Hello, dear Greek music and Eurovision enthusiasts!
Since yesterday, Sunday 15th of February, Greece has been beating in Eurovision rhythms, because that was the day we chose the song that will represent us in the big Eurovision contest. And the big winner is Akylas with his song Ferto.
But what does this little catchy phrase mean? And what is this song really all about? I’ll explain everything shortly, but first let’s see who Akylas is and how we got here.
Who is Akylas
Akylas is a young musician who was born in Serres, in the northern part of Greece. He was fairly unknown before he decided to participate in our national contest, Sing for Greece, which led him to Eurovision.
He is a boy who fought completely on his own with his music. No help, no big names behind him. Just him and his songs. He was singing in the streets and now he will sing on the Eurovision stage. And this is huge. And people acknowledge that.
It’s not only that they love the song. His story gives emotional value to his win.
How We Got There
The national broadcaster of Greece, Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), decided to repeat last year’s selection procedure since it was considered a success. After all, Asteromata, last year’s entry managed to take 6th place in Eurovision.
This year again, songs were submitted and then evaluated by committees and the public. In total, 264 songs were submitted, from which 28 were selected. These 28 songs were presented to the public and then competed in a Eurovision style format. Two semi -finals and a big final to elect the winner.
The moment the 28 songs were released, Akylas with Ferto hit like a big wave. It was the song that immedetially stood out. Soon enough, Greece climbed to the 3d position in the betting odds without even having officialy selected the entry yet. Europe was telling us, choose Akylas.
And yes, we did!
In the finals, he didn’t only come first in the public vote, but he also came first with both committees. The national and the international jury. And the audience was already shouting Akylas’ name before the results were even announced.
We are talking about a sweeping victory.
A very special moment was when his mother was called on stage because the song is dedicated to her. She was his inspiration.
The Meaning Behind Ferto
When you first hear the song you might wonder, what’s that? Is it a troll song?
I mean the beat and the rythm might lead you to think so. It sounds playful, almost flashy. But if you pay attention to the lyrics, and that’s exactly what we are about to do, you will realize that this is actually a song with a deeper meaning.
He talks about overconsumtion. And yes he makes fun of it. The endless “bring it” becomes almost obsessive. Nothing is enough. He wants everything.
And then comes the bridge.
The tone changes. He speaks directly to his mother. Suddenly it’s not about yachts and designer glasses. It’s about what they didn’t have growing up. It’s about wanting to provide.
That contrast is what makes the song clever and Eurovision-smart.
Before we break it down, take a moment to listen to the song. Pay attention to any words or phrases you already recognize. You might be surprised how much you understand.
Exploring the Lyrics
Before we look at the full translation of the lyrics let’s analyze the title itself.
Ferto is φέρτο in Greek. It means bring it.
It actually comes from two words:
φέρε (fere) – bring
το (to) – it
In fast speech, φέρε το becomes φέρ’το and then φέρτο.
And now, let’s see all the lyrics.
| Greek / Mixed Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Πρέπει να παίξω, δεν θα πάω πάσο | I have to play, I won’t fold |
| Mi ambición es fuego, nunca fracaso | My ambition is fire, I never fail |
| No hay límite, todo lo arraso | There is no limit, I wipe everything out |
| Κυνηγάω τα πάντα μέχρι να τα φτάσω | I chase everything until I reach them |
| Θέλω ένα στέμμα κι έναν θρόνο να κάτσω | I want a crown and a throne to sit on |
| Ένα block επιταγών και check σε όλους να γράψω | A checkbook and checks to write to everyone |
| Φέρε μου ένα ποτό που θέλω να ξεδιψάσω | Bring me a drink, I want to quench my thirst |
| Φερ’ τα μου όλα-όλα, πάλι δεν θα χορτάσω | Bring them all to me, I still won’t be satisfied |
| Real estate, φερ’ το | Real estate, bring it |
| Sashimi tuna, φερ’ το | Sashimi tuna, bring it |
| Χρυσό ρολόι, γυαλί designer | Gold watch, designer glasses |
| Σου λέω φερ’ το | I’m telling you, bring it |
| Leather πάλτο, φερ’ το | Leather coat, bring it |
| Κι escargot, φερ’ το | And escargot, bring it |
| Rally cars, yacht με stars | Rally cars, yacht with stars |
| Σου είπα φερ’ το | I told you, bring it |
| (Φερ’ το, φερ’ το, φερ’ το) | (Bring it, bring it, bring it) |
| Φερ’ το μου, φερ’ το μου, φερ’ το | Bring it to me, bring it to me, bring it |
| Φερ’ το μου, φερ’ το μου, φερ’ το | Bring it to me, bring it to me, bring it |
| Φερ’ το μου, φερ’ το μου, φερ’ το | Bring it to me, bring it to me, bring it |
| Σου είπα φερ’ το | I told you, bring it |
| Je veux le sommet, pas juste un pas | I want the summit, not just one step |
| Rien ne me suffit, je réclame tout ça | Nothing is enough for me, I demand all of it |
| Ακόμη κι όλα δεν ειν’ αρκετά | Even everything is not enough |
| Θέλω τόσα πολλά, που δεν είναι απτά | I want so many things that aren’t even tangible |
| Θέλω δόξα αιωνιότητα και λεφτά | I want glory, eternity and money |
| Ρούχα επιλεγμένα που ‘ναι τόσο ακριβά | Carefully chosen clothes that are so expensive |
| Να φωνάζουν τ’ όνομά μου τόσο δυνατά | To shout my name so loudly |
| Και να χορεύω-χορεύω όσο πάω ψηλά | And to dance and dance as I rise higher |
| (Diamond rings) Φερ’ το | (Diamond rings) Bring it |
| (Cuban links) Φερ’ το | (Cuban links) Bring it |
| (Submarines, jet machines) | (Submarines, jet machines) |
| Θέλω, οπότε φερ’ το | I want them, so bring it |
| (Γη κι ουρανό) Φερ’ το | (Earth and sky) Bring it |
| (Τον κόσμο όλο) Φερ’ το | (The whole world) Bring it |
| (Εντός κι εκτός πλανήτη) | (Inside and outside the planet) |
| Αν δεν το ‘χω, φερ’ το | If I don’t have it, bring it |
| Θέλω δόξα, αιωνιότητα και λεφτά | I want glory, eternity and money |
| Ρούχα επιλεγμένα που ‘ναι τόσο ακριβά | Carefully chosen clothes that are so expensive |
| Να φωνάζουν τ’ όνομά μου τόσο δυνατά | To shout my name so loudly |
| Να λένε “Φερ’ το μας, Ακύλα, φερ’ το” | To say “Bring it to us, Akylas, bring it” |
| Κοίτα μαμά | Look, mom |
| Όσα στερηθήκαμε παλιά | All the things we were deprived of in the past |
| Νιώθω πως θα καταφέρω | I feel that I will manage |
| Να προσφέρω μη μας λείψει κάτι ξανά | To provide so we never lack anything again |
| Δες με μαμά | Look at me, mom |
| Αγοράζω να κλείσω κενά | I buy things to fill the gaps |
| Θα σου πάρω κι εσένα πολλά | I will buy you many things too |
| Σπίτια, αμάξια και εξοχικά | Houses, cars and holiday homes |
| Βέβαια, αν κερδίσω | Of course, if I win |
| Whatever, κατάλαβες, οπότε | Whatever, you get it, so |
| Σου είπα φέρτο | I told you, bring it |
Why Ferto is Ideal for Learning Greek with Music
This song is ideal for Greek learners for a number of reasons.
First, it mixes languages. Greek, Spanish, French and English. That makes it less intimidating.
You don’t feel lost.
Second, it uses repetition. Φέρτο is repeated again and again. And repetition helps vocabulary stick naturally.
Third, it contains useful everyday expressions:
– πάω πάσο (páo páso) – I fold / I give up (idiomatic expression)
– μέχρι να τα φτάσω (méchri na ta ftáso) – until I reach them
– να χορτάσω (na chortáso) – to feel satisfied
– να μας λείψει κάτι (na mas lípsi káti)– to lack something
And finally, the bridge gives you emotional Greek. The kind of Greek you don’t find in text books.
Learning through music makes vocabulary feel alive, not mechanical. And this song gives you rythm, slang, and modern phrasing all together.
But now, let’s take a look at some key vocabulary from the song. I have also added the articles to make it easier to use.
Ferto – Key Vocabulary
Tο στέμμα (to stémma) – crown
Ο θρόνος (o thrónos) – throne
Το μπλοκ επιταγών (to blok epitagón) – checkbook
Η επιταγή (i epitagí) – check (bank check)
Το πάσο (to páso) – fold / pass (cards term)
Η δόξα (i dóxa) – glory
Η αιωνιότητα (i aioniótita) – eternity
Τα λεφτά (ta leftá) – money
Το εξοχικό (to exochikó) – holiday house
Η φιλοδοξία (i filodoxía) – ambition
Last Note
Yes, Ferto might sound like a troll song at first but if you listen closer you’ll discover the hidden treasure inside. It is about wanting everything and, at the same time, making up for what was missing.
Win Eurovsion or not, it’s already done its job. People are talikng about it and you’ve got a fun song to learn Greek with. It’s a win-win situation.
And hey, because a win wouldn’t hurt, don’t forget to vote for Greece in May!
Good luck to Greece’s entry, for the Eurovision song contest !
Go Greece!