Maria Joana
Caetano Veloso/ Gal Costa Lyrics
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Nem batucada quem não tem um pandeiro
Não vive bem quem nunca teve dinheiro
Nem tem casa pra morar
Não cai na roda quem tem perna bamba
Não é de nada quem não é de samba
Não tem valor quem vive de muamba
Pra não ter que trabalhar
Porque eu não vou deixar a vida sem viver
Mas acontece que a Maria Joana
Acha que é pobre, mas nasceu pra bacana
Mora comigo, mesmo assim não me engana
Ela pensa em me deixar
Já decidiu que vai vencer na vida
Saiu de casa toda colorida
Levou dinheiro pra comprar comida
Mas não sei se vai voltar
Eu vou perguntar
Joana, o que aconteceu?
Dinheiro não faz você mais rica do que eu
The lyrics of Caetano Veloso/Gal Costa's song, 'Maria Joana' appear to be a commentary on the class divide and social inequality in Brazil. The opening lines of the song suggest that one can't perform magic without their tools, introducing the idea that individuals without the necessary resources might not be successful in their endeavors. The lyrics then mention the importance of money, music, and a home, all of which are considered essential to happiness, success, and social standing. The song continues to analyze the idea of what makes a person valuable, stating that someone who lives off of illicit trade or is not involved in the samba culture has no value in society.
The second half of the song focuses on Maria Joana, who appears to be a character struggling with her identity and social standing. The singer, who Maria Joana lives with, feels that she is trying to deceive him into believing that she's poor when in reality, she was born into privilege. Maria Joana leaves with the intention of winning at life and returns with money, at which point the singer calls her out, questioning what makes her richer than him. The lyrics of the song suggest that money can't buy everything, and one's perceived wealth doesn't define their worth.
Line by Line Meaning
Não faz feitiço quem não tem um terreiro
One cannot perform magic without a designated area for rituals
Nem batucada quem não tem um pandeiro
One cannot make music without having the right instruments
Não vive bem quem nunca teve dinheiro
A comfortable life can't be lived without money
Nem tem casa pra morar
One lacks a basic need if they don't have a place to call home
Não cai na roda quem tem perna bamba
One must have the ability to dance in order to participate in the scene
Não é de nada quem não é de samba
If you don't enjoy samba, you may feel out of place in Brazilian society
Não tem valor quem vive de muamba
People who make money off illegal activity lack true worth
Pra não ter que trabalhar
These people often resort to this path because they're trying to avoid day jobs or poverty
Eu vou procurar um jeito de não padecer
I will find a way to thrive and live without suffering
Porque eu não vou deixar a vida sem viver
I refuse to let life pass by without experiencing all it has to offer
Mas acontece que a Maria Joana
Maria Joana, the character introduced in this song, however
Acha que é pobre, mas nasceu pra bacana
Believes she's poor but was actually born with the potential to be rich or in higher social circles
Mora comigo, mesmo assim não me engana
Married or cohabiting with the singer and yet, hiding something or holding back information
Ela pensa em me deixar
She's considering leaving the relationship
Já decidiu que vai vencer na vida
She wants to be successful in her own right
Saiu de casa toda colorida
She left home looking vibrant and full of life
Levou dinheiro pra comprar comida
She took money with her to buy food elsewhere
Mas não sei se vai voltar
The singer is not sure if Maria Joana will come back
Eu vou perguntar
The singer decides to ask Maria Joana what's going on
Joana, o que aconteceu?
Joana, what happened?
Dinheiro não faz você mais rica do que eu
Money doesn't make you richer than me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SIDNEY MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind