This song started when I realized I'd never written a song that prominently featured me singing "ooooooo." So I decided I would, and what would be good to rhyme with "ooooo"? "Papathanassiou," the surname of Aphrodite's Child keyboardist, Jon Anderson collaborator, oh and Oscar-winning composer Vangelis. While I'm at it, why not also the birthname of Yusuf Islam, before he was Cat Stevens -- Steven Dimitri Georgiou? Then, I asked myself, what else is Greek in my mind? Alex Karras (hence Papadapoulos). Also, Indianapolis -- home of the Butler University Bulldogs and beloved town of my upbringing.
This song is a trifle. I file it alongside "Going Steady" from CLIMBING MOUNTAIN TIME -- tiny little flighty songs that were more fun during writing than at any other time. But sometimes those are the ones that listeners like the most, so who knows...
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When you say "it's all Greek to me",
I know what you mean, and then
I think you won't talk to me
unless I'm Athenian
Ooooooooooo
Ms. Papathanassiou
I just don't know what to do
but I want you
Ms. Papathanassiou
I'm just a grecophile Anglo kid
from Indianapolis
I wish to Zeus my last name
was Papadapoulos
Ooooooooooo
Ms. Papathanassiou
I sure haven't got a clue
but I want you
Ms. Papathanassiou
I bet you get this all the time --
are you related to Vangelis?
And when Chariots of Fire came out,
did you go to Los Angeles?
Ooooooooooo
Ms. Papathanassiou
I'm no Steven Georgiou
but I want you
Ms. Papathanassiou
8/28/06
1/18/09