The band is considered one of the main groups in Brazilian rock. Like most groups from the 1960s, Os Mutantes were heavily influenced by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Sly & the Family Stone. However, Brazilian musicians were also immersed in their local culture, exercising their own creativity in the use of feedback, distortion and studio tricks of all kinds, just as was done by the Liverpool quartet and the group The Beach Boys. In this sense, Mutantes were pioneers in mixing rock and roll with Brazilian musical and thematic elements. Another characteristic of the group was irreverence. Like Os Mutantes, there began to be a kind of mixture of foreign and Brazilian music and the addition of new ideas, with doses of experimentalism, thus opening the way for musical hybridism.
Os Mutantes began their activities in 1966, as a trio, when they performed on the program O Pequeno Mundo de Ronnie Von on TV Record. On the eve of the program's premiere, the trio had the name "Os Bruxos", but neither Rita Lee nor the Dias Baptista brothers (Arnaldo and Sérgio) were satisfied with that name and wanted to change it. According to Carlos Calado,[2] the idea for the name "Os Mutantes" came from an ironic joke between Alberto Helena Júnior, the program's producer, and Ronnie Von, who, at the time, was reading O Império dos Mutantes, by Stefan Wul, and did not talk about any other subject. "Are you guys still looking for a name for the boys ensemble? Why not The Mutants?" Ronnie Von liked Alberto Helena's idea and took it to the group, who approved it immediately.
The group soon became one of the main exponents of the new MPB, influenced by Tropicália, until it dissolved in 1978. Over these twelve years, nine albums were recorded, two of which - O A e o Z and Tecnicolor - were only released on 1990s, when the group began to be recognized, on the national and international rock scene, as one of the most creative, dynamic, radical and talented of the psychedelic era and the history of world rock. In 2006, the band reunited, without Rita Lee or Liminha, but with the presence of Arnaldo Baptista and Zélia Duncan on vocals. The following year, Arnaldo and Zélia left the band, which was recomposed with other musicians and continues to perform under the leadership of Sérgio Dias, the only remaining member of the original lineup.
A e o Z
Os Mutantes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sou o Fim
Sou o A e o Z
Meu bem, ouça o meu Rock n Roll
Tudo bem, pelos séculos amei, amei.
Eu sou o começo
Sou o A e o Z
Numa Pessoa
Uma Pessoa
Uma Pessoa
The lyrics of Os Mutantes's "A e o Z" express a sense of all-encompassing power, as the singer declares themselves to be the beginning, the end, and everything in between. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song reinforces this idea, as if the singer is asserting their control over the universe. The reference to rock and roll indicates that this power is not necessarily malevolent, but rather a force for enjoyment and excitement.
The last verse, in which the singer declares themselves to be "one person," adds a layer of complexity to the song's meaning. It suggests that the power and control they claim to possess is not something external to themselves, but rather a reflection of their own identity. In this sense, the song can be seen as an expression of individualism, as the singer asserts their uniqueness and autonomy.
Overall, the lyrics of "A e o Z" are cryptic and open to interpretation. They combine elements of mysticism, rebellion, and personal identity to create a sense of grandiosity and power.
Interesting facts about the song:
1) "A e o Z" was released as a single in Brazil in 1970.
2) It was also included on Os Mutantes's self-titled album, which was released in the same year.
3) The song was written by guitarist and vocalist Arnaldo Baptista.
4) Os Mutantes were known for their eclectic style, which blended elements of psychedelic rock, Brazilian music, and experimental sounds.
5) The band's influence can be heard in the music of modern Brazilian artists such as Boogarins and Tame Impala.
6) "A e o Z" was covered by American band Of Montreal on their 2007 EP "Icons, Abstract Thee."
7) The song has been described as a "cosmic manifesto."
8) The music video for "A e o Z" features footage of the band performing the song in a desert landscape.
9) Os Mutantes were active from the 1960s to the 2000s, and underwent several lineup changes over the years.
10) The band's name translates to "the mutants" in English.
Chords:
Unfortunately, I do not have access to the chords for this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Eu sou o começo
Assim como o começo de tudo, eu represento o início.
Sou o Fim
Também sou o fim de tudo, o que acaba e finaliza as coisas.
Sou o A e o Z
Eu sou tudo, desde o início até o fim, desde a primeira letra do alfabeto até a última.
Meu bem, ouça o meu Rock n Roll
Meu amor, escute minha música, meu estilo tão característico de rock n roll.
Tudo bem, pelos séculos amei, amei.
Está tudo bem, eu amei e continuo amando por séculos, sem nunca parar.
Numa Pessoa
Dentro de uma única pessoa, existe toda essa dualidade, desde o começo até o fim, tudo de A até Z.
Uma Pessoa
Essa pessoa pode ser eu, essa pessoa pode ser você, essa pessoa pode ser qualquer um de nós.
Contributed by Kaelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brazilian Psychedelic Music
Esse disco vira tua cabeça em muitas dimensões, quem experimentou sabe do que estou falando. Sorri ,chorei, tive medo e ❤️
Felipe Castro
the best demonstration of a true first class prog band!
Marcos Castilho
ta falando em inglês pq ô cabeção
Guilherme Ferreira
fala em português, cara, haha pra que isso?
Rodrigo Alves
Senti uma forte vibe do Yes principalmente no Baixo que lembra bastante o do Chris Squire! Enfim os mutantes nos mostra que brasileiro pode ser tão talentoso para o rock quanto os gringos!
Nana fromano br
Essa musica 'e boaaa demaissss, Pink Floyd e Mutantes com a mesma vibe.
matheus maddia
O pessoal dos Mutantes realmente eram ótimos instrumentistas, tem partes que lembram Yours Is No Disgrace do Yes e alguns teclados e tempos malucos do Tarkus do ELP. 😁
Fabrício Assis MG
Mesmo Rita Lee já fora da banda, aqui o bicho pegou!
A veia de Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Triumvirat entrou de cabeça nos Mutantes!
Muito foda!
josé augusto de oliveira amorim
gênios!
Élio Soares Cordeiro
Prog brazuca de primeira. Obrigado Mutantes !!!