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 "Ftani Emena Na M' Agapas" (Φτάνει Να Μ' Αγαπάς), which was sung by Makis Hristodoulopoulos. 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

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 in 1985 as "Mavi Mavi", sung in a movie also titled Mavi Mavi by Ibrahim Tatlises.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: The photo shows Ibrahim Tatlises, the original artist for this song.

Versions with Greek and Arabic soon followed. See below for a list of the many artists who have recorded this song in Turkish, Greek, and Arabic.

The Turkish version lyrics were written by Burhan Bayar (Μπουρχαν Μπαγιαρ) & Yilmaz Tatlises (Γιλμαζ Τατλισες). Music composition by Burhan Bayar (Μπουρχαν Μπαγιαρ).

About Vasilis Saleas

Vasilis Saleas, a Romani Greek, created the music for the Greek adaptation of the original Turkish song "Mavi Mavi". He is the foremost clarinet player in Greece. He was born in Mesedogi in 1958, and his family moved moved to Athens when he was a small child. His father and uncle taught him how to play the clarinet at the age of 9, and he performed his first club concert two years later. By the age of 14 he had mastered the clarinet and recorded his first disc. Music is more than a profession for him, it's a way of life.

About Makis Hristodoulopoulos

The artist who popularized the Greek version of this song is the Greek Romani musician Asimakis Makis Hristodoulopoulos, who used the stage name of "Makis Hristodoulopoulos". Born in 1948, he learned to play guitar and clarinet from a young age.

Hristodoulopoulos began his career singing folk songs for festivals, where he was discovered by Vasilis Saleas. He has written and composed songs for many renowned Greek artists such as Glykeria and others. His music broke records and turned our world upside down.

Song: Ftani Emena Na M' Agapas (As Long As You Love Me), 1987

Greek Version of Lyrics: Andreas Spiropoulos

Music Adaptation for Greek Version: Vasilis Saleas

Original Greek Artist: Makis Hristodoulopoulos

Album: Ragismeni Matia (Cracked Glance)

Has Also Been Recorded By:

In Greek

• Yiannis Floriniotis. 1987. Different lyrics from the song by Hristodoulopoulos translated on this page. Released under song title "Pes To, Pes To".
• Nihat Nazar. 2009. Lyrics in both Greek and Arabic. Released with Vasilis Sales as track 19 on the album Mia Vradia Stou Salea.

In Turkish, as Song Titled "Mavi Mavi"

• İbrahim Ibo Tatlıses. 1985.
• John Bilezikjian. 1994. "Mavi Mavi" is first song in a medley.
• Mary Ellen Donald and Mimi Spencer. 1999. On Gems of the Middle East, Volume III.
• Işın Karaca. 2010.
• Sibel Cangüre. 2016.
• Yara Band. 2019.

In Arabic:

• Aboud Fouad. 1986. Under song title "Mavi Mavi".
• Semi Semir. 1995. Under song title "Mavi Mavi".
• Maher Halabi, a Palestinian artist. 1997. Under song title "Mani Mani".

Dance: Belly Dance

Τραγουδι: Φτάνει Να Μ' Αγαπάς, 1987

Στίχοι: Ανδρέας Σπυρόπουλος

Μουσική: Βασίλης Σαλέας

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Ασημάκης Μάκης Χριστοδουλόπουλος

Άλμπουμ: Ραγισμένα Μάτια

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

In Greek

• Γιάννης Φλωρινιώτης. 1987. Under the song title "Πες Το, Πες Το".

In Turkish, as Song Titled "Μάβι Μάβι"

• Ιμπραχαιμ Ίμπο Τατλισες. 1985.
• Ισιουν Καρακα. 2010.
• Σιμπελ Τζαν. 2016.

In Arabic

• Άμπουντ Φουάντ. 1986.
• Σεμι Σεμιρ. 1995.