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 "Tosi Kardia, Tosi Agapi" (Τόση Καρδιά, Τόση Αγάπη), which was sung by Filippos Nikolaou. 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 has an Oriental disco flavor, which fits with the era when it was popular. Samira Said, an artist of Egyptian citizenship who was born in Rabat, Morocco performed a version with Arabic lyrics titled "Bitakat Hob" in the 1980 Eurovision competition. The composer, Abdelati Amenna, was Moroccan.

About Filippos Nikolaou

Filippos Nikolaou is a Greek singer and lyricist who has 41 albums to his credit, including two that have achieved platinum status. He was born in 1942 to a refugee father from Anatolia. His first job was at age 12, working as a porter, then later in a candy factory. He later found a better job as a customs broker.

At age 22, Nikolaou and a friend decided to travel to Rhodes together via a cruise ship. On board the ship, they met a band of musicians known as The Playboys who were lamenting that their lead singer had just abandoned them, and they needed to play a gig on Rhodes. They recruited Nikolaou to perform as their lead singer, and this began his lifelong career in the music business.

Nikolaou made his debut as a recording artist, composer, and lyricist in 1969 with his song "Fylla fthinoporina". He adapted many foreign songs for the Greek market, including this one, giving them Greek lyrics. His career peaked in the 1970's. Today, he continues to do live shows, and remains a popular entertainer.

Song: Tosi Kardia, Tosi Agapi (So Much Heart, So Much Love), 1980

Lyrics: Filippos Nikolaou

Music: Abdelati Amenna

Original Artist: Filippos Nikolaou

Dance Style:

• Belly Dance
• Syrtos
• Syrto-Tsifteteli
• Disco dancing

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Samira Said, 1980, in Arabic ("Bitaqat Hob"). Arabic lyrics by Moroccan lyricist and poet Malo Rouane.

Album: Tosi Kardia, Tosi Agapi (So Much Heart, So Much Love)

Τραγούδι: Τόση Καρδιά, Τόση Αγάπη, 1980

Στίχοι: Φίλιππος Νικολάου

Μουσική: Αμπντελατι Αμεννα

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Φίλιππος Νικολάου
Χορός: Οριεντάλ, Χορό Της Κοιλιάς, Ανατολίτικος Χορός, Τσιφτετέλι, Χανούμικο, Κελικός Χορός, Συρτός, Συρτοτσιφτετέλι

Άλμπουμ: Τόση Καρδιά, Τόση Αγάπη

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

• Σαμίρα Σαίντ, 1980, Στα Αραβικά ("Μπιτακατ Χομπ"). Arabic lyrics by Moroccan lyricist and poet Μαλο Ρουανε.

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.