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.
Sexu Makina
Negu Gorriak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
EMAKUMEA GIZAKIA DA
GAUZA BAKARRA BURUAN BADAUKAZU
PANPIN PUZGARRI BAT HAR DEZAKEZU
Begira, neskak baditu ikasketak
Zuzendu lezake multinazional bat
Begira, egun irakaslea da
Berak irakasten dizu etorkizuna
Berak zainduko digu geure bizitza
Begira, egun militantea da
Arazoak badira dago barrikadan
Maite zaituztet emakumeak
Gizona baino argiagoak dira
Maite zaituztet emakumeak
Gizona baino argiagoak dira
SEXU MAKINA BAINO GEHIAGO DA
EMAKUMEA GIZAKIA DA
Bakarrik nahi sexu jolasentzat
Ez dizu zuri gehiegi axola
Emakumea azala, hezurrak
Haragi puxka baino gehiago da
Gizonezko batzuk emakumea
Desiratzen dutela egia da
Baina guzti horiek gauza bakarra
Daukate beraien buruetan
Ez da ezer gertatzen
SEXU MAKINA BAINO GEHIAGO DA
EMAKUMEA GIZAKIA DA
Aizue prest zaudete? Oh bai!
Aizue prest zaudete? Oh bai!
Aizue prest zaudete? Oh bai!
Reggae maite duzue? Oh bai!
SEXU MAKINA BAINO GEHIAGO DA
EMAKUMEA GIZAKIA DA (2)
GAUZA BAKARRA BURUAN BADAUKAZU
PANPIN PUZGARRI BAT HAR DEZAKEZU (2)
The song "Sexu Makina" by Negu Gorriak talks about the role of women in society and the ways in which they are often objectified and marginalized. The lyrics point out that women are more than just sexual objects and have the same rights and importance as men. The chorus repeats the line "Sexu Makina baino gehiago da, Emakumea gizakia da" which means "a woman is more than a sex machine, she is a human being". The verses talk about the different roles women can have, such as being a student, a teacher, a nurse or a revolutionary, and emphasizes their importance in society.
The song also addresses the way in which society forces women to conform to certain beauty standards. The line "emakumea azala, hezurrak, haragi puxka baino gehiago da" translates to "a woman is more than just skin, bones and flesh". This line points out that women are often reduced to their physical appearance and their body parts, and are objectified instead of being recognized for their intelligence and capabilities.
Overall, "Sexu Makina" is a feminist song that promotes gender equality and challenges the patriarchal norms that often oppress women.
Line by Line Meaning
SEXU MAKINA BAINO GEHIAGO DA
People are more than just sex machines
EMAKUMEA GIZAKIA DA
Women are people
GAUZA BAKARRA BURUAN BADAUKAZU
We have only one thing on our minds
PANPIN PUZGARRI BAT HAR DEZAKEZU
You can buy yourself a cheap thrill
Begira, neskak baditu ikasketak
Look, women have education
Zuzendu lezake multinazional bat
They can manage a multinational corporation
Begira, egun irakaslea da
Look, she's a teacher by day
Berak irakasten dizu etorkizuna
She's the one teaching you the future
Begira, egun erizaina da
Look, she's a nurse by day
Berak zainduko digu geure bizitza
She'll take care of our lives
Begira, egun militantea da
Look, she's an activist by day
Arazoak badira dago barrikadan
There are problems and they're on the front line
Maite zaituztet emakumeak
We love women
Gizona baino argiagoak dira
They're brighter than men
Bakarrik nahi sexu jolasentzat
They only want sex for fun
Ez dizu zuri gehiegi axola
They won't care too much about you
Emakumea azala, hezurrak
Woman is flesh and bones
Haragi puxka baino gehiago da
More than just a piece of meat
Gizonezko batzuk emakumea
Some men desire women
Desiratzen dutela egia da
That's the truth
Baina guzti horiek gauza bakarra
But they all have one thing in common
Daukate beraien buruetan
It's in their heads
Ez da ezer gertatzen
Nothing ever happens
Aizue prest zaudete? Oh bai!
Are you ready? Oh yes!
Reggae maite duzue? Oh bai!
Do you love reggae? Oh yes!
EMAKUMEA GIZAKIA DA (2)
Women are people (x2)
GAUZA BAKARRA BURUAN BADAUKAZU
We have only one thing on our minds
PANPIN PUZGARRI BAT HAR DEZAKEZU (2)
You can buy yourself a cheap thrill (x2)
Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.