Jesse go

Ultraje a Rigor recorded their first album in a borrowed studio, amid a wave of São Paulo rock that was beginning to invade Rio. The album's title, Nós Vamos Invadir Sua Praia, was no coincidence: it was a direct nod to the bands from Rio, who viewed with suspicion how the groups from São Paulo were starting to dominate the radios. But among the songs that launched them to stardom — such as Inútil or Mim Quer Tocar — there is one track that always stands out for its raw energy: Jesse Go.

The track sounds like an accelerated outburst, with a riff that repeats like a nervous heartbeat and lyrics that play with the irony of a character who never stops moving. The original version lasts 3 minutes and 52 seconds, enough time for every instrument — from Leonardo Galasso's insistent drums to Maurício Defendi's bass — to have its moment without losing the rhythm. The album, recorded in 1985, earned them their first platinum record in Brazil, a record for national rock at the time. Although guitarist Carlo "Carlinhos" Bartolini left before the sessions were finished, his mark remained on this track, which continues to be an instant classic every time the band plays it live.