His parents were immigrants from Ecuador, but Roberto grew up in the materialistic lifestyle of southern Florida, U.S.A. Pounding bass beats from passing cars, boom boxes bouncing down the block, and late-night parties provided a foundation for Lange’s interest in sound.
Lange has collaborated with visual and sound artist David Ellis to compose a new series of kinetic sound sculptures. These include typewriters that self-type the lyrics to Grand Master Flash's "The Message" (in rhythm to the song, none-the-less), musical owls drawn out of liquor bottles, owl costumes made out of straws, flying musical birds, motion paintings, and trashcans (full of trash) that are actually living drum machines. Lange has also worked with Paul Duncan and Bear in Heaven as well as famed music producer Guillermo Scott Herren to produce Prefuse 73 and Savath and Savalas as an active member and contributor.
Lange's other projects include ROM, Epstein, as well as Helado Negro. Epstein is Lange's “beats and loops” project, a friendly beast born of the MPC sampler. Epstein's wildly prolific output, including a series of digital releases, full-lengths, and a remix album, is a gauzy, sunny kind of dance music that references DJ mixing, summertime block parties, and mellow compositional noise.
Helado Negro began when Lange moved to New York in 2006. The early group concept grew through projects and experiments Roberto would conduct while recording himself and others in his home studio. Loops, computer synthesis, record samples, and live instruments provided the foundation for the first full-length, Awe Owe, a vibrant, shimmering, full-band Latin psyche-funk-folk epic.
After taking time to create a new series of sound sculptures, release a Helado Negro EP, score one film and begin work on another (based around his animation), Lange recently holed up in a cabin in the Connecticut woods to record the follow-up to Awe Owe. Canta Lechuza is the latest incarnation of Helado Negro and its sound may come as a surprise. Gone is the big collaborative group jam of previous work and in its place is Helado-Negro-as-intimate-solo-project. Canta Lechuza feels like the place it was recorded—its vocals and beats and synth lines coming together to craft a warm, buoyant, comforting electronic dance sound, an effortless, personal thing anchored by Lange's warm, earthy, conversational voice. Based around field recordings and live instrumentation fed through computer processing, Canta Lechuza is a thoroughly modern affair.
Runaround
Helado Negro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk backwards
Like you, with me, before
Hot dog let's play games
You catch me
I catch you
No love can cut our knife in two
Somewhere in space
Inflatable face
Chameleon ways to reach you
Alien days
Its the longest day till I seen you
Psychic way
Wait till I heal you
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
And it's a runaround runaround
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
No love
No love
No love
Can cut our knife in two
In "Runaround" by Helado Negro, the lyrics convey a sense of playfulness and connection between two individuals. The opening lines, "Leopard garden, walk backwards, like you, with me, before" suggest a whimsical, dreamlike setting where the characters engage in a game of chase or hide-and-seek. The reference to a "Leopard garden" adds an exotic and surreal element to the scene.
The lines "Hot dog let's play games, you catch me, I catch you" further emphasize the playful nature of their interaction. There is a sense of mutual pursuit and enjoyment, as they take turns being the chaser and the chased. The lyrics also embody a feeling of invincibility, as they proclaim, "No love can cut our knife in two." This line suggests that their connection is unbreakable, and no external force can harm their bond.
The later verses introduce elements of distance and longing. The lines "Somewhere in space, someone else plays our game, inflatable face, chameleon ways to reach you" evoke a sense of separation and the need for adaptability to bridge the gap. The reference to "alien days" and the longing to see each other again emphasize the yearning for their connection.
The repeated chorus reinforces the idea that their love is unshakeable and cannot be divided by anything. The final line, "Wait till I heal you," suggests that there may be wounds or past challenges that need to be resolved before their love can reach its full potential.
Overall, "Runaround" portrays an enchanting and mystical world where love and play intertwine, highlighting the resilience and strength of their bond.
Line by Line Meaning
Leopard garden
A place filled with danger and unpredictability, represented by the untamed and fierce nature of a leopard.
Walk backwards
Engaging in a series of retrogressive actions, implying a desire to revisit past experiences or undo certain events.
Like you, with me, before
Similar to the way you treated me in the past, when we were together.
Hot dog let's play games
Let's engage in playful activities or competitions, reminiscent of carefree and enjoyable moments.
You catch me
You are the one who captures my attention or interest.
I catch you
I reciprocate your attention and capture your interest as well.
No love can cut our knife in two
Together, our love is strong and unbreakable, unaffected by external forces or challenges.
Somewhere in space
In a realm beyond physical reality or distance.
Someone else plays our game
Another person is involved in our dynamics or relationships, possibly causing interference or disruption.
Inflatable face
A facade or mask that can be easily changed or manipulated, like an inflatable object.
Chameleon ways to reach you
Adapting to different strategies or tactics in order to connect with you or gain your acceptance.
Alien days
Moments that feel unfamiliar or surreal, as if belonging to a different world or reality.
Its the longest day till I seen you
The period of time between our meetings or encounters feels incredibly long and drawn-out.
Psychic way
A method or ability to intuitively understand or connect with your thoughts or emotions.
Wait till I heal you
Patience is required until I can fully and effectively mend or support you emotionally.
And it's a runaround runaround
The situation or experience involves constantly moving in circles or getting caught up in a repetitive cycle.
No love
Our relationship lacks affection, care, or emotional connection.
Can cut our knife in two
External influences or challenges cannot sever the bond or unity we share.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Roberto Lange
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kate Land
This song makes me feel hope for humanity. If you can see him live, do it.
Adam-Wade
Everyone should listen to this with speakers or headphones with a huge soundstage. So atmospheric and breezy.
Dixon Torres
Demasiado brutal, gracias!
St. Cloud
amazing song. i've edited my comment three times as it gets better and better.
Thanks HN
Jean Francois VIGIER
He has found what Banhart has lost
Luke T
great tune! saw you at frendly great show
Nayeli Lopez
Vine por Sam Domínguez 🙂❤
Ross Daigrepont
I robot the novel was the source of some of these lyrics
Atilio José Boggiatto
Cuando venís por Argentina?
Isabel Vergara
wooo