More Romanian Music Videos

Current mood:cultured
OK, so I last left you with "Ghita," but of course there are others. The most well-know is probably Dragostea din Tei, by the Romanian band Ozone, as infamously popularized by Gary Brolsma.

Original Version:
Dragostea Din Tei


Numa Numa Dance version:


Lyrics and translation:


Though Adrian hates translating, sees no reason for me to learn Romanian, and by now hates this song, I have managed to glean from him (and his parents) a few cultural points about this song. There is a tradition from perhaps a few ceturies ago of "haiduc" or "outlaws" - something like Robin Hood. The phrase "dragostea din tei," meaning "love from the linden trees" is from a poem by their most famous national poet, Mihai Eminescu.

And Floare Albe, Floare Neagra by Sweet Kiss:


I've mostly learned that one, at least in a vaguely phonetic sense. Here's the lyrics:
Refren : Floare alba, floare neagra,
Tu mi-ai spus ca iti sunt draga
Si-ai sa furi din cer cinci stele
Sa-mi faci salba si margele. x2

Floare alba, floare neagra,
Eu ti-am spus ca imi esti draga,
Si-am sa-ti fur din cer cinci stele,
Sa-ti faci salba si margele.
Eu pe tine te iubesc,
Doar pe tine te doresc,
Inima mi-ai pus pe jar,
Eu ti-am oferit-o-n dar.
Eu credeam ca ma iubeai,
Insa tu ma sarutai,
C-o mana ma mangaiai,
Cu alta tu ma furai,
Si acum am ramas bleg,
Amarat si plin de jeg,
Ca narozii ai mai mari,
Nici gagica, nici bistari.

Prerefren: Eu pe tine nu te mai doresc,
Mie-mi place viata s-o traiesc,
Eu pe tine nu te mai doresc,
Fara bani, eu nu te mai iubesc.
Refren: x2

Si ma laudam ca eu,
Sunt mai tare ca un zeu,
Si-a venit un barbugiu,
Ce-avea moaca de gagiu,
De nervos sau mai de sus,
Te-a chemat si tu te-ai dus,
Fata, nu ti-a fost sucar,
Sa bagi mana-n buzunar?
Eu credeam ca ma iubeai,
Insa tu ma sarutai,
C-o mana ma mangaiai,
Cu alta tu ma furai,
Si acum am ramas bleg,
Amarat si plin de jeg,
Ca narozii ai mai mari,
Nici gagica, nici bistarï.

Prerefren: x1
Refren: x 2

I found this English translation on a message board, and I think this is not exact. The idea is that the guy feels he is only wanted for money. Adrian says that in Romania, this was a concern for many guys because everybody was so poor during/after communism. I remember one time his Mom was telling me that when you give a girl flowers, it has to be an odd number, signifying that the girl will be a flower and complete an even sum, so that is probably why there are 5 stars/flowers:

White flower, black flower,
You told me I'm your honey
And you'll steal for me 5 stars
To make me necklace and pearls

white flower, black flower
I told you you're dear for me
and I'll steal for you 5 stars
to make you necklace and pearls
I only love you
I only want you
you fired my heart**
and I gave it for you
I thought you loved me
But you kept kissing me
With a hand you were touching me
with the other one stealing me
And now I remained a stupid
sad and miserable
like the big morrons,
no girl and no money

I don't want you anymore
I like to live my life
I don't want you anymore
Without money I don't want you anymore

I was boasting myself
That I'm bigger then a kite
And a guy come out
looking like a pimp
nervous or something like that
he called you and you went out
girl, it isn't fuuny to stick your hand in his pocket
I thought you loved me
But you kept kissing me
With a hand you were touching me
with the other one stealing me
And now I remained a stupid
sad and miserable
like the big morrons,
no girl and no money