This new generation of musicians, producers, and admirers of the samba and the chorinho brought back the taste of the Brazilian people to the rhythms. New monothematic groups and, inspired on the work of genius composers, started to present set lists that were already part of our subconscious, with new arrangements and production. Rio`s neighborhood, Lapa, a meeting place for bohemians within the first half of the twentieth century, was once again the place to be if one was looking for cold beers and long nights to the quality sound of songs by Cartola, Jacob do Bandolim, Chico Buarque, Nelson Cavaquinho, Ataulfo Alves, Ary Barroso, Zé Keti, Waldir Azevedo, Nei Lopes, and so many other creators, ancient, and modern artists.
Leading these group of “bambas”, Casuarina performed (and keeps performing) many important venues, not only on the neighborhood, but throughout Rio, like Ballroom, Carioca da Gema, Rio Scenarium, Fundição Progresso, Dama da Noite, and Circo Voador, disregarding great events like, projeto Roda de Samba and the 2003 and 2004 Carnavais, at Lapa – both promoted by the state of Rio – and also the 2004 edition of Samba no Trem, uniting the best there is on the genre to celebrate the Dia Nacional do Samba (national day of samba in Brazil), December 2nd. During their live performances, Casuarina already had very special guests like Arlindo Cruz, Wilson Moreira, Lenine, Walter Alfaiate, Noca da Portela, Délcio Carvalho, Luis Carlos da Vila, Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz, and not to mention the bateria da Portela and Imperatriz Leopoldinense.
Na Intimidade Meu Preto
Casuarina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Essa mulher é espeto
Na frente dos outros me chama esse nego
E na intimidade, meu preto
Quando eu saio pra gandaia
Ela faz um escarcéu
Gritando que eu não valho nada
Mas quando eu volto pra caxanga
Pra descansar o esqueleto
Aí ela me beija todo
Me faz chá de boldo
E me chama, meu preto
Se eu amarro uma pretinha
Ela apronta um bololô
E diz que negro quando pinta
Tem três vezes trinta e que eu sou seu avô
Mas quando eu chego inspirado
E lhe declamo um soneto
Aí ela posa de musa
Me usa e lambuza
Me chama, meu preto
Ela diz pra todo mundo
Que eu atraso a sua vida
E quando eu não sujo na entrada
É fava contada eu sujar na saída
Porém quando eu danço gostoso
A dança do minueto
Aí ela ajoelha e chora
Jura que me adora
E me chama, meu preto
The song "Na Intimidade Meu Preto" by Casuarina talks about a complicated relationship between a man and a woman. The woman is described as cunning and manipulative, often speaking ill of the man in public but displaying affection towards him in private. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and confusion on the part of the man, who is torn between his love for the woman and his desire for freedom.
The opening lines of the song, "Não vai na conversa dela / Essa mulher é espeto" caution the man not to believe the woman's words, as she is spiky and sharp. The use of the word "espeto" is significant as it means a skewer or a spit, something that can be used to poke or prod. The woman seems to enjoy keeping the man on edge at all times, perhaps to maintain a sense of control over him.
The song also touches upon issues of race and class, with references to the legacy of slavery in Brazil. The line "E que a grande culpada é a Princesa Isabel" refers to Princess Isabel, who signed the Lei Áurea or the Golden Law in 1888, abolishing slavery in Brazil. However, the song suggests that the woman blames the man for her lot in life rather than acknowledging the systemic inequalities and injustices that she faces. In this sense, the song is a commentary on the enduring effects of racism and discrimination in Brazilian society.
Line by Line Meaning
Não vai na conversa dela
Don't believe what she says
Essa mulher é espeto
This woman is difficult
Na frente dos outros me chama esse nego
In front of others she calls me 'that black guy'
E na intimidade, meu preto
But in private, she calls me 'my black'
Quando eu saio pra gandaia
When I go out to party
Ela faz um escarcéu
She makes a big fuss
Gritando que eu não valho nada
Screaming that I'm worthless
E que a grande culpada é a Princesa Isabel
And that the Princess Isabel is to blame
Mas quando eu volto pra caxanga
But when I come back home
Pra descansar o esqueleto
To rest my bones
Aí ela me beija todo
Then she kisses me all over
Me faz chá de boldo
She makes me boldo tea
E me chama, meu preto
And calls me 'my black'
Se eu amarro uma pretinha
If I'm in a relationship with a black girl
Ela apronta um bololô
She creates a fuss
E diz que negro quando pinta
And says that when a black man cheats
Tem três vezes trinta e que eu sou seu avô
He's three times thirty years old and that I'm her grandfather
Mas quando eu chego inspirado
But when I come home inspired
E lhe declamo um soneto
And recite her a sonnet
Aí ela posa de musa
Then she poses as a muse
Me usa e lambuza
Uses and kisses me all over
Me chama, meu preto
And calls me 'my black'
Ela diz pra todo mundo
She tells everyone
Que eu atraso a sua vida
That I'm holding her back in life
E quando eu não sujo na entrada
And when I don't make a mess at the entrance
É fava contada eu sujar na saída
It's a given that I'll make a mess on the way out
Porém quando eu danço gostoso
But when I dance well
A dança do minueto
The minuet dance
Aí ela ajoelha e chora
Then she kneels down and cries
Jura que me adora
Swears that she loves me
E me chama, meu preto
And calls me 'my black'
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thelmarbrasil
Essa eu não conhecia! Legal demsis
@mariaeduardaviannadematos800
Ái Casuarina, assim o lequinho endoida.