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.
Smoke gets in your eyes
Caetano Veloso Lyrics
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My true love was true
I of course replied
"Something here inside cannot be denied"
They said, "Someday you'll find
All who love are blind"
When your heart's on fire
So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
To think they could doubt my love
Yet today, my love has flown away
I am without my love
Now laughing friends deride
Tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say
"When a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes"
In Caetano Veloso's rendition of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," he beautifully performs this classic tune with a soulful and emotional voice. The song seems to be about a person reflecting on love and heartbreak. The first verse begins with someone asking the singer how they knew that their love was true. The singer responds by saying that it's something they can feel within them, that cannot be denied. The second verse is a warning to the singer that people can become blinded by love, but when their hearts burn too hot for too long, smoke will inevitably get in their eyes.
In the chorus, the singer jokes with their friends who doubt their love, confident in their affection. But that confidence quickly dissipates when the singer's love cools and they are left alone with their tears. The song ends with the singer reflecting on the transitory nature of love, stating that when a lovely flame dies, smoke will get in your eyes. This melancholic song speaking of love and loss palpably touches the listener’s hearts, and Caetano Veloso's tender interpretation gives it a nostalgic and haunting feel.
Line by Line Meaning
They asked me how I knew
Someone asked how I was so certain of the authenticity of my love.
My true love was true
The love I had was genuine and pure.
I of course replied
Naturally, I responded to the inquiry.
"Something here inside cannot be denied"
"I have an undeniable feeling deep inside me that confirms the true nature of my love."
They said, "Someday you'll find
Others told me that one day I would understand.
All who love are blind"
"Everyone who loves is unable to see clearly."
When your heart's on fire
When you are infatuated.
You must realize, smoke gets in your eyes
"You have to see that your emotions can cloud your judgement."
So I chaffed them and I gaily laughed
Therefore, I made fun of them and responded in good spirits.
To think they could doubt my love
I was amused because I couldn't fathom why anyone would question my feelings.
Yet today, my love has flown away
However, my love has left me now.
I am without my love
I am now alone and bereft.
Now laughing friends deride
Currently, my friends mockingly belittle.
Tears I cannot hide
My emotions run deep and I can't conceal them.
So I smile and say
So, I pretend to be happy and remark.
"When a lovely flame dies, smoke gets in your eyes"
"When an attractive connection fades, one's vision can be obscured by sentimentality."
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind