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.
Dom De Iludir
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
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Cada um sabe a dor e a delícia de ser o que é
Não me olhe como se a polícia andasse atrás de mim
Cale a boca e não cale na boca notícia ruim
Você sabe explicar
Você sabe entender tudo bem
Você está
Você é
Você quer
Você tem
Você diz a verdade e a verdade é o seu dom de iludir
Como pode querer que a mulher vá viver sem mentir
The lyrics to Caetano Veloso's song "Dom De Iludir" reflect on the complexities of human nature, particularly when it comes to gender roles and expectations. In the opening verse, Veloso acknowledges the common stereotype of women being malicious, but also reminds the listener that every individual has their own unique experiences and struggles. He urges them not to judge or police him, and to refrain from spreading bad news.
The chorus of the song centers on the idea of illusion and truth. Veloso acknowledges that the person he is addressing is someone who is skilled at telling the truth, but at the same time is capable of deceiving others. He questions how anyone could expect a woman to live without ever telling a lie, highlighting the societal pressures and double standards placed upon women.
The second verse of the song continues to explore the theme of illusion and reality. Veloso reflects on the ways in which people put up facades and present themselves in certain ways, even if it's not completely authentic. He acknowledges that this is a part of human nature and something that can be both pleasurable and painful.
Overall, "Dom De Iludir" speaks to the complexity of human relationships and the various masks that individuals wear, whether intentional or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Não me venha falar da malícia de toda mulher
Do not discuss the slyness of all women with me.
Cada um sabe a dor e a delícia de ser o que é
Every individual is aware of the pleasures and pains of being themselves.
Não me olhe como se a polícia andasse atrás de mim
Do not stare at me as if the police were after me.
Cale a boca e não cale na boca notícia ruim
Shut your mouth and do not spread bad news.
Você sabe explicar
You know how to explain.
Você sabe entender tudo bem
You know how to understand, it's okay.
Você está
You are here.
Você é
You are who you are.
Você faz
You do things.
Você quer
You want things.
Você tem
You have things.
Você diz a verdade e a verdade é o seu dom de iludir
You speak the truth, but your gift is to deceive.
Como pode querer que a mulher vá viver sem mentir
How can you expect a woman to live without lying?
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.