Veloso is the fifth of the seven children born to José Telles Veloso ("Seu Zezinho") and Claudionor Vianna Telles Veloso ("Dona Canô"). His younger sister Maria Bethânia, another popular and renowned artist in Brazil, preceded him to fame as a singer in the mid-1960s. He began his career around 1965 singing bossa nova and he has cited his greatest musical influences from his early period as João Gilberto and Dorival Caymmi. (João Gilberto would say later about Caetano's contribution that it added an intellectual dimension to brazilian popular music.) But with such musical collaborators Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tom Zé, Chico Buarque, and Os Mutantes, and greatly influenced by the later work of The Beatles, developed tropicalismo, which fused Brazilian pop with rock and roll and avant garde art music resulting in a more international, psychedelic, and socially aware sound. Veloso's politically active stance, unapologetically leftist, earned him the enmity of Brazil's military dictatorship which ruled until 1985; his songs were frequently censored, and some were banned. Veloso was also alienated from the socialist left in Brazil becasue of his acceptance and integration of non-nationalist influences (like rock and roll) in his music. Veloso and Gilberto Gil spent several months in jail for "anti-government activity" in 1968 and eventually exiled themselves to London. Caetano Veloso's work upon his return in 1972 was often characterized by frequent appropriations not only of international styles, but of half-forgotten Brazilian folkloric styles and rhythms as well. In particular, his celebration of the Afro-Brazilian culture of Bahia can be seen as the precursor of such Afro-centric groups as Timbalada.
In the 1980s, Veloso's popularity outside Brazil grew, especially in Israel, Portugal, France and Africa. By 2004, he was one of the most respected and prolific international pop stars, with more than fifty recordings available, including songs in soundtracks of movies such as Pedro Almodovar's Hable con Ella (Talk to Her), and Frida. In 2002 Veloso published an account of his early years and the Tropicalia movement, Tropical Truth: A Story of Music and Revolution in Brazil.
His first all-English CD was A Foreign Sound (2004), which covers Nirvana's "Come as You Are" and compositions from the Great American Songbook. Five of the six songs on his third eponymous album, released in 1971, were also in English.
É Hoje
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E ancorou na passarela
Fez um desembarque fascinante
No maior show da terra
Será que eu serei o dono dessa festa
Um rei
No meio de uma gente tão modesta
Cheio de euforia para desfilar
O mundo inteiro espera
Hoje é dia do riso chorar
Levei o meu samba pra mãe de santo rezar
BIS Contra o mal olhado eu carrego meu patuá
Eu levei!
Acredito
Acredito ser o mais valente nessa luta do rochedo como mar
E como ar!
É hoje o dia da alegria
E a tristeza, nem pode pensar em chegar
Diga espelho meu!
Diga espelho meu
Se há na avenida alguém mais feliz que eu
Diga espelho meu
Se há na avenida alguém mais feliz que eu
In "É Hoje," Caetano Veloso describes his joy and excitement for the biggest show on earth – presumably the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro – and his hope to be crowned as the king of the festival. His joy has crossed the sea and anchored on the catwalk, where he landed with a fascinating arrival. He feels confident about his chances of being the best among the modest people around him. Veloso then sings about his descent from the hills, where he is full of excitement to take part in the show. He believes today is a day to celebrate and forget about sadness. He took his samba to a mother saint to pray against the evil eye, and he brings his lucky charm with him to ward off bad luck. Veloso declares that he is the bravest in the rocky battle like the rock and sea, and air. He states that today is a day for joy and that sadness cannot even think of arriving at the festival.
The lyrics of "É Hoje" express the thrill and hope for success that participants feel during the Carnival in Brazil. It also highlights the importance of faith and luck in Brazilian culture. Veloso's self-assurance and his belief that he is the most courageous person in the tournament reveal the competitive nature of the festival. At the same time, it also portrays a moment of unity, where people can forget their worries and celebrate life together.
Line by Line Meaning
A minha alegria atravessou o mar
My happiness crossed the sea
E ancorou na passarela
And anchored on the runway
Fez um desembarque fascinante
Made a fascinating landing
No maior show da terra
In the greatest show on earth
Será que eu serei o dono dessa festa
Will I be the owner of this party?
Um rei
A king
No meio de uma gente tão modesta
In the midst of such modest people
Eu vim descendo a serra
I came down the mountain
Cheio de euforia para desfilar
Full of euphoria to parade
O mundo inteiro espera
The whole world is waiting
Hoje é dia do riso chorar
Today is the day when laughter cries
Levei o meu samba pra mãe de santo rezar
I took my samba to the mother of the saint to pray
BIS Contra o mal olhado eu carrego meu patuá
BIS Against the evil eye, I carry my amulet
Eu levei!
I brought it!
Acredito
I believe
Acredito ser o mais valente nessa luta do rochedo como mar
I believe to be the bravest in this fight of the rock like the sea
E como ar!
And like air!
É hoje o dia da alegria
Today is the day of happiness
E a tristeza, nem pode pensar em chegar
And sadness, cannot even think of coming
Diga espelho meu!
Tell me, my mirror!
Diga espelho meu
Tell me, my mirror
Se há na avenida alguém mais feliz que eu
If there's anyone on this avenue happier than me
Contributed by Nora H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.