Lenine specially enjoyed listening to rock all through his teens, until he discovered the album "Clube da Esquina", by Milton Nascimento, and saw Gilberto Gil performing. At the age of 18 he moved to Rio de Janeiro to compete in a music festival.
Lenine has composed for such Brazilian stars as Gilberto Gil, Daude and Sergio Mendes. In 2005 he was the top winner of Brazil's TIM Awards, sweeping the categories of Best CD, Best Male Vocalist, Best Male Vocalist (Popular Vote) and Best Song. He has also received two Latin Grammy Awards in 2005 for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album and Best Brazilian Song.
In 1982, Lenine released his first LP, "Baque Solto", with partner Lula Queiroga. The second record, "Olho de Peixe", came out ten years later, though, this time with percussionist Marcos Suzano. The album ensured his importance among Brazilian musicians who promoted the genre in the 90's by merging it with pop music. Lenine's first solo record, "O Dia em que Faremos Contato", came out in 1997, featuring a pop structure for his mix of electronica, northeastern rhythms and samba. Two years later, he released "Na Pressão". In 2001, "Falange Canibal" was released and had a special guest, the American group Living Color with the music "O Homem dos Olhos de Raios-X". His album "In Cité" (2004), a reference to the preposition "in" plus the word "city" in French, was recorded at the auditorium of the "Cité de La Music" in Paris. Lenine's last album "Acústico MTV" had been released recently (2006) and brought special guests as Igor Cavalera (Sepultura, one of the most famous worldwide rock Brazilian band), Richard Bona (from Cameroun, Africa), Victor Astorga (Chile), Julieta Venegas (Mexican-Grammy-nomineed and special featuring in the "Amores Perros"' soundtrack). Also in 2006, Lenine released his U.S. debut disc "Lenine [Enhanced]".
Lenine's official MySpace is www.myspace.com/lenineacustico and his website is at www.lenine.com.br
Bundalelê
Lenine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aqui, qualquer maluco é cidadão
Aqui já 'tá tão bom, se melhorar não presta
Só falta consertar o resto da nação
Valeu lavar o verde e o amarelo
Valeu atravessar noventa e dois
Me beija, me dá um gole de cerveja
E o resto deixa pra depois
Vou no vácuo do Suvaco
Até onde me levar
É bundalelê, é bundalalá
Juntei a tribo
E 'to aqui pra anunciar
Que o Suvaco chegou
Chegou, chegou
A nossa tribo é o tambor que acorda o carnaval
Bebeu, sorriu, cantou
E organizou o cartel do alto-astral
Você que nada e não morre na praia
Você que é da gandaia, me diz
Você que é do prazer, abra os seus olhos pra ver
O lado iluminado do país
Você que é do prazer, abra os seus olhos pra ver
O lado iluminado do país
O Rio de Janeiro continua rindo
É fevereiro e o Suvaco 'tá na rua
Até o Cristo lá do alto vem seguindo
Abraçando o sol, até beijar a lua
O Rio de Janeiro continua rindo
É fevereiro e o Suvaco 'tá na rua
Até o Cristo lá do alto vem seguindo
Abraçando o sol, até beijar a lua
Aqui qualquer tostão faz uma festa
Aqui, qualquer maluco é cidadão
In Lenine's song "Bundalelê," the lyrics celebrate the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. The song speaks to the inclusive nature of the festivities, where everyone, regardless of their background, can come together and be part of the celebration. It emphasizes the idea that in this place, even the smallest amount of money can create a party, and even the craziest person is considered a citizen. The lyrics highlight the sense of unity and collective spirit that is felt during carnaval.
The song also mentions the significance of the colors of Brazil, green and yellow, and the pride associated with them. It references crossing the year 1992, possibly alluding to a historical event or a personal milestone. The lyrics encourage living in the moment, enjoying kisses, sips of beer, and postponing everything else for later. The chorus, "É bundalelê, é bundalalá," reinforces the joyful and carefree atmosphere that carnaval embodies.
In terms of the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro, the lyrics suggest that the city continues to thrive and enjoy life, especially during the carnaval season. The mention of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, embracing the sun and reaching for the moon, symbolizes the unity of the city and its connection with the celestial bodies. The song portrays Rio as a place where laughter abounds, where the party is always on, and where carnaval is a significant part of the city's identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Aqui qualquer tostão faz uma festa
In this place, even the smallest amount of money can create a joyful celebration
Aqui, qualquer maluco é cidadão
In this place, anyone who is considered eccentric or unconventional is seen as an equal citizen
Aqui já 'tá tão bom, se melhorar não presta
Here, things are already so good that if they improve any further, it would become undesirable
Só falta consertar o resto da nação
The only thing left is to fix the rest of the nation
Valeu lavar o verde e o amarelo
It was worth representing and showing pride in the colors of Brazil (green and yellow)
Valeu atravessar noventa e dois
It was worth going through the challenges of the past (referring to the year 1992)
Me beija, me dá um gole de cerveja
Kiss me, give me a sip of beer
E o resto deixa pra depois
And leave the rest for later
É bundalelê, é bundalalá
It's all about joy, fun, and celebration
Vou no vácuo do Suvaco
I'm going along with the crowd and energy of the Suvaco
Até onde me levar
Until it takes me
Juntei a tribo
I gathered the tribe (group of like-minded people)
E 'to aqui pra anunciar
And I'm here to announce
Que o Suvaco chegou
That the Suvaco has arrived
Chegou, chegou
It has arrived, it has arrived
A nossa tribo é o tambor que acorda o carnaval
Our tribe is the drum that wakes up the carnival
Bebeu, sorriu, cantou
Drank, smiled, sang
E organizou o cartel do alto-astral
And organized the cartel of high spirits
Você que nada e não morre na praia
You who swim and don't die at the beach (referring to someone who can handle challenges)
Você que é da gandaia, me diz
You who are from the party scene/the good life, tell me
Você que é do prazer, abra os seus olhos pra ver
You who seek pleasure, open your eyes to see
O lado iluminado do país
The illuminated side of the country
O Rio de Janeiro continua rindo
Rio de Janeiro keeps on laughing
É fevereiro e o Suvaco 'tá na rua
It's February and the Suvaco is on the streets
Até o Cristo lá do alto vem seguindo
Even Christ up above is following along
Abraçando o sol, até beijar a lua
Embracing the sun until it kisses the moon
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Braulio Tavares, Oswaldo Lenine Macedo Pimentel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind