Tempos Modernos
Lulu Santos
1982
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Tempos Modernos, Lulu Santos' debut album released in 1982, marked a turning point in Brazilian popular music, introducing an optimistic and vibrant pop rock sound that quickly became a classic. The album not only introduced the public to one of the most charismatic and talented artists of his generation, but also defined the musical aesthetic of an era, blending light melodies with modern arrangements and lyrics that celebrated freedom and hope. His fresh and uncommitted approach cemented its place as a fundamental milestone in Brazilian pop. The album is a true manifesto of its time, capturing the spirit of renewal and cultural effervescence of post-dictatorship Brazil. Songs such as the title track "Tempos Modernos", "De Repente Califórnia", and "Areias Escaldantes" transcended the status of mere radio hits to become anthems of a period of profound transformations and optimism. Lulu Santos' ability to synthesise global pop and rock influences with Brazilian musicality lent the album timeless relevance and lasting appeal.
Context
Tempos Modernos was released during a period of intense effervescence in Brazil, which was experiencing political liberalisation and the process of redemocratisation after years of military rule. This atmosphere of freedom and optimism propelled the emergence of a new generation of artists who explored modern sounds, combining rock, pop, and electronic elements, moving away from the politically engaged themes of the past to embrace lightness and the celebration of life. Before his solo breakthrough, Lulu Santos already had a notable musical trajectory, having participated in progressive and experimental rock bands such as Vímana and Veludo Elétrico. However, the pursuit of a more accessible and pop language, capable of communicating with a broader audience, led him to embark on his solo career. This transition, coupled with his prior experience, ensured a melodic and arrangement sophistication that elevated his proposition and positioned him at the forefront of MPB as it opened up to national pop rock.
Recording
The recording of Tempos Modernos took place in a rather peculiar and opportune manner at the Transamérica studio, located in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The project was made possible by taking advantage of Gilberto Gil's unused "leftover studio time", a crucial opportunity for an ascending artist. The album's realisation was facilitated by the intervention and fundamental collaboration of Liminha, former bassist of Os Mutantes, who acted not only as a musician but also as an arranger and producer. Liminha, who would become one of the most important producers of Brazilian rock and pop, injected his vast experience and sonic vision into the album's production, being responsible for many of the arrangements and the co-mixing. The high-calibre technical team included renowned sound engineer Richard Alderson, who, alongside Liminha and Andy P. Millis, was essential for the quality of the recording and mixing. Alderson, with prior experience with artists such as Bob Dylan and Nina Simone, brought international expertise to the production. The team of musicians was equally talented, with Lincoln Olivetti on synthesisers, Serginho Herval on drums, and Robson Jorge on Rhodes and Clavinet keyboards, ensuring a rich and contemporary instrumentation for the era.
Songs
Tempos Modernos is an album packed with songs that became instantly recognisable and classics of Brazilian music. The title track, "Tempos Modernos", with its music video shown on Fantástico, is a timeless anthem about optimism, freedom, and life's constant evolution, becoming the most played song authored by Lulu Santos in Brazil during certain periods. Other major hits include "De Repente Califórnia", which exudes lightness and the desire for decompression, and "Areias Escaldantes", which captures youthful energy and nonchalance. The lyrics in general are characterised by a celebration of life, love, and a hopeful vision of the future. The album also features a curious version of The Beatles' "De Leve (Get Back)", with an original lyrical adaptation by Gilberto Gil and Rita Lee, demonstrating Lulu Santos' ability to reinterpret foreign influences with a typically Brazilian sensibility. The collaboration with Rita Lee on "Scarlet Moon" adds a layer of lyricism and sophistication to the repertoire, enriching the album's thematic and musical diversity. The repertoire is completed by tracks like "Tudo Com Você" and "Tesouros da Juventude", which reinforce the sonic and lyrical proposal that would become a hallmark of Lulu Santos.
Legacy
The impact of Tempos Modernos was immediate and its legacy, lasting, solidifying Lulu Santos' solo career and positioning him as one of the great names in national pop rock. The album not only generated multiple hits that permeated the radio and television of the time, such as the music video for "Tempos Modernos" shown on Fantástico, but also became a milestone in the evolution of MPB, demonstrating the viability of high-quality pop rock with a Brazilian identity. Its continuous relevance is attested by posthumous acknowledgements, such as its 76th place ranking in a survey of 162 musical specialists conducted by the podcast Discoteca Básica, being one of four of the artist's albums present on the list. Tempos Modernos not only inspired a generation of musicians, but also paved the way for the consolidation of a sophisticated and accessible Brazilian pop rock style, with its innovative sound and lyrics that continue to resonate with the public to this day.
Tracks
Credits
Liminha
Liminha, Lulu Santos
Liminha
Lulu Santos
Lulu Santos
Teresa Teixeira
Liminha
Serginho
Chico Neves, Wilson Medeiros
Osmar Furtado
Liminha, Lulu Santos, Richard Alderson
Enock de Oliveira, Laci Moraes, Magro
Anibal Felix, Enock de Oliveira, João Maria, João Ricardo, Laci Moraes, Magro, Sérgio Bittencourt
Edeltrudes Marques Da Silva, Eduardo Pastorelli, Mario Alecsandro Monteiro, Ricardo Garcia, Walter Guimarães
Andy Mills
Liminha, Richard Alderson
Artistas Gráficos Ltda
Marco Rodrigues
Podcasts
80 por segundo · 80 por Segundo
O álbum Tempos Modernos, lançado em setembro de 1982, marcou a estreia solo de Lulu Santos e é considerado um marco na história do pop rock brasileiro.Está no ar o programa Bolacha Recheada !
Poesia Cantada · Fillipe Queiroz
Aquela música super atemporal que nos ensina que devemos viver tudo no momento presente, sem ficar adiando as coisas. Vem conferir comigo o significado de Tempos Modernos! Aposto que você vai gostar!!
VM Podcast · Vando Marques
Tempos Modernos faz parte do disco homônimo lançado em 1982. Site de informação: letras.mus.br
Gente fina, elegante e sincera: Um clássico do Lulu Santos, agora repaginado, com um viés moderno, animado e revigorante, para trazer boas energias, boas vibrações e animar o nosso dia.
Mpb Importance - O Podcast Da Mpb · Anderson Heredia
Nesse episódio falamos de 2 discos importantes na carreira solo do Lulu Santos
Videos
LULU SANTOS - TEMPOS MODERNOS (1982) | ALBUM REVIEW
Vinilteca
Tempos Modernos - Auto Resenha
Lulu Santos
Lulu Santos fala com Caio Braz sobre o SUCESSO atemporal de TEMPOS MODERNOS! | Por Trás do Hit
Música Multishow
Lulu Santos: Análise do álbum Tempos Modernos
Pitadas do Sal
Books
Álbum 3 – 1978 a 1993
Pedro Alexandre Sanches · 2024
This volume from the acclaimed 'Álbum' series, written by journalist and music critic Pedro Alexandre Sanches, recounts the history of Brazilian music through significant albums released between 1978 and 1993. Lulu Santos' album 'Tempos Modernos', from 1982, is a landmark of that era and would be analysed in depth within this context.
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Analyses
Tempos Modernos – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Lulu Santos Tempos Modernos (Album)- Spirit of Rock Webzine (en)
spirit-of-rock.com
Lulu Santos : Tempos Modernos,album, review, tracklist, mp3, lyrics
"Tempos Modernos" (Warner, 1982), Lulu Santos
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
The first track on the album is "Tempos Modernos", the same one that gives the album its name. A rhythmic guitar riff by Lulu kicks off the track, followed by a very characteristic guitar solo by Lulu himself. The song talks about optimism for the future and living in the present without looking to the past.
A história e o significado de "Tempos Modernos", de Lulu Santos
igormiranda.com.br
In just over five decades of his career, Lulu Santos has released a vast catalogue of hits. One worth mentioning is "Tempos Modernos", released by the artist on the album of the same title in 1982, and re-recorded by many of his peers.
Lulu Santos - Tempos Modernos (1982)
musicasdonordeste.net
You can now listen to the remastered debut album by musician Lulu Santos. The album 'Tempos Modernos', from 1982, features, among other tracks, the title track, which would become his first major hit.
