriter Sakis Rouvas, released in December 2003 by Minos EMI in Greece and Cyprus...
(2003) and Iparhi Agapi Edo
Iparhi Agapi Edo
Iparhi Agapi Edo is the eleventh studio album by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas. It was first released in Greece on December 7, 2006 by Minos EMI. Iparhi Agapi Edo includes 15 tracks including a ballad called "Mikros Titanikos" that was written especially for Rouvas by Yiannis Parios...
(2006), respectively, and in collaboration together have created his hits "Ola Gyro Sou Gyrizoun", "Stous 31 Dromous", "+ Se Thelo
+ Se Thelo
"+ Se Thelo", also written as "Kai Se Thelo", is a single by popular Greek singer Sakis Rouvas from the album Irthes, released as a radio single on June 17, 2008 in Greece and Cyprus.-Production history:...
", and "Pio Dinata
This Is Our Night
"This Is Our Night" is a song by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas, from the album Irthes. It was selected as Greece's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009...
". Tamta first got in touch with Rouvas during the recording of his 11th studio album, Iparhi Agapi Edo in late 2006. She performed as the opening act at his Sakis on the Waves beach concert and the two eventually recorded a duet together, also written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, with MAD TV adding that the song's theme would provoke reaction. It was widely reported that the duet would appear on his new studio album, however a little before the release of Iparhi Agapi Edo, MAD TV reported that the track had been cut from the album with no explanation why. While at first it was unknown whether this new duet was indeed that song, it became apparent that it was not as in the aforementioned track Rouvas was the lead artist, as well as that this new track was recorded in 2009. Since 2006, the two artists did not find any further opportunity to collaborate until 2009, when Rouvas chose Tamta as his main supporting act for his winter 2009–2010 season concert series, eventually revealed to be at the newly renovated The S Club, where Rouvas is the owner. Thus, "Tharros I Alitheia" was also recorded in promotion of their shows. Tamta expressed how much she really wanted to collaborate with Rouvas: "It was something that I wanted very much. Of course, many times not everything works out according to your own desires. Fortunately though this collaboration was materialized." Tamta revealed that "Tharros I Alitheia" was a song that she liked very much.
I believe that it is one of my strong collaborations. It already has me worried about the future. This is my best moment now, as far as the match I have musically with Sakis. Without wanting to put down all the people I have collaborated with —I adore them— like, ex, Giorgos MazonakisThe track was recorded sometime in late November at Kontopoulos' studio, coinciding with the artists' busy rehearsal schedule for The S Club. Before its release, Tamta had not heard the final result as Kontopoulos and Rouvas were in the studio up until the song's release working on the finishing touches.Giorgos MazonakisGiorgos Mazonakis is a Modern Laika and pop Greek singer.-Biography:Giorgos Mazonakis born and raised in the neighbourhood of Nikaia, Athens. He grew up listening to traditional folk songs of Stratos Dionysiou, Yiannis Parios, Marinella and Haris Alexiou. Very quickly, at the age of 15, he...
. The people who go to see Sakis musically are very close to me, in relation to those who go to see a laïkoLaïkoLaïkó ), is a Greek music genre. Also called folk song or urban folk music , in its plural form is a Greek music genre which has taken many forms over the years...
artist.
Composition and theme
"Tharros I Alitheia" is a danceDance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
song with heavy influences from varying electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
genres, including house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
. The song begins with Tamta faintly singing the chorus, proceeding into the traditional verse-chorus format, with Rouvas performing the verse. Tamta and Rouvas' vocal parts never overlap during the song; Rouvas is limited to the verses and Tamta to the chorus. Rouvas does not actually sing in the song, instead performing a spoken
SPEAKING
In sociolinguistics, SPEAKING or the SPEAKING model, is a model socio-linguistic study developed by Dell Hymes...
rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
. The song's music and lyrics possess a sensual theme. Lyrically the verses have Rouvas telling Tamta different things that he wants from her, ending with a challenge: "Choose/Truth or dare". In the chorus Tamta responds by professing her love to him. In relation to the song's theme, Tamta said that she always prefers truth, mostly because she is very afraid of lies.
Release
The song premiered on Greek and Cypriot radio stations on 9 December 2009, making it the third single from her third studio album following "S'Opion Aresei" (Dansonra) with Stereo MikeStereo Mike
Mihalis Exarhos , known professionally by his stage name Stereo Mike, is a Greek hip hop artist. He is the first MTV EMA Award winner in the "Best Greek Act" category...
and "Kita Me". The artists involved tried to keep the song a surprise up until its release, although Kontopoulos had posted a video of the artists in the studio, sparking rumors of a collaboration. It was further released as a digital single on 11 January to online retailers such as the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
. This is the sixth duet single by Tamta, either as a lead or featured artist and fifth collaboration overall by Rouvas.
Chart performance
"Tharros I Alitheia" became a hit on Greek airplay charts before the music video was even released. During this time, Rouvas' solo single "Spase To Hrono" was occupying the top positions of the charts. More directed towards the club market, it became a major hit there. It is Tamta's third consecutive hit from the album and is also Rouvas' fifth consecutive top ten hit following the number-one hits "+ Se Thelo", "Irthes", "This Is Our Night", and "Spase To Hrono".Concept and development
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was shot on 28 January 2010 by Kostas Kapetanidis
Kostas Kapetanidis
Konstantinos Kapetanidis, sometimes credited as Costas Kapetanidis, is a Greek music video director who is associated with the production company Anosi S.A...
, who Tamta had first collaborated with in 2005 for her debut video for "Ftais", and has since directed her videos "Den Teleionei Etsi I Agapi", "Agapise Me", and "Agapo", while he has also collaborated with Rouvas on multiple occasions since 1995, including on "Ela Mou", "Mia Fora", "Shake It
Shake It (Sakis Rouvas song)
"Shake It" is an English language song by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas and was the Greek entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. The song is an up-tempo number, with Rouvas telling his lover that "I would trade my life for a night with you" and asking the lover to "shake it" for him...
", both versions of "S'eho Erotefthi", "1000 Milia", "Horis Kardia", and "Irthes". The video was shot at Studio Rapti in Melissia from noon and did not conclude until the next morning. MAD TV crews were on set during shooting and did a photo report that same day. The concept of the video plays on a yin yang-type theme, with the light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
and darkness
Darkness
Darkness, in contrast with brightness, is a relative absence of visible light. It is the appearance of black in a color space. When light is not present, rod and cone cells within the eye are not stimulated. This lack of stimulation means photoreceptor cells are unable to distinguish color...
, innocence
Innocence
Innocence is a term used to indicate a lack of guilt, with respect to any kind of crime, sin, or wrongdoing. In a legal context, innocence refers to the lack of legal guilt of an individual, with respect to a crime.-Symbolism:...
and eroticism
Eroticism
Eroticism is generally understood to refer to a state of sexual arousal or anticipation of such – an insistent sexual impulse, desire, or pattern of thoughts, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality and romantic love...
continuously altering, thus contrasting with the song's title. Tamta's multiple wardrobe changes, varying between "classy and trendy" were meant as a means of further highlight these contradictions. MAD TV claimed that the shooting of the video was "demanding". Tamta spoke about the emotions of the video and her image, saying:
I feel absolutely sexy and for that are not responsible only the clothes. I feel sexy even without needing to wear something provocative. However, I am sure, as my collaborators are that this video clip will be the sexiest thing that I have done up until now.
Synopsis
Based on the concept, for the majority Rouvas represents the dark and erotic side of the video, while Tamta the light and innocence. The video begins with the image of a man in shadows spinning on a chair and holding his head with his hand. It then forwards to a scene with Tamta, wearing leopard print lingerieLingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
, looking in a mirror and getting dressed, continuously alternating between these two scenes, while lights flash constantly. As the first verse begins, the shadowy figure is revealed to be Rouvas, with sweat dripping heavily down his face and an unidentified female hand touching him. A new scene is added with Tamta standing in front of a white background with the wind blowing, wearing various loose, flowy costumes, one of which is a Laskaris Haute Couture creation. The scenes constantly alternate between a single frame to a grid. Throughout the video Tamta wears five different costumes. It was also the first music video where Tamta can be seen with her new look.
Release and reception
The video was released over one month after its filming date on 8 March 2010 through MAD TV. MAD TV praised the video as a "sensual extreme" and also commented that Tamta was "more glowing and sylish than ever." The network concluded that "Impressive costumes, beautiful direction and two talented artists giving their best selves are the components of a successful music video."The video earned Tamta and Rouvas a MAD Video Music Awards 2010 nomination for Best Duet or Collaboration Video, while also earning Tamta a further award for Female Artist of the Year, based on overall contributions to the music video artform throughout the year.
Live performances
Tamta premiered the song at The S Club concert series where she served as a supporting act for Rouvas, using the track as her opening number. Rouvas did not perform the song live with Tamta, as he did not appear on stage until after midnight. Instead, his vocal part was played through a recording, as Tamta lay in the centre of the stage with the lights dimmed, with minimal blue lighting in the backdrop. A smoke machine is also used. As Tamta's part begins a video in the background is played featuring geometric shapes rapidly changing colours. Tamta, wearing a purple leotardLeotard
A leotard is a skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs free. It was made famous by the French acrobatic performer Jules Léotard ....
, proceeds to stand during the second chorus and four female backing dancers appear and perform a choreography. The show moved to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
on 14 May at Politia: Live Clubbin, where a similar routine was performed. Tamta also performed the song as well as others from her album at a guest appearance at Stavro Tou Notou with Isaïas Matiamba.
Personnel
- Tamta – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Sakis Rouvas – vocals
- Dimitris Kontopoulos – arranger, producer, programmer, songwriter, synths
- Viki Gerothodorou – songwriter
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... |
9 December 2009 | Minos EMI Minos EMI Minos EMI is the domestic trade name of EMI Music Greece, a record company in Greece. It is the Greek record label division of the British-based, multinational EMI Group.... |
Radio single, promo single |
| 11 January 2010 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
||
| Cyprus Cyprus Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the... |
9 December 2009 | Radio single | |