After being evacuated to Western Ukraine in 1986 following the Chernobyl disaster, Hütz became enamored of the mystical, outsider qualities of gypsy music. Living as a refugee in Poland, Hungary, Austria, and Italy before moving to the United States in 1993, he experienced life as an outsider himself.
After arriving in New York, he teamed up with guitarist Vlad Solofar and squeezebox player Sasha Kazatchkoff. American Eliot Fergusen added a strong rock sound on the drums and the band was also augmented by Sergei Riabtsev on fiddle, a former theater director from Moscow whose past experience would prove helpful in the future in crafting Gogol Bordello's bizarre stage shows (like one which tells the story of super-powered immigrant Ukrainian vampires).
The group's early gigs involved playing straight gypsy music at Russian weddings, but their music soon evolved into the hyper-kinetic explosions that earned them a solid following amongst New York's downtown hipsters. The band issued a single in 1999 entitled Gogol Bordello, quickly followed by their debut full-length, Voi-La Intruder, which was produced by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' drummer Jim Sclavunos. Solofar and Kazatchkoff were replaced by accordionist Yuri Lemeshev, who hails from the Russian island of Sakhalin, and two Israelis, guitarist Oren Kaplan and saxophonist Ori Kaplan, who despite their similar names were not related.
Hütz helped bolster the band's popularity by becoming somewhat of a celebrity in the downtown scene, in part fueled by his Thursday night DJ gigs at Bulgarian club/restaurant/bar Mehanata, where he played Ukrainian, Gypsy, raï and flamenco music for a crowd of artists, models, Ukrainians, Russians, Gypsies, and Bulgarians with tendencies toward exuberant dancing and smashing plates. In the spring of 2002, Gogol Bordello embarked on a European tour and performed as part of the Whitney Biennial, bringing their music to a whole new audience.
In 2007, the band released their fourth studio album, Super Taranta!.
The members of Gogol Bordello have also made appearances in film. In 2006, their song "Start Wearing Purple" was featured in the film Everything Is Illuminated (starring Elijah Wood and Eugene Hütz), bringing their music to an even broader audience throughout the US.
Gogol Bordello all appeared in Madonna's first short film as director, Filth and Wisdom. Eugene Hütz is to play one of the lead roles. The band have contributed three original songs to the soundtrack.
Their music was also featured in the film Wristcutters: A Love Story and the character of Eugene was based on and partially written by Eugene Hütz.
In The Meantime In Pernambuco
Gogol Bordello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That don't mean that your star is leading you astray
Forget fashion symposium, you'll get panoramic
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Party
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Cachaça da cigana
Once we're there, the locals ask, "Amigo, who sent you?"
Paranoia, violence is always on the menu
But once the hospitality will dissolve the fear
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
Oh, my spirit guides, store up on provisions
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Cachaça da cigana
The lyrics of "In The Meantime In Pernambuco" by Gogol Bordello urge the listener to take the hardest way and not follow the crowd or fit into a societal mold. The song tells us that when we take the difficult road, it doesn't necessarily mean that we are lost or misguided. The lyrics advise the listener to forget about the fashionable symposiums and stay aerodynamic - keep moving forward and stay focused on the destination. The phrase "stay aerodynamic" could be interpreted as staying light and flexible, which helps one to move swiftly and smoothly towards their goals.
The reference to "spirit guides" and fitting into the frame invented by the "gringo" suggests cultural differences and the challenge of staying true to one's identity in an unfamiliar place. The song describes the experience of arriving in Pernambuco, a state in Brazil known for its vibrant music and culture. The locals are welcoming, but the lyrics indicate that paranoia and violence are always on the menu. Despite this, the hospitality of the locals dissolves the fear and transforms the atmosphere into one of good trouble.
The song emphasizes the importance of challenging oneself, breaking free from the mold, and being open to new experiences while staying true to one's identity. The lyrics are underlined by the lively and upbeat sounds of traditional Brazilian music, giving the listener a sense of the joy and celebration that come from embracing life in all its messiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometime when you have to take the hardest way
At times, when you find yourself taking a difficult path
That don't mean that your star is leading you astray
It does not imply that fate is cruelly leading you off-course
Forget fashion symposium, you'll get panoramic
Ignore conventions and embrace a broader perspective
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
Maintain a streamlined approach to life, my friend
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
My inner guides, peering through the window of my soul
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
I never conformed to the mold created by outsiders
Oh, my spirit guides, store up on provisions
My spiritual protectors, stock up on resources
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Anticipate only a state of challenging circumstances
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
For now, while in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Sipping on the local beverage, Cachaça
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yes, the clandestine Cachaça
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Ah, the Cachaça of the gypsy
Party
Let's celebrate!
Once we're there, the locals ask, "Amigo, who sent you?"
Upon arrival, the residents inquire, "Friend, who sent you?"
Paranoia, violence is always on the menu
Suspicion and aggression are prevalent
But once the hospitality will dissolve the fear
Eventually, the warmth and generosity of the locals will overcome trepidation
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Only the best sort of excitement remains to be stirred up
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
A type of dance originating from Pernambuco known as Frevo
Russo Frevo
A specific version of the Frevo dance known as the Russian Frevo
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eugene Hutz, Oliver Francis Charles, Oren Kaplan, Pedro Erazo-Segovia, Sergey Ryabstev, Thomas Gobena, Yuri Lemeshev
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Rugitelli
Sometime when you have to take the hardest way
That don't mean that your star is leading you astray
Forget fashion symposium, you'll get panoramic
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
Oh, my spirit guides, store up on provisions
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Party
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Cachaça da cigana
Once we're there, the locals ask, "Amigo, who sent you?"
Paranoia, violence is always on the menu
But once the hospitality will dissolve the fear
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
Oh, my spirit guides, store up on provisions
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Cachaça da cigana
Haline Medeiros
viva Pernambuco, viva o nordeste brasileiro! 🖤
Matt Ellis
pppppp
Matt Ellis
ppppp
sergiomcav
Pernambuco needs more Gogol Bordello :3
Raysa Rayabe
Pernambuco, minha terra! <3
Andrea Rugitelli
Sometime when you have to take the hardest way
That don't mean that your star is leading you astray
Forget fashion symposium, you'll get panoramic
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
All I gotta say, my friend, stay aerodynamic
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
Oh, my spirit guides, store up on provisions
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Party
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Cachaça da cigana
Once we're there, the locals ask, "Amigo, who sent you?"
Paranoia, violence is always on the menu
But once the hospitality will dissolve the fear
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Nothing but good kind of trouble there is left to stir
Oh, my spirit guides, lurking in the window
Never did I fit the frame invented by the gringo
Oh, my spirit guides, store up on provisions
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
Oh, expect nothing more or less but critical condition
'Cause in the meantime in Pernambuco
Cachaça [Incomprehensible]
Yeah, Cachaça a-clandestina
Yeah, Cachaça da cigana
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
Frevo, Frevo, Frevo, Frevo
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Russo Frevo
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da
Ta, ta-da, ta-ta-da, ta-da
Cachaça da cigana
Šimon
[Incomprehensible] is "льётся" or "lyotsya" which means Cachaca is being poured. :)
Bernardo Seben
Cachaça, frevo e Pernambuco <3
Marcos Antonio
Love this music so much, couse the cachaça é clandestina!
Weslley Gonçalves
Cachaça, frevo... e a cigana. Perfect!