| O-Zone – Dragostea Din Tei Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I see from the date stamps that I've come rather late to this. Sadly, though, this song isn’t something that has seen a lot of play time in Canada. I'm also coming to this from a different perspective than much of the target audience this song was probably intended for - I'm in my 40's with three young children. I think, though, that difference is what helped me to see through to this different interpretation of the song’s lyrics. I'd like to offer this as a possibility to consider alongside Vagabond Priest's thoughtful interpretation. When I first saw an English translation of the lyrics, I was struck with a realization: this is obviously a love song, but quite possibly not one of romantic love. Rather, this could be the voice a father gives to the love he holds for his child, most probably a daughter, with whom he's seeking reconciliation. The speaker in the song paints a metaphor of himself as being ‘Picasso.’ Why does he do this? I’d suggest the song’s author offers a hint to that earlier on. ‘Picasso’ refers obviously to Pablo Picasso, a man reputed to have lived a rather bohemian lifestyle, something said to have created conflict in his marriage to his first wife. Before their separation, Picasso began a long-standing affair with another woman who bore him a daughter, his second child. The little girl’s name? Maia. Now, go up and take a look at those ‘sounds’ at the beginning of the song…see the connection? But the speaker does more than casting metaphors, going far as to refer to himself as a 'haiduc' in sweeping acknowledgement of a roguish and societally-questionable past. The song’s title even plays into this. Seemingly an idiom defying direct translation, several options have been proposed in various places. However, the connection to the Russian Ð»Ð¸Ð¿Ð¾Ð²Ð°Ñ Ð»ÑŽÐ±Ð¾Ð²ÑŒ (linden-type, or 'imperfect' love) seems to me the most apropos as it offers a portrayal of the speaker’s estrangement from the young lady. As well, 'si sunt voinic' has been translated variously, with 'strong, burly, handsome or roguishly attractive’ being possibilities. I'd like to propose an alternative, though: 'looking good' as in the speaker has recovered, passing through a period where he was previously mentally/spiritually unwell. And, being whole again, sees the important goal he must pursue — reconciliation with his daugher. But this is sought tentatively, saying "But you should know I'm not asking for anything from you." So, from this perspective, the song could be viewed this way: Maia’s name is sung melodically to signify the speaker’s daughter passing through his thoughts. Her face and the memory of her eyes brings to him the pain of their estrangement. So, he calls her, saying "It's me. I know I've acted questionably in the past. I was unwell but I'm better now. I wanted to call you, my love, and ask you to accept happiness. But, I want you to know that I'm not asking for anything in return. You’ve sought a life without me in it. I understand the love I've shown you hasn't always been perfect, but I'm calling you to see if there might be room for a world where we can be together." Anyway, this is how the words spoke to me. |
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