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Taxi is a Romanian pop rock band set up by lead singer Dan Teodorescu in 1999. Among their most notable feats, they participated in the European Eurovision sSong cContest Eurovision in 2000, with the song “Luna” (The Moon). Even though they did not secure the top spot, they have only risen in popularity since then, owing mainly to the original, humorous, and satirical undertones pervading their music. Most of their songs are veiled criticisms directed at either those running the country or people from all walks of life.

"The track 'Esti iubibila' was released in 2012 and it instantly captivated Romanian audiences with its catchy tune and inventiveness. It portrays, with humorous gusto, the toils that men have to go through in order to keep the women in their lives happy"

The track “Esti iubibila” was released in 2012 and it instantly captivated Romanian audiences with its catchy tune and inventiveness. It portrays, with humorous gusto, the toils that men have to go through in order to keep the women in their lives happy. The song opens with a couple’s dialogue. After professing his love to her – “Te iubesc non-stop, neconditionat” (I love you non-stop, unconditionally) – the man is presented with a blunt question: “De ce ma iubesti?” (Why do you love me?). Caught by surprise, the man is unable to provide a quick reply. He goes on to explain that he was scared to answer because he knew it had to be “un raspuns cat se poate de profund” (an answer as insightful as possible). However, the man’s lack of spontaneity unleashes a barrage of criticism from his girlfriend: “Aha...deci tre’ sa te gandesti de ce ma iubesti?” (I see, you’ve got to think about the reason why you love me?).

Since he might have just opened Pandora’s Box, the man struggles to retort: “Asculta-ma, asculta-ma te iubesc pentru ca…; esti iubibila” (Listen to me, listen to me I love you because…; you are lovable). Funnily enough, out of nervousness and frustration, the man manages to coin a new word, intended to encompass the quintessence of his love: “Iubibila” (lovable). He goes on to provide more arguments, coining more words with the same suffix “-ibila” (-able): “Esti mangaiabila, alintabila, giugiulibila rasfatabila” (You are caressable, spoilable, smoochable, cuddleable). The pattern of word-formation popularised by this song has entered everyday speech and is now increasingly used by youngsters.

"Funnily enough, out of nervousness and frustration, the man manages to coin a new word, intended to encompass the quintessence of his love: “Iubibila” (lovable)"

Although humorous, there are certain traces of irony throughout the lyrics that target formulaic portrayals of women as needy, insecure, and, above all, highly verbose. These undertones are manifested in the second part of the song, when the woman confesses that she had hoped for a different explanation: “M-asteptam sa spui ca sunt adorabila” (I expected you to say I’m adorable). However, the reply she receives would come across as deeply offensive, were it not for the light tone of the song: “Eu te ador doar cand taci” (I adore you only when you do not speak). In the end, “Esti iubibila” is a catchy song about the age-old theme of love.