By the age of fifteen she had decided to become a musician, and by her late teens she had studied music theory, as well as the violão (nylon-stringed Brazilian guitar). Her songs reveal her many influences, which include samba, valsa, choro, soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, reggae, afrobeat, and electrojazz. In particular, she cites as influences the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu.
By her late teens Céu was performing onstage with major artists and exploring the repertoire of the marchinhas (turn-of-the-century carnival music). Soon after that she relocated temporarily to New York City, where she had a chance meeting with fellow Brazilian musician Antonio Pinto, who became her flatmate while he was going through some financial difficulties. She later learned that he was actually a distant cousin, and their relationship was renewed when he teamed up with lead producer Beto Villares, composer of the musical score for the film O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias, to help her record her album.
Concrete Jungle
Céu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The high yellow moon won't come out to play (that high yellow moon won't come out to play)
I said (darkness) darkness has covered my light
(And the stage) And the stage my day into night, yeah.
Where is the love to be found?
Won't someone tell me 'cause life (sweet life) must be somewhere to be found
(Must be somewhere for me)
Instead of concrete jungle (la la-la!)
Concrete jungle (la-la!)
Man you got to do your best, whoa, yeah
No chains around my feet
But I'm not free, oh-ooh!
I know I am bound here in captivity
G'yeah, now (never, never) I've never known happiness
(Never, never) I've never known what sweet caress is
Still, I'll be always laughing like a clown
Won't someone help me 'cause I (sweet life)
I've got to pick myself from off the ground
(Must be somewhere for me), he-yeah!
In this a concrete jungle (la la-la!)
I said, what do you got for me (la-la!) now, o-oh!
Concrete jungle (la la-la!), ah, won't you let me be (concrete jungle)
Hey, oh, now
I said that life (sweet life) it must be somewhere (must be somewhere for me) to be found
Oh, instead, concrete jungle (la-la!) collusion
Confusion (concrete jungle) eh!
Concrete jungle (la-la!) baby, you've got it in
Concrete jungle (concrete jungle) eh!
Concrete jungle (la-la!)
What do you got for me (concrete jungle)
Concrete jungle (la-la!)
The song Concrete Jungle by Céu paints a picture of a world that seems to have lost its light, where darkness has covered the light, and there is no sun to shine. The lyrics suggest that the world is becoming a concrete jungle, where living is harder, and life is filled with collusion and confusion. The singer feels bound in captivity, although there are no chains around their feet. The singer wants to know where love can be found and questions whether life can be found somewhere. The concrete jungle, it seems, represents a metaphor for oppression, and the singer yearns to be free from it.
The song is a commentary on the current state of the world, where urbanization at a fast pace has led to the creation of concrete jungles, which is becoming a grave problem worldwide. The song brings forth the idea that people have lost their human essence because they are devoid of nature. The Concrete Jungle metaphorically represents the darker side of the cities where the living is harder and the light disappears, leaving people in the darkness of the concrete jungle. Overall, the song is a lament for nature and a plea for change.
Line by Line Meaning
No sun will shine in my day today
I won't have a bright day today as the sun won't show its light.
The high yellow moon won't come out to play
The moon won't lighten up the night skies as it usually does, leaving the sky even darker.
I said darkness, darkness has covered my light
I feel like I'm in darkness, as if something is shadowing over my happiness and positivity.
And the stage, and the stage, my day into night, yeah.
My life has been turned upside down, and the world that was once bright now looks dim and lifeless.
Where is the love to be found?
I'm searching for love but can't seem to find it anywhere.
Won't someone tell me, 'cause life must be somewhere to be found (must be somewhere for me)
I hope there is still love and happiness out there for me to find, and I need someone to show me where I can find it.
Instead of concrete jungle (la la-la!), where the living is harder
I'd rather live in a place where life is easier, but unfortunately, I'm stuck in this difficult and harsh environment.
Concrete jungle (la-la!), man you got to do your best, whoa, yeah
Living in a concrete jungle requires you to be tough and do your best to survive, no matter how hard it may be.
No chains around my feet but I'm not free, oh-ooh!
I may not be physically chained, but I'm still trapped and not free in this environment.
I know I am bound here in captivity, g'yeah, now (never, never)
I acknowledge that I'm trapped in this environment and feel like I'll never be able to escape.
I've never known happiness (never, never), I've never known what sweet caress is
I've never truly experienced happiness or intimacy in this concrete jungle, and it's been a struggle for me.
Still, I'll be always laughing like a clown
Despite my struggles, I'm still trying to put on a happy face and keep a positive attitude, even if it feels like I'm just pretending.
Won't someone help me 'cause I (sweet life)
I need someone to help me find a better life, full of love, and happiness.
I've got to pick myself from off the ground (must be somewhere for me), he-yeah!
I know deep down that I need to pick myself up and keep looking for a better life because it must exist somewhere out there.
In this concrete jungle (la la-la!), I said, what do you got for me (la-la!) now, o-oh!
I'm asking this concrete jungle what it has to offer me now, wondering what could possibly change in my life here.
Concrete jungle (la la-la!), ah, won't you let me be (concrete jungle) Hey, oh, now
I want to be free from this concrete jungle and its harsh realities that keep me trapped and struggling.
I said that life (sweet life) it must be somewhere (must be somewhere for me) to be found
I hope that somewhere there is a life full of sweetness, happiness, and love for me to discover.
Oh, instead, concrete jungle (la-la!), collusion Confusion (concrete jungle) eh!
Unfortunately, I'm stuck living in this concrete jungle, which has been confusing and challenging for me to navigate.
Concrete jungle (la-la!) baby, you've got it in Concrete jungle (concrete jungle) eh! concrete jungle (la-la!)
I'm talking directly to the concrete jungle, acknowledging that it has trapped me and left me struggling to find happiness and love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind