GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGIAN MUSIC
When I explore a country, in addition to reading its history, visiting its historical and touristic places, and tasting its food, I also research its music to dive deeper. I make a playlist for myself and listen to it during my stay 🙂 Music is like a crash course in explaining the culture of a country. Georgian songs help me understand Georgian culture. Confucius also agrees with me 🙂
To understand the character of a nation, look at their music.
Confucius
The traditional music of Georgia is known as the earliest polyphonic music of the Christian world, and typical Georgian songs are performed by men with at least three vocal ranges.
Georgians are proud of their country’s traditional songs and musical culture. They are right to hear that, Georgian polyphonic music is on UNESCO‘s intangible cultural heritage list.
I added Spotify links to the titles of the songs. And the full list is here. If you are ready, let’s start 🙂
You can visit the Georgia page for travel guides of Batumi, Tbilisi and other regions.
TANGO – MGZAVREBI
Great song that I listened to constantly during my last visit to Georgia. I had the emotional intensity of leaving Istanbul, my house in Bostacı, my family, my friends, and my habits. The song begins with these words:
Time doesn’t like to turn back. Minutes are counted in time.
Streets passed, roads passed, a beautiful lip and a beautiful eyebrow… I can’t go back.
It will fade away. It will fade away, years will pass. No matter what, you still can’t keep up.
You’ll never understand, this heartbeat
Time doesn’t like delay. It doesn’t like, it doesn’t like…
Give me strength, give me strength, if you can.
JANGHI – KESANE QUARTET
I came across the song in the Songs of Survival album, which collects Georgia’s traditional music. I couldn’t find the lyrics on the internet, and when I asked my friends in Georgia, no one understood the lyrics of the song. The song was sung in an ancient, local language called Mingrelian. Even though I don’t know what the song is about, I enjoy listening to it 🙂
SHOTA – 33A
One of the songs in the album Saperavi of the band 33A. All of the songs Niaz Diasamidze made with 33A are amazing. It is very satisfying in terms of instrument richness and dominance.
Niaz Diasamidze is a Georgian musician, songwriter, calligrapher and actor. The artist was born in Tbilisi during the Soviet period. He founded the folk and pop rock band 33a in 1994, the name of the band comes from the address 33a, Paliashvili street, where Diasamidze lived 🙂
QALIS SURVILI – KAHABERI & KHANUMS
The song appears on Kahaberi Tsiskaridze’s album Anidan Haemde. The rhythm is very nice 🙂
Kakhaber Tsiskaridze is a valuable musician who has a place in Georgian music. He has many local and international works. Kahaberi & Khanums is the artist’s latest musical project. It aims to popularize Georgian folklore in a modern way.
MTVARE – MGZAVREBI
Mtvare (Moon) appears on the band’s album Me Movigone.
Mgzavrebi was founded in 2006 by Gigi Dedalamazishvili. The group, which had 3 members when it was founded, now has 15 members. The band’s first album, Me Movigone, was released in 2008. Mgzavrebi is one of the most musical countries in the world of modern rhythms and authentic.
MGZAVRULI – MGZAVREBI
Another song of the band that I like, Mgzavruli, is on the album Krebuli.
TBILISO – NORIG
The composition written by Georgian composer Revaz Laghidze for the capital Tbilisi was very popular in the Soviet Union in the 70s and 80s. The lyrics of the song were written by Petre Gruzinski.
I like listening from Norig, but its instrumental version is also very nice 🙂
The composition has been used by different artists in different countries. For example, in Parlophone’s song Stay with Me.
GAIGVIDZA BUNEBAM – MGZAVREBI
Another beautiful song from Mgzavrebi’s album Me Movigone.
AI MTAZEDA – 33A
The song is included in 33a’s album Saperavi. Niaz Diasamidze’s introduction with panduri adds a legendary flavor to the song 🙂
Niaz Diasamidze is also the musician who composed the beautiful music of Mandariinid, Georgia and Estonia’s Oscar nominee for the best foreign film in 2015.
DROMALE – 33A
Dromale is featured on 33a’s album Georgien. Niaz Diasamidze sings some parts of the song in French. You look so much like Garou, I’m amazed.
It is not easy to make music that touches the souls of those who wish it, but Niaz Diasamidze is quite successful in this regard.
SOKHUMI – 33A
33a’s legendary instrumental song is included in the album Georgien. The instrument transitions in the song are so successful that when you close your eyes, you find yourself in the magnificent dark blue mountains of Georgia. It brings people to another world by taking from reality.
GITARA – 33A
On the way from Batumi to Svaneti, it suddenly started raining and Guitar was playing on Spotify. It was a great moment. The song is in the 33a’s album, Usakhelouri.
ADE SHAKHEDE QVEKANAS – 33A
Another beautiful song from 33a’s Usakhelouri album 🙂 Panduri intros are great again 🙂
SULIS VARDO – 33A
One of my favorite Georgian songs is by Sulis Vardo. The song is in the album Saperavi. His words express the pain of separation. “Those eyes that were mine are now looking into someone else’s eyes. What can I do other than shed tears…” A delicious piece…
SHOTA BLUES – 33A
If Georgian and French are mixed; What do you think it would be like if they added blues to it? 🙂 I think it’s not bad.
MRAVALZHAMIER – 33A
The intro of the song starts with accordia. I don’t know if it was because of my interest in the accordion that I liked it; when the lyrics are removed, it’s like French music. The song is in the album 33A Saperavi.
