Rock In Rio Recap & The Songs Of Rock in Rio Translated Into English (Part I)

Rock in Rio 2011 Recap (Part I)

promotional poster for Rock in Rio 2011

I’m sure that by now you’ve heard that Rock in Rio is going on in brazil. It’s about half way over, so I thought I’d write this post as a recap of what has gone on so far. By the way, the whole festival is being shown live in Brazil on Globo, and you can watch it streaming live Here. Rock in Rio is one of the worlds largest music festivals, and right now i am going to take the opportunity to highlight a few artists who are performing this year…

Titãs & Paralamas do Sucesso

On the opening day of rock in Rio, two great Brazilian rock bands, Titãs, and Os Paralamas (who I have written about before and you can read about Here) came together to sing the song Epitáfio (epitaph) by Titãs. I really wish I had been there, what an awesome opening act for the festival. Below I have translated the lyrics to English for you to follow along to the video. You can also watch the entire first day show Here, on Youtube.

Titãs & Paralamas do Sucesso Preform “Epitáfio” At Rock in Rio 2011

…this video literally gave me goosebumps. loved it.

Lyrics To “Epitáfio” Translated To English

Devia ter amado mais – i should have loved more
Ter chorado mais – i should have cried more
Ter visto o sol nascer – seen the sun rise
Devia ter arriscado mais – i should have risked more
E até errado mais – and even made more mistakes
Ter feito o que eu queria fazer... – done what i wanted to do

Queria ter aceitado – i wanted to have accepted
As pessoas como elas são – people as they are
Cada um sabe a alegria – every one knows the happiness
E a dor que traz no coração... – and the pain that he carries in his heart

O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar distraído – while i walk distracted
O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar… – while i walk

Devia ter complicado menos – i should have complicated things less
Trabalhado menos – worked less
Ter visto o sol se pôr – seen the sun set
Devia ter me importado menos – i should have cared less
Com problemas pequenos – about small problems
Ter morrido de amor… – died from love

Queria ter aceitado – i would like to have accepted
A vida como ela é – life as it is
A cada um cabe alegrias – in everyone fits happiness
E a tristeza que vier… – and sadness that comes

O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar distraído – while i walk distracted
O acaso vai me proteger – chance will protect me
Enquanto eu andar…(2x) – while i walk

Devia ter complicado menos – i should have complicated things less
Trabalhado menos – worked less
Ter visto o sol se pôr… – seen the sun set

Rihanna Preforming At Rock in Rio

Later that day, Elton John preformed, then the lineup included Katy Perry and Rihanna.

So technically, Rock in Rio is supposed to be an actual rock show, showcasing the great brazilian rock bands, but unfortunately and to many people’s disappointment, Rock and Rio has become increasingly, well, eclectic, over the years. This american pop doesn’t compare at all to the great Brazilian rock bands, but anyway here’s a clip of part of Rihanna’s performance at Rock in Rio:

Claudia Leitte At Rock in Rio 2011

A half naked Claudia Leitte also strutted her stuff around the main stage on Rock in Rio’s opening day. Claudia Leitte is another Brazilian popstar from Bahia who has a similar sound to that of Ivete Sangalo (they both sing a genre of music called axé, which came out of the Brazilian state of Bahia in the 1980’s. Axé is upbeat, fun and carefree, reflecting the Bahian state of mind.) Leitte got famous originally as the vocalist for the salvador-based axé band Babado Novo, and now she has an enormously successful solo career in brazil. Here’s a video of Claudia Leitte opening her act. I found this to be horribly funny, embarrassing and ridiculous, so I thought that I’d share it:

If i’m being honest, I can’t say that  I’m Leitte’s biggest fan. I have a lot of respect for Ivete Sangalo, and Claudia Leitte always seems to be copying her, but not very tastefully.

Electronic Music At Rock in Rio

Rock in Rio this year also featured an electronic music stage where DJs have included: Ferry Corsten, Steve Aoki, Boys Noize, etc.

arial view of Rock in Rio 2011's music stages

Capital Inicial Preforms at Rock in Rio 2011

So, the next day of Rock in Rio brought an incredible performance by brazilian rock band Capital Inicial. Here’s an hour-long video of their entire show:

…and here’s an interview (in portuguese) with the band that was done just moments after their show ended:

Capital Inicial “Que Pais E Esse?” Lyrics Translated to English

Here are the lyrics to one of the more famous songs that Capital Inicial performed at Rock in Rio entitled “Que país é esse?” (“what country is this?” / “what kind of country is this?”). You will see how political the band is, as the lyrics speak to their disgust over the political corruption that takes place in Brazil.

Nas favelas e no senado – in the favelas and in the senate
Sujeira prá todo lado – filthiness all around
Ninguém respeita – no one respects
A constituição – the constitution
Mas todos acreditam – but all believe
No futuro da nação… – in the future of the nation

Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?

Na Amazônia – in Amazonas
E no Araguaia – and in Araguaia
e na baixada fluminense – in the baixada fluminense (an area in Brazil near Rio de Janeiro)
No Mato grosso – in Mato Grosso
Minas Gerais – Minas Gerais
E no Nordeste tudo em paz – and in the northeast everything in peace
Na morte eu descanso – in death i rest
Mas o sangue anda solto – but the blood still loose
Manchando os papeis – staining the papers
Documentos fiéis – loyal documents
Ao descanso do patrão… – at the relaxation of the  boss

Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?

Terceiro mundo se for – may be third world
Piada no exterior – a joke abroad
Mas o Brasil vai ficar rico – but brazil will get rich
e vamos faturar um milhão – and we will bill a million
Quando vendemos todas as almas – when we sell all the souls
Dos nossos índios um leilão… – of our indians, an auction

Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse? – what country is this?
Que país é esse?…(2x) – what country is this?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers At Rock in Rio 2011

Many sources have informed me that the chilli pepper’s performance has been the highlight of Rock in Rio so far.  Here’s them performing “Around the World,” but seriously check out at the other videos on Youtube, their whole show was absolutely incredible…

So, there’s a little recap of what has gone on so far at Rock in Rio 2011. Part II will come soon when the festival has come to an end. Please feel free to comment below!