Remaining true to the experimental and dada impulses of tropicalia, Zé has been noted for both his unorthodox approach to melody and instrumentation, employing unique instruments such as a typewriter. He has collaborated with many of the concrete poets of São Paulo, including Augusto de Campos, and employed concrete techniques in his lyrics. Musically, his work appropriates samba, bossa nova, Brazilian folk music, forró, and American rock and roll, among others. He has been praised by avant-garde composers for his use of dissonance, polytonality, and unusual time signatures.
In the early 1990s, Zé's work experienced a revival when American musician David Byrne discovered one of his albums, Estudando o Samba (1975), on a visit to Rio de Janeiro. Byrne went on to release a compilation of Zé's material as well as two full-length albums of new songs on his Luaka Bop label. A guitar riff from Zé's song Jimmy, Renda-se is sampled on R&B singer Amerie's song Take Control.
Quote: "I don't make art, I make spoken and sung journalism."
Hein?
Tom Zé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
-Nego, nunca me deixe só!
Mas eu fiz de conta que não ouvi:
-Hein?
Ela disse:
-Orgulhoso, tu inda vai virar pó!
Mas eu insisti, dizendo:
-Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein?
-Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein?
Ela arrepiou e pulou e gritou:
-Este teu - hein? - muleque
Já me deu - hein? - desgosto
Odioso - hein? com jeito
Eu te pego - Ui! - bem feito
Prá rua - sai! - sujeito
Que eu não quero mais te ver
-Eu dei casa e comida
O nego ficou besta
Tá querendo explorar
Quer me judiar
Me desacartar!
The lyrics of Tom Zé's song "Hein?" convey a conversation between two people, one of whom is upset and expressing their dissatisfaction with the other. The singer is repeatedly asking "Hein?" as a way of pretending not to hear what the other person is saying. The other person becomes increasingly frustrated and angry, expressing their feelings of being mistreated and taken advantage of. They ultimately decide to kick the singer out of their life because they feel used and disrespected.
The repeated use of "Hein?" in the song represents a lack of communication between the two people. By ignoring the other person's complaints and anger, the singer is not addressing the issues that are causing problems in the relationship. The other person becomes more and more upset because they feel like they are not being heard. The repetition of "Hein?" also creates a sense of frustration and annoyance, highlighting the tension between the two people.
The song is ultimately about the breakdown of a relationship due to a lack of communication and respect. The singer is ignoring the other person's feelings and needs, causing the other person to feel used and disrespected. The use of repetition and frustration in the lyrics creates a sense of tension and conflict, ultimately resulting in the end of the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Ela disse:
She said:
-Nego, nunca me deixe só!
-Dear, never leave me alone!
Mas eu fiz de conta que não ouvi:
But I pretended not to hear:
-Hein?
-What?
Ela disse:
She said:
-Orgulhoso, tu inda vai virar pó!
-Proud one, you will soon turn to dust!
Mas eu insisti, dizendo:
But I persisted, saying:
-Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein?
-What? What? What? What? What? What? What?
Eu insisto:
I insist:
-Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein? Hein?
-What? What? What? What? What? What?
Ela arrepiou e pulou e gritou:
She got goosebumps and jumped and shouted:
-Este teu - hein? - muleque
-This 'what?' boy of yours
Já me deu - hein? - desgosto
Already caused me - what? - trouble
Odioso - hein? com jeito
Odious - what? - in a sneaky way
Eu te pego - Ui! - bem feito
I'll catch you - oops! - well done
Prá rua - sai! - sujeito
Out to the street - go! - you scoundrel
Que eu não quero mais te ver
Because I don't want to see you anymore
-Eu dei casa e comida
-I gave you a home and food
O nego ficou besta
The boy became foolish
Tá querendo explorar
He wants to exploit
Quer me judiar
Wants to harm me
Me desacartar!
Throw me away!
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William
Esse surdo entrando no contratempo, logo depois do refrão, é uma delícia à parte. E os violinos? Tom Zé é despretensiosamente brilhante. Que artista fantástico.
Ou você ama o mundo ou você segue a Deus.
Realmente é uma música totalmente fora de qualquer estética ou padrão, uma canção que não é normal... Mas que é um lindo samba é! Tom Zé! Êta baiano doido, e grande animal musical! Deus abençoe e conserve essa figura que foge tanto aos padrões musicais brasileiros, e mesmo assim consegue fazer músicas exclusivamente brasileiras, da gema!
Waldo Dalvi
Maravilha!!! Gênio!!!
Rachel A.
Tom Zé é sempre impecável. Não canso de ouvir este álbum desde que foi lançado :D.
Alexandre Vieira
Tom Zé é um génio maior! Só comparável aos grandes compositores.
Vinikov
Tom Zé Gigante! ❤️
Erick Leandro
Que.maravilha de música
Danilo Guanabara
Tom Zé sempre genial.
Jimana Kanso
Esse cara é genial. ❤
jonnyjaywick
This is a brilliant LP. The lyrics are superb too.