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.
Jasper
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm kneeling on the shore
Showers, palmfronds
Cross me spilling
Silver, sidewalks
Lips so red world so wide
Around my head
Waiting
I taught myself a lesson
I put myself to sleep
Sirens, jasmin
Jasper, flagpole
Tree top, sidewalk
Thursday night, magnolia
Along my street
Later
I taught myself a lesson
In Caetano Veloso's song Jasper, the lyrics showcase the weakness of time and the introspection of the singer. The mention of water is a recurring theme which could illustrate the fleeting and uncontrollable nature of time. The opening line sets the tone for the song - "Time is as weak as water" - suggesting time can slip through our fingers like water. The singer's position kneeling on the shore could represent a moment of overwhelming contemplation, watching time wash over them. The imagery of showers and palm fronds conveys a tropical setting, perhaps highlighting the transience of life, the briefness of moments and the rapid passage of time. The phrase "Around my head, waiting" is a poignant admission of surrender and acknowledgement of life's fragility.
Further, the singer's experiences have allowed them to "teach themselves a lesson" and "put themselves to sleep". The sirens and jasmine perhaps represent urgency and the headiness of location. On the other hand, the mention of jasper, flagpole, tree top, sidewalk, magnolia and street conveys a sense of rootedness and location they know so well. Thursday night is a simple yet relatable placeholder for any regular night. By highlighting the streets and locations, the singer contextualises their experience as anchored in a particular place - this setting highlights the contrast between the fleeting moments in life, and the eventual grounding of these momentary experiences. These interpretations showcase the beautiful lyricism of the song, which speaks to the human condition and our relationship with time, transcending any specific context.
Line by Line Meaning
Time is as weak as water
Time is fragile and fleeting, easily passing by without a trace.
I'm kneeling on the shore
I am humbled and vulnerable, overwhelmed by the vastness of the world and nature.
Showers, palmfronds
A tropical and rainy environment surrounds me, full of growth and natural beauty.
Cross me spilling
I am interrupted by something sudden and unexpected, causing me to lose my composure.
Silver, sidewalks
The environment around me is sleek and modern, with hard edges and reflective surfaces.
Lips so red world so wide
I am captivated by someone's beauty and the vastness of the world outside of myself.
Around my head
My thoughts and feelings are swirling around me, overwhelming me and clouding my judgement.
Waiting
In this moment, I am anticipating something to happen, either hopeful or anxious for the future.
I taught myself a lesson
I have gone through an experience that has taught me something about myself or the world around me.
I put myself to sleep
I have made myself numb or closed off emotionally, possibly as a means of coping with my experiences.
Sirens, jasmin
I am surrounded by both chaos and natural beauty, experiencing contrasting emotions at the same time.
Jasper, flagpole
I am in a place that is both regal and patriotic, possibly a public or historical area.
Tree top, sidewalk
I am struck by the contrast between the natural and artificial environment around me.
Thursday night, magnolia
I am taking notice of the passing of time and the changing of seasons or atmosphere around me.
Along my street
This experience is happening in my own personal environment, possibly grounding me and connecting me to my roots.
Later
The events of this moment will stay with me, possibly influencing my decisions in the future.
Contributed by Stella A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.