He was born in Ostrava, Czech Republic and has played guitar since he was 13. He began studies at the Technical University of Ostrava but eventually left the school. He tried various jobs and eventually ended up working as a freelance lyricist. He gained fame with his first song for Marie Rottrová, Lásko, voníš deštěm (You Smell of Rain, My Love) - it was a remake of Black Sabbath 's ballad "She's Gone". He lives in Ostrava, has a wife and two children.
In 1982 he started performing in public, a sound decision in that a number of his songs gained wide popularity. His first album, Darmoděj (Aimless), released in 1988 was an immediate sell-out. An aura of myth arose around Nohavica which survived even the crisis period of his treatment for alcoholism. His subsequent release of the lovely, slightly pessimistic Mikymauzoleum (Mickey Mousoleum), an album of mainly melancholy songs. In 1994 he live recorded an album Tři čuníci (Three Piglets), intended for children, with humoristic songs.
In 1996 Nohavica released Divné století (Strange Century). He and his producer employed new instruments and voices for the new songs on the album, and it became a huge success. Two years later Jaromír Nohavica and Kapela (ie. the Band) came out with Koncert (Concert), a record featuring Nohavica playing with a band, and this fact recognizably changed his music. The album contains mainly older material, but the new treatment gave it a new appeal. His studio album from 2000, Moje smutné srdce (My Sad Heart), contains mostly sad songs about love.
Nohavica also starred in Petr Zelenka's movie Rok Ďábla (Year of The Devil), which was awarded the main prize at the 37th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2002 and several other international film festivals.
Apart from his native Czech Republic, he also enjoys some popularity in neighbouring Poland and Slovakia.
He has just released a brand new CD called Ikarus which was recorded during his January's sets of concerts in Ostrava.
Zatanči
Jaromír Nohavica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1. Zatanči, má milá, zatanči pro mé oči,
G D Emi
zatanči a vetkni nůž do mých zad,
G D Emi
ať tvůj šat, má milá, ať tvůj šat na zemi skončí,
G D Emi
ať tvůj šat, má milá, rázem je sňat.
Emi G D Emi
R: Zatanči, jako se okolo ohně tančí,
G D Emi
zatanči jako na vodě loď,
G D Emi
zatanči jako to slunce mezi pomeranči,
G D Emi
zatanči, a pak ke mně pojď.
2. Polož dlaň, má milá, polož dlaň na má prsa,
polož dlaň nestoudně na moji hruď,
obejmi, má milá, obejmi moje bedra,
obejmi je pevně a mojí buď.
R:
3. Nový den než začne, má milá, nežli začne,
nový den než začne, nasyť můj hlad,
zatanči, má milá, pro moje oči lačné,
zatanči a já budu ti hrát.
R:
R:
In the song "Zatanči" by Jaromír Nohavica, the singer is appealing to his beloved to dance for him. He desires her to let go of all inhibitions and dance freely for him, expressing himself in metaphorical sequences that compare her dance to the movement of fire, water, and sun. He even goes to the extent of wishing for her to stab him in the back with a knife, so he can feel the pain and remember the moment forever. The second verse is about physical intimacy, where he asks her to place her hand on his chest, embrace him and make him hers. The final verse speaks of a new day dawning, and how he wants to be sated by watching her dance for him.
The song's lyrics are romantic, and they highlight the desire for a deeper connection between two individuals than just the physical aspect. The different metaphors used in the song, to explain the dance, provide a sense of depth to the act of dancing. Overall, the song highlights the mysteries and beauty of love and the lengths people go to proclaim their love to someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Zatanči, má milá, zatanči pro mé oči,
Dance for me, my dear, dance for my eyes to see,
zatanči a vetkni nůž do mých zad,
Dance and stab a knife into my back,
ať tvůj šat, má milá, ať tvůj šat na zemi skončí,
Let your dress end up on the ground, my dear,
ať tvůj šat, má milá, rázem je sňat.
Let your dress be taken off all at once.
Zatanči, jako se okolo ohně tančí,
Dance like they do around the fire,
zatanči jako na vodě loď,
Dance like a boat on the water,
zatanči jako to slunce mezi pomeranči,
Dance like the sun among oranges,
zatanči, a pak ke mně pojď.
Dance and then come to me.
Polož dlaň, má milá, polož dlaň na má prsa,
Put your hand on my chest, my dear,
polož dlaň nestoudně na moji hruď,
Place your hand shamelessly on my heart,
obejmi, má milá, obejmi moje bedra,
Embrace my shoulders, my dear,
obejmi je pevně a mojí buď.
Hold them tightly and be mine.
Nový den než začne, má milá, nežli začne,
Before the new day begins, my dear,
nový den než začne, nasyť můj hlad,
Satisfy my hunger before the new day begins,
zatanči, má milá, pro moje oči lačné,
Dance for my hungry eyes, my dear,
zatanči a já budu ti hrát.
Dance and I will play for you.
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.