As a teenager, he was a member of the band Os Polissonantes, which also featured Brazilian actor Kadu Moliterno on bass guitar. In 1969, Arantes started the band Moto Perpétuo with fellow students from São Paulo University (USP) Architecture course.
Arantes dropped out of university to dedicate himself to his solo career, and in 1976, his song "Meu Mundo e Nada Mais" (My world and nothing more) was picked by Brazil’s main TV station Rede Globo to be featured in the soundtrack of soap opera Anjo Mau. The song was a hit, and Arantes toured the country for the first time.
His first self-titled album was released the same year on Globo's Som Livre label. The song "Cuide-se Bem" (Take good care of yourself) from the same record, was also picked by Globo for another soap opera, Duas Vidas.
Arantes went on to write 23 additional songs for soap operas soundtracks, most of them becoming radio hits. Besides his solo work, he has also written songs for artists such as Gang 90 & Absurdettes, Elis Regina, Marina Lima and Maria Bethânia.
He had several hits during the 80s including: “Brincar de Viver”, "Meu Mundo e Nada Mais”, “Planeta Água" "Cheia de Charme”, "Coisas do Brasil” among many others. Most of his songs are written by him, and some in collaboration with other composers.
His songs have also achieved success in the voice of major Brazilian artists such as: Elis Regina, Caetano Veloso, Roberto Carlos, Cláudia Telles, Gang 90, Biafra, Ana Belém, Quarteto em Cy, Jessé, Cauby Peixoto, Belchior, Ney Matogrosso, Luiz Ayrão, Sandra Sá, MPB-4, Fafá de Belém, A Cor do Som, Vanusa, Zizi Possi, Joanna, Eliete Negreiros, Emílio Santiago, Barão Vermelho, Os Cariocas, 14 Bis, Flávio Venturini, Verônica Sabino, Ná Ozetti, Pena Branca & Xavantinho, Nenhum de Nós, Klébi, Chitãozinho e Xororó, Maria Bethânia, Leila Pinheiro, Sá & Guarabira, and others.
Arantes is stil a prolific artist - his 2017 album Flores & Cores (Flowers & Colors), was elected the 13th best Brazilian album of the year by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone.
In 2018 he composed a song for major Brazilian singer Gal Costa titled “Puro sangue” (Pure Blood) for her album “A Pele do Futuro” (“Future Skin”).
He keeps composing for soap operas, writing the pop song “Magia do Amor” for Globo’s soap “Verão 90” (Summer 90); and in December 2018 he released the single “Nossa Imensidão a Dois”.
S.O.S.
Guilherme Arantes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Falar ou calar, dá no mesmo
Tudo é tão objetivo e rápido
Ninguém vai ouvir
Alguém que procure amizade
Perdido na imensa cidade
Alguém fechado no carro
Com o som ligado bem alto
Dá no mesmo
Se é ficar sempre no mesmo
Isolamento mortal
Nas bocas um riso sintético
Nas festas os brindes de plástico
E voltar fechado no carro
Com o som ligado bem alto
Eu canto aos homens só
Que já nasceram sós
E sempre foram sós
Com seus sonhos sós
Na riqueza sós
Na alegria sós
Na miséria sós
Na tristeza sós
No escritório ou no estádio, domingo,
Dá no mesmo
Se na figura do juiz
Está o patrão
Palavrões e garrafas vazias
Lembranças de esposas sombrias
E voltar fechado no carro
Com o som ligado bem alto
Eu canto aos homens sós...
The lyrics of Guilherme Arantes's song S.O.S. portray a sense of isolation and disconnection in modern society. The first stanza speaks to the idea that communication is no longer meaningful or effective, with everyone focused on their own objectives and unwilling to listen to those seeking friendship or connection. The second stanza expands on this theme, describing the emptiness and artificiality of social gatherings, with synthetic laughter and plastic toasts to the point where it feels as if no one is truly present. The chorus of the song offers a glimpse of hope for those who have always felt alone, who have never quite fit in, and who have had to carry their dreams, joys, and sorrows by themselves, regardless of their social status, wealth, or circumstances. The final stanza highlights the futility of trying to escape from this loneliness, whether through work or leisure, because in the end, it's all the same, and one will still return to that solitary place, trapped inside a car with the music blasting, as a way to drown out the world outside.
Overall, S.O.S. is a poignant reflection on the human condition, particularly relevant to our times, where technology and consumerism have created the illusion of connectedness but have also increased the sense of alienation and fragmentation. The song invites us to face our solitude and embrace it, to recognize that we are not alone in feeling alone, and to find comfort and strength in our shared humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Pra quem é só
For those who are alone
Falar ou calar, dá no mesmo
Speaking or staying silent doesn't matter as there's no one to listen
Tudo é tão objetivo e rápido
Everything is so objective and fast-paced
Ninguém vai ouvir
Nobody is going to listen
Alguém que procure amizade
Someone who seeks friendship
Perdido na imensa cidade
Lost in the vast city
Alguém fechado no carro
Someone closed off in their car
Com o som ligado bem alto
With the sound turned up loud
Ir à boate ou ver televisão
Going to a nightclub or watching TV
Dá no mesmo
It's all the same
Se é ficar sempre no mesmo
Whether it's staying in the same routine
Isolamento mortal
Deadly isolation
Nas bocas um riso sintético
In laughing mouths, synthetic smiles
Nas festas os brindes de plástico
At parties, plastic toasts
E voltar fechado no carro
And returning closed off in the car
Eu canto aos homens só
I sing to the lonely men
Que já nasceram sós
Who were born alone
E sempre foram sós
And always have been alone
Com seus sonhos sós
With their dreams alone
Na riqueza sós
Alone in riches
Na alegria sós
Alone in joy
Na miséria sós
Alone in poverty
Na tristeza sós
Alone in sadness
No escritório ou no estádio, domingo,
In the office or at the stadium on Sundays
Dá no mesmo
It's all the same
Se na figura do juiz
If in the figure of the judge
Está o patrão
Lies the boss
Palavrões e garrafas vazias
Swear words and empty bottles
Lembranças de esposas sombrias
Memories of bleak wives
E voltar fechado no carro
And returning closed off in the car
Com o som ligado bem alto
With the sound turned up loud
Eu canto aos homens só...
I sing to the lonely men...
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.