Carnaval
Zé Maholics Lyrics

In the song "Carnaval" by Zé Maholics, the lyrics delve into the passage of time and the realities of everyday life. The opening lines, "O tempo passa / E eu já fumei mais um cigarro" (Time passes / And I've already smoked another cigarette), suggest a sense of reflection and the singer's attempt to find pleasure in simple things despite their high cost.

The following lines, "No dia a dia a gente sente / Como que certos prazeres custam caros" (In everyday life, we feel / How certain pleasures come at a high cost), further explore the notion that some pleasures in life can be expensive, both monetarily and emotionally. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the sacrifices one has to make in order to pursue certain desires.

The song then moves to introspection, as the singer confesses to having the habit of staying up all night, pondering over their plans for the present, future, and past. This suggests a sense of restlessness and a constant search for meaning and purpose.

However, the chorus reveals a stark contrast between the singer's inner world and the external reality: "Aqui em casa não tem carnaval / É só um bando de gente normal / Ninguém se encaixa, mas não tem cabeça baixa pra agradar freguesia" (Here at home, there is no carnival / It's just a bunch of normal people / Nobody fits in, but nobody bows their head to please the crowd).

These lyrics convey a feeling of nonconformity and an unwillingness to conform to societal expectations. The singer's home is depicted as a place where individuals do not fit in, but they refuse to compromise themselves in order to gain acceptance. The mention of "freguesia" (customers) hints at a critical stance towards society's demands and the pressure to conform.

The final verse suggests that independent thought is seen as absurd and a scarce resource, something one cannot use even for a moment. This highlights the singer's frustration with a society that discourages individuality and free thinking.

Overall, "Carnaval" explores themes of introspection, societal conformity, and the value of individuality. It encourages listeners to reflect on the sacrifices they make in pursuit of pleasure and the importance of staying true to oneself despite societal pressures.