The youngest of the five children of José Fares, Lebanese immigrant to Brazil, and Dona Francisca, Fagner was born in Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceará, although his birth was recorded in Orós.
At the age of five years he won a youth competition at a local radio station. As a teen, he formed vocal and instrumental groups and began to compose his own music. In 1968 he won the Festival de Música Popular do Ceará (Popular Music Festival of Ceará) with his song "Nada Sou" (I am Nothing).
In 1971 he moved to the capital Brasília, taking first place in the Festival de Música Popular do Centro de Estudos Universitários de Brasília (Popular Music Festival of the University Studies Center of Brasília) with his piece "Mucuripe" (with collaborator Belchior), which was later recorded by artist Elis Regina, and became Fagner's first notable success as a composer. He won prizes in other categories with additional pieces, as well.
He has had a distinguished career as a performer, singer, songwriter and composer for over 3 decades, and is also known for his collaborations with other MPB artists such as Caetano Veloso, Roberta Miranda, Chico Buarque and others.
Sinal Fechado
Fagner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
|Am Am/C| |B7 B7/F#| |Em| |Em/D| |F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#||F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#|
|F| |F|
|Em Em/G| |Em Em/G|
Olá, como vai?
|F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#| |F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#|
|Em Em/G|
Tudo bem eu vou indo correndo
|Em Em/G| |F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#| |F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#|
Pegar meu lugar no futuro, e você?
|Am Am/C|
Tudo bem, eu vou indo em busca
|B7 B7/F#| |Em| |Em/D|
De um sono tranquilo, quem sabe ...
|F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#|
Quanto tempo... pois é...
|F#/4-/7 F#/4-/7/C#| |F| |F|
Quanto tempo...
|Em| |Em|
Me perdoe a pressa
|Am Am/G| |D/F#|
É a alma dos nossos negócios
|G|
Oh! Não tem de quê
|C| |C#°| |C°|
Eu também só ando a cem
|Am Am/G| |D/F#|
Quando é que você telefona?
|G| |G|
Precisamos nos ver por aí
|C| |C|
Pra semana, prometo talvez nos vejamos
|C#°| |C°|
Quem sabe?
|C#°| |C°|
Quanto tempo... pois é... (pois é... quanto tempo...)
|Em| |Em/D| |C| |B7|
|Em| |Em/D|
Tanta coisa que eu tinha a dizer
|C| |B7|
Mas eu sumi na poeira das ruas
|Em| |Em/D|
Eu também tenho algo a dizer
|C| |B7|
Mas me foge a lembrança
|Am Am/G| |D/F#|
Por favor, telefone, eu preciso
|G| |C|
Beber alguma coisa, rapidamente
|C#°|
Pra semana
|C°|
O sinal ...
|C#°|
Eu espero você
|C°|
Vai abrir...
|C#°| |C°|
Por favor, não esqueça,
Adeus...
(|C#°| |C°|)Até o fim
The lyrics of Fagner's song Sinal Fechado depict a conversation between two acquaintances who bump into each other on the street. While they exchange pleasantries, it becomes evident that both are in a hurry to tend to their respective agendas. The singer is rushing to secure his place in the future while his companion is in search of a good night's sleep. Amidst their chat, they discuss meeting soon but are unsure whether they will be able to make it happen. The refrain "quanto tempo" (how long) underscores the theme of lost time, missed opportunities, and uncertainty about the future.
The song highlights the challenges and stresses of modern urban life, the difficulty of connecting with others in a meaningful way, and the importance of making time for personal relationships. The phrase "sinal fechado" (closed sign) refers metaphorically to the barriers that people face in their daily lives, whether it be a literal red light or an emotional barrier that keeps people from truly connecting with each other.
Sinal Fechado has become one of Fagner's most famous compositions, garnering critical and commercial success in Brazil and internationally. The song has been covered by artists across genres and languages, including Chico Buarque, Marisa Monte, and Nana Mouskouri. It has been featured in movies and television shows such as the acclaimed Brazilian film "Central Station" and the HBO series "The Sopranos."
Line by Line Meaning
Olá, como vai?
Greetings, how are you doing?
Eu vou indo e você, tudo bem?
I'm doing fine, and you?
Tudo bem eu vou indo correndo
I'm doing fine, but I'm in a rush
Pegar meu lugar no futuro, e você?
Heading towards my place in the future, what about you?
Tudo bem, eu vou indo em busca
I'm doing fine, I'm in search
De um sono tranquilo, quem sabe ...
Of a peaceful sleep, who knows...
Quanto tempo... pois é...
Long time... yeah...
Me perdoe a pressa
Forgive my haste
É a alma dos nossos negócios
It's the soul of our business
Oh! Não tem de quê
Oh! It's nothing
Eu também só ando a cem
I too am always in a hurry
Quando é que você telefona?
When will you call?
Precisamos nos ver por aí
We need to meet somewhere
Pra semana, prometo talvez nos vejamos
Next week, I promise we might see each other
Quem sabe?
Who knows?
Tanta coisa que eu tinha a dizer
So many things that I had to say
Mas eu sumi na poeira das ruas
But I disappeared into the dust of the streets
Eu também tenho algo a dizer
I too have something to say
Mas me foge a lembrança
But the memory escapes me
Por favor, telefone, eu preciso
Please call, I need to
Beber alguma coisa, rapidamente
Drink something, quickly
Pra semana
Next week
O sinal ...
The signal...
Eu espero você
I'll be waiting for you
Vai abrir...
Will be open soon...
Por favor, não esqueça, Adeus...
Please don't forget, goodbye...
Até o fim
Until the end
Writer(s): Paulo Cesar Baptista de Faria Copyright: Warner/Chappell Edicoes Musicais Ltda
Contributed by Hailey S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.