By the age of fifteen she had decided to become a musician, and by her late teens she had studied music theory, as well as the violão (nylon-stringed Brazilian guitar). Her songs reveal her many influences, which include samba, valsa, choro, soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, reggae, afrobeat, and electrojazz. In particular, she cites as influences the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu.
By her late teens Céu was performing onstage with major artists and exploring the repertoire of the marchinhas (turn-of-the-century carnival music). Soon after that she relocated temporarily to New York City, where she had a chance meeting with fellow Brazilian musician Antonio Pinto, who became her flatmate while he was going through some financial difficulties. She later learned that he was actually a distant cousin, and their relationship was renewed when he teamed up with lead producer Beto Villares, composer of the musical score for the film O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias, to help her record her album.
Malemolência
Céu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
quem deixou me olhar assim
não pediu minha permissão
não pude evitar
tirou meu ar
fiquei sem chão
menino bonito
ai menino bonito
menino bonito ai
é tudo o que eu posso
lhe adiantar
o que é um beijo se eu posso ter o teu olhar
cai na dança cai
vem pra roda da malemolência
The lyrics to CéU's song "Malemolência" speaks of a captivating encounter with a beautiful boy who caught the attention of the singer. The lyrics suggest that the boy did not request permission to approach her, but his looks left her breathless and unable to resist his charm. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional effects of the encounter, making it clear that the singer has been entranced by the boy's beauty, so much so that she is willing to surrender to him.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to pursue the boy's attention, as she remarks that she can have his gaze rather than a kiss. The lyrics then transition into a request for the boy to join in the dance of pleasure and abandon the inhibitions of society. The lyrics suggest a celebration of sexuality and beauty, in which the singer and the boy find themselves utterly consumed by one another.
Overall, the lyrics to "Malemolência" refer to a moment of unbridled attraction, where two people come together in a beautiful dance that celebrates their physicality and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
veio até mim
Someone came to me
quem deixou me olhar assim
Who allowed me to look like this
não pediu minha permissão
Didn't ask for my permission
não pude evitar
I couldn't avoid it
tirou meu ar
Took my breath away
fiquei sem chão
Left me speechless
menino bonito
Beautiful boy
menino bonito ai
Beautiful boy, oh my
ai menino bonito
Oh beautiful boy
é tudo o que eu posso lhe adiantar
That's all I can tell you in advance
o que é um beijo se eu posso ter o teu olhar
What's a kiss if I can have your gaze
cai na dança cai
Get into the dance, come on
vem pra roda da malemolência
Come to the circle of smoothness
Contributed by Emily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.