Zuco 103 is a Latin trio from The Netherlands formed in 1999, lead by Lilia… Read Full Bio ↴Zuco 103 is a Latin trio from The Netherlands formed in 1999, lead by Lilian Vieira that brilliantly mixes traditional Brazilian singing and European electronic music. The great majority of the lyrics are in Portuguese with the exception of a few written in English.

It has been 13 years since Lilian Vieira, from Rio de Janeiro, moved to The Netherlands. It was there that Lilian, a former nursing student, started singing nights in Amsterdam and Zuco 103 was born.

The name of the band, Zuco 103, was suggested by the drummer Stefan, who, with his poor Portuguese, wanted to say "suco" which means "juice" but instead said "zuco". Lilian liked the mis-pronunciation so much that the name was approved. "The 103 is the alcohol tax" in Amsterdam, explained the singer.

After having given up to start nursing school again in the Netherlands, Lilian started singing in the night, and taking singing lessons in the Conservatory of Rotterdam, where she met Stefan Kruger, a drummer who had a passion for Brazilian music. “We made a bossa nova and jazz quintet”, tells Lilian.

Later, when they were taking part in a project with Indian and African musicians, Lilian met Stefan Schmid. The three made a song together and, later, recorded a CD. They also had one song included in a compilation of Brazilian music released in New York - for the Ziriguiboom stamp, of Béco Dranoff, who discovered the band. After this, the first CD was released by the Belgian label Crammed (partner of the Ziriguiboom), and were indicated to the local prize Edson Awards.

"In the Netherlands, everything happens. The rock and electronics scenes are very strong. But they just love Latin rhythms", says Lilian.

Maracatu Atomico
Zuco 103 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô

Atrás do arranha-céu tem
o céu, tem o céu
E depois tem outro céu sem

estrelas
Em cima do guarda-chuva tem
a chuva, tem a chuva
Que tem gotas tão lindas que
até dá vontade de
Comê-las

Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô

No meio da couve-flor tem
a flor, tem a flor
Que além de ser uma flor tem
sabor

Dentro do porta-luvas tem a luva,
tem a luva
Que alguém de unhas negras
e tão afiadas
Esqueceu de por

Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Aaaaé
Maracatu atômico
Aaaaé
Maracatu atômico

No fundo do pára-raio tem
o raio, tem o raio
Que caiu da nuvem negra do
temporal
Todo quadro-negro é todo
negro é todo negro
Eu escrevo seu nome nele só
pra demonstrar
O meu apego

Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê êêê

O bico do beijar flor, beija-flor,
beijar flor
E toda fauna flora gata de amor
Quem segura o porta estandarte
tem a arte, tem a arte
E aqui passa com raça
eletrônico o maracatu
atômico

Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô

Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Zuco 103's song Maracatu Atomico are filled with metaphorical descriptions that are intended to encourage listeners to use their imaginations. The opening lines repeat the phrase "Manamaê ô", a rhythmic chant that is often heard in traditional Maracatu performances. The first verse describes the layers of the sky that exist beyond the skyscrapers, emphasizing the beauty of raindrops on an umbrella. The second verse features the metaphor of a flower hidden in a head of cauliflower, which not only represents the beauty in unexpected places but also suggests that life is unpredictable and that beauty can be found anywhere.

The third verse features the metaphor of a thunderbolt that was caught in a lightning rod, demonstrating the tension between dark and light, while the fourth verse features a reference to the blackboard and the singer's personal attachment to it. Lastly, the lyrics encourage individuality through the image of a hummingbird kissing a flower and a parade featuring an electronic Maracatu, conveying modernity while still respecting the traditional roots of the musical genre.

Overall, Maracatu Atomico is a playful and imaginative celebration of life, nature, and music. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace the beauty in the world around them and to express themselves through dance and music.

Line by Line Meaning

Manamaê ô
Repetitive vocalization without a clear meaning

Atrás do arranha-céu tem o céu, tem o céu E depois tem outro céu sem estrelas
Behind the skyscraper, there's one sky, then another without stars

Em cima do guarda-chuva tem a chuva, tem a chuva Que tem gotas tão lindas que até dá vontade de Comê-las
Above the umbrella, there's rain with such beautiful droplets that one would want to eat them

No meio da couve-flor tem a flor, tem a flor Que além de ser uma flor tem sabor
In the middle of cauliflower, there's a flower that not only has an appearance but also flavor

Dentro do porta-luvas tem a luva, tem a luva Que alguém de unhas negras e tão afiadas Esqueceu de por
Inside the glove compartment, there's a glove, which someone with black and sharp nails forgot to put on

No fundo do pára-raio tem o raio, tem o raio Que caiu da nuvem negra do temporal
At the bottom of the lightning rod, there's a lightning bolt that fell from the dark cloud of the storm

Todo quadro-negro é todo negro é todo negro Eu escrevo seu nome nele só pra demonstrar O meu apego
Every blackboard is all black, and I only write your name on it to show my attachment

O bico do beijar flor, beija-flor, beijar flor E toda fauna flora gata de amor
The beak of the kissing flower, the hummingbird, kissing flower, and all the animal, plant, and feline love

Quem segura o porta estandarte tem a arte, tem a arte E aqui passa com raça eletrônico o maracatu atômico
Whoever holds the banner has the art, and here comes the electronic atomic maracatu with style

Maracatu atômico
Atomic maracatu

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henrique George Mautner, Nelson Jacobina Rocha Pires

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS