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.
Tao Lonely
Zuco 103 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Junto e mesmo assim tão lonely
Como a promessa de um verão que chega e faz chover
Quando eu olho nos teus olhos o meu coração se esconde
E sai mostrando a todo o mundo o que ninguém quer ver
Sou eu, sou eu...
Sarta fora, quem tá na dor aqui sou eu
Todo mundo tem que aprender
Mas eu não vou nessa ciranda, cirandinha
Que eu não sou de cirandar
Isso é tempo perdido
Tanto tempo perdido
Isso é tempo perdido
Tanto tempo perdido
The first verse of Zuco 103's song "Tao Lonely" is a reflection on a past relationship that left the singer feeling lonely even when they were together. The reference to a "promise of a summer that arrives and makes it rain" suggests that the relationship may have started with hope and optimism but ultimately led to disappointment. The singer's heart hides when they look into the eyes of their former partner, as if they are ashamed to show the pain and vulnerability they still feel. The repetition of "sou eu" at the end of the verse emphasizes the personal nature of the emotions being expressed.
The second verse is a defiance against anyone who tries to diminish or dismiss the singer's feelings of pain. The command to "Sarta fora" (which roughly translates as "get out of here") asserts that the singer is the one suffering and that their experience is real and valid. The line "Sou eu sou eu nem ela nem você" reinforces the idea that this is a personal struggle that cannot be shared or understood by others. The final two lines of the verse suggest a refusal to participate in a game of pretending that everything is okay ("I'm not one to dance in circles").
Finally, the repeated line "Isso é tempo perdido" (this is wasted time) echoes throughout the song, underscoring the sense of regret and frustration that permeate the singer's reflections. The lyrics suggest that the pain of lost love can linger long after the relationship has ended, and that the struggle to move on is a lonely one that cannot be fully understood by anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Quando eu lembro desse tempo
When I remember that time
Junto e mesmo assim tão lonely
Together and still so lonely
Como a promessa de um verão que chega e faz chover
Like the promise of a summer that arrives and brings rain
Quando eu olho nos teus olhos o meu coração se esconde
When I look into your eyes, my heart hides itself
E sai mostrando a todo o mundo o que ninguém quer ver
And comes out showing the world what nobody wants to see
Sou eu, sou eu...
It's me, it's me...
Sarta fora, quem tá na dor aqui sou eu
Get out, I'm the one in pain here
Sou eu sou eu nem ela nem você
It's me, it's me, not her or you
Todo mundo tem que aprender
Everybody has to learn
Mas eu não vou nessa ciranda, cirandinha
But I'm not going in that circle
Que eu não sou de cirandar
Because I don't dance in circles
Isso é tempo perdido
This is lost time
Tanto tempo perdido
So much lost time
Isso é tempo perdido
This is lost time
Tanto tempo perdido
So much lost time
Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.