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.
Asa Asa
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pássaro pairando
Pássaro momento
Pássaro ar
Pássaro ímpar
Parou pousar
Parou repousar
Pássaro parado
Pássaro silêncio
Pássaro ir
Pássaro ritmo
Passar voou
Passar avoou
Pássaro par
Pássaro in
Pássaro pairando
Pássaro momento
Pássaro ar
Pássaro ímpar
Parou pousar
Parou repousar
Pássaro som
Pássaro parado
Pássaro silêncio
Pássaro ir
Pássaro ritmo
Passar voou
Passar avoou
Pássaro par
The lyrics of Caetano Veloso's song "Asa" repeat the same phrase over and over, describing a bird in various states and actions. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and flow, mimicking the movement of the bird itself.
The lyrics begin with "Pássaro in," which can be translated as "Bird in." This might signify the bird's state of being, suggesting that it is present and aware. The repetition of "Pássaro pairando" emphasizes the bird's hovering or soaring in the sky, evoking a feeling of freedom and serenity. This is followed by "Pássaro momento," which could imply a fleeting and transient nature of the bird's existence.
As the lyrics continue, the bird's actions are described. It "parou pousar" and "parou repousar," suggesting a moment of rest or calmness. The phrase "Pássaro som" indicates the bird's sound or song, while "Pássaro parado" refers to it being still or motionless. The repetition of "Pássaro ir" and "Pássaro ritmo" further highlights the bird's movement and rhythm.
Towards the end of the lyrics, the bird is mentioned as "passar voou" and "passar avoou." These phrases could be interpreted as the bird flying away or disappearing, reinforcing the ephemeral nature of its presence.
Overall, "Asa" captures the essence of a bird's flight and presence in a simple yet evocative manner. The repetition and use of descriptive words create a vivid image of the bird's movement, sound, and temporary existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Pássaro in
Bird inside
Pássaro pairando
Bird hovering
Pássaro momento
Bird moment
Pássaro ar
Bird air
Pássaro ímpar
Bird odd
Parou pousar
Stopped to perch
Parou repousar
Stopped to rest
Pássaro som
Bird sound
Pássaro parado
Bird still
Pássaro silêncio
Bird silence
Pássaro ir
Bird go
Pássaro ritmo
Bird rhythm
Passar voou
Fly passed
Passar avoou
Fly passed again
Pássaro par
Bird still
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Caetano Emmanuel Viana Teles Veloso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind