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Draft:Anna Mari Elena

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Anna Mari Elena is a song recorded by Greek Cypriot singer/songwriter Andy Paul and entered into the Eurovision Song Contest in 1984 as the Cyprus entry. It was written by Mike Stock and Matt Aitken (of Stock Aitken Waterman fame) and fellow songwriter/producer Pete Ware.

History and release.

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Andy Paul is a Greek Cypriot who immigrated to the UK in the early 1960s. He became a singer and songwriter influenced by artists such as Elvis, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Paul started his career singing in a talent contest. Encouraged by his friends and family to enter, he won first prize with his impersonation of his childhood idol Elvis Presley. His performance was so good, the Whitley Taverns gave him a contract. Paul went on to sing in top venues throughout the UK until his big hit with "Anna Mari-Elena". Although he was Greek, he had little contact with the Greek community; he was more of an English artist.

Andy had previously recorded and released a track produced by Stock, Aitken and Ware, "Heartbreak Situation" in 1983 and was now in need of a song to enter into the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

The song, "Anna Mari Elena" was written by Mike in 1983 at his home studio in Abbey Wood but, according to competition rules at the time Andy had to be credited as writer. It was later recorded at Hollywood Studios with an orchestra for the final version.[1]

"Anna Mari Elena" was voted by the Cypriot public to represent the nation at the contest in May 1984. Pete Waterman flew out to Luxembourg with Andy and and the song came 15th (out of 19 entries) with 31 points, getting the top 12 marks from Yugoslavia, 10 from Ireland – but nil points from the UK. [1][2] [3]

After its popularity the record was released in England, mainly for the Greek/Cypriot community and it was Barry Evangeli who released the record on his own label, Proto Records.

Track information [4]

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Title: Anna Mari Elena

Artist: Andy Paul

Writer: Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Ware

Producer: Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman, Pete Ware

Location: Abbey Wood, Hollywood Studios

Date: 02/06/1984

Versions available (timing)

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7" English Version (2.59)

7" Greek/Cyprus Version (2.59)

Formats

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7" Single (PROTO ENA 117)

Anna Mari Elena (English Version)

Anna Mari Elena (Greek Version)

Bistepsememe

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Mike Stock Official Site

Pete Waterman Official Site

Stock Aitken Waterman Official Site

References

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  1. ^ Stock, Mike (2004). The Hit Factory: The Stock Aitken Waterman Story. New Holland Publishers Ltd. ISBN 978-1843307297.
  2. ^ "Eurovision World".
  3. ^ Waterman, Pete (2000). I Wish I Was Me. Virgin Publishing. ISBN 978-1852279004.
  4. ^ "Mike Stock Music".