The sexy/quirky/mysterious Brazilian Girls were three men -- Didi Gutman (from Argentina) on keyboards and computers, Jesse Murphy on bass, and Aaron Johnston on drums -- and one woman, Sabina Sciubba, the vocalist. Sciubba often enjoys wearing lacy eye masks on-stage and sings in no fewer than five different languages. She was born in Rome but grew up in Nice and Munich before settling in Brooklyn, NY. She first came to record buyers' attention when she recorded two jazz albums -- You Don't Know What Love Is with pianist Chris Anderson and Meet Me in London with guitarist Antonio Forcione -- for the English audiophile label Naim. She described her meeting with the men of Brazilian Girls as "love at first sight and it moved as fast as the Autobahn." Falling into the new, playful downtown scene that was revolving around the Nublu club helped speed the band's success.
Like-minded bands like Wax Poetic and the Nublu Orchestra had made the club the hip spot 2004 for adventurous pop fans and Brazilian Girls' freeform, bouncy kind of jamming fit right in. Soon they had the Saturday night slot at Nublu, and the East Village press had fallen in love with them. Murphy and Johnston made appearances on John Zorn's 2003 album Voices in the Wilderness and every Brazilian Girl contributed to Wax Poetic's sophomore release, the Nublu Sessions, the same year. The Verve Company became interested in the band around this time, thinking them perfect for the more pop and progressive imprint Verve Forecast. In 2004 the label released the Lazy Lover (EP), which included the title track -- a chillout room favorite -- in its original form and in a remix by the quirky house producer Herbert. The group's self-titled, full-length debut Brazilian Girls hit the streets in early 2005. (allmusic.com, 02/06) The band's second album, Talk to La Bomb, was released in September 2006 by Verve Forecast, to mixed reviews.
In 2008, the band released a third album "New York City" - also to mixed reviews. In the interim, singer Sciubba returned to France and had a child. Unfortunately, the band announced in January 2011 that they had broken up.
Strangeboy
Brazilian Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
turn down the machines
when the wheel turns slow
when the wheel turns slow
now you must take the copper
of your curls in your hands
if the feeling is low
with your mind at the races
and your heart on the moon
in the reeling of dawn
in the reeling of dawn
there is a light with a meaning
that makes your black eyes blink
that's where the feeling is from
that's where the feeling is from
strangeboy
strangeboy
for every you there's a strangegirl
who was born on the day
that the devil's forgotten
so your lover was made
with her hair that is golden
and her eyes tourmaline
and a voice to remind you
that there only is feeeeeeeeeeeeeling
you're a knight that has fallen
off his horse made of glass
until the feeling gets better
until the feeling gets better
off the road to tulula
with its sidewalks of sand
that's where the feeling has gone
that's where the feeling has gone
for every you there's a strangegirl
who was born on the day
that the devil's forgotten
so your lover was made
with her hair that is golden
and her eyes tourmaline
and a voice to remind you
that there only is feeeeeeeeeeeeeling
and her feeling is strong
and her feeling is strong
now the feeling is on
now the feeling is on
yes your feeling is on
now your feeling is on..
The lyrics to Brazilian Girls’ “Strangeboy” speak to the idea of finding one’s place in the world and connecting with others while navigating the ups and downs of life. The song begins with an invitation to a “strange boy” to turn down the machines and focus on the present moment, particularly when the “wheel turns slow,” perhaps suggesting that times of stillness and reflection are crucial for personal growth and learning.
The second verse encourages the “strange boy” to embrace his own complexity, with references to his “mind at the races” and “heart on the moon.” The mention of “the reeling of dawn” suggests the beginning of a new day and the potential for new beginnings and opportunities. The chorus emphasizes the idea that everyone has a counterpart - in this case, a “strange girl” whose very existence is a reminder that life is full of unexpected twists and turns.
The song continues with references to falling off a “horse made of glass,” suggesting the fragility and vulnerability of the human experience, before ending with a sense of hope and optimism that the feeling of connection and belonging is possible.
Overall, the lyrics of “Strangeboy” capture the universal human experience of trying to make sense of the world and find one’s place in it, while also celebrating the potential for connection and love.
Line by Line Meaning
come strange boy
Addressing the listener, inviting them to participate in the song's narrative.
turn down the machines
Urging the listener to disconnect from technology and modern distractions.
when the wheel turns slow
Pointing out that times of rest and reflection are necessary in life.
now you must take the copper
Encouraging the listener to take control of their situation.
of your curls in your hands
Referencing the listener's hair as a metaphor for their personal energy and strength.
if the feeling is low
Offering support and guidance during times of emotional turmoil.
with your mind at the races
Describing a state of heightened mental activity or anxiety.
and your heart on the moon
Evoking the listener's passion and sense of wonder.
in the reeling of dawn
Drawing attention to a moment of transition or change in the listener's life.
there is a light with a meaning
Highlighting the potential for spiritual or emotional growth.
that makes your black eyes blink
Emphasizing the intensity of the listener's emotional and physical reactions to this light.
that's where the feeling is from
Connecting the light with the listener's innermost feelings or desires.
for every you there's a strangegirl
Introducing the concept of complementary, opposing forces.
who was born on the day
Suggesting a predestination or cosmic connection between these forces.
that the devil's forgotten
Implies that these forces are outside of or beyond the influence of negative or harmful entities.
so your lover was made
Asserting the notion that these forces are destined to come together.
with her hair that is golden
Continuing the metaphor of hair as a symbol of personal strength and energy.
and her eyes tourmaline
Describing the complementary forces in vivid, colorful imagery.
and a voice to remind you
Elevating the role of communication and expression in relationships.
that there only is feeeeeeeeeeeeeling
Emphasizing the centrality of emotional connection in romantic relationships.
you're a knight that has fallen
Comparing the listener's emotional state to a fallen warrior or hero.
off his horse made of glass
Illustrating the fragility and vulnerability of the listener's emotional state.
until the feeling gets better
Offering a message of hope and perseverance.
off the road to tulula
Using a nonsense word to suggest an imaginary or surreal place of healing or escape.
with its sidewalks of sand
Further emphasizing the dreamlike quality of this imaginary place.
that's where the feeling has gone
Reiterating the idea that emotional healing and growth are possible through an otherworldly or surreal experience.
and her feeling is strong
Returning to the description of the complementary forces, emphasizing the strength of the feminine force.
now the feeling is on
Concluding with a positive message of emotional connection, growth, and empowerment.
now your feeling is on..
Finalizing the message of the song, implying that the listener has reached a state of emotional fulfillment and is ready to move forward in their life.
Contributed by Ian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.