Toca Raul!
Wow, it’s been an exhausting week so far – early starts, late finishes and my long commute mean that I’ve been feeling like a bit of a zombie. At times like these I find that a little music therapy can help. Something uplifting and energizing should do it and I know just the thing.
A little while back I was reading Phil’s excellent blog, when I noticed a post with a rather provocative title: The Best Brazilian Rock Album Ever? The post described the album Krig-ha, Bandolo! by Raul Seixas. At the time I had only just been made aware of Raul Seixas, so when I saw the name and the cool album cover, my interest was piqued.
Krig-ha, Bandolo! Raul Seixas’ first solo album.
Phil has done a great track by track summary of the album so I won’t repeat his work. What I will do is highlight a couple of my favourite tracks. First off, let’s listen to something to something bright and uplifiting that will hopefully wake me up mid-way through another long day at the grindstone.
Dentadura Postiça
This is a simple, joyful track and one that I instantly loved. For every line that Raul delivers, there is a backing line which finishes his sentence. As a Brazilian Portuguese learner, I really enjoy trying to pick out and translate the words, which come fast enough to make it a challenge. Even if you don’t understand Portuguese, you will notice the repetition. The first group of finishing lines say vai cair (meaning “will fall” or “is going to fall”). Later this line changes to vai sair (“will leave/go out”) and finally vai subir (“will rise”).
Preceding each of these ‘finishing phrases’ is a starter, sung just by Raul, so that we have a structure like this:
[Raul] The star in sky/heaven-
[Backing singers] is going to fall.
[Raul] The ash on the floor-
[Backing singers] is going to fall.
This song has plenty of references whose meanings aren’t obvious, but remember that this record was released during the time of the dictatorship and Seixas was known for the use of symbolism, a requirement if you wanted to say something controversial during those times of censorship. A song to remind people that things fall, leave and rise again seems appropriate during such a time, but who knows, maybe it’s just a song about ash falling on the floor and the gas running out!
Anyway, have a listen. This has to brighten your day!
Metamorfose Ambulante
I was walking past the open window of a neighbour last weekend when I heard the opening bars of this track being played on the stereo. I recognized the tune, but at first I did not realise that it was Raul Seixas. You can tell this is a classic right from the start. The intro reminds me a bit of Joe Cocker’s rendition of With a little help from my friends (remember The Wonder Years?), but it goes on to become a far more interesting song (in my opinion). The quality of Raul’s voice is awesome in this track – a little raspy and as Phil put it so nicely, a little plaintive.
People often say that listening to music can really help you to learn a language – I totally agree with that and feel sure that being bombarded by English language music (and film/TV) from an early age must surely help Brazilians learn English. But another way of looking at this is that learning Portuguese can really help your appreciation of music! I loved this song already, but now that I’ve spent some time looking at the lyrics, I love it even more. It’s a brilliant message and must have felt especially powerful back in those days.
I’ve included a translation below the video (feel free to correct my mistakes!) so you can get a feel for the message behind this amazing song. Raul Seixas was also known as Maluco Beleza (tricky to translate! Maybe “Beautiful Crazyman”). You can read more about him on his Wikipedia entry – maybe he was a bit crazy, but going by this album he was also beautiful.
He died in 1989, but people still shout out at concerts of unrelated artists Toca Raul! (Play Raul!). A fitting, slightly crazy, tribute.
Walking Metamorphosis
I prefer to be
This walking metamorphosis
I prefer to be
This walking metamorphosis
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
I want to say
Now, the opposite of what I said before
I prefer to be
This walking metamorphosis
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
About what love is
About how I don’t even know who I am
If today I am a star
Tomorrow it will have faded
If today I hate you
Tomorrow I’ll love you
I have love for you
I have hate for you
I make love to you
I am an actor
It sucks to arrive
At the goal in an instant
I want to live
As this walking metamorphosis
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
About what love is
About how I don’t even know who I am
If today I am a star
Tomorrow it will have faded
If today I hate you
Tomorrow I’ll love you
I have love for you
I have hate for you
I make love to you
I am an actor
I’m going to take back
Everthing that I said before
I prefer to be
This walking metamorphosis
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
Than to have that old opinion
Formed about everything
Portuguese Original:
[expand title=”Metamorfose Ambulante”]Prefiro ser
Essa metamorfose ambulante
Eu prefiro ser
Essa metamorfose ambulante
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Eu quero dizer
Agora, o oposto do que eu disse antes
Eu prefiro ser
Essa metamorfose ambulante
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Sobre o que é o amor
Sobre o que eu nem sei quem sou
Se hoje eu sou estrela
Amanhã já se apagou
Se hoje eu te odeio
Amanhã lhe tenho amor
Lhe tenho amor
Lhe tenho horror
Lhe faço amor
Eu sou um ator
É chato chegar
A um objetivo num instante
Eu quero viver
Nessa metamorfose ambulante
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Sobre o que é o amor
Sobre o que eu nem sei quem sou
Se hoje eu sou estrela
Amanhã já se apagou
Se hoje eu te odeio
Amanhã lhe tenho amor
Lhe tenho amor
Lhe tenho horror
Lhe faço amor
Eu sou um ator
Eu vou lhe desdizer
Aquilo tudo que eu lhe disse antes
Eu prefiro ser
Essa metamorfose ambulante
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
Do que ter aquela velha opinião
Formada sobre tudo
[/expand]
“At the time I had only just been made aware of Raul Seixas, so when I saw the name and the cool album cover, my interest was piqued.”
Ok, I get that the music is at least interesting, if not extremely good; but that album cover is nothing more than a musician – stoned out of his mind – reenacting the Cheech and Chong approach on how to scare kids during Halloween to his photographer friend (who is probably also baked).
Btw I noticed that you did not tag this under “Herb Garden”. Anyway, moving on . . . (and later that day his landlady called him regarding a certain poet’s humorous – albeit slanderous – insinuation which she found posted on his blog. Mua-ha-ha :-)
Oh, she also thinks the poet is hot.
Ai-ai! One man’s meat is another man’s poison, as they say… I think he looks kind of badass and mystical on the front cover. Also, I definitely don’t think it’s required to be stoned to make great music, but there has been some great music made under the influence of drugs – that is surely undeniable.
All Eat Rio herbs are strictly legal (though the habaneros are so spicy they should come with a health warning…) ;)
Why not market Eat Rio herbs on this blog. You don’t even have to grow and supply them on your own – as long as you do the quality control. You could end up creating jobs, and making a profit as well. Just some food for thought (pun non-intentional).
Glad you’re enjoying this album as much as I am, and thanks for the link to my post about it, too. It has motivated me to work on some new posts, including one about music.
Hey Phil – glad to be a motivating factor! :) I’m looking forward to reading (and hearing) more.
Nice one, tom!
A few people have asked me here whether i thought they should start learning portuguese or spanish, and i wondered that it makes more sense (in terms of how often you’ll use it) to learn spanish, whereas portuguese is worth learning when you like our music – and i’m glad to see you so excited about it!
As for raul seixas, he’s really something. Take a look at this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-QFowe174k
Beijos!
Hey Karin!
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Portuguese. It’s a real challenge for me, but the rich culture of Brazil is one of the big pay-offs. Isn’t it great that I’m still finding so many new things after all this time? :) Bjs!
Love Raulzito, but lets face it: when translated into the english language, Metamorfose Ambulante loses all its grace and amazingness…
Im not sure whether you had this experience in Rio but the funniest thing about Raul’s legacy is how he became a myth in bars and clubs where live acts play, especially cover versions. Probably you did – assuming that the post’s title is meaningful to you. HOWEVER, I am sure you cannot grasp the reach of the Toca Raul!
Check this out for instance – it happened at Wacken Open Air, the biggest metal festival in Europe, in Germany (jump straight to 1:23)
: P
Ha ha ha! That’s awesome! It makes me want to go to a concert in Outer Mongolia or somewhere equally remote to do a “Toca Raul!” of my own :)
I hear what you’re saying about the translation – every time I attempt a translation I have renewed respect for people who do that job for a living (well, respect for people translating literature, not so much for people doing instruction manuals!).
“Maluco beleza” was a common way to refer to hippies during the flower power years. I think “beleza” refers less to beauty than to the love and peace attitude (“tudo beleza” – “everything’s cool”).
Thanks Andrew – I didn’t know that about it being a way to refer to hippies. Also, translating stuff is so difficult – there are times where I can understand stuff when I just say it (and think it) in Portuguese, but when I try to translate it to English, it hard to make it to come out right! I wish they’d hurry up and discover the Babelfish!
No kidding. Speaking of Raul, this is probably my favorite song. It’s very inspirational.
http://grooveshark.com/s/Tente+Outra+Vez/lQPmU?src=5
I really love Raul Seixas, thank you for reminding him to me.
I think your translation of Metamorfose ambulante is great, and I just disagree about this part:
“I want to live
As this walking metamorphosis”
I would cut off the “as” and leave “I want to live this walking metamorphosis”.
In my mind I think he wanted to live throughout the metamorphosis, in this particular line. Because it’s boring to reach your goal in an instant, like he said, and thus he wanted to enjoy the whole metamorphosis until the end.
And maybe that’s what you wanted to tell from the beggining and my faulty english is to be blamed, then sorry
Thank you again and sorry any mistakes in english. :)
Hi Eliane! Thanks for commenting and I must say you have no need to apologise for your English – it looks great to me! :)
I agree with your interpretation. I also think he is implying mistrust in people who are too certain of things, of people who never change their minds and just accept what they are told (“aquela velha opinião”). It’s a great point isn’t it? I’d rather make mistakes and change my mind 20 times than simply believe what I’m told to believe without questioning it and thinking for myself.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it… Still, it’s a great track isn’t it? I’m really pleased I reminded you of Raul and his music.
I remember the time when Raul was singing in my cassete tape(?) many years ago. I had to record the songs from radio since there was no money to buy the record.
I’ve been trying to find “Sociedade Alternativa” but the original one. It was a much more lenghty song than the one I have now. The militar regime censured the song and Raul had to change it. I did have it on my tapes, and they are long lost.
I think you must understand portuguese pretty well now, since you live in Rio, but I’ll try and write in English (I realized it should be written with caps, sorry about that) to train my skills. :) Is there something that makes you irritated while writing or speaking another language? I don’t speak English well, the written form is easier, but it seems I’ve been writing “I” I” “I” many times and it is a little annoying.
The first and only time I went to Rio was a couple of years ago, in June, and we just had rain for the whole 3 days. Then I had to come back home, and the time was really short to have an idea about the city. Also everything was being reformed so there’s almost no pics of the places.
In the near future I also want to visit the UK. London,of course, and Scotland because of the movie “Highlander” that I watched when I was a kid and fell in love the those fantastic mountains.
Ha ha! This brings back memories – I used to record music from the radio onto cassette tapes too! :) Thanks for telling me about that “Sociedade Alternativa” song – I had not heard it before but now I just listened to it on youtube – very cool. I can see why the military dictatorship would want to censor a song with a message like that!
If you prefer to write in Portuguese that’s totally OK :) I could use the practice too! For your information, your use of “I” does not look strange to me as an English native, but I think maybe it can see strange to a Portuguese speaker because Portuguese often uses longer sentences which avoids using “eu” the whole time. Also, in Portuguese you don’t need to use “eu” so often because you can indicate the first person with the conjugation you use on the verb (example:
euacho).Sometimes I get frustrated with Portuguese when people are speaking too quickly for me to understand. Sometimes 2 words kind of ‘melt’ together so it sounds like just 1 word and I am left feeling confused.
Rio is a very different city when it rains! Most people say that when it rains, all you can do in Rio is go shopping or go to the cinema. That is quite sad I think.
I am sure you will love London! It’s a great city – I lived there for 10 years and maybe one day I will return. When you go, send me a message if you like and I can give you some really good recommendations for things to do and places to visit. Also, you will love Scotland – it is beautiful. The mountains (both the Cairngorms and the Grampians) are amazing. Did you see the most recent James Bond movie (Skyfall)? There were some lovely scenes of Scotland in that film too:
I just watched Skyfall a couple of days ago! =D And you’re right, those scenes are lovely.
I realized the movie have a lot of references about the previous work of 007 and I found myself lacking in knowledge about the series.
While searching about the lyrics of Sociedade Alternativa, I found “A Lei”. And I think all these years I was wrong about the song! XD
Since the song recorded on tape was performed on a show, I think Raul just mixed the two songs together. Oh well, I’m really sorry I told you something that was not true.
E sabe que eu não tinha reparado sobre a questão do uso do “eu” em portugues? Talvez seja mesmo por isso que me incomoda usar tanto o “I”, parece que estou me repetindo o tempo todo. =D
E quanto a escutar nossa língua falada, acho que para qualquer um que esteja em território estrangeiro, a língua nativa daquele lugar deve parecer um amontoado de sons grudados uns aos outros.
Sei disso porque até hoje não consigo assistir nenhum filme estadounidense sem legendas. Preciso ao menos das legendas em ingles. Agora, eu adoro assistir documentários da BBC no youtube, por exemplo, porque normalmente a pessoa relatando tem esse maravilhoso sotaque britânico que é pausado e exato, e eu consigo entender tudo!
Diferentemente do sotaque estadounidense, que é mais enrolado e as pessoas tendem a engolir letras no caminho. Imagino que essa deve ser a sensação de quem ouve portugues brasileiro e o de Portugal. Só não sei qual você acharia mais enrolado. ;)
Thanks for your attention and have a nice Sunday.
Thanks Eliane :) Estou interessado sobre o som de português do Portugal – seria muito interessante para ouvi-lo. Acho que português em geral tem som muito menos claro e menos preciso de espanhol, mas acho que português é mais bonita também. :)
Eu confesso que não sei espanhol. Deveria aprender porque também quero conhecer as Américas. E é muito mais interessante ler os livros na língua original, porque tanta coisa se perde na tradução, não é?
Como você está acostumado com o nosso portugues, talvez ache a língua de Portugal um pouco mais difícil de compreender porque a vocalização deles é mais fechada. Assim como a entonação é bem mais linear que a nossa. Dizem que nossa linguagem é mais cantada, o que eu não acho, mas deve ser porque sou nativa.
Corrigindo, com certeza os gaúchos do Rio Grande do Sul e o pessoal de Santa Catarina falam cantado. Paranaenses como eu não falam cantado, acho.
Boa sorte com seus estudo, foi um prazer falar com você.
Quando eu conseguir planejar minha viagem à Grã Bretanha te dou um toque =D