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 "Filakia" (Φιλάκια), which was sung by Lefteris Pantazis. 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 the Song

Those of us from regions that speak Greek, Arabic, and Turkish have exchanged countless songs with each other through licensing the music and creating lyrics in our own languages. These include both current pop music and classics. The song translated on this page is an example of one – it originally appeared in Turkey as "Simarik".

"Simarik" was released in 1997 in Turkish by Tarkan Tevetoglu. Its music and Turkish lyrics were created by Sezen Aksu.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: The photo shows Tarkan, the original artist to release this song in Turkey.

The Greek version of this song was released under the name "Filakia" by Lefteris Pantazis.

There was also an Arabic version of this song, "El Bawsi", released in 1999 by Nina & Rida Boutros.

About Lefteris Pantazis

Lefteris Pantazis is the stage name for Eleftherios Pagozidis, who is of Anatolian Greek/Pontian heritage born in the former Soviet Union. Russia had welcomed thousands of Pontian surviving refugees in the early 20th century when they fled Turkey. He is known as one of the greatest laiko pop singers of our time. His songs are always hits. He has published 27 albums and 13 limited editions, of which 30 went on to become platinum. 

About Sezen Aksu

Sezen Aksu, the composer of the music and the writer of the original Turkish lyrics for this song, was born in Turkey in 1954 and named Fatma Sezen Yıldırım. Her parents discouraged her from singing because they aspired to see her enter a steady profession such as engineering or medicine.

Sezen Aksu is considered a leader in the Turkish pop music genre that arose in the 1970's. She made her debut in the Turkish pop music scene in 1975. In 1976, she won the "Promising Female Artist of the Year" award.

About Hlias Filippou

Hlias Filippou, sometimes spelled Ilias Filippou, wrote the Greek lyrics for this song. He was born in 1959, and is credited with writing lyrics and composing music for nearly 200 songs throughout his career.

Lyrics: Hlias Filippou (Turkish lyrics were by Sezen Aksu)

Music: Sezen Aksu (the 1997 release of Simarik credited Tarkan as composer, but in 2006 he admitted in an interview that she was the composer)

Original Artist for Greek Version: Eleftherios Pagozidis (Lefteris Pantazis)

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Nina & Rida Boutros, 1999, in Arabic ("El Bawsi")
• Tarkan, 1998, in Turkish ("Şımarık")
• Stella Soleil, 2001, in English ("Kiss Kiss")
• Holly Valance, 2002, in English ("Kiss Kiss")

Album: Filakia (Kisses)

Στίχοι: Ηλίας Φιλίππου (Τουρκικά - Φατμα Σεζεν Γιλντιριμ/Σεζεν Ακσου)

Μουσική: Οζαν Τσολακογλου

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Ελευθέριος Παγκοζίδης (Λευτέρης Πανταζής)

Άλμπουμ: Φιλάκια

This page was contributed by Panayiota Bakis, who is happy to share her culture and music she grew up with! Here's how Panayiota describes her background:

I always love engaging with intelligent like-minded people, especially artists. I love sharing anything and everything about my Hellenic culture and upbringing, especially music and dance. A conversation with me will bring you back to America's favorite Greek-American movie by Nia Vardalos called My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

I love investigating Greek culture, history, music, and dance. Speaking of investigating, I think I missed my calling, I probably should have been an investigator. Instead, I use those skills to dig and dig and dig tirelessly, often times falling asleep on my laptop... just to find the truth. But, most importantly, accurate truth. For me personally, and other respectable folklorists, my culture and accuracy are very important. Each generation of ethnic born artists has a duty to do the best it can to pass down our traditions as was taught to us. We have been given this artistic gift to be the gatekeepers of our heritage and culture.