Viva la Vida

If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?

I thought of using songs to roughly represent what my biography would be. There are so many that I love, precisely because their lyrics relate with my life. I couldn’t decide on just one. So, I will use a few songs that I like the most: Bohemian Rhapsody, Viva la Vida and “Índios”.

Humble beginnings

One among a few contenders would be Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. The story of the “poor boy from a poor family” really strikes a chord with me. I just mentioned yesterday how my parents have struggled during some economic crisis. I grew up seeing their determination to give us the best, even though there was not much to give. And the boy, explaining to his mom why everything has happened, all the consequences for his decisions in life, it something touching to me.

Rise and fall

Another choice would be Viva la Vida by Coldplay. Again, there’s the idea that “one moment, I held the key, next the walls were closed on me.” This also speaks to me personally. After I decided to live by myself, everything was nice for a while. Then I faced some difficulties. It made me doubt my decisions. I felt that all the doors were closed. But fortunately they were overcome, and here I am to tell that story.

Lost innocence

I think that I will include in this collection “Índios” by Legião Urbana. I used to sing along when I heard it on the radio when I was a teenager. It spoke to me personally because it has a lot to do with Brazil’s, and by extension, Latin America’s history. This tune pictures a tribe of the most beautiful Native Americans being attacked for no reason. Finally, it shows how humanity can’t be fully trusted. We need to be a little cautious of some people offering their friendship. Specially the ones who have all the power. They might be really trying to get hold of some precious things that we have.

The song’s title includes quotation marks. According to Renato Russo, the song’s composer, they show that the title does not refer to Brazil’s first inhabitants. Instead, it refers to the innocence instilled in the country’s people since its beginnings. The people have always been fooled by their leaders. This resonates also with me lately, seeing how fascist leaders are rising to power by sheer manipulation.

I know these choices of songs are a little bit melancholic, for which I apologize. But that’s how I have been feeling lately. I only hope that this poetic medium can translate the longing of my soul “for everything I’ve yet to see”.

Since this last song original lyrics are in Portuguese, here goes a translation to English:

"Indians"

If only, just once,
I could have back all the gold I gave
To those who convinced me
It was a sign of friendship
Even when they took away what I never even had.

If only, just once,
I could forget that I believed
It was all just a game
To cut up fine linen and pure silk
Like it was nothing but rags.

If only, just once,
I could explain what no one understands—
That what has happened is still yet to come,
And the future is no longer what it used to be.

If only, just once,
I could prove that those who have
More than they need
Almost always convince themselves
That they still don’t have enough,
And talk too much with nothing to say.

If only, just once,
The simplest things were seen
As the most important,
But they gave us mirrors,
And all we saw was a sick world.

If only, just once,
I could understand
How one single God
Can be three at the same time,
And how that same God
Was killed by you—
Your cruelty made even God so sad.

I sought danger and even bled alone—understand,
That’s how I could bring you back to me.
Because I realized it’s always been just you,
The only one who understands me from start to finish.
And only you hold the cure
For my addiction to this longing I feel
For everything I’ve yet to see.

If only, just once,
I could believe for a moment
In everything that exists,
And believe the world is perfect,
That all people are happy.

If only, just once,
I could make the world see
That your name is in everything,
Yet no one even says thank you.

If only, just once,
Like the most beautiful tribe
Of the most beautiful natives,
I wouldn’t be attacked
Just for being innocent.

I sought danger and even bled alone—understand,
That’s how I could bring you back to me.
Because I realized it’s always been just you,
The only one who understands me from start to finish.
And only you hold the cure
For my addiction to this longing I feel
For everything I’ve yet to see.

They gave us mirrors,
And all we saw was a sick world.
I tried to cry—
But I couldn’t.