Their first album, Rotomusic de Liquidificapum, was released in 1993. Since then, they have released another eight: Gol de Quem?, Tem Mas Acabou, Televisão de Cachorro, Isopor, Ruído Rosa, MTV ao Vivo: No Museu de Arte da Pampulha, Toda Cura para Todo Mal and Daqui pro Futuro.
The band's popularity began to increase along with two other groups from Belo Horizonte, Jota Quest and Skank. The band plays pop-rock but frequently resorts to electronic music elements as well. Pato Fu is often said to be influenced by Os Mutantes, a famous Brazilian tropicalist group from the 1960s, probably because of the experimentalism found in both bands' songs. One can find in Pato Fu musical influences by Devo, The Cure, Radiohead, Pizzicato Five, Super Furry Animals and also MPB, among various others.
With the release of Ruído Rosa, Pato Fu was nominated as one of the best bands of the world by Time Magazine in 2001. The band's 10th anniversary in 2002 was celebrated with the release of MTV ao Vivo: No Museu de Arte da Pampulha, a live performance with some of their most famous songs. As of 2005, popular hits include:
* Sobre o Tempo (Gol de Quem?)
* Pinga (Gol de Quem?, about alcoholism)
* Canção pra Você Viver Mais (Televisão de Cachorro)
* Um Dia, Um Ladrão (Televisão de Cachorro)
* Made in Japan (Isopor; the song is almost entirely in Japanese. It was written in Portuguese by John and translated by a Japanese teacher. Its video clip is a tribute to old Japanese Sci-Fi movies and a satire against Americanization which won a VMB (the Brazilian VMA)). The song chorus is from the song Manah Manah '(see the External links section)'.
* Depois (Isopor)
* Imperfeito (Isopor)
* Perdendo Dentes (Isopor)
* Eu (Ruído Rosa)
* Ando Meio Desligado (Ruído Rosa)
* Por Perto (MTV Ao Vivo (Museu de Arte da Pampulha))
* Não Mais (MTV Ao Vivo (Museu de Arte da Pampulha))
* Uh Uh Uh, Lá Lá Lá, Ié Ié! (Toda Cura para Todo Mal)
* Anormal (Toda Cura para Todo Mal)
Fernanda Takai and John are married and had a daughter, Nina, in 2003.
The name of the band was taken from a Garfield comic strip where Garfield attacked a mailman with his "Cat Fu" techniques. The band liked the wordplay, but decided to replace Gato (cat) with Pato (duck). Coincidentally or not, the expression had also previously appeared in the Brazilian translation of the Howard the Duck movie; in it, Howard says he knows "Pato Fu" (Quack Fu in the original).
Cities In Dust
Pato Fu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
We found you hiding we found you lying
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes .......
And your city lies in dust
The lyrics of Pato Fu's song "Cities in Dust" depict the destruction and abandonment of a city. The first verse describes a chaotic scene, with water, children and time all running out. The second line of the verse mentions a "golden fountain," which might be a metaphor for something precious that is lost. The mention of the "Lares shrine" suggests a connection to Roman religion, specifically the household gods who were worshipped at such a shrine. This adds to the sense of loss and destruction, as the shrine is now buried under a mountain of dust.
In the second verse, the song describes how the inhabitants of the city are found hiding and lying, choking on dust and sand. Their former glories and stories have been washed away, leaving only ruins behind. The third verse is perhaps the most vivid, with the hot and burning ash filling the nostrils and mouth of those caught in its path. The scene is apocalyptic, with the molten bodies of the victims being covered by a "blanket of cinders." The repeated refrain reinforces the sadness and finality of the disaster, as the city is now nothing but dust.
Line by Line Meaning
Water was running, children were running
People were in a state of panic, running around in search of safety
You were running out of time
The situation was becoming desperate and time was running out for those affected
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
There was something precious hidden away, maybe even sacred or religious
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
Perhaps people were seeking divine intervention to save themselves and their city
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Despite whatever efforts or prayers may have been made, the city has been destroyed and is no more
We found you hiding we found you lying
People were caught and exposed, even trying to deceive to avoid being discovered
Choking on the dirt and sand
The downfall was sudden and unexpected, leading to people inhaling dust and struggling to breathe
Your former glories and all the stories
The once proud and rich history of the city is now gone, along with all the stories that were part of it
Dragged and washed with eager hands
What little remains is being picked over and salvaged, with people eager to grab whatever they can
Hot and burning in your nostrils
The sensation of being overwhelmed, with hot air and smoke filling the airways
Pouring down your gaping mouth
The ruin was all-encompassing, with debris and rubble filling even the mouths of those caught in it
Your molten bodies blanket of cinders
The destruction was so complete that even bodies were burnt and reduced to ashes
Caught in the throes.......
People were helpless and caught in a wave of destruction that could not be stopped
And your city lies in dust
A tragic end to a once-great city, now reduced to nothing more than dust and memories
Contributed by Maria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mrwed96msn
Pato Fu always impresses me with their versatility and imagination.
@procrast
underrated demais
like 166
@comunidadedospensadoresliv4240
Great band. Love your songs!
@vagnerscarvalho0208
Pato fu sempre fará versões lindíssimas, inspiradíssimas de qualquer música do planeta, eles são do car….
@ellencristal9792
Perfeito!
@wilkabianca
Versão incrivel
@anderson28491
Sensacional
@brunobarros9700
Maravilhosa essa versão
@gutembergoliveira7903
Bom demais!
@claudiapessoaribeiro
💜