History
* Formation and first works
The majority of the integrants of the band met each other at Colégio Equipe in São Paulo at the end of the seventies and, since their first live venue, at the school itself in 1981, the band began to play at several night clubs in the city. The first formation was: Arnaldo Antunes (vocals), Branco Mello (vocals), Marcello Fromer (guitar), Nando Reis (bass guitar), Paulo Miklos (sax and vocals), Sérgio Britto (keyboards and vocals), Tony Bellotto (guitar), Ciro Pessoa (vocals) and André Jung (drums). It was a pop/new wave-styled band, with small creativity and rather odd looks, with tender and little ball neckties. In 1984, without Ciro Pessoa, the band was signed by WEA to record their first album, produced by Pena Schimdt. Although not well sold and promoted, the band spawned at that time their first hit: "Sonífera Ilha"(Sleepy Island).
In 1985, with Charles Gavin replaced André Jung on drums (the latter going on to Ira!), their second album, Televisão (Television), producted by Lulu Santos, was released with slightly better arrangements than in their previous recording. This album had a greater advertising than the first one and brought in more opportunities to the group.
* Up to the Spotlights
In November 1985, Tony Bellotto and Arnaldo Antunes were arrested by heroin traffic and transportation. The episode made a huge impact on the band. The next album, Cabeça Dinossauro, released in June 1986, brought in a lot of tracks criticizing the public institutions ("Estado Violência" (Violence State) and "Polícia" (Police), as well as other "pillars" of Brazilian society such as"Igreja" (Church) and "Família" (Family). The heavy and punk-influenced rhythms and the strong lyrics, caracteristic of the band in this phase, are fully represented in this album which is considered by the critics as one of the best works of the group and one of the landmarks of the Brazilian rock.
Jesus Não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas (Jesus doesn't have teeth in the country of the toothless), released at the end of 1987, built on the previous album in tracks like "Nome aos Bois"(Name to the Oxes),"Lugar Nenhum"(Nowhere) and "Desordem"(Disorder), however adding samplers in tracks like "Corações e Mentes"(Hearts and Minds), "Comida"(Food) and "Diversão"(Fun). After some international presentations,the band recorded some of their hits in live venues and released Go Back in 1988.
The producer Liminha was always an important associate of the band since Cabeça Dinossauro, and this association arrived to it's climax in Õ Blésq Blom (untraslatable), one of the most popular productions of the band by that time. Some of the most popular tracks are: "Miséria" (Misery), "Flores" (Flowers),"O Pulso" (The Pulse)and "32 Dentes" (32 Teeth). One of the prominent features of this work was the special guest appearance of a couple of improvisors, called Mauro and Quitéria, discovered by the band in a beach in Recife.
* The First Changes
The band had arrived to a decisive point in it's history and the next album, Tudo ao Mesmo Tempo Agora(Everything at the Same Time Now) mark a strong yaw at the musicians' style, searching for heavier and authorial sound. The members themselves produced the album and the work was possibly the final reason for Arnaldo Antunes to leave for a solo career. The following album, Titanomaquia (Titanomachy), in 1993, continued the previous work in a way, with heavy instrumentation and disgusting lyrics, only now produced by Jack Endino, producer of important bands like Nirvana.
At 1995, Titãs released Domingo (Sunday), a more pop-rock outfit, unless for the track "Eu Não Aguento" (I Can't Take It), a more rap-rock oriented featuring the work of Sérgio Boneka. It was the first time that Titãs recorded a song recorded by another artist or group.
* The Return
Titãs had experienced some loss of their fanbase because the critics took their records as "less good" than the previous works from 80s. This changed in 1997 when they released Titãs - Acústico MTV (Unplugged MTV), an acoustic show recorded for MTV. With guests like Fito Paez, Marisa Monte and Arnaldo Antunes, the album sold pretty good and the band returned to the popularity of previous times.
In the following year, Volume Dois (Volume Two) was released, like a "next chapter" of the Acústico MTV. They recorded some of its previous hits, like "Insensível" (Insensitive) and also a song of Roberto Carlos, "É Preciso Saber Viver" (It's Needed to Know how to Live).
As Dez Mais (The Ten Most) was released in 1999. It was a cover record with some famous songs of other Brazilian artists. It featured a cover of "Pelados em Santos" (Naked in Santos), the most famous song of late group Mamonas Assassinas, which in the video made fun of commercials. The two records didn't repeat the hit that was Acústico MTV.
* These Days
The band returned to a full new material record with A Melhor Banda de Todos os Tempos da Última Semana (The Best Band of All-Time of Last Week), in 2001. The title of the record and epynomous song made critical fun of the Brazilian music market.
Prior to the release, Marcelo Fromer died after being hit by a motorcycle while running in the streets of São Paulo. After some days in comma, Fromer deceased. They made a song talking about it, "Epitáfio" (Epitaph). It was the major hit of the record, winning two MTV Video Music Brasil awards. Soon after that, Nando Reis left the band to pursue a sucessful solo career.
Como Estão Vocês? (How do You Are?) was released at 2003, and continued with the line of A Melhor Banda... "Enquanto Houver Sol" (As Long the Sun Exists) was a big hit, with a positive lyric and a somehow dark video.
MTV Ao Vivo, released in 2005, it's a recording of one concert to a live MTV special, available in CD and DVD. "Vossa Excelência" (Your Honor) was recorded, with lyrics who taked about the political situation of Brazil.
In their recent works (Sacos Plásticos, 2009 and Nheengatu, 2014), they've returned to a heavier sound, simillar to Cabeça Dinossauro.
* Discography
* Nheengatu (2014)
* Sacos Plásticos (2009)
* Titãs - MTV Ao Vivo (Live) (2005)
* Como estão vocês? (2003)
* A Melhor Banda de Todos os Tempos Da Última Semana (2001)
* As Dez Mais (1999)
* Volume Dois (1998)
* Titãs - Acústico MTV (MTV Unplugged) (1997)
* Domingo (1995)
* Titanomaquia (1993)
* Tudo Ao Mesmo Tempo Agora (1991)
* O Blésq Blom (1989)
* Go Back (Live) (1988)
* Jesus Não Tem Dentes No País Dos Banguelas (1987)
* Cabeça Dinossauro (1986)
* Televisão (1985)
* Titãs (1984)
Source: Wikipedia
Balada De John E Yoko
Titãs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Os barcos vão até o Japão
De ônibus ou trem, ninguém viaja sem
Vê se vestiu a calça ou está de calção
Cristo não é biscoito
As coisas andam ruins
Se é mau aos dezoito
Me crucificam no fim
De pára-quedas sobre Paris
Difícil ver casal mais feliz
Pular na cama do hotel
Viver em lua de mel
Atravessar os estreito de Gibraltar
Cristo não é fumaça
O sol está de rachar
Se bebe a garrafa
Me traz a cruz e o altar
Fomos até Amsterdã
No vôo das sete da manhã
Os jornais querem saber
O que pretendemos fazer
Eu digo "não conseguimos resolver"
Cristo não tire a roupa
Se você quer se queimar
Debaixo da sombra
Então comece a rezar
Encha a boca e o bolso que é pra se chover
Dê a roupa velha aos pobres
Ela disse a você "é tão fácil morrer
A velha carne vai apodrecer"
De passagem pela Espanha
Os touros andam cheios de manhas
Lá no jornal ninguém escreve com giz
Nós já cansamos de tentar explicar
Cristo chá não é sopa
A arca vai afundar
E de proa a popa
Só Noé vai se salvar
Na fazenda lá em São Carlos
Pilatos lava a mão na colher
Disseram 'cê 'tá pinel
Isso é amor de aluguel
Os dois sentaram foi no banco dos réus
Cristo deu luz ao cegos
Martelo é fácil de usar
Se acharem três pregos
Vão é me crucificar
Se acharem três pregos
Vão é me crucificar
The lyrics to Titãs's song "Balada De John E Yoko" depict a series of satirical and thought-provoking scenes that touch upon various themes. The song begins by referencing the city of Santos and how ships travel from there to Japan. The lyrics highlight the idea that no matter how we choose to travel, whether by bus or train, our attire or appearance should not be a determining factor. The mention of Christ not being a biscuit suggests that trivializing or reducing spiritual figures to mere objects is inappropriate, especially during difficult times. The lyrics continue to describe John and Yoko's adventures, such as parachuting over Paris and happily jumping on the hotel bed, representing their carefree and adventurous lifestyle. As they cross the Strait of Gibraltar, the lyrics once again emphasize the seriousness of Christ and the scorching sun, implying that certain matters should not be taken lightly.
The song then mentions their visit to Amsterdam, with the newspapers eagerly trying to find out what they plan to do. However, the singer expresses their inability to find a resolution, suggesting a sense of frustration or even futility. The lyrics caution against removing Christ's clothing, symbolizing the need to be cautious and avoid self-destructive behavior. In the following verse, the lyrics encourage generosity and giving to the poor, while also acknowledging the inevitable decay of the physical body. The song depicts the singer's journey through Spain, where the bulls exhibit cunning behavior, and newspapers no longer write with chalk, perhaps symbolizing a loss of simplicity and authenticity. Despite their efforts to explain themselves, they become tired and dispirited. The lyrics then allude to Pilate washing his hands and remarking that the singer is insane and involved in a love-for-hire situation, eventually leading to a trial. The lyrics conclude with the notion that if three nails are found, they will be crucified.
Line by Line Meaning
Barra limpa é o porto de Santos
The port of Santos is clean and well-maintained
Os barcos vão até o Japão
The boats travel all the way to Japan
De ônibus ou trem, ninguém viaja sem
No one travels without taking a bus or train
Vê se vestiu a calça ou está de calção
Check if you're wearing pants or shorts
Cristo não é biscoito
Christ is not a biscuit
As coisas andam ruins
Things are going badly
Se é mau aos dezoito
If it's bad at eighteen
Me crucificam no fim
They crucify me in the end
De pára-quedas sobre Paris
Parachuting over Paris
Difícil ver casal mais feliz
Hard to see a happier couple
Pular na cama do hotel
Jump on the hotel bed
Viver em lua de mel
Live in honeymoon
Atravessar os estreito de Gibraltar
Cross the Strait of Gibraltar
Cristo não é fumaça
Christ is not smoke
O sol está de rachar
The sun is scorching
Se bebe a garrafa
If you drink the bottle
Me traz a cruz e o altar
Bring me the cross and the altar
Fomos até Amsterdã
We went to Amsterdam
No vôo das sete da manhã
On the seven o'clock flight
Os jornais querem saber
The newspapers want to know
O que pretendemos fazer
What we intend to do
Eu digo 'não conseguimos resolver'
I say 'we couldn't resolve it'
Cristo não tire a roupa
Christ, don't take off your clothes
Se você quer se queimar
If you want to burn yourself
Debaixo da sombra
Underneath the shadow
Então comece a rezar
Then start praying
Encha a boca e o bolso que é pra se chover
Fill your mouth and your pockets so it rains
Dê a roupa velha aos pobres
Give old clothes to the poor
Ela disse a você 'é tão fácil morrer'
She said to you 'it's so easy to die'
A velha carne vai apodrecer
The old flesh will rot
De passagem pela Espanha
Passing through Spain
Os touros andam cheios de manhas
The bulls are full of tricks
Lá no jornal ninguém escreve com giz
In the newspaper, no one writes with chalk
Nós já cansamos de tentar explicar
We're tired of trying to explain
Cristo chá não é sopa
Christ, tea is not soup
A arca vai afundar
The ark will sink
E de proa a popa
And from bow to stern
Só Noé vai se salvar
Only Noah will be saved
Na fazenda lá em São Carlos
On the farm in São Carlos
Pilatos lava a mão na colher
Pilate washes his hands with a spoon
Disseram 'cê 'tá pinel
They said 'you're crazy'
Isso é amor de aluguel
That's rented love
Os dois sentaram foi no banco dos réus
The two of them sat in the defendant's bench
Cristo deu luz ao cegos
Christ gave sight to the blind
Martelo é fácil de usar
The hammer is easy to use
Se acharem três pregos
If they find three nails
Vão é me crucificar
They will crucify me
Se acharem três pregos
If they find three nails
Vão é me crucificar
They will crucify me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind