Quem Foi
Marisa Monte Lyrics

The lyrics to Marisa Monte's song Quem Foi depict the struggles of a person caught between love and their own desires. The singer is uncertain about their relationship and is struggling to decide whether to stay or leave. They feel as though they are walking a tightrope between their home and their lover's embrace, while trying to balance their own desires with the need for emotional security.

The repeated phrase "No meio do fio, na corda bamba, é o amor" (In the middle of the wire, on the tightrope, it's love) emphasizes the precariousness of love and the singer's feeling of being suspended in mid-air, unsure of the way they should go. The line "Se o amor é o corte e a cicatriz, pra que tanto medo?" (If love is the cut and the scar, why so much fear?) suggests that the singer knows that love is inherently painful but it seems they are still scared of its consequences.

The final lines of the song "Se esse é o nosso jeito de culpar o desejo, desejo" (If this is our way of blaming desire, desire) suggest that the singer realizes that their fears and uncertainties are ultimately rooted in their own desires. They understand that love and desire are intertwined and cannot be separated, and acknowledging this might help them make a decision.

Overall, Quem Foi is a song that explores the complexities of love and the human heart, and how confusing it can be to navigate life's difficult choices.