Nara Lofego Leão (January 19, 1942, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil — June … Read Full Bio ↴Nara Lofego Leão (January 19, 1942, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil — June 7, 1989, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), best known as Nara Leão, was a diverse MPB singer, acoustic guitarist and occasional actress and songwriter, associated with many genres and movements, such as bossa nova, samba de morro, protest song, Tropicália, música nordestina and others, quickly gaining the title of "Musa da Bossa Nova" (Muse of Bossa Nova) ever since the beginning of her career.

When she was twelve, her father gave her a guitar since he was worried about her being shy. Popular musician and composer Patricio Teixeira and classical guitarist Solon Ayala were her teachers. While still a teenager, she met a number of singers and composers who took part of Bossa Nova's musical revolution, in late 50s and early 60s, including Roberto Menescal, Carlos Lyra, Ronaldo Bôscoli, João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim.

By 1963, after singing as an amateur for a few years, she became a professional and toured with Sergio Mendes. In the mid-1960s, the institution of military dictatorship in Brazil led her to sing increasingly political lyrics. Her show "Opinião" reflected her political beliefs and she had largely switched to political music by this point. In 1964, she even spoke against bossa nova as a movement, calling it "alienating". In 1968, being part of the Tropicália movement, she appeared on the album Tropicália: ou Panis et Circenses, performing "Lindonéia."

She later left Brazil for Paris and in the 1970s abandoned music to focus on her family. She returned to music later and when she discovered, in 1979, that she had an inoperable brain tumor she increased her productivity as much as possible. She died in 1989, leaving a great legacy behind her succesful years of career.

Retrato em branco e preto
Nara Leão Lyrics

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Já conheço os passos dessa estrada
Sei que não vai dar em nada
Seus segredos sei de cor
Já conheço as pedras do caminho
sei também que ali sozinho
Eu vou ficar tanto pior

O que é que eu posso contra o encanto

Desse amor que eu nego tanto
Evito tanto E que no entanto
Volta sempre a enfeitiçar
Com seus mesmos tristes
Velhos fatos
Que num álbum de retratos
Eu teimo em colecionar

Lá vou eu de novo como um tolo
Procurar o desconsolo
Que cansei de conhecer
Novos dias tristes, noites claras
Versos, cartas, minha cara
Ainda volto a lhe escrever
Pra lhe dizer que isso é pecado

Eu trago o peito tão marcado
De lembranças do passado
E você sabe a razão
Vou colecionar mais um soneto
Outro retrato em branco e preto
A maltratar meu coração

Vou colecionar mais um soneto

Outro retrato em branco e preto
A maltratar meu coração

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Retrato em branco e preto" express a sense of resignation and longing in a love that the singer knows will lead to nothing. The opening lines convey the familiarity of the situation, acknowledging the futility of the path they are traversing. The singer knows the secrets and challenges that come with this love but also acknowledges that they will only be left feeling worse and alone.

The next verse reflects on the enchanting power of this love, one that the singer tries to deny and avoid, yet finds themselves continually captivated by. Despite their efforts to resist, they are drawn back to the same sad and melancholic moments, like a collection of old photographs in an album. The repetition of these experiences suggests a cycle that is hard to break.

In the bridge, the singer acknowledges their own foolishness in seeking out the pain and sorrow that they have grown familiar with. They have become accustomed to seeking out discomfort and are trapped in a pattern of finding solace in sadness. The lyrics also hint at a desire to communicate and express their feelings, despite knowing that it is futile.

The final repetition of the chorus reaffirms the singer's commitment to collecting more painful memories and moments, willingly subjecting their heart to further mistreatment. The use of the phrase "retrato em branco e preto" (a portrait in black and white) suggests a lack of vibrant emotions and a perpetual state of melancholy that the singer willingly embraces.

Overall, "Retrato em branco e preto" explores the futile and self-destructive nature of a love that brings pain and nostalgia, yet remains irresistible to the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Já conheço os passos dessa estrada
I already know the steps of this road

Sei que não vai dar em nada
I know it's not going to lead to anything

Seus segredos sei de cor
I know your secrets by heart

Já conheço as pedras do caminho
I already know the stones on the way

sei também que ali sozinho
I also know that there alone

Eu vou ficar tanto pior
I'm going to get even worse

O que é que eu posso contra o encanto
What can I do against the charm

Desse amor que eu nego tanto
Of this love that I deny so much

Evito tanto E que no entanto
I avoid it so much and yet

Volta sempre a enfeitiçar
It always comes back to enchant

Com seus mesmos tristes
With its same sad