“It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since ‘Oli Mazi (We Are All Together)’ was released! Written with Diane Warren, collaborating with Christos Mastoras on this track for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was truly an honour,” Rita Wilson wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post this week. Sharing behind-the-scenes snapshots from the official music video and rehearsals, Wilson embraced the momentous occasion, toasting to “another year of celebrating togetherness and Greek joy!”
Reflecting on the past year, Wilson also wrote, “One whole year of dancing to the Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike remix of ‘Oli Mazi (We Are All Together)’!”, thanking remixers Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and her “duet partner extraordinaire” Christos Mastoras, who brought the track to life alongside her.
For those unfamiliar, “Oli Mazi” (όλοι μαζί, or óloi mazí) means “all together” in Greek—a sentiment that permeates the song and encapsulates the very essence of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Rita Wilson, married to actor Tom Hanks for 36 years, and celebrated for her diverse career as an actress, singer, songwriter, and producer, was inspired by the consistent themes of family and connection woven throughout the film franchise. Wilson co-wrote the song alongside the legendary Diane Warren, crafting an anthem of unity, love, and togetherness.
“Greek people are known for their love of family,” Wilson previously shared. “Oli Mazi means ‘all together.’ The song is about bringing people together—whether it’s your birth family or chosen family—being there for each other and celebrating that love and connection. No man is a (Greek) island—thank you, John Donne. We need each other.”
This isn’t Wilson’s first time writing a song for the ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding; franchise of which she is producer. She co-wrote “Even More Mine” for the second film in the franchise and produced both the original My Big Fat Greek Wedding in 2002 and its sequel. For the third instalment, she once again teamed up with Christos Mastoras, frontman of the Greek band Melisses, whom she worked with previously on the 2019 single “Let Me Be.”
The lyrics of “Oli Mazi” evoke a sense of eternal connection, with lines like:
> It doesn’t matter where we are / We’re always close, we’re never far / From each other / ‘Cause I’m with you everywhere / Good to know we’re always there … Love will always, always, always find a way.
This pulsating dance track remix, brought to life by an all-Greek production team, was co-produced by Wilson and multi-instrumentalist Emanuel “Eman” Kiriakou. The track is part of a larger, 34-track soundtrack composed by Stephanie Economou, featuring songs by various Greek artists.
Wilson’s passion for music continues to shine, with Oli Mazi adding to an already impressive catalogue that includes albums like AM/FM (2021), Bigger Picture (2018), and Now & Forever: Duets (2022). Her career, which blossomed in her 50s, is a testament to her artistry and dedication to her craft.
In a recent interview with American Songwriter, Wilson reflected on her collaboration with Mastoras and Warren for the “My Big Fat Wedding” franchise. “When the opportunity came up again to do a song for this one, Nia Vardalos, who is our star, writer, and director, wanted something with a very Greek flavour, but that could also resonate in America,” she shared. “The words ‘Oli Mazi’ mean ‘we are all together,’ and the more global we become, the more these messages resonate.”
For Wilson, songwriting is nothing short of magical. “It feels like this thing did not exist, and now it exists,” she marvelled. “It just doesn’t ever cease to amaze me.”
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