"Gia" is a song recorded by Greek singer Despina Vandi. It was originally released as the lead single off her 2001 multi-platinum Greek album also of the same name. Vandi signed with Ultra Records for the international release of the track, and in 2003 a CD single was made available in many markets, following by a 2004 US re-issued which included a new English-language version.[1]
"Gia" (the Greek word for "Hi") is best known for its blending of Arabic drums, modern laïka, Eurodance-influenced beats and bilingual lyrics. It is also the first foreign-language Dance recording to top the BillboardHot Dance Airplay chart, where it peaked at number one in 2004.[2][3]
"Gia" stayed on the Billboard charts for 12 weeks and made Vandi one of six artists that stayed the most weeks on the charts in 2004.[4]
The track has also been mashed-up with another Vandi single, "Come Along Now", which was released in 2004 as "Come Along Now Vs. Gia". It is featured on the Ministry of Sound's The Annual 2005.[5]
According to the Greek "Chart Show" and IFPI, the song is in the third position in the Top 30 with the best songs of the most successful Greek artists during 2000–2009.[6]
Music video
The original music video of the song was directed by Kostas Kapetanidis and was set in a temple with Vandi and four male dancers and featured a young child. In 2003, a new video was made for the Greek-English release of the song, which was also directed by Kapetanidis and was shot in Morocco.
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