Desde Que O Samba É Samba
Caetano Veloso e Gilberto Gil Lyrics

The lyrics to Caetano Veloso e Gilberto Gil's song "Desde que o samba e samba" speak about the emotional depth and power of the samba music. The first few lines express that sadness or sorrow is an intrinsic part of samba music. The mention of tears falling on dark skin against a backdrop of a rainy night is a symbol of the emotional depths of the genre. The singer refers to the fear of loneliness that can manifest when listening to samba music but says that there is something that happens within him that changes when he starts to sing. He finds solace in the act of singing and manages to overcome the sadness that seems inherent in the song.

The song then transitions to a more hopeful tone, emphasizing that although samba music can be melancholic, it can also bring joy and transcendence. The repeated assertion that "the samba will still be born," and that "the samba has not yet arrived," suggests that the music is timeless, continually redefining itself and finding new forms of expression. The lyrics also acknowledge that samba music can evoke both pleasure and pain, and that it has the power to transform the listener's emotions.

Overall, the song speaks to the enduring power of samba music as an art form that can capture complex emotions and connect people across boundaries of race, class, and culture.