Selvagem?
Os Paralamas do Sucesso
1986
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Selvagem?, Os Paralamas do Sucesso's third studio album, released in 1986, is a watershed moment in the band's trajectory and an indelible landmark in the history of Brazilian rock. This work transformed the group's perception, which was previously seen by some as a "Carioca version of the English group The Police", into an identity deeply rooted in Black music and African cultural influences, with reggae consolidating itself as one of their trademarks. The album demonstrated the band's audacity in breaking down barriers between rock and MPB, incorporating diverse influences such as reggae, dub, ska, and even native samba rhythms and sounds from Brazil's North and Northeast regions. With accessible and direct lyrics, yet with deep social and political implications, Selvagem? revealed an expressive maturation in the trio's lyrics and arrangements. The songs addressed dense themes such as police violence, racism, and lack of freedom, resonating with the Brazilian reality of the time and remaining timelessly relevant. The fusion of Anglo-American rock references with local and Latin sounds, especially Jamaican ones, was a pioneering and concrete achievement of the album, laying the foundations for a new aesthetic in national pop rock.
Dub, reggae, samba and guitarrada were incorporated into the group's repertoire, giving rise to one of the best albums of their extensive discography.
Leonardo Dias Pereira · Rolling Stone Brasil
Context
The release of Selvagem? occurred at a crucial moment in Brazilian history, the initial period of re-democratisation in 1986. After years of dictatorship, society yearned for change, and the absence of the real danger of censorship encouraged a cultural effervescence, especially in national rock. Os Paralamas do Sucesso had already achieved a prominent place with previous albums, Cinema Mudo (1983) and, notably, O Passo do Lui (1984), which spawned several hits and led the band to a memorable performance at the first Rock in Rio, in 1985. There was great expectation from the record label and the public regarding the next work, given the band's meteoric rise. However, the group opted for an artistic turning point. The recording of the album was preceded by a forced break, due to drummer João Barone's recovery after a car accident, a period that may have influenced the reflection and thematic shift of the album.
Recording
The album Selvagem? was recorded at Estúdios Nas Nuvens, between February and March 1986, an intense period of creation and experimentation for the band. Production was handled by Liminha, a central and experienced figure in Brazilian rock, who had already worked with other big names. The technical team included Vítor Farias for recording and mixing, a process that also had the collaboration of Liminha and the Paralamas members themselves. Arrangements were developed by the trio Herbert Vianna (vocals and guitar), Bi Ribeiro (bass), and João Barone (drums and vocals), demonstrating increasing artistic autonomy. The album also featured special guest appearances, such as Marçal on percussion in tracks like "Alagados", and the producer Liminha himself, who added keyboards and phaser guitar to some songs. Gilberto Gil, one of MPB's great names, made a vocal contribution to "Alagados", reinforcing the musical bridge that the album aimed to build.
Songs
Selvagem? is an album that stands out for its lyrical and musical richness, critically exploring Brazil's social ills. The opening track, "Alagados", is emblematic, with its striking guitar riff and unconventional tuning, which made an impact at the time. The song weaves a link between the peripheries of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Jamaica, denouncing the living conditions of the poorest and featuring Gilberto Gil on vocals. Another major highlight is the title track, "Selvagem", perhaps the most rock-oriented and heaviest on the album. Its lyrics are a forceful portrayal of police repression, political manipulation, social inequality, and the resistance of the Black population, themes that remain painfully current. Musical diversity is evident in tracks like "A Novidade", a lyrical collaboration with Gilberto Gil, which poetically addresses social inequality. In contrast with the serious themes, the irreverent "Melô do Marinheiro", written by João Barone with a melody by Bi Ribeiro, offers a light-hearted and comical respite. The album also includes a powerful reinterpretation of "Você", a Tim Maia classic, and the reflective "Teerã", a reggae with new wave influences that addresses conflicts in the Middle East and the vulnerability of children. The presence of dub, ska, reggae, and even rumba elements demonstrates the broad rhythmic tapestry explored by Os Paralamas, consolidating their quest for a Brazilian and universal sound.
Rio's Os Paralamas do Sucesso had already clocked up five years on the road, released two LPs, performed at Rock in Rio, and accumulated a string of hits: "Vital e sua moto", "Patrulha noturna", "Química", "Óculos", "Meu erro", when they found their voice and began to be seen as more than just amusing youngsters.
Arthur Dapieve · 300 Discos Importantes
Legacy
Selvagem? definitively solidified Os Paralamas do Sucesso's career, transforming them into one of the country's most popular bands and consolidating them as one of the pillars of Brazilian rock. The album achieved impressive sales, becoming the band's second-highest selling, with over 700,000 copies sold, 100,000 in the first week alone. Its relevance is attested by various best album lists, such as Rolling Stone magazine's, where it features in 39th position, and in the book Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos, occupying 24th place. In 2022, Selvagem? was chosen as one of the best Brazilian music albums of the last 40 years in an O Globo newspaper poll, which brought together 25 specialists, underlining its perennial importance. The album's audacity and musical and lyrical maturation, which did not shy away from addressing social issues during a period of political transition, inspired other artists and showed the potential of national rock to engage with different generations and social classes. The album also opened doors for the band on the international scene, culminating in an invitation to participate in the prestigious Montreux Festival, in Switzerland, in 1987.
Tracks
Credits
Jorge Davidson
Liminha
José Fortes
Vitor Farias
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Bernardo Muricy, Ricardo Garcia
Ricardo Leite
J.C. Mello
Mauricio Valladares
Podcasts
Discoteca Básica Podcast · Parasol Storytelling
O ÁLBUM QUE RACHOU O ROCK BRASILEIRO DOS ANOS 80. Lançado envolto em expectativas e debates, o terceiro álbum de estúdio dos Paralamas introduziu no rock nacional os sons jamaicanos, africanos e brasileiríssimos. Um dos 30 discos mais votados na eleição dos “500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos”. Convidado do episódio: Pupillo Assinante do Clube Discoteca Básica tem conteúdo compl
Lançado no dia 24 de abril de 1986, Selvagem? é o terceiro álbum dos Paralamas do Sucesso e consegue ser o maior sucesso comercial da banda, dentre os discos de estúdio, e um dos trabalhos mais aclamados do rock nacional de todos os tempos. Reconhecidamente inovador e ousado nas suas mudanças sonoras e líricas, Selvagem? foi o assunto do nosso papo, onde analisamos o impacto do álbum em seu lançam
Vinilteca · José Ono Junior e Guilherme Colpani
Quando saiu a notícia de que os Paralamas do Sucesso estavam produzindo algo diferente e inovador para o terceiro álbum, "Selvagem?", que seria lançado em 1986, os fãs e a imprensa ficaram curiosos e em polvorosa pra saber do que se trataria essa nova sonoridade. Alguns acontecimentos já estavam explícitos para solucionar esse mistério: as festas de funk reggae, um artigo do irmão de Herbert Viann
Prosa Estéreo · Costa Brothers
Os músicos Marvin Costa (AKA Guevara Songs) e Alex Costa conversam sobre o disco "Selvagem" de Os Paralamas do Sucesso. Na pauta, histórias sobre as gravações e curiosidades deste que é um dos grandes álbuns da música brasileira.
Quem conhece e ouve o Programa de Indie há tempos já sabe que a gente adora Os Paralamas do Sucesso – e no programa dessa semana, é a vez dos indies rabugentos falarem de Selvagem?, uma das obras-primas do trio brasileiro. Lançado em 1986, o trabalho expande tudo o que o grupo já vinha construindo — misturando rock, reggae, dub, MPB, música africana e muito mais, com uma ambição ainda maior em mei
Videos
OS PARALAMAS DO SUCESSO - SELVAGEM? (1986) | ALBUM REVIEW
Vinilteca
EP. 64 – Selvagem?: O Álbum Que Virou a Mesa do Rock Brasileiro
Sons e Histórias
44 anos de "Ramones" e 34 anos de "Selvagem?" (c/ João Barone) | C. de Quarentena | Alta Fidelidade
Alta Fidelidade
Episódio 13 - 1986: “Dois”, “Selvagem?” e “Cabeça dinossauro" | BRock | Alta Fidelidade
Alta Fidelidade
Selvagem? - Os Paralamas do Sucesso | Resenha | Clássico é clássico
Guilherme Mattar
A história do disco "Selvagem?" - Os Paralamas do Sucesso 2
izaalcaide
Films
Books
Os Paralamas do Sucesso: Selvagem?
Mario Luis Grangeia · 2023
This book is specifically dedicated to the album 'Selvagem?' by Paralamas do Sucesso. It analyses the context of its conception, the expectations of the record label and the public after the success of 'O Passo do Lui' (1984) and the acclaimed performance at Rock in Rio in 1985. It is an in-depth analysis of the record.
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.
300 Discos Importantes da Música Brasileira
Charles Gavin, Tárik de Souza, Carlos Calado, Arthur Dapieve · 2008
Conceived by Titãs drummer and musical researcher Charles Gavin, the 434-page book brings together covers and reviews of albums released between 1929 and 2007. The texts were written by journalists Tárik de Souza, Arthur Dapieve and Carlos Calado.
Analyses
Selvagem? – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Selvagem? – The 100 Greatest Albums of Brazilian Music
Leonardo Dias Pereira · Rolling Stone Brasil
Dub, reggae, samba and guitarrada were incorporated into the group's repertoire, giving rise to one of the best albums of their extensive discography.
"Selvagem?" (EMI-Odeon, 1986), Os Paralamas do Sucesso
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
In April 1986, Selvagem? arrived in stores. The first single was "Alagados", which took the public and critics by surprise. The song strayed from the prevailing national rock standards of the time.
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso - Selvagem? (1986)
musicasdonordeste.net
The song balances the best of what Os Paralamas offered on this album: intelligent criticism and an irresistible groove. The reggae track, with its melodic chorus, quickly became popular with young people and greatly boosted LP sales – to this day, it remains the band's most successful in terms of figures.
Álbum em que o trio Os Paralamas do Sucesso mostrou a cara do ... - G1
g1.globo.com
Released in 1986, 'Selvagem?' is contextualised politically and musically in the 26th title of the series, written by sociologist and journalist Mario Luis Grangeia.
