The earliest well-known track by Timpuri Noi was Perfect (composed 1984). However, the band was first featured on disc in 1988. Thus, the 11th volume of the Formatii rock ("Rock bands") various-artists series includes four tracks by Timpuri Noi (and another four by an obscure band from Suceava - Contrast ).
In the early nineties, up to around 1995, the band was arguably the top Romanian act. Around the time, they had the opportunity to be the opening act for rather prestigious (albeit musically different) foreign acts during concerts in Bucharest: Ian Gillan and Uriah Heep in 1992, Scorpions in 1993, Saxon, Paradise Lost and Jethro Tull in 1994, Iron Maiden and Kreator in 1995, Eros Ramazzotti, Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart later in the same year.
1994 also signifies an important event in both Timpuri Noi's career and Romanian music in general: Timpuri Noi gives the very first unplugged performance in this country, recorded as an album in the same year (see below).
1997 - The band is presented with one of the MCM French music television and Radio France Internationale "Decouvertes de Rock a l'Est" (Eastern European New Acts) Awards, performing in a special gala concert. (The previous year, Timpuri Noi had been interviewed for MTV Europe during the Golden Stag Festival in the Romanian city of Braşov.)
Timpuri Noi has a claim to being the Romanian band to have performed most live concerts (over 150). This is considered a particular achievement in a country in which most singers choose to lip sync.
The band split in 2001, with members becoming involved in personal projects - Partizan for Artan, ZIDD for Dan Iliescu. A reunion for certain appearances (concerts, guaranteed to be "100% Unplugged") was staged in 2005.
Timpuri Noi's early music reflects New Wave influences. Later, the band incorporated a sound that was a mixture of Red Hot Chili Peppers guitars, Led Zeppelin intermezzos, clear vocals (Artan is a classically-trained vocalist, and a member of the Romanian Radio House Choir; he also cites Simple Minds as a personal favorite) and grunge-influenced additional sounds. They are noted for highly original, usually melancholic lyrics - all in Romanian. The songs had anthem-like qualities - most notably the likes of Luca, Perfect, Stan, Emigrant USA, Nămol, Stere, Mistreţul, Malu' Valu' (Lume care m-a lucrat), Fumatul (all performed on their Unplugged album) or Albele furtuni. Most take the form of social commentary and revolve around past and present cultural stereotypes, authentically depicting the world as seen from inside large peripheral quarters of the capital city.
Members:
Adrian Pleşca, nicknamed "Artan" (a name usually turned into "Artanu") - vocals
Dan Iliescu - guitar (vocals on some songs)
Cătălin Neagu - drums
Adrian Bortun - bass guitar
Additional or early members
Cătălin Răsvan - bass guitar
Marian Moldoveanu - guitar
In some concerts, the band would add two backing female singers to its line-up (whether vocalists or violinists): the official site mentions Denis Iliescu, Crina Godescu and Maria Radu as its main collaborators.
Discography:
Timpuri noi (1992)
Unplugged (1994)
De regiune superior (1996)
Basca Abundenţei (2000)
Back in Business (2006)
Victoria
Timpuri Noi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Si indoiala se ascunde in gand,
Azi serbam iar victoria
Moralul e un strut cu capul in pamant.
Te intreb daca vezi vreo schimbare
Ma intreb daca simti vreo schimbare,
Va intreb daca e vreo schimbare,
La oamenii din jur.
Hingherii dorm si cainii latra-n mahala.
Azi sebam iar victoria,
Cu oborocul car lumina si pe strada mea.
Te intreb daca vezi vreo schimbare
Ma intreb daca simti vreo schimbare,
Va intreb daca e vreo schimbare,
La oamenii din jur.
Zic voua, celor fara de prihana,
Zic voua, pacatosi cu chip smerit,
Si voua, luptatorilor cu pieptul rana,
Si tie, politruc nenorocit,
Zic voua, care-aveti inca puterea
De-a scoate raul care zace-n voi
Voi care va agonisiti averea
Ca vagabonzii, scormonind gunoi ...
O, o, o, o, o-o
Victoria...
Azi serbam iar victoria,
Si indoiala se ascunde in gand,
Azi serbam iar victoria,
Moralul e un strut cu capul in pamant.
Te intreb daca vezi vreo schimbare
Ma intreb daca simti vreo schimbare,
Va intreb daca e vreo schimbare,
La oamenii din jur...
The song "Victoria" by Timpuri Noi is a reflection of the struggles and challenges that people face in their everyday lives. The song begins with a celebration of victory, but the doubts and uncertainties that lie beneath the surface are quickly revealed. The morale of the people is low, and they are like an ostrich with its head in the sand, unable to face the problems and changes around them. The singer asks if anyone sees any changes or if anyone feels any difference in the people around them. The celebration of victory is juxtaposed with the barking dogs and the sound of the garbage truck that is slowly making its way down the street.
The singer then addresses different groups of people, from those without blemish to those with humble features, the fighters with the chest wound, and the miserable politicians. He speaks of the power that these people possess to bring about change and to rid themselves of the evil that is within them. He encourages them to dig deep and rid themselves of the negativity that is holding them back, to aspire for more, and to seek fulfillment in life.
In conclusion, the song "Victoria" is a call for introspection, reflection, and action. It urges people to confront their fears, insecurities, and doubts and to strive for a better, more fulfilled life.
Interesting Facts:
1) "Victoria" was released by Timpuri Noi in 1992 and quickly became one of the biggest hits in Romania.
2) The song's name "Victoria" means "victory" in English.
3) Timpuri Noi was one of the most popular rock bands in Romania in the 90s.
4) The band was formed in 1983 and disbanded in 2001.
5) The song "Victoria" is often played at political rallies and demonstrations in Romania.
6) The video clip for "Victoria" was directed by Cristian Mungiu, who later won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
7) The song's lyrics are very poetic and reflective of the social and political climate of Romania in the 90s.
8) "Victoria" is regarded as one of the most significant Romanian rock songs of all time.
9) The song has been covered by several artists, including a popular version by the Romanian duo Sistem.
10) The chords for "Victoria" are G-major, D-major, E-minor, C-major.
Line by Line Meaning
Azi serbam iar victoria,
Today we celebrate victory again,
Si indoiala se ascunde in gand,
And doubt hides in our minds,
Moralul e un strut cu capul in pamant.
Morale is an ostrich with its head in the ground.
Te intreb daca vezi vreo schimbare
I ask you if you see any change,
Ma intreb daca simti vreo schimbare,
I wonder if you feel any change,
Va intreb daca e vreo schimbare,
I ask if there is any change,
La oamenii din jur.
In the people around us.
Hingherii dorm si cainii latra-n mahala.
Dog catchers sleep and dogs bark in the neighborhood.
Cu oborocul car lumina si pe strada mea.
With the cart that illuminates my street.
Zic voua, celor fara de prihana,
I say to you, who are without sin,
Zic voua, pacatosi cu chip smerit,
I say to you, sinners with a humble face,
Si voua, luptatorilor cu pieptul rana,
And to you, fighters with a wounded chest,
Si tie, politruc nenorocit,
And to you, wretched politician,
Zic voua, care-aveti inca puterea
I say to you, who still have the power,
De-a scoate raul care zace-n voi
To remove the evil that lies within you,
Voi care va agonisiti averea
You who accumulate wealth,
Ca vagabonzii, scormonind gunoi ...
Like vagrants, scavenging through garbage...
O, o, o, o, o-o
O, o, o, o, o-o
Victoria...
Victory...
Contributed by Avery J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jagathehut
Mi-e dor de bautura ieftina din liceu, chefuri cu chitara si rupere pe rock..de fetele cu care m-am culcat si de viata frumoasa..mi-e dor de vama asa cum am prins-o acum niste ani de zile cand inca mai aveam parul lung..dar cata schimbare in cativa ani..pe la 14 ani am gasit un vinil acasa, era din '86, cu Timpuri Noi si Cromatic..era pe el melodia Albele Furtuni..prea frumos..
@LAZBOY112
As zice cu nici un regret ca asta e cea mai buna melodie romaneasca , si as spune si cea mai buna formatie ... traiasca timpuri noi
@claudiuiova2007
Muzica, versuri, mesaj mai actual ca oricand. Asta inseamna geniu!
@kkk6661984
Ce fin ruleaza dupa alegerile parlamentare de ieri, 6 Dec 2020.
@MegaStonecoldcrazy
Imi este dor de Timpuri noi si de vechile vremuri!
@irinaperjoiu1447
cea mai buna formatie romaneasca a ultimilor 30 de ani!
@digsfbv
una dintre ultimele formatii bune de rock din romania, pacat ca nu mai scot nimic, am mai prins anul trecut vro' 2 concerte cu ei....mi-e dor de muzica lor
@PraxisScream
Timpuri Noi, cu coborare pe partea dreapta! Sa traiasca Victoria si Mistretul!
@ilasmihai
La multi ani, române!
@naziopGP
Pacat ca nu sunt apreciati la adevarata lor valoare.Respect Timpuri Noi