Stous 31 Dromous (song)
Encyclopedia
"Stous 31 Dromous" is a song by Greek pop
/rock
singer Sakis Rouvas
. The uptempo ballad was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos
with lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou as the theme song of the Mega Channel television series of the same name as well as serving as the sole single from his live album This Is My Live. The song was released to radio stations in Greece an Cyprus on 30 September 2007, while the music video was shot in Brooklyn
, New York
.
and lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou who had first collaborated with Rouvas as of To Hrono Stamatao
(2003) and Iparhi Agapi Edo
(2006), respectively and had jointly written Rouvas' dance hit "Ola Gyro Sou Gyrizoun. It was recorded at Vox Recording Studios. The song was released on 30 September, the same day as the series premiere, although the series was then cancelled after eleven episodes. It was featured on its soundtrack, while it also served as the only single on Rouvas' second live album This Is My Live
. The album includes the original version of the song as well as a rock version as a bonus track. It is his follow-up single to his cover of "Suspicious Minds
", which was part of his film and soundtrack project Alter Ego
.
The song was created as the theme to the Greek-American drama series of the same name that aired on Mega Channel
. According to Espresso News in a publication made in June 2007, the show's creator, Andreas Georgiou, had originally asked Rouvas to star in the highly-anticipated series. Although Rouvas liked the show's concept and the producers were eager to have him feature, Rouvas eventually refused the offer as at the time he was doing work on his feature film
debut Alter Ego
and instead Georgiou himself took over the role. Despite this, in July the producers asked Rouvas, who was still living in and finishing business in Los Angeles
, to perform the entire soundtrack. Rouvas seemingly did not accept this proposal, instead opting to perform only the title track.
Inspired by the show's "modern 'American Dream
'" theme, the song was written to capture these emotions, such as those of the main character, Christina (Sofia Karvela) moving to New York from Greece with new hopes but encountering some misfortunes.
and electropop elements. The song's theme is about going on journeys and creating dreams, both of which comedian Lakis Lazopoulos
cited as recurring themes in Rouvas music during their collaboration on 21os Akatallilos
(2000).
approached, the Greek members of OGAE
chose the song to participate as the Greek entry in the OGAE Song Contest. At the contest, held in Zaragosa, Spain
on 25 October 2008, the song reached third place with 130 points, placing behind Croatia
and the United Kingdom
.
, the show's setting, sometime in September. The video opens with the sun shining on the New York skyline
. Rouvas proceeds walking briskly as if he has a destination in mind, wandering all over New York City, including the ghettos. Scenes of Rouvas constantly alternate with positive or humorous scenes from the series. Towards the end Rouvas reaches his destination, which is revealed to be the Brooklyn Bridge
. The video ends with Rouvas looking out to the skyline as the sun sets.
In the DVD of This Is My Live, bonus footage is included, featuring backstage scenes from the video and Rouvas greeting fans living in the United States.
and furthermore for his Politia concert series in Thessaloniki
with Peggy Zina
in the spring of 2008. Rouvas also performed the track in its entirety on the three-stop Kalokairino Randevou me ton Saki Tour, while in his later concert tours and series, such as STARZ, the Sakis Live Tour, and The S Club he performed only a portion of it. For his live performances, Rouvas opted for the rock version of the song, accompanied by a live band.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer Sakis Rouvas
Sakis Rouvas
Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas II , often referred to mononymously as Sakis, is a Greek musician, television and film artist, businessman, and former pole vaulter who is one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time in Greece and Cyprus...
. The uptempo ballad was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek music composers known for his dance-pop music.-Personal life:Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971...
with lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou as the theme song of the Mega Channel television series of the same name as well as serving as the sole single from his live album This Is My Live. The song was released to radio stations in Greece an Cyprus on 30 September 2007, while the music video was shot in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Background and recording
"Stous 31 Dromous" contains music written by Dimitris KontopoulosDimitris Kontopoulos
Dimitris Kontopoulos is one of the most famous Greek music composers known for his dance-pop music.-Personal life:Dimitris Kontopoulos was born in Athens, Greece on November 9, 1971...
and lyrics by Viki Gerothodorou who had first collaborated with Rouvas as of To Hrono Stamatao
To Hrono Stamatao
To Hrono Stamatao is the tenth studio album by Greek pop-rock singer-songwriter Sakis Rouvas, released in December 2003 by Minos EMI in Greece and Cyprus...
(2003) and Iparhi Agapi Edo
Iparhi Agapi Edo
Iparhi Agapi Edo is the eleventh studio album by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas. It was first released in Greece on December 7, 2006 by Minos EMI. Iparhi Agapi Edo includes 15 tracks including a ballad called "Mikros Titanikos" that was written especially for Rouvas by Yiannis Parios...
(2006), respectively and had jointly written Rouvas' dance hit "Ola Gyro Sou Gyrizoun. It was recorded at Vox Recording Studios. The song was released on 30 September, the same day as the series premiere, although the series was then cancelled after eleven episodes. It was featured on its soundtrack, while it also served as the only single on Rouvas' second live album This Is My Live
This Is My Live
This Is My Live is the name of the second live album by Greek singer Sakis Rouvas, released on December 12, 2007 in Greece and Cyprus by Minos EMI. The album was recorded on September 9, 2007 at Rouvas' sold-out show at Lycabetus Theatre with an audience of 7,000. The concert was the final stop on...
. The album includes the original version of the song as well as a rock version as a bonus track. It is his follow-up single to his cover of "Suspicious Minds
Suspicious Minds
"Suspicious Minds" is a song written by American songwriter Mark James that, after the failure of his own recording, was handed to Elvis Presley by producer Chips Moman becoming one of his most notable hits and a number one in 1969, "Suspicious Minds" was widely regarded as the single that returned...
", which was part of his film and soundtrack project Alter Ego
Alter Ego (soundtrack)
Alter Ego is the soundtrack for the film of the same name. It was released in June 2007 by Minos EMI. All five singles from the soundtrack are sung by popular singer Sakis Rouvas, who also made his feature film début, interpreting the lead role of Stefanos....
.
The song was created as the theme to the Greek-American drama series of the same name that aired on Mega Channel
Mega Channel
Mega Channel, also known as Mega TV or just Mega, is a major television network in Greece. Teletypos S.A. was founded in 1989 under the name Teletypos Television Programmes S.A...
. According to Espresso News in a publication made in June 2007, the show's creator, Andreas Georgiou, had originally asked Rouvas to star in the highly-anticipated series. Although Rouvas liked the show's concept and the producers were eager to have him feature, Rouvas eventually refused the offer as at the time he was doing work on his feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
debut Alter Ego
Alter Ego (film)
Alter Ego is a 2007 film produced by Village Roadshow Films . It premiered on May 10, 2007 in Greek theaters, and is famous for being the debut film of Greek superstar Sakis Rouvas. The film was one of the most successful films of all time in Greece, and at a budget of £2,000,000, it is recognized...
and instead Georgiou himself took over the role. Despite this, in July the producers asked Rouvas, who was still living in and finishing business in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, to perform the entire soundtrack. Rouvas seemingly did not accept this proposal, instead opting to perform only the title track.
Inspired by the show's "modern 'American Dream
American Dream
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each...
'" theme, the song was written to capture these emotions, such as those of the main character, Christina (Sofia Karvela) moving to New York from Greece with new hopes but encountering some misfortunes.
Composition and theme
"Stous 31 Dromous" is an uptempo ballad with dance-popDance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
and electropop elements. The song's theme is about going on journeys and creating dreams, both of which comedian Lakis Lazopoulos
Lakis Lazopoulos
Lakis Lazopoulos is a Greek playwright, actor and songwriter. His birth name is Apostolos Lazopoulos , Lakis being a diminutive. Lazopoulos was ranked 83rd by the public in Skai TV's Great Greeks in 2009...
cited as recurring themes in Rouvas music during their collaboration on 21os Akatallilos
21os Akatallilos
21os Akatallilos is the eighth studio album by Greek pop sensation Sakis Rouvas and his second produced by Vangelis Yannopoulos, for Minos Emi. The album was released on April 9, 2000 in Greece and Cyprus, and debut at number one on the charts...
(2000).
Chart performance
"Stous 31 Dromous" received some airplay upon release, although it did not prove to be as successful as Rouvas' recent or forthcoming singles. Following the cancellation of the series, the song eventually fell of the charts.Critical reception
Critical reaction to the song was mostly positive, with Espresso News describing it as an "incredible piece". In reviewing This Is My Live, Christianna Pantelatou of Music Corner stated that "Sakis [...] within 22 older songs (and the brand new 'Stous 31 dromous') gives us one of the most lively and bright evenings." As Rouvas' appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted by Russia after their win in 2008. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia....
approached, the Greek members of OGAE
OGAE
OGAE is one of the 2 major international fan club networks of the Eurovision Song Contest. It has branches in 37 European countries.Although the Eurovision Song Contest started in 1956, OGAE began only in 1984 in Finland. All countries that take part or have already taken part in the Eurovision...
chose the song to participate as the Greek entry in the OGAE Song Contest. At the contest, held in Zaragosa, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
on 25 October 2008, the song reached third place with 130 points, placing behind Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Music video
The music video was directed by Greek-American director Leonidas Melas, the show's director, making it the first collaboration between him and Rouvas. It was shot in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the show's setting, sometime in September. The video opens with the sun shining on the New York skyline
Skyline
A skyline is the overall or partial view of a city's tall buildings and structures consisting of many skyscrapers in front of the sky in the background. It can also be described as the artificial horizon that a city's overall structure creates. Skylines serve as a kind of fingerprint of a city, as...
. Rouvas proceeds walking briskly as if he has a destination in mind, wandering all over New York City, including the ghettos. Scenes of Rouvas constantly alternate with positive or humorous scenes from the series. Towards the end Rouvas reaches his destination, which is revealed to be the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
. The video ends with Rouvas looking out to the skyline as the sun sets.
In the DVD of This Is My Live, bonus footage is included, featuring backstage scenes from the video and Rouvas greeting fans living in the United States.
Live performances
Following the song's release, Rouvas added it to setlists, beginning with his world tour with Antonis RemosAntonis Remos
Antonis Remos , is a Greek laïko singer.-Early life:Antonis Remos was born in Düsseldorf, West Germany. He was raised there by his Greek parents, and later his family moved back to their native Thessaloniki, Greece, where he finished school. During his childhood he got involved with music and...
and furthermore for his Politia concert series in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
with Peggy Zina
Peggy Zina
Kalliopi Zina , known professionally as Peggy Zina, is a Greek singer. Peggy Zina made her discographic debut in 1995 with her self-titled album. She has since released ten studio albums and is a high-profile artist in the Greek music industry...
in the spring of 2008. Rouvas also performed the track in its entirety on the three-stop Kalokairino Randevou me ton Saki Tour, while in his later concert tours and series, such as STARZ, the Sakis Live Tour, and The S Club he performed only a portion of it. For his live performances, Rouvas opted for the rock version of the song, accompanied by a live band.
Personnel
- Sakis Rouvas – executive producerExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Dimitris Kontopoulos – arranger, producer, programmerMusical instrumentA musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
, songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, synths - Viki Gerothodorou – songwriter
- Liana Papalexi – backing vocals
- Kostas Gianniris – backing vocals
- Aris Binis – recording engineer, mixer
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... |
30 September 2007 | Minos EMI Minos EMI Minos EMI is the domestic trade name of EMI Music Greece, a record company in Greece. It is the Greek record label division of the British-based, multinational EMI Group.... |
Radio single, promo single |
| 9 November 2007 | Music video | ||
| Cyprus Cyprus Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the... |
30 September 2007 | Radio single | |