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.
Alguém Cantando
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
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Alguém cantando longe, longe
Alguém cantando muito
Alguém cantando bem
Alguém cantando é bom de se ouvir
Alguém cantando alguma canção
A voz de alguém nessa imensidão
A voz de um certo alguém
Que canta como que pra ninguém
A voz de alguém
Quando vem do coração
De quem mantém
Toda a pureza
Da natureza
Onde não há pecado nem perdão
The lyrics of "Alguém Cantando" by Caetano Veloso describe the beauty of hearing someone singing in the distance. The first verse repeats "alguém cantando" (someone singing) and "longe" (far), emphasizing the idea that the singer is far away. The second verse describes the power of the voice, as it can be heard in the vastness of space around us. The singer notes that not only is the voice heard, but it is heard well and is enjoyable to listen to.
The following verse turns from the beauty of the sound to the idea of the person behind it. The singer emphasizes the anonymity of the individual, using the phrase "algum certo alguém" (a certain someone) to illustrate that while we are unable to identify the singer, we can still hear their beautiful voice. The final verse introduces the concept of purity, connecting it to the heart of the person singing. The singer suggests that this purity is like that of nature, where there is no sin or forgiveness, only beauty.
Overall, the song captures the simple joy of hearing someone sing, highlighting the beauty of the voice and the pureness of the heart behind it.
Line by Line Meaning
Alguém cantando longe daqui
There is someone singing far away from this place.
Alguém cantando longe, longe
There is someone singing very far away.
Alguém cantando muito
There is someone singing a lot.
Alguém cantando bem
There is someone singing well.
Alguém cantando é bom de se ouvir
It is pleasant to listen to someone singing.
Alguém cantando alguma canção
There is someone singing a specific song.
A voz de alguém nessa imensidão
The voice of someone in this vastness.
A voz de alguém que canta
The voice of someone who sings.
A voz de um certo alguém
The voice of a certain someone.
Que canta como que pra ninguém
That sings as if for no one.
A voz de alguém
The voice of someone.
Quando vem do coração
When it comes from the heart.
De quem mantém
From someone who keeps.
Toda a pureza
All the purity.
Da natureza
Of nature.
Onde não há pecado nem perdão
Where there is no sin or forgiveness.
Lyrics © Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Caetano Emmanuel Veloso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind