PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek song "Dinata Dinata" (Δυνατά Δυνατά), which was sung in 1991 by Eleftheria Arvanitaki and later recorded in 1999 by Antique. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.

About this Song

This song was originally released under the title of "Homecoming" by Night Ark, an Armenian-American instrumental band based in the New York and New Jersey area. Ara Dinkjian founded Night Ark in 1986, and composed this song which was featured on their debut album, Picture. Ara Dinkjian is considered to be one of the top oud players in the world.

Night Ark's band members included:

• Ara Dinkjian (Αρα Ντινκτσιαν), Armenian American
• Arto Tunçboyacıyan (Αρτο Τουνκμπογασιγιαν), Armenian Turkish
• Armen Donelian (Αρμεν Ντονελιαν), Armenian American
• Marc Johnson (Μαρκ Τσονσον), American

I never would have thought that such a popular hit Greek song got its start from our Anatolian Armenian brothers in America. The band's final album was released in 2000. Since then, Ara Dinkjian has continued with his own projects, releasing additional albums.

The Greek version of this song, "Dinata Dinata", was performed in the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

About Eleftheria Arvanitaki

Eleftheria Arvanitaki, one of the artists to record this song, is a Greek folk singer known for singing rebetiko, laiko, and jazz musical styles. Born in 1957, she started her singing career as a member of the ensemble Opisthodromiki Kompania (Retrograde Company) that performed rebetiko music. She then spun off to launch a solo singing career in 1984 with an album that bore her name. She has toured extensively to perform at festivals and other live music events. Arvanitaki performed in the closing ceremony for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.

About Antique

Antique was a duet act from 1999 to 2003 consisting of Elena Paparizou and Nikos Panayiotidis (Νίκος Παναγιωτίδης). Both were born and raised in Sweden to Greek parents, and had known each other since they were children. They were brought together by two Swedish (non-Greek) music producers. Nikos is a singer and bouzouki player. Paparizou's perfect accent in English made her songs very popular as the two of them began to mix Greek and English lyrics. All songs released under Antique's collaboration were a huge success.

Antique first appeared on the scene in 2001 when they performed on the Eurovision television show, which is a renowned European music competition. They performed their hit song "I Would Die For You", which included lyrics in both Greek and English, and they won third place. According to Elena, Antique was a "Nordic beats with Greek influences" band. Their first song made it in the top 10 in Sweden. Antique albums have sold worldwide, including in the Arabian Gulf. They have also toured the world in concert. After working together for a few years, they ended the duet act and went separate ways to pursue other projects.

Song: Dinata Dinata (Loud Loud), 1991

Greek Lyrics: Lina Nikolakopoulou

Music: Ara Dinkjian

Original Greek Artist: Eleftheria Arvanitaki

Has Also Been Recorded By:

In America:

• Night Ark, 1986. ("Homecoming")

In Greek:

• Antique (a duet act consisting of Elena Paparizou and Nikos Panayiotidis), 1999, on the album Mera Me Ti' Mera

In Turkish:

• Sezen Aksu, 1988. ("Sarışınım") Turkish lyrics by Gonul Aysel Gurel
• Gülşen Bayraktar, 2004. ("Sarışınım")

Dance: Belly Dance

Album: Meno Ektos

Τραγούδι: Δυνατά Δυνατά, 1991

Στίχοι: Λίνα Νικολακοπούλου

Μουσική: Αρα Ντινκτσιαν

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

In America:

• Night Ark, 1986. ("Homecoming")

Στα Ελληνικά:

• Antique (Έλενα Παπαρίζου & Νίκος Παναγιωτίδης), 1999, on the album Μέρα Με Τι' Μέρα

Στα Τουρκικά:

• Σεζεν Ακσου, 1988. ("Σαρισινιμ"). Turkish lyrics by Γκονουλ Αισελ Γουρελ.
• Γιουλσιεν Μπαιρακταρ, 2004. ("Σαρισινιμ")

Χορός: Οριεντάλ, Χορό Της Κοιλιάς, Ανατολίτικος Χορός, Τσιφτετέλι, Χανούμικο, Κελικός Χορός

Άλμπουμ: Μένω Εκτός