They play a mixture of rumba, pop, funk, flamenco, rock, hip-hop and reggae in a very particular style. They mostly sing in Spanish, but also in Catalán, Portuguese, French, English and Italian.
The first album, "El Mono en el ojo del Tigre" (1999) was released in Spain,France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Austria and Argentina.
In 2009 Macaco recorded a video of the song "Moving" in collaboration with National Geographic. A number of famous artists appear in the video including Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes and actors such as Javier Bardem.
Discography
El Mono en el Ojo del Tigre (Edel, 1999)
Rumbo Submarino (Edel, 2002)
Entre Raices y Antenas (Mundo Zurdo - EMI, 2004)
Ingravitto (Mundo Zurdo - EMI, 2006)
Puerto Presente (Mundo Zurdo - EMI, 2009)
SOS
Macaco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rumbo paqu?
Rumbo pa ya
Se hunde la tierra
De su wawanco
Se hunden cachitos entre tu y yo
Se hunde la guasa
Se hunde la comparsa
Se hunde
Mares, Mares, Mares, Mares
Tierra de Mares
Se ahoga el mundo
En su propio mar (2x)
Dicen que no lo sab?an
que la barca se quebr?
Pero el que tapa solo retrasa
Lo que un mal paso nos dio
Un mundo de poco o?do
Que nadie escucha naufragio
Pa todo el mundo (2x)
Mares, Mares, Mares, Mares
Tierra de Mares
Se ahoga el mundo
En su propio mar (2x)
Palabras de huesos por la m?dula
Atravieso camino
Pasos muy lentos pisando
Pasos con pasos
As? somos
Donde vamos
Sin tierra nos quedamos
Vete tu a saber
Vete tu a saber
Ciegos de malas lunas
Ladrando perros en sus cunas
Ten?an mal aguero
Nunca fue f?cil sus vuelos
Y si la tormenta
Caminan pal de frente
Y las patadas que nos vengan por delante
Mares, Mares, Mares, Mares
Tierra de Mares
Se ahoga el mundo
En su propio mar (6x)
The lyrics of "SOS" by Macaco paint a picture of a world that is sinking and disappearing. The first stanza talks about things sinking "between you and me," as if there's some sort of divide or conflict. The "wawanco" and "comparsa" sinking could be a reference to certain Latin American music and dance styles, which may be disappearing or losing their popularity. The mention of tambor (drum) sinking is particularly poignant, as it suggests the loss of rhythm, energy, and life force.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Mares, Mares, Mares, Mares / Tierra de Mares / Se ahoga el mundo / En su propio mar" (Seas, Seas, Seas, Seas / Land of Seas / The world is drowning / In its own sea), emphasizing the idea of being surrounded by water and yet not being able to swim or stay afloat. The line "Dicen que no lo sabían / que la barca se quebró" (They say they didn't know / that the boat broke) suggests a lack of awareness, responsibility, or action in the face of disaster. The images of bone words, slow steps, and barking dogs add to the sense of confusion, fear, and chaos.
Overall, "SOS" can be seen as a plea for help, a warning, and a lamentation. It highlights the interconnectedness of humans and nature, and the consequences of neglect, greed, and ignorance. The song invites listeners to reflect on their own relationships, values, and impacts, and to take action before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Flotando en el aire
Suspended in the air, directionless and adrift without a clear path
Rumbo paqu?
No clear direction or purpose for where to go
Rumbo pa ya
No clear destination or end goal
Se hunde la tierra
The ground beneath our feet is giving way, causing instability
De su wawanco
The traditional Peruvian music style of Wawanco that represents the struggles of the people
Se hunden cachitos entre tu y yo
Bits of ourselves are lost or breaking apart, putting a divide between us
Se hunde la guasa
The fun or carefree attitude is disappearing
Se hunde la comparsa
The carnival or party-like atmosphere is fading away
Se hunde el sonido del tambor
The heartbeat and rhythm of life is becoming fainter and more distant
Mares, Mares, Mares, Mares
An endless expanse of water or troubles that we must navigate
Tierra de Mares
Even the land is affected by the overwhelming presence of water and struggle
Se ahoga el mundo
The world is suffocating or drowning in the chaos around us
En su propio mar (2x)
In the sea of its own creation, lost in its own issues and challenges
Dicen que no lo sab?an
Some claim they were unaware of the impending disaster or issues
que la barca se quebr?
The boat or vessel has been broken or shattered by the choppy waters
Pero el que tapa solo retrasa
Attempts to conceal or hide the truth only delay the inevitable outcome
Lo que un mal paso nos dio
The consequences of a misstep or bad decision are coming to fruition
Un mundo de poco o?do
A world that doesn't listen or hear the cries for help
Que nadie escucha naufragio
Where no one pays attention, the shipwreck is inevitable
Pa todo el mundo (2x)
For everyone to see, the issues and struggles are present
Palabras de huesos por la m?dula
Words that come from the bones and the soul, showing the depth of the pain and struggle
Atravieso camino
Crossing paths or journeys filled with obstacles and challenges
Pasos muy lentos pisando
Slowly and carefully walking, trying to avoid falling or stumbling
Pasos con pasos
Step by step, one foot in front of the other
As? somos
This is who we are, struggling and persevering through tough times
Donde vamos
Where we are headed, what is our end goal or destination
Sin tierra nos quedamos
We are left with nothing, nowhere to stand, no foundation
Vete tu a saber
Who knows what will happen or how things will turn out
Ciegos de malas lunas
Blinded by misfortune or difficult times
Ladrando perros en sus cunas
Barking dogs confined to their beds, unable to help or do anything
Ten?an mal aguero
A bad omen or sign, indicating more struggles or problems ahead
Nunca fue f?cil sus vuelos
It was never easy to soar or rise above the struggles and pain
Y si la tormenta
And if the storm or challenge comes
Caminan pal de frente
We must face it head on, with courage and determination
Y las patadas que nos vengan por delante
We will face whatever comes our way, ready to endure and overcome
En su propio mar (6x)
In this sea of adversity, we must keep pushing forward, swimming against the tide of troubles and trials.
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.