In 1991 two new members will become part of the group: Mikel Kazalis (Anestesia) and Mikel Abrego (Bap!!), incrementing considerably the quality and depth of music of the band. In that year they also created Esan Ozenki (say it out loud, in Basque), their own record label. Published in 1991, Gure Jarrera would make Negu Gorriak both famous (as the most solid group of the Basque music rock scene) and infamous (for the song Ustelkeria, which will lead to them to court).
The band's next output (Gora Herria) would be an EP with covers and dub music remixes with the collaboration of their friend Manu Chao. This can be consider a "bridge work" that separates Negu Gorriak early efforts and their 1993 Borreruak Baditu Milaka Aurpegi (The hangman is the man of the thousand faces, a verse from to writer Bernardo Atxaga), perhaps the best record of their career. In it the guitars grow angry, and the lyrics become more poetic and somewhat less political; feelings take over and there are clears notes of frustration and pain. Musically, the record moves from hip hop to punk to ska and rock with extreme naturality.
One year later Idea Zabaldu (Spread the Idea) was released. The influence of long visits to Latin America (and the Zapatista revolution) and the birth of Fermin Muguruza's son is not small. The band has grown mature and children mortality in the third world and AIDS are very present both in the lyrics and also in the tone of the recording. Not so angry and aggressive, Idea Zabaldu would be their last recording with original songs.
Salam Agur would be Negu Gorriak's last album. In it they decided to salute their friends and music influences by covering some of their favourite songs. Influential artists covered were BAP!!, Otis Redding, The Who, Macka B, Minor Threat, Bob Marley, Public Enemy, The Clash, Redskins, Poison Idea, Errobi, Dead Kennedys, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Anestesia and NWA. Once again, as it happened with Kortatu they decided to disband the group in order to avoid creative settling, in practice in 1996, but officially not until 2001 when they finnaly won the trial for the song Ustelkeria.
Dollar Area
Negu Gorriak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
hainbeste txorakeri entzuten dugun
garai nahasi eta nortasunik gabekotan.
norberak berea eta ez inorena
ikusten ikasi duen garai hauetan.
zein erreza den denboraren poderioz,
gizon baten bizitza baliogabeltzea.
zenbat ilusio, fede eta zuhurtasun
lenin, aizak!!
hire izena ukatu ditek.
lenin, aizak!!
hire lanak mespretxatu ere.
lenin, aizak!!
laster etorriko dituk bueltak.
langilea, langabea, pobrezia, gabezia,
denak estaltzen ditu diruaren gutizian.
desberdintasun basati, gustien zergatia,
dolarren magalean izkutatzen da.
batzuen bakea besteek gerran ordaindu behar,
historiaren kurpila bueltaka berriro.
badakik vladimir horrek zer esan nahi duen,
gizkiak historiari, beste kolpe bat zor zion.
lenin, aizak!!
hire izena ukatu ditek.
lenin, aizak!!
hire lanak mespretxatu ere.
lenin, aizak!!
laster etorriko dituk bueltak.
#dollar area#:
en tiempos de confusion y sin personalidad,
en los que oimos tantas tonterias.
en estos tiempos en los que cada uno ha aprendido a mirar exclusivamente por lo suyo.
que facil es con el paso del tiempo,
descalificar toda la vida de un hombre.
cuanta ilusion, fe y cordura
perdidas en la caja negra de la historia.
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
han negado tu nombre
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
han despreciado tus trabajos
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
pronto llegara la respuesta.
el trabajador, el parado, la pobreza, la miseria,
todo queda oculto bajo la codici del dinero.
la causa de todas las desigualdades salvajes, se esconden en el regazo del dólar.
la paz de unos, debe ser pagada por otros en la guerra,
la rueda de la historia da vueltas de nuevo.
ya sabes vladimir lo que eso significa,
el ser humano le debe otro golpe a la historia.
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
han negado tu nombre
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
han despreciado tus trabajos
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
pronto llegara la respuesta.
The song "Dollar Area" by Negu Gorriak portrays a world in chaos where people have lost their sense of identity and are only concerned with their personal interests. The lyrics suggest that the power of money and its ability to hide the truth is the cause of society's problems. The song mentions Lenin, a revolutionary figure, as a symbol of resistance against the capitalist system, but emphasizes that his name has been denied and his work disregarded.
The chorus of the song, "Lenin, listen!!" is a call to action for people to wake up and recognize the reality of their situation. The verses describe the disparities in society, with the poor and unemployed being oppressed by the wealthy and powerful. The song suggests that the key to overcoming these issues is to unite and resist against the forces that seek to control and exploit.
In summary, "Dollar Area" is a powerful critique of the capitalist system and its effect on society. The song encourages listeners to open their eyes and take action against the exploitation of the working class and the negative impact of money on our world.
Line by Line Meaning
en tiempos de confusion y sin personalidad,
During times of confusion and lack of identity,
en los que oimos tantas tonterias.
When we hear so much foolishness.
en estos tiempos en los que cada uno ha aprendido a mirar exclusivamente por lo suyo.
In these times where everyone has learned to only look after themselves.
que facil es con el paso del tiempo,
How easy it is with the passage of time,
descalificar toda la vida de un hombre.
To discredit a man's entire life.
cuanta ilusion, fe y cordura
How much hope, faith, and sanity
perdidas en la caja negra de la historia.
Are lost in the black box of history.
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
Lenin, listen up!!
han negado tu nombre
They have denied your name.
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
Lenin, listen up!!
han despreciado tus trabajos
They have disrespected your work.
lenin, ¡¡escucha!!
Lenin, listen up!!
pronto llegara la respuesta.
The answer will soon come.
el trabajador, el parado, la pobreza, la miseria,
The worker, the unemployed, poverty, misery,
todo queda oculto bajo la codici del dinero.
All are hidden by the greed for money.
la causa de todas las desigualdades salvajes, se esconden en el regazo del dólar.
The cause of all savage inequalities is hidden in the lap of the dollar.
la paz de unos, debe ser pagada por otros en la guerra,
The peace of some must be paid for by others in war,
la rueda de la historia da vueltas de nuevo.
The wheel of history turns again.
ya sabes vladimir lo que eso significa,
Now you know, Vladimir, what that means,
el ser humano le debe otro golpe a la historia.
That humankind owes another blow to history.
Contributed by Skyler I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Angel Tebas Garcia
Brigada Negu Gorriak Pistolaren Mintzaide ( Alkorkon) ta Brigadas Negu Gorriak Zona Sur( Madrid) eran los nombres de nuestras brigadas. Sacamos una sudadera con la frase: Abordaje Berri Bat Gaur Dugu Egingo. La pintada que más hacíamos era la de: Salgamos del Getho organicemos el odio. Recordando un poco la historia.
Xanti Garijo mikeliz
Negu gorriak Talde bat betirako!
Angel Tebas Garcia
Lenin han querido negar tu nombre