Having started in music at eight, J. T. Meirelles studied composition and arranging at Berklee School of Music (Boston, Mass.). His professional debut was at 17 as João Donato's saxophonist. Next he moved to São Paulo, where he worked with Luís Loy. Returning to Rio in 1963 Meirelles formed the Copa 5, which debuted at the Bottle's Bar, at the Beco das Garrafas (Rio).
In that same year he wrote the arrangement for the original recording of "Mas Que Nada," Jorge BenJor's first hit. From 1964 to 1975 he worked as an instrumentalist, conductor, arranger and producer at Odeon. In 1965 and 1967 he wrote several arrangements for different editions of the historic Festival Internacional da Canção (International Song Festival, TV Globo), having performed in 1966 in the Berlin Jazz Festival with Edu Lobo, Rosinha de Valença, Dom Salvador and Sérgio Barroso.
In 1967 he participated in the inauguration of the Canecão room (Rio), working there during the entire year. From 1969 to 1971 Meirelles was EMI-Odeon's (São Paulo) A&R, where he performed regularly with the Luís Loy Quinteto. Back to Rio in 1971 he resumed his work at EMI-Odeon until 1975. Moving then to Mexico, he was hired by the Gimmicks of Sweden, with which he moved to Europe, where he lived for several years (France, Sweden and Monte Carlo), working with several orchestras (like Aimée Barelli's).
In ostracism in the 80s and 90s, he was rediscovered by journalist José Domingos Raffaelli in 2000, who invited him for the jazz sessions held at the bar of the Hotel Novo Mundo (Rio de Janeiro), which brought him to the instrumental music forefront again. In 2001 the LP O Som was reissued in CD by Dubas Música and O Novo Som was re-masterized.
Fast forward and in 2005 JT Meirelles strike again with the most innovative album samba jazz has ever seem. ESQUEMA NOVO is here and all you got to do is enjoy the melodies…
Meirelles worked throughout his career with instrumental groups like Azymuth, Hermeto Pascoal's, Helvius Vilela's, Antônio Adolfo's and João Donato's, having also backed vocalists/instrumentalists Jorge Ben, Agostinho dos Santos, Silvinha Telles, Edu Lobo, Rosinha de Valença, Maria Bethânia, Simone, Francis Hime, Fafá de Belém, Miúcha, Roberto Carlos, Flora Purim, Wagner Tiso, Leny Andrade, Os Cariocas, Fagner, Clara Nunes, Emílio Santiago, Alcione, Maria Bethânia, Pery Ribeiro, Nara Leão, Gilberto Gil, Tito Madi, Wilson Simonal, Geraldo Vandré, Taiguara, Dóris Monteiro, Chico Buarque, and Lisa Ono, among others. As a producer he worked for Gonzaguinha, Peri Ribeiro, Tito Madi, Ed Maciel, Rosa Maria, Severino Araújo's Orquestra Tabajara and Sexteto Radamés Gnattali.
NOTE: Copa 5 in 1963 were (Manuel Gusmão, bass; Luís Carlos Vinhas, piano; Dom Um Romão, drums; and Pedro Paulo, bass), J. T. Meirelles recorded with the group the landmark LP O Som in 1964, signing the arrangements for the tracks Quintessência, Solitude, Blue Bottle's,"Nordeste, Comtemplação, and Tânia, all written by himself. The next album, O Novo Som, brought a new formation with Eumir Deodato (piano), Edson Machado (drums), Roberto Menescal (guitar), Waltel Branco (electric guitar) and Manoel Gusmão (bass), with the originals works O Novo Som, Solo and Serelepe.
SOLO
J.T Meirelles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Messagerie Orange bonjour
La personne que vous essayez de joindre n'est pas disponible
Veuillez laissez votre message après le bip
Salut c'est moi, encore ta messagerie
Ça fait longtemps que j'ai pas de nouvelles
Tu me manques tu sais. Rappelles-moi vite
Salut bébé, c'est encore moi. Rappelle-moi vite, bisous
J-J on The Beat
Man simin rété solo
Man simin rété solo
Rété solo, hmmm
Le temps passe et les jours se ressemblent (Les jours se ressemblent)
J'brûle de l'intérieur , j'ai le cœur en cendres (J'ai le cœur en cendres)
Je leur ferais la guerre même si je suis seul contre cent
Les gens viennent et partent, et tu peux rien contre ça, non
Je n'trouve plus le sommeil
Et pourtant quand je réussis
Je rêve du sommet
Et que tout le monde me félicite
Non j'vais pas rester ici car j'fais pas partie des vôtres
Non, faut pas qu'tu restes ici, tu ne fais pas partie des nôtres
Je regarde devant, j'ai la vision du tunnel
J'essaye d'avancer dans ce monde cruel
Je sais que tu m'aimes, je le vois dans tes prunelles
Viens avec moi et ta vie sera plus belle
Même quand y'en a, y'en a jamais assez
J'ai vaincu tous mes démons du passé
Man simin rété solo
Le temps passe, sa ka vinn tro long
C'est le début du prologue
J'espère gagner le gros lot
J'suis pas tout seul dans l'équipe
On est tous dans le même bateau
Mais si demain mais ça empire
Qui sera là pour me donner la main
(Man simin rété solo)
Man simin rété solo comme ça j'évite la douleur
Certaines périodes de ma vie, j'en ai vu de toutes les couleurs
Quand tu commences à changer, ils te regardent avec stupeur
Je ne regarde plus le passé, dorénavant je n'ai plus peur
La ni trop moun ki lé palé
Jalouzie a yo, yo pé valéy
Cé assou mwen fok ou parié
Tête yo key fini empaillé
Nouveau morceau, nouveau palier
Rien à perdre et tout à gagner
Je suis lancé
J'vais ramener la coupe à la maison comme Mbappé
J'sais pas si je verrai demain donc j'vis chaque jour comme le dernier
Et si c'est vraiment la fin au moins j'aurais tout essayé
J'pensais que j'avais raison mais plusieurs fois jme suis trompé
J'me suis relevé car plusieurs fois je suis tombé
Man simin' rété solo
Le temps passe, sa ka vinn tro long
C'est le début du prologue
J'espère gagner le gros lot
J'suis pas tout seul dans l'équipe
On est tous dans le même bateau
Mais si demain mais ça empire
Qui sera là pour me donner la main
(Man simin rété solo)
Le temps passe et rien ne change
Sa koumancé vinn tro longue
L'impression que rien n'avance
C'est le début du prologue
J'avance sans être sûr de moi
J'suis au bord du précipice donc je n'ai pas le choix
Man simin rété solo
Man simin rété solo
Man simin rété solo
Aaanh yeah, aanh yeah
Man simin rété solo
The first part of the song features a voicemail message, where the singer talks to someone they miss and hope to get a call back soon. Then, the beat drops, and the main voice starts singing. The chorus, "Man simin rété solo" translates to "I'm left alone," expressing the feeling of being isolated and struggling to keep going. The song discusses the hardships and loneliness that come with pursuing one's dreams and fighting against the odds. The singer mentions that sometimes they feel like they are the only one fighting, but they keep going because they have a vision of the future they want to reach. Despite the obstacles, they are determined to succeed and "bring the cup home" like French footballer Kylian Mbappé.
Throughout the song, the singer also addresses people who try to bring them down or don't believe in them. They acknowledge the jealousy and negativity that others may have towards them but remain steadfast in their journey. At the same time, the singer recognizes the importance of having a support system and wonders who will be there for them if everything falls apart.
The poignant message of the song, coupled with its catchy beat and melody, makes "Solo" a powerful anthem for those who feel alone in their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Messagerie Orange bonjour
Automated message greeting from phone service provider
La personne que vous essayez de joindre n'est pas disponible
The intended recipient of the call cannot be reached
Veuillez laissez votre message après le bip
Please leave a message after the beep
Salut c'est moi, encore ta messagerie
Recording of the owner of the phone message system greeting the caller
Ça fait longtemps que j'ai pas de nouvelles
It has been a while since the owner of the phone message system has heard from the caller
Tu me manques tu sais. Rappelles-moi vite
The owner of the phone message system misses the caller and requests a return call
Salut bébé, c'est encore moi. Rappelle-moi vite, bisous
A more affectionate message left by the owner of the phone message system requesting a return call and expressing love
Rappelles-moi vite
The caller is asked to quickly return the call
J-J on The Beat
Introduction of the artist and producer of the song
Man simin rété solo
Repeat of the main phrase of the song, 'I am staying solo'
Rété solo, hmmm
Staying solo, expressing contemplation or frustration
Le temps passe et les jours se ressemblent (Les jours se ressemblent)
Time passes and routine sets in, causing each day to seem similar to the last
J'brûle de l'intérieur , j'ai le cœur en cendres (J'ai le cœur en cendres)
The artist is experiencing intense internal turmoil and feels like their heart is burned up
Je leur ferais la guerre même si je suis seul contre cent
The artist is willing to fight against many even if they are alone in their cause
Les gens viennent et partent, et tu peux rien contre ça, non
People come and go in life, and there is nothing one can do to change that
Je n'trouve plus le sommeil
The artist is having trouble sleeping
Et pourtant quand je réussis
Despite the sleepless nights, the artist is still striving for success
Je rêve du sommet
The artist dreams of reaching the peak of their success
Et que tout le monde me félicite
The artist desires recognition and praise from others for their accomplishments
Non j'vais pas rester ici car j'fais pas partie des vôtres
The artist will not stay in their current situation because they do not belong there
Non, faut pas qu'tu restes ici, tu ne fais pas partie des nôtres
The artist advises the listener to also leave their situation if they do not belong there
Je regarde devant, j'ai la vision du tunnel
The artist is focused on the future and has a clear vision of their goals
J'essaye d'avancer dans ce monde cruel
The artist is determined to move forward despite the difficulties of the world
Je sais que tu m'aimes, je le vois dans tes prunelles
The artist senses that someone loves them by looking into their eyes
Viens avec moi et ta vie sera plus belle
The artist extends an invitation to make life better together
Même quand y'en a, y'en a jamais assez
Even when one has something, it is rarely enough to satisfy them
J'ai vaincu tous mes démons du passé
The artist has overcome all their past demons and struggles
Le temps passe, sa ka vinn tro long
The passing of time is becoming unbearable
C'est le début du prologue
This is just the beginning
J'espère gagner le gros lot
The artist hopes to win big
J'suis pas tout seul dans l'équipe
The artist is not alone and has a team backing them up
On est tous dans le même bateau
Everyone is in this together
Mais si demain mais ça empire
If things get worse tomorrow
Qui sera là pour me donner la main
Who will be there to lend a helping hand?
Le temps passe et rien ne change
Time is passing but nothing is changing
Sa koumancé vinn tro longue
Things are starting to become too long
L'impression que rien n'avance
The feeling that nothing is progressing
J'avance sans être sûr de moi
The artist is moving forward without confidence
J'suis au bord du précipice donc je n'ai pas le choix
The artist is at the edge of a cliff with limited options
Aaanh yeah, aanh yeah
Ad-lib vocalizations
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Giovanni Anaclet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind