Boogarins were formed in the Brazilian city of Goiania in the early 2010s. The project began as an untitled, recording-only entity, and before ever playing a single show, filling out the band to include a rhythm section, or even choosing a name, Ferraz and Almeida had recorded an album's worth of material. These recordings caught the ears of music hounds and tastemakers the world over, eventually landing in the hands of Other Music Recording Co., the label offshoot of long-standing New York record shop and cultural institution Other Music. Once signed to the label, the duo had to make haste in becoming a "real band" and quickly named themselves Boogarins after a type of jasmine flower. They titled their debut album As Plantas Que Curam, the English translation of which is "Plants That Heal." The band expanded to include drummer Hans Castro and bassist Raphael Vaz, and played their first shows in April of 2013. Their album saw release in September of the same year and the group toured internationally in support. After the tour, Castro left the band, replaced by new drummer Ynaiã Benthroldo. In 2015, the band issued their sophomore studio long-player Manual, again on Other Music. Their next record, 2017's La Vem a Morte was first posted on YouTube with no press leadup -- it was intended as a surprise gift for their listeners. The album was met with positive reviews and more touring ensued. Two years later, Boogarins returned with fourth album Sombrou Dúvida.
Biography by Fred Thomas
João 3 Filhos
Boogarins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mas não sou bobo e não caí
Eles falavam sobre morte azar
Entrar no corpo e não sair
Eles têm sangue nos olhos
Fuzilam os corpos só por prazer
E a lei dos homens regem seu ser
Eles têm cheiro de morte
Sugam sua sorte sem ninguém ver
Os mais belos cães dos reis
Vida de beija-flor
É voar e ter pra dar amor
E sonhos que vem e vão
E me levam pela imensidão
Ainda ontem vieram me pegar
Mas não sou bobo e não cai
Eles falavam sobre morte azar
Entrar no corpo e não sair
Eles têm sangue nos olhos
Fuzilam os corpos só por prazer
Só cumprem o inverso das ordens
E a lei dos homens regem seu ser
Eles têm cheiro de morte
Sugam sua sorte sem ninguém ver
Os mais belos cães dos reis
Os mais belos cães dos reis
Os mais belos cães dos reis
Vida de beija-flor
É voar e ter pra dar amor
E sonhos que vem e vão
E me levam pela imensidão
Vida de beija-flor
É voar e ter pra dar amor
E sonhos que vem e vão
E me levam pela imensidão
The lyrics of "João 3 Filhos" by Boogarins touch upon themes of resistance, mortality, and the power dynamics within society. In the first verse, the singer expresses their resilience, stating that they are not easily fooled by the authorities who try to manipulate or control them. The mention of death brings a sense of danger and uncertainty, suggesting that these authorities have the potential to take away one's freedom and even one's life.
The second verse delves deeper into the nature of these authorities, describing them as individuals with bloodlust and a disregard for human life. They kill for pleasure and carry out orders that go against the natural order of things, challenging the laws that should govern them. The line "Eles têm cheiro de morte" (They have the smell of death) emphasizes their destructive and oppressive nature. These individuals exploit others without anyone noticing, highlighting the pervasive and hidden nature of their actions.
The chorus reflects on the contrasting beauty of life, using the metaphor of a hummingbird ("beija-flor") to symbolize freedom, love, and dreams. Flying freely in the vastness of the sky, the beija-flor represents the desire for a life that is not constrained by oppression and violence. The lyrics suggest that love and dreams are essential aspects of life, providing a contrasting perspective to the darkness and oppression described earlier.
The repetition of the chorus throughout the song reinforces the longing for a life filled with love and dreams. It paints a picture of the singer being carried away by their aspirations and desires, escaping from the harsh realities of the world. The final repetition of the chorus echoes the earlier sentiment of the authorities being compared to "the most beautiful dogs of the kings," emphasizing their power and control over society.
Overall, "João 3 Filhos" depicts a struggle against oppressive forces and the longing for a life free from their influence. It highlights the importance of love and dreams as sources of inspiration and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ainda ontem vieram me pegar
Just yesterday they came to get me
Mas não sou bobo e não caí
But I'm not a fool and I didn't fall for it
Eles falavam sobre morte azar
They talked about death and bad luck
Entrar no corpo e não sair
Entering the body and not leaving
Eles têm sangue nos olhos
They have blood in their eyes
Fuzilam os corpos só por prazer
They shoot bodies just for pleasure
Só cumprem o inverso das ordens
They only fulfill the opposite of orders
E a lei dos homens regem seu ser
And the law of men governs their being
Eles têm cheiro de morte
They smell like death
Sugam sua sorte sem ninguém ver
They suck your luck without anyone seeing
Os mais belos cães dos reis
The most beautiful dogs of the kings
Vida de beija-flor
Life of a hummingbird
É voar e ter pra dar amor
It's flying and having love to give
E sonhos que vem e vão
And dreams that come and go
E me levam pela imensidão
And take me through the immensity
Vida de beija-flor
Life of a hummingbird
É voar e ter pra dar amor
It's flying and having love to give
E sonhos que vem e vão
And dreams that come and go
E me levam pela imensidão
And take me through the immensity
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Ynaia Silva Benthroldo, Fernando Almeida Filho, Benke Ianomami, Raphael Vaz Costa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind