Veloso is the fifth of the seven children born to José Telles Veloso ("Seu Zezinho") and Claudionor Vianna Telles Veloso ("Dona Canô"). His younger sister Maria Bethânia, another popular and renowned artist in Brazil, preceded him to fame as a singer in the mid-1960s. He began his career around 1965 singing bossa nova and he has cited his greatest musical influences from his early period as João Gilberto and Dorival Caymmi. (João Gilberto would say later about Caetano's contribution that it added an intellectual dimension to brazilian popular music.) But with such musical collaborators Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tom Zé, Chico Buarque, and Os Mutantes, and greatly influenced by the later work of The Beatles, developed tropicalismo, which fused Brazilian pop with rock and roll and avant garde art music resulting in a more international, psychedelic, and socially aware sound. Veloso's politically active stance, unapologetically leftist, earned him the enmity of Brazil's military dictatorship which ruled until 1985; his songs were frequently censored, and some were banned. Veloso was also alienated from the socialist left in Brazil becasue of his acceptance and integration of non-nationalist influences (like rock and roll) in his music. Veloso and Gilberto Gil spent several months in jail for "anti-government activity" in 1968 and eventually exiled themselves to London. Caetano Veloso's work upon his return in 1972 was often characterized by frequent appropriations not only of international styles, but of half-forgotten Brazilian folkloric styles and rhythms as well. In particular, his celebration of the Afro-Brazilian culture of Bahia can be seen as the precursor of such Afro-centric groups as Timbalada.
In the 1980s, Veloso's popularity outside Brazil grew, especially in Israel, Portugal, France and Africa. By 2004, he was one of the most respected and prolific international pop stars, with more than fifty recordings available, including songs in soundtracks of movies such as Pedro Almodovar's Hable con Ella (Talk to Her), and Frida. In 2002 Veloso published an account of his early years and the Tropicalia movement, Tropical Truth: A Story of Music and Revolution in Brazil.
His first all-English CD was A Foreign Sound (2004), which covers Nirvana's "Come as You Are" and compositions from the Great American Songbook. Five of the six songs on his third eponymous album, released in 1971, were also in English.
Jokerman
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
Distant ships sailing into the mist,
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,
You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one.
Shedding off one more layer of skin,
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space,
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh. oh. oh. Jokerman.
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain,
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin,
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot.
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
The song "Jokerman" by Caetano Veloso is a commentary on the state of society, its institutions, and its illusions. In the first verse, the Jokerman is seen casting his bread on the waters, a metaphor for the difficulty of gaining answers or making sense of life. Meanwhile, the idol with the iron head represents the oppressive forces of government and power that seem to watch over and control all that we do. The Jokerman was born with a snake in both hands, symbolizing his ability to manipulate the system and get ahead, even in the face of great opposition. The freedom promised to him is far off, and he understands that the truth is an elusive concept, and therefore there is no individual good even when offered freedom.
The second verse describes the Jokerman's pursuit of personal growth and his ability to shed off any layers of skin that may be holding him back. He's always staying one step ahead of his persecutors. The Jokerman is described as a man of the mountains, walking on clouds and able to manipulate any crowds. He's going to Sodom and Gomorrah, but he doesn't care since nobody there would want to marry his sister. The song ends with a stark picture of a shadowy world, where a newborn prince will put the priest in his pocket and take the motherless children off the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on the waters casting your bread
You're taking a risk and giving away resources without worry, even though it's uncertain.
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
You're aware of the harsh judgment that comes with risking but still continue it.
Distant ships sailing into the mist,
Future endeavors may take you to the unknown and to unfamiliar territories.
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
You have had to face obstacles ever since you were born and that's made you strong and defiant.
Freedom just around the corner for you
Freedom could be easily within your grasp if you take the necessary steps.
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Freedom cannot be achieved with dishonesty, even though it feels easier in the moment.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Jokerman often goes against the norm and finds joy in unusual things.
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Even when things are dark, there's still hope and light to follow.
Ohhhhh, oh, oh,ohhhhh oh oh oh oh Jokerman.
Jokerman is the embodiment of the free spirit.
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,
Time passes by quickly and life is short.
You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
There are times when you need to move on without announcing it to anyone.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,
People who don't use caution are often the ones who make the worst decisions.
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one.
Some people are so focused on the present that they forget to worry about the future.
Shedding off one more layer of skin,
We're changing and becoming different people, leaving part of ourselves behind.
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
We need to be aware of our own self-doubt and overcome it to succeed.
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
You're so strong, and you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.
You can change the way people think, you have a strong influence over crowds.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
You're always pushing yourself to try new things, even if they seem questionable or dangerous.
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
You're confident in yourself and in your ability to navigate risk on your own.
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,
You're the type of person who stands by and supports marginalized individuals.
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
You see through the facade of wealth and realize that truly important things are more intangible.
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
Religion has a way of influencing our lives even when we don't expect it to.
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
Nature is one of the best teachers, and we can learn a lot from it.
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,
In the dim light of day, with only our intuition to guide us, we often find our path in life.
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
You have a striking personality and appearance, one that stands out from others.
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space,
Sometimes all we need is distance from our problems to fully understand how to solve them.
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
The small things in life can bring us happiness and calm even in the midst of struggles.
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,
Even in the darkest times, there are those who prey on those who are weaker or suffering.
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.
People with differing ideologies can still have the same goals, but it's unclear who will succeed.
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
In the struggle for justice, authorities will use any means necessary to keep people down.
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain,
People will also use violent means to fight back against oppressive forces.
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin,
Those who are corrupt will eventually fall into their own traps.
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.
In the end, all of us will face darkness and the unknown.
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
The world can be unpredictable and difficult to navigate.
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
Hope and possibility are ever-present, even in times of turmoil.
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,
The Prince will have power and sway over all kinds of people.
Take the motherless children off the street
The Prince has the ability to help those who are the most vulnerable.
And place them at the feet of a harlot.
Even someone that others may judge harshly still has the capacity for kindness and helping others.
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,
Jokerman is perceptive and can understand others' motivations and desires.
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
Even when others are direct with him, Jokerman doesn't reveal much about himself.
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andres Botto
Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
Distant ships sailing into the mist,
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Ohhhhh, oh, oh,ohhhhh oh oh oh oh Jokerman.
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,
You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one.
Shedding off one more layer of skin,
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space,
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh. oh. oh. Jokerman.
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain,
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin,
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot.
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Renato Deux
Jokerman
Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
Distant ships sailing into the mist,
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Ohhhhh, oh, oh, ohhhhh oh oh oh oh Jokerman.
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,
You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one.
Shedding off one more layer of skin,
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space,
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh. oh. oh. Jokerman.
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain,
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin,
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot.
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Geraldo Maia
Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry yoursister
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without anyname
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh. Oh. Oh. Jokerman
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first isuncertain
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him inscarlet
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
Rosangela de Campos Alvarenga
A letra em inglês: Jokerman
Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing.
Distant ships sailing into the mist,
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky,
You rise up and say goodbye to no one.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one.
Shedding off one more layer of skin,
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister.
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister.
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame,
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers.
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed,
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features.
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space,
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh. oh. oh. Jokerman.
Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame,
Preacherman seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain.
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain,
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin,
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet.
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat,
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot.
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants,
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response.
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman.
Denise DAB
Arranjo do Jaques perfeito , com uma pegada indiana, nordestina, contemporânea. Todos se superaram aí! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Winston Smith resistindo à 1984
ACHO QUE NEM BOB DYLAN SABIA QUE A SUA PRÓPRIA MÚSICA ERA TÃO LINDA.... ESSA GRAVAÇÃO ME ARREPIA DOS PÉS A CABEÇA.
Luana Carvalho
+Jesimiel correa barros tens razão, pois ele mesmo disse que jamais imaginara tal versão e agradeceu ao caetano pelo feito
Leandro de Barros Motta
REALMENTE!
grosteinandrade
Jesimiel correa barros concordo!
Ubiraci Chagas
Com certeza Dylan conhece todo o seu potencial, afinal ele é Bob Dylan!!!
Prisma Sol
Dylan é o artista que mais recriou versões para suas músicas, o maior entre nós em sua originalidade
Wanderley Josephik
É nisso que dá um gênio interpretar uma criação a seu modo de outro monstro da música.
Ficou simplesmente maravilhoso.
Fernando Gomes
Duas lendas
Silvio Rodrigues
Mas acho que tem gênio mais gênio que outro. Olha o que virou a canção com o baixo, o violoncelo, a bateria com clava, a percussão, o arranjo, os efeitos sonoros....simplesmente fantástica. Peço desculpas ao grande Dylan.