Hamena – Kaiti Garbi & Argiros

“Hamena” (“Lost”, “Χαμένα” in Greek) stands as one of the most distinctive and beloved songs in the Greek pop scene, leaving a deep emotional mark with its lasting appeal. First sung by Kaiti Garbi in 1996, it has since become a symbolic song about loss, pain, and the melancholy of a love that has faded away.

The main video featured relates to the 2023 re-release, a duet between Kaiti Garbi and Konstantinos Argiros. This version was widely embraced, breathing new life into the already cherished song and confirming its place in contemporary Greek music.

Key Points

• Creation by Foivos: The song “Hamena” was created by Foivos, who wrote both the music and the lyrics.
• Iconic Performance: Kaiti Garbi’s original 1996 version is considered classic, passionately capturing the feeling of loss.
• Lasting Appeal: The song remains popular, also finding success in a recent duet version with Konstantinos Argiros.

Hamena – Lyrics

A Story of Lost Tears

The lyrics of “Hamena,” written by Foivos, directly and emotionally capture the moment of realizing a relationship has reached its end, leaving behind only bitterness for the wasted time and tears shed in vain.

The People Who Breathed Life into “Hamena”

The song is the result of a collaboration between two major names in the Greek music scene. Foivos wrote both the music and lyrics, creating a piece that blends melody with intense emotional weight. The first interpretation belongs to Kaiti Garbi, who elevated it with her characteristic voice and expressiveness.

It was first released in 1996 and is included on Garbi’s platinum album titled “Arxizo Polemo” (“I’m Starting a War”), released by Sony Music Greece / Columbia Records. Its success was immediate, establishing it as one of the most beloved and timeless songs of the 90s and of the singer’s career.

It has been rumored over time that the song was initially intended for Angela Dimitriou, something Foivos himself had mentioned. However, Kaiti Garbi has publicly stated she believes the song was written for her and that the reference to Angela Dimitriou might have been in the creator’s “imagination,” clarifying her own perspective on the song’s history.

Recently, “Hamena” gained new energy through a surprise duet between Kaiti Garbi and Konstantinos Argiros. This remake, released by Panik Platinum, is part of a larger project by Garbi, where she shares her major hits written by Foivos with significant male artists of the younger generation.

Key Contributors and Release Information

Music and Production: The Melody and Rhythm Behind the Words

The music of “Hamena” is typical of Foivos’ style during the 1990s. It’s a dynamic hasapiko, a rhythm the composer used successfully in many songs of that era. The melody is melancholic yet powerful, underlining the dramatic content of the lyrics.

The production of the original 1996 version, although details about specific instruments aren’t widely available, features the typical sound of the time, using synthesizers, drums, and acoustic instruments to create an atmosphere of tension and emotional climax, especially in the chorus. The orchestration gradually builds intensity, starting softer and leading to a strong, memorable chorus.

In the remake with Konstantinos Argiros, the production was modernized, offering a fuller, richer sound adapted to current listening preferences, without altering the core feeling of the original piece.

How Kaiti Garbi’s Performance Brought “Hamena” to Life

Kaiti Garbi’s performance in “Hamena” is a key reason for the song’s huge success. Her voice uniquely captures the range of emotions described in the lyrics: the initial discomfort, the decision to leave, the pain of realization, and the final disappointment. There’s a sense of weariness and bitterness in her voice, especially in the lines about the other person’s indifference (“Since you no longer care”).

The intensity builds in the chorus, where the repetition of the word “hamena” (lost) takes on an almost dramatic quality. Garbi manages to convey the feeling of futility and agony over the “lost tears” in a direct and moving way. Her performance is not just technically perfect, but deeply emotional, making the listener feel the pain of the song’s protagonist.

The new interpretation with Konstantinos Argiros

In the duet with Konstantinos Argiros, the two voices combine, offering a different dynamic. The performance becomes more conversational, but the central feeling of the song remains unchanged.

Decoding “Hamena”: The Meaning Behind the Words

Some songs aren’t just written to be heard, but to touch that part of us that hasn’t yet found its words. “Hamena” is one of them. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t accuse. It speaks with the quietness of someone who has already hurt and now only remembers.

The narrative begins in a space that can no longer “lift” anyone. The air has grown heavy, the walls have closed in. The relationship is no longer a relationship; it’s a space that crushes. Time has already moved on, and the one left behind is the last to understand.

When the decision to leave comes, it’s not a heroic exit. It’s a necessity. You leave not because you want to, but because you can’t stand it anymore. And just before you truly leave, you look back. For a moment. Not to change your mind – but to say the final “goodbye” inside. And then you realize: everything you gave, everything you hoped for, everything you cried for… was lost. Not because it wasn’t worthwhile, but because it never reached where you wanted it to.

Admitting “my love tires you” isn’t a complaint. It’s stripping bare. The moment you understand that what was once your brightest part is just a burden to the other.

And in the end? Nothing remains. Time runs out, and returning is no longer an option. There’s no promise, no hope. Only a door closing, quietly and definitively. The song captures the disappointment and sadness that follow the end of a great love, focusing on the feeling that everything given was ultimately “lost”.

The Original Official Video from 1996

The song “Hamena” was accompanied by an official music video upon its initial release in 1996. The video visually rendered the melancholic and dramatic atmosphere of the song, often placing Kaiti Garbi in settings that enhanced the sense of loneliness and emotional intensity, like an empty stage in front of a missing orchestra. Three male dancers in white shirts and black trousers bring the video to life, intensifying the song’s dramatic style.

What Listeners Say About Kaiti Garbi’s “Hamena”

In recent years, YouTube has become not only a place for listening but also a space for memory and personal confession. Under the official video for “Hamena,” dozens of users share their own stories, memories, and feelings connected to this timeless 1996 hit. The comments show how a song can become a collective refuge. Amidst memories, pain, and admiration, Foivos’s music and Kaiti Garbi’s interpretation continue to speak to people’s hearts, decades after the song’s first release.

• Memories and Nostalgia: Many commentators link the song to personal experiences or lost relationships. Comments like “it reminds me of lost years, words, moments” or “I lost a girl then and cried to this song” appear frequently, showing how deeply the piece touches those who heard it during crucial life moments.
• Emotional Connection: Others highlight the emotion evoked by the performance and lyrics, as in the comment: “How ironic to listen to it and cry though, huh?” or “the tears I spent… all lost!” – examples of how music mirrors feelings.
• Aesthetics and Voice: The video clip’s aesthetic and Kaiti Garbi’s presence are also discussed intensely. Users refer to her “distinct voice that can’t be mistaken for any other,” her “modest presence of quality popular song,” as well as the “choreography” and the “video like something from a Finos Film movie.”
• Timelessness: Many comments confirm the song’s lasting value: “They don’t write songs like this anymore,” “Always relevant,” and “lost… and still lost.” The title phrase has become a symbol of emotional loss, repeated by users like a life motto.
• “Kaiti, you’re a goddess”: There are also more spontaneous, brief comments full of enthusiasm: “Kaiti, you’re a goddess,” “The best of all time!”, or simply “Adored” – showing the love and recognition Garbi continues to receive from her audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the lyrics and music for “Hamena”?

Foivos wrote both the lyrics and the music for the song “Hamena.”

When was the song first released?

The song was first released in 1996.

Which Kaiti Garbi album includes “Hamena”?

The song is included on Kaiti Garbi’s album “Arxizo Polemo,” released in 1996.

Is there a remake of the song?

Yes, there is a recent remake of the song as a duet between Kaiti Garbi and Konstantinos Argiros.

What is the musical genre of “Hamena”?

The song is a dynamic hasapiko (a Greek rhythm/dance), fitting within the broader context of Greek pop and laiko (popular folk-influenced) music.

What theme do the song’s lyrics address?

The lyrics talk about the end of a relationship, disappointment, and the realization that the time and emotions invested were wasted (“lost”).

Is there a version with Paschalis Terzis?

Yes, one exists from their older collaboration at the Iera Odos music hall, and this is the video:

Which record label released the first version?

The first version was released by Sony Music Entertainment (Greece) SA / Columbia Records.

What is the significance of the phrase “lost tears”?

This phrase expresses the futility and bitterness over the emotional pain and efforts made for a relationship that ultimately did not succeed.

Was the song really written for Angela Dimitriou?

Foivos had mentioned it was intended for Angela Dimitriou, but Kaiti Garbi has stated she believes it was written for her and has denied it was initially given to Dimitriou.