Her most popular album is the live recording Acústico ("Acoustic") that she did for MTV Brasil. Her best-known hit songs are her cover of "Malandragem", originally written by Cazuza, and "Segundo Sol". Eller is known for her fusion of MPB with rock as well as for her deep husky singing voice.
She is also notable as one of Brazil's most prominent lesbian artists. Her sexuality, along with her musical style, has caused some to draw comparisons with Ani DiFranco, the Indigo Girls as well as Melissa Etheridge.
Eller died on December 29, 2001 after being rushed to hospital in Rio de Janeiro by her partner. She was admitted in a delirious and incoherent state during which she suffered a series of heart attacks; a police investigation concluded that these were due to a heart condition rather than to drug use. She was 39 years old. She left a young son behind whose custody was assumed by her partner.
Eller still has a devoted following in Brazil, and her popularity has continued to grow. Her music continues to be played daily on various Brazilian radio stations and her CDs are still prominently for sale in stores.
malandragem
Cássia Eller Lyrics
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Esperando o ônibus da escola sozinha
Cansada com minhas meias três quartos
Rezando baixo pelos cantos
Por ser uma menina má
Quem sabe o príncipe virou um chato
Que vive dando no meu saco
Quem sabe a vida é não sonhar
Eu só peço a Deus
Um pouco de malandragem
Pois sou criança
E não conheço a verdade
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Bobeira é não viver a realidade
E eu ainda tenho uma tarde inteira
E eu ando nas ruas
Eu troco cheque
Mudo uma planta de lugar
Dirijo meu carro
Tomo o meu pileque
E ainda tenho tempo pra cantar
Pra cantar
Eu só peço a Deus
Um pouco de malandragem
Pois sou criança
E não conheço a verdade
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu ando nas ruas
Eu troco cheque
Mudo uma planta de lugar
Dirijo meu carro
Tomo o meu pileque
E ainda tenho tempo pra cantar
Pra cantar
Eu só peço a Deus
Um pouco de malandragem
Pois sou criança
E não conheço a verdade
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu só peço a Deus
Um pouco de malandragem
Pois sou criança
E não conheço a verdade
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
Eu só peço a Deus
Um pouco de malandragem
In Cássia Eller's song "Malandragem," she reflects on her youth and her current state as an adult. The first verse describes a young girl waiting for the school bus, tired and praying for guidance. She admits to being a "menina má" (bad girl), perhaps indicating her rebellious nature as a youth. The second verse paints a darker picture of her current life, where she has lost trust in love, the prince charming she hoped for in her youth is now a nuisance, and dreams are no longer enough. She desires some 'malandragem' or street-smartness, a skill she lacks due to her naive, poetic nature.
Despite this, she still has aspects of her youthful spirit within her, such as her ability to take pleasure in the simple things in life. She mentions changing a plant's position, driving, cashing a check, drinking, and singing as everyday activities that she enjoys. She recognizes that she is a poet who has yet to learn how to love, but she seems to find solace in her music.
The song ultimately portrays the struggles of growing up and adapting to adult life, but still holding onto a childlike sense of wonder and purity.
Line by Line Meaning
Quem sabe eu ainda sou uma garotinha Esperando o ônibus da escola sozinha Cansada com minhas meias três quartos Rezando baixo pelos cantos Por ser uma menina má
Maybe I'm still a little girl, waiting for the school bus alone, tired with my three-quarter socks, praying quietly in the corners. I'm a bad girl.
Quem sabe o príncipe virou um chato Que vive dando no meu saco Quem sabe a vida é não sonhar
Maybe the prince turned into an annoyance who keeps bothering me. Maybe life is not about dreaming.
Eu só peço a Deus Um pouco de malandragem Pois sou criança E não conheço a verdade Eu sou poeta e não aprendi a amar
I only ask God for a bit of shrewdness, as I'm just a child and don't know the truth. I'm a poet and don't know how to love.
Bobeira é não viver a realidade E eu ainda tenho uma tarde inteira
Foolishness is not living in reality, and I still have a whole afternoon.
Eu ando nas ruas Eu troco cheque Mudo uma planta de lugar Dirijo meu carro Tomo o meu pileque E ainda tenho tempo pra cantar Pra cantar
I walk on the streets, cash a check, move a plant around, drive my car, have a drink, and still have time to sing. To sing.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Agenor De Miranda Araujo Neto, Roberto Frejat
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind