Happy Birthday, Lenine!

Source: Otávio Nogueira, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In honor of Lenine’s 64th birthday, a translation of his song “Hoje eu quero sair só” (“Today I want to go out alone”) from his 1997 album O dia em que faremos contato (The day we’ll make contact). As often with Lenine’s lyrics, the title line can be translated several ways; in particular the words “só” and “sair” have a couple of varied translations. I’ve taken advantage of the repetition of the title line in the chorus to offer various possible translations.

Listen to the song

Today I want to go out alone
If you want to follow me
It’s not safe
You don’t want to lock me
In a dark room

Sometimes it even seems
That we tied a knot
Today I want to go out alone

You’re not going to hit me
At point blank
Come here, let me flee
Kiss me on the mouth

I’ll be back soon
(Bye)
You’ll see if I’m there at the corner
I should be
(Bye)
It’s already my time
And I can’t stay
(Bye)
The moon is calling me
I have to go out
(Bye)

Today I want to go out, that’s all
Today I want to leave, that’s all
Today I want to depart alone
Today I want to leave alone
Today I just want to come out
Today I just want to leave
Today I want to go out alone

Bye! Bye! Bye!

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“Camarão que dorme a onda leva” (Zeca Pagodinho, 2014)

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“Nem um dia” (Djavan, 1996)