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.
Menino Deus
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Um corpo azul dourado
Um porto alegre é bem mais que um seguro
Na rota das nossas viagens no escuro
Menino Deus
Quando tua luz se acenda
A minha voz comporá tua lenda
Mais futuro do que jamais houve
Mas ouve a nossa harmonia
A eletricidade ligada no dia
Em que brilharias por sobre a cidade
Menino Deus
Quando a flor do teu sexo
Abrir as pétalas para o universo
Então por uma lapso se encontrará nexo
Ligando os breus
Dando sentido aos mundos
E aos corações sentimentos profundos
De terna alegria
No dia do Menino Deus
The lyrics of Caetano Veloso's song Menino Deus translate to "Child God" in English. The first stanza speaks of a golden blue body, representing a divine and pure being that provides safety and protection throughout life's dark journeys. The second stanza expresses the desire to compose a legend for this Child God with the hope of creating a brighter future. The harmonious electricity of the city is turned on in anticipation of the Child God's arrival as the world braces itself for his impact. The third and final stanza speaks about the opening of the Child God's flower, representing the moment he begins to connect the various worlds and bring meaning and deep emotions to the hearts of people.
The lyrics of Menino Deus are a clear reference to the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope for a brighter future that his arrival brought. Caetano Veloso's interpretation is a modern and artistic representation of this hope. The Child God in the song represents the idea that with every new generation, comes the possibility of a brighter future, full of hope and promise. The song speaks to the magic of childhood, the hope of youth, and the universal desire for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Menino Deus
A phrase used to address and describe a supernatural being in a human form.
Um corpo azul dourado
A description of the Menino Deus' physical appearance, with blue and golden colors representing divinity and enlightenment.
Um porto alegre é bem mais que um seguro
A metaphorical statement that a happy place is more than just a refuge or safety.
Na rota das nossas viagens no escuro
A reference to the Menino Deus guiding and illuminating the way in uncertain and dark times.
Quando tua luz se acenda
When the Menino Deus' light, wisdom, and power shine through.
A minha voz comporá tua lenda
The singer's voice will add to the Menino Deus' myth and legend.
E por um momento haverá mais futuro do que jamais houve
The Menino Deus' presence and guidance will result in a brighter, more hopeful future.
Mas ouve a nossa harmonia
A call to listen and follow the harmony and unity brought by the Menino Deus.
A eletricidade ligada no dia
A metaphor for the connection and flow of energy and ideas among people, sparked by the Menino Deus.
Em que brilharias por sobre a cidade
The Menino Deus' brilliance and radiance shining above and blessing the city.
Quando a flor do teu sexo
When the Menino Deus' sexuality and fertility come into play, symbolizing creation and growth.
Abrir as pétalas para o universo
A poetic image of the Menino Deus' opening up to the vastness of the universe and sharing its beauty and power.
Então por uma lapso se encontrará nexo
At that time, a moment of clarity and understanding will be reached.
Ligando os breus
Connecting the gaps and contradictions, reconciling what was once separate and unknown.
Dando sentido aos mundos
Bringing meaning and purpose to all the worlds and dimensions.
E aos corações sentimentos profundos
Touching and evoking deep emotions in people's hearts.
De terna alegria
With a sense of tender, joyful celebration.
No dia do Menino Deus
On the day of honoring and acknowledging the Menino Deus and its power and presence.
Lyrics © TERRA ENTERPRISES, INC.
Written by: CAETANO EMMANUEL VIANA TELES VELOSO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christiane Popoviche
Adoro está música, obrigado por está linda música, moro no menino Deus há 26 anos e amo este bairro 🍂😊
Marcia Dias de Oliveira
Bairro que amo em Porto Alegre! Gratidao Caetano por homenagear minha cidade com cancao tao linda!
Ana Cláudia Carneiro de Oliveira
Essa música. É LINDA!👋👋👋❤
Marcelo Gilberto
Musica de qualidade é pra bons ouvidos não estás porcarias de hoje, éramos felizes e não sabíamos
Rafael Ribeiro
Essa versão é a coisa mais linda!
Catarina Rodrigues
Concordo, mais linda não há.. Caetano arrasa com este ritmo... por ser ao vivo.. não sei. Todos participam dessa perfeição
Luiz Carlos Ubaldo Gonçalves
Em minha terra amada ouvindo Caetano e pensando no meu menino Deus Rafael.. Visconde do Rio Branco MG!!
Alexandre Santos
União perfeita 🤗
Marcia Dias de Oliveira
Gratidao Caetano! Lindo demais! A Cor do som sempre!!!!
JOSE RICARDO DE MELO ANTUNES
Que musica, que letra, obra prima...