As her names suggests (in Portuguese "da Mata" means "from the forest") is a force of nature. This singer and composer cannot play all the instruments, but she has an overt musicality. She gathers more than 250 compositions in book notes and tapes which she always carries in her purse. Before her debut album brought her name into the spotlight, many artists recorded some of her songs. One of them, Chico César pushed for making her compositions more famous in Brazil.
Ilegais
Vanessa da Mata Lyrics
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Dessa nossa vida
E será uma maldade veloz
Malignas línguas
Nossos corpos não conseguem ter paz
Em uma distância
Nossos olhos são dengosos demais
Que não se consolam, clamam fugazes
Ilegais
Eu só sei que eu quero você
Pertinho de mim
Eu quero você
Dentro de mim
Eu quero você
Em cima de mim
Eu quero você
Desse jeito vão saber de nós dois
Dessa nossa farra
E será uma maldade voraz
Pura hipocrisia
Nossos corpos não conseguem ter paz
Em uma distância
Nossos olhos são dengosos demais
Que não se consolam, clamam fugazes
Olhos que se entregam
Olhos ilegais
Eu só sei que eu quero você
Pertinho de mim
Eu quero você
Dentro de mim
Eu quero você
Em cima de mim
Eu quero você
The lyrics of Vanessa da Mata's song "Ilegais" explores the forbidden and passionate love between two people who are not supposed to be together due to societal norms and expectations. The song’s chorus, “Eu só sei que eu quero você,” which means “I only know that I want you,” is a clear expression of the singer’s desire for her lover. The verses describe the societal pressure and scrutiny that comes with their relationship. The two lovers must keep their love under wraps because their love is illegal and not accepted by society. However, their love is too strong to be contained as depicted in the verse “Nossos olhos são dengosos demais. Que não se consolam, clamam fugazes. Olhos que se entregam. Ilegais” which means, “Our eyes are too fond. They cannot be consoled; they beg for fleeting moments, illegal eyes that surrender.”
The lyrics evoke emotions of passion, desire, and heartbreak, as the lovers' desire for each other is dampened by the restrictions society places on them. Ultimately, the song is a haunting hymn to the price paid in pursuit of forbidden love.
Line by Line Meaning
Desse jeito vão saber de nós dois
If we continue like this, people will find out about our relationship
Dessa nossa vida
About the way we choose to live
E será uma maldade veloz
And it will be a quick malicious act
Malignas línguas
The tongues of those who want to hurt us
Nossos corpos não conseguem ter paz
Our bodies can't find peace
Em uma distância
Even when we're apart
Nossos olhos são dengosos demais
Our eyes are too affectionate
Que não se consolam, clamam fugazes
And they can't be comforted, they just want to be together quickly
Olhos que se entregam
Eyes that surrender themselves
Ilegais
Illegal, because they belong to people who can't be together
Eu só sei que eu quero você
I only know that I want you
Pertinho de mim
Close to me
Dentro de mim
Inside of me
Em cima de mim
On top of me
Dessa nossa farra
About the way we have fun
E será uma maldade voraz
And it will be a fierce malice
Pura hipocrisia
Pure hypocrisy
Olhos ilegais
Illegal eyes, full of desire for each other
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.