The Enigmatic 'Misirlou': Unraveling the Story Behind the Timeless Song

The song "Misirlou" carries a rich history and a fascinating tale of cultural exchange. Its Greek title is a phonetic pronunciation of the Turkish word Mısırlı, which translates to "Egyptian girl." This linguistic crossover reflects the complex historical interactions between Greeks, Turks, and other cultures in the Ottoman Empire before the 20th century.

In those bygone days, ethnic Greeks were scattered throughout the Ottoman Empire, including regions now part of modern-day Turkey, the Levant, and Egypt. Consequently, it's not unusual to find words from Arabic and Turkish languages interwoven into Greek rebetiko songs. These vintage songs often speak of "Arabian" women, reflecting the cultural blend of the era. Interestingly, Greek words have also influenced the Arabic and Turkish languages.

The original Greek lyrics of "Misirlou" tell a story of forbidden love between a Greek (Christian) man and an Egyptian (Muslim) woman. This theme was considered risqué in its time due to the religious and ethnic differences between the characters. While the lyrics don't explicitly mention religion, the nationalities of the man and woman imply the divide.

The copyright for "Misirlou" was officially registered by Nicholas (Nikos) Roubanis, although some argue that the song predates this registration, suggesting that Roubanis may have claimed a melody that already existed. Historical records, including old vinyl records and a 1927 rebetiko book, prove that Roubanis collaborated with Tetos Demetriades to release the original version of "Misirlou."

The central figures behind the song also warrant attention. Theodotos Demetriades, known as Tetos, was the original artist to record "Misirlou" in 1927. Born between 1897 and 1901 in Constantinople (now Istanbul), he moved to the United States in 1921. Tetos Demetriades died in New Jersey in 1971, leaving a lasting musical legacy.

Throughout the years, numerous Greek recording artists have put their unique spin on "Misirlou." Some notable versions include those by Michalis (Mike) Patrinos, Danai Stratigopoulou, Sofia Vembo, Manolis Aggelopoulos, Glykeria Kotsoula, and many more.

Missirlou was first aired in Athens around 1927 by Dimitris Patrinos, a musician from Smyrni.

The only sure thing is that Patrinos wrote the lyrics. The international journey of the song began in 1930 in the US, with the release of the Orthophonic album by Greek-American Titos Dimitriadis

The song also transcended language barriers. English lyrics for "Misirlou" were crafted in 1940 by Bob Russell, Fred Wise, and Milton Leeds, leading to a 1941 recording by Mitchell Ayres. These lyrics took on a different meaning from the original Greek.

The song's popularity soared with the release of Dick Dale and the Del-Tones' surfer guitar version in 1962. By blending Middle Eastern influences with surf rock, Dale's unique interpretation breathed new life into "Misirlou." Its resurgence was further propelled when Quentin Tarantino featured it on the soundtrack of his 1994 film "Pulp Fiction."

"Misirlou" has also found a place in the world of dance. Dancers have choreographed various styles to the song, including the Tsifteteli (belly dance), Zeibekiko, and a line dance popular among non-Greek folk dancers in North America. Each dance form interprets the song's rhythm differently, showcasing its versatility.

In summary, "Misirlou" is a song transcending time and borders, carrying a history of cultural exchange and musical evolution. Its journey from the Ottoman Empire to contemporary dance floors worldwide is a testament to the enduring power of music to bridge cultures and generations

English translation:

My Misirlou (Egyptian girl), your sweet glance
Has lit a flame in my heart.
Oh, my love, Oh, my night‎
Your two lips are dripping honey, ah.

Ah, Misirlou, magical, exotic beauty.
Madness will overcome me, I can't endure [this] any more.
Ah, I'll steal you away from the Arab land.

My black-eyed, my wild Misirlou,
My life changes with one kiss
Ah, ya habibi, one little kiss, ah
From your sweet little lips, ah.