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).
Mamã Papá
Pato Fu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pois sua memória
Pode um dia se apagar
Não faça segredo
Não, não tenha medo
Estou aqui pra te escutar
Quem já tem neném
Sabe muito bem
Tem história pra contar
Ele já cresceu
Mas nunca se esqueceu do amor
Que havia em seu olhar
Mamã Papá
Quando seu corpinho se mexe na barriga
É só um toquinho
Mas transforma sua vida
Conte sua história
Pois sua memória
Pode um dia se apagar
Não faça segredo
Não, não tenha medo
Estou aqui pra te escutar
Mamã Papá
At a first listen, Pato Fu's song "Mama Papa" may feel like a lighthearted tribute to the love and support that parents give to their children. However, upon closer examination, "Mama Papa" reveals a deeper message about the importance of sharing one's personal history and memories with loved ones before they fade away.
The opening lines, "Conte sua história / Pois sua memória / Pode um dia se apagar" ("Tell your story / For your memory / May one day fade away") set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer encourages listeners to speak up and share their experiences, even if they may be difficult or painful. The repeated refrain "Mamã Papá" ("Mom Dad") reinforces the idea of turning to one's parents for guidance and support, but also serves as a reminder to cherish them while they are still around.
The second verse further emphasizes the significance of memories and how they shape one's identity. The lines "Ele já cresceu / Mas nunca se esqueceu do amor / Que havia em seu olhar" ("He grew up / But never forgot the love / That was in your eyes") highlight the enduring power of parental love and how it stays with us no matter how old we get. The final verse, which describes the transformative experience of feeling a baby move inside a pregnant mother's belly, brings the song full circle back to the idea of new beginnings and the beauty of life.
Overall, "Mama Papa" is a touching tribute to the complexities of family relationships, the importance of memory, and the power of love to endure through the generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Conte sua história
Share your story, as your memory might fade away someday
Pois sua memória
Because your memory
Pode um dia se apagar
Might fade away someday
Não faça segredo
Don't keep it a secret
Não, não tenha medo
No, don't be afraid
Estou aqui pra te escutar
I'm here to listen to you
Mamã Papá
Mom and Dad
Quem já tem neném
Those who already have a baby
Sabe muito bem
Know it very well
Tem história pra contar
Have a story to tell
Ele já cresceu
He has already grown up
Mas nunca se esqueceu do amor
But he never forgot the love
Que havia em seu olhar
That was in their eyes
Quando seu corpinho se mexe na barriga
When your little body moves inside the belly
É só um toquinho
It's just a little touch
Mas transforma sua vida
But it transforms your life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUBENS MENDONCA DE SOUZA, FERNANDA BARBOSA TAKAI, JOAO DANIEL ULHOA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind