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.
It's Alright Ma
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying.
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Proves to warn
That he not busy being born
Is busy dying.
Temptation's page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover
That you'd just be
One more person crying.
So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing.
As some warn victory, some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don't hate nothing at all
Except hatred.
Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Made everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
It's easy to see without looking too far
That not much
Is really sacred.
While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have
To stand naked.
An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
And it's alright, Ma, I can make it.
Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you're the one
That can do what's never been done
That can win what's never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.
You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks
They really found you.
A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
Insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not fergit
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to.
Although the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.
For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Cultivate their flowers to be
Nothing more than something
They invest in.
While some on principles baptized
To strict party platform ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God bless him.
While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in.
But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.
Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares Propaganda, all is phony.
While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer's pride, security
It blows the minds most bitterly
For them that think death's honesty
Won't fall upon them naturally
Life sometimes
Must get lonely.
My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
False gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
What else can you show me?
And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only
The opening lines of "It's Alright Ma" by Caetano Veloso reference an uncontrollable darkness in the middle of the day that even overpowers the privilege of those with a "silver spoon." The lyrics suggest that trying to understand such darkness will inevitably lead to an acceptance that there is no explanation, no sense in trying. The following lines explore the rhetoric of power and the way it operates to intimidate and manipulate. The "fool's gold mouthpiece" speaks in "wasted words," warning the listener that failure to be continuously reborn is synonymous with dying. The lyrics then evoke the idea of being tempted into the wrong direction, and feeling isolated and hopeless amidst social and political disorder.
Veloso moves on to describe a society in which everything has been reduced to a game, a system of false values that is founded on the exclusion of some. He notes a "disillusioned" and "barking" language from those who hold power and are seen as gods, even as they sell false idols that glow in the dark. The third verse goes on to suggest that knowledge is often held captive by those in power, and their flattery celebrates those who are imprisoned. Music, too, is presented as a form of imprisonment; high society mocks the outsider who propagates social change, while some others care only to bring down those around them. In the final verses, Veloso turns inward, creating a sense of self-discovery that is simultaneously terrifying and inspiring. The lyrics suggest that self-awareness is the key to grasping the inadequacy and cruelty of the world, and while there may be no easy answer, to live in such full knowledge is to live fully.
Line by Line Meaning
Darkness at the break of noon
A sense of despair and confusion even in the midst of daylight
Shadows even the silver spoon
The corruption and darkness that pervades even the privileged and wealthy
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
The destructive power of human creations, from weapons to innocent objects
Eclipses both the sun and moon
The overwhelming force of darkness that overshadows all aspects of life
To understand you know too soon
The harsh reality that comes with gaining knowledge and understanding
There is no sense in trying.
One should not waste their efforts in trying to make sense of a senseless world
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Empty and meaningless threats made by those who wish to intimidate
Suicide remarks are torn
Thoughts of self-destruction and despair being expressed
From the fool's gold mouthpiece
False promises and deceitful words spoken by those who hold power
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Empty and meaningless words being spread through various channels
Proves to warn
Serves as a reminder and warning of the futility of worldly pursuits
That he not busy being born
If one is not constantly reinventing and evolving themselves
Is busy dying.
They are simply existing and waiting for their inevitable end
Temptation's page flies out the door
The allure of temptation and desire can easily overcome one's willpower
You follow, find yourself at war
Indulging in temptation can lead to inner conflict and struggle
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
Witnessing and experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness and compassion
You feel to moan but unlike before
Expressing pain and anguish becomes more difficult over time
You discover
Realizing
That you'd just be
You would only become
One more person crying.
Another individual consumed by sorrow and suffering
So don't fear if you hear
There is no need to be afraid when you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
An unfamiliar sound that you encounter
It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing.
Assuring his mother that his sighs are nothing to worry about
As some warn victory, some downfall
While some perceive success as a warning, others see it as a downfall
Private reasons great or small
Individual motivations, whether significant or trivial
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
The true intentions can be discerned by observing their actions and expressions
To make all that should be killed to crawl
To bring down and humiliate those who deserve to be eradicated
While others say don't hate nothing at all
Some believe in the importance of not harboring any hatred
Except hatred.
With the exception of hating hatred itself
Disillusioned words like bullets bark
Words that shatter illusions and truths like bullets being fired
As human gods aim for their mark
When individuals with power and authority try to impose their will and control
Made everything from toy guns that spark
Creating and manipulating dangerous and enticing things, like toy guns that seem real
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
Transforming religion and spirituality into flashy and superficial displays
It's easy to see without looking too far
The truth is evident, even without deep investigation
That not much
There isn't much
Is really sacred.
That is truly sacred or worthy of reverence
While preachers preach of evil fates
Religious figures warn about the consequences of sin and wrongdoing
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Educators emphasize the importance of acquiring knowledge and wisdom
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Gaining knowledge can open doors to wealth and success
Goodness hides behind its gates
True virtue and goodness remain hidden and elusive
But even the president of the United States
Even the most powerful person in the country
Sometimes must have
Sometimes needs to have
To stand naked.
To face the world without any pretenses or defenses
An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
Even though the societal norms and expectations are firmly established
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
It is the manipulative and deceitful actions of people that one must avoid
And it's alright, Ma, I can make it.
Assuring his mother that he can navigate through these challenges
Advertising signs that con you
The misleading and deceptive nature of advertising
Into thinking you're the one
Leading people to believe that they are special and unique
That can do what's never been done
Capable of achieving extraordinary and unprecedented feats
That can win what's never been won
Being able to emerge victorious in unprecedented situations
Meantime life outside goes on
Meanwhile, life continues unaffected by these illusions
All around you.
In your surroundings and environment
You lose yourself, you reappear
Experiencing moments of self-doubt and rediscovery
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Realizing that there is nothing to be afraid of
Alone you stand with nobody near
Feeling isolated and without support from others
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Hearing a faint voice in the distance, but unable to make out the words
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
Surprising your dull and unresponsive senses with a sudden wake-up call
That somebody thinks
That someone believes
They really found you.
That they have truly discovered who you are
A question in your nerves is lit
A deep and unsettled feeling arises within you
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
However, you are aware that there is no suitable answer that can bring complete satisfaction
Insure you not to quit
Assuring you not to give up or surrender
To keep it in your mind and not fergit
To remember and never forget this realization
That it is not he or she or them or it
It is not any external entity
That you belong to.
To which you truly belong
Although the masters make the rules
Even though those in power dictate the rules and norms
For the wise men and the fools
Both for the intelligent and the ignorant
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.
He has no expectations or pressure to live up to
For them that must obey authority
For those who are compelled to submit to authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Despite not having any respect for that authority
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Those who hate their jobs and resent their predetermined paths
Speak jealously of them that are free
Speak with envy about those who are free from such obligations
Cultivate their flowers to be
Nurture their own aspirations and dreams
Nothing more than something
Which are only considered as something
They invest in.
That they have invested themselves in
While some on principles baptized
While some abide by their moral principles
To strict party platform ties
To rigid and unwavering political affiliations
Social clubs in drag disguise
Organizations and social groups trying to hide their true intentions
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Being able to criticize outsiders without any consequences
Tell nothing except who to idolize
Only promoting the idolization of specific individuals
And then say God bless him.
And then offering blessings in the name of God to those individuals
While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Someone who passionately and fearlessly expresses their beliefs
Gargles in the rat race choir
Gets drowned out in the chaotic and competitive world
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Being warped and distorted by society's oppressive influence
Cares not to come up any higher
Not being interested in achieving societal success or status
But rather get you down in the hole
Instead, bringing others down to their level of disillusionment
That he's in.
The state of disillusionment that he is trapped in
But I mean no harm nor put fault
However, I do not intend to harm or blame
On anyone that lives in a vault
Those who live in seclusion and isolation
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.
It is okay, mother, if I am unable to meet his expectations
Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Judges who make harsh judgments about people's relationships
Limited in sex, they dare
Restricted in their perspective on sexuality, they dare to judge
To push fake morals, insult and stare
Promote fake morality, insult others, and judge with scrutiny
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Money is a powerful force that speaks through its influence and impact
Obscenity, who really cares Propaganda, all is phony.
People do not pay attention to immorality, and all forms of communication are deceptive
While them that defend what they cannot see
Those who defend concepts or ideas that are intangible or invisible
With a killer's pride, security
With unwavering pride and a false sense of certainty
It blows the minds most bitterly
This idea frustrates and confounds the intellect
For them that think death's honesty
For those who believe that death brings truth and clarity
Won't fall upon them naturally
Will not come to them effortlessly or without consequence
Life sometimes
Existence occasionally
Must get lonely.
Becomes incredibly isolating and lonesome
My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
The harsh reality of death confronts me directly
False gods, I scuff
I dismiss and disregard false idols and gods
At pettiness which plays so rough
At the insignificance and triviality that can be so harsh
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Feeling trapped and constrained, almost as if walking on hands
Kick my legs to crash it off
Struggling and fighting against these restraints
Say okay, I have had enough
Finally accepting that enough is enough
What else can you show me?
What more can life offer or surprise me with?
And if my thought-dreams could be seen
If my innermost thoughts and dreams were visible to others
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
They would likely condemn or execute me for my unconventional thoughts
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only
Assuring his mother that despite the hardships and criticisms, life is worth living
Writer(s): Bob Dylan
Contributed by Lauren V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.