La Belle de Jour

The song 'La Belle de Jour' by Alceu Valença is a nostalgic and poetic reflection on a fleeting moment of beauty and youth. The lyrics describe the artist's memory of a beautiful woman he saw at Boa Viagem beach on a blue Sunday afternoon. The repeated phrase 'La belle de jour' not only gives the song its title but also emphasizes the enchantment the singer feels towards this woman, whose beauty is likened to the serenity of the afternoon.

Alceu Valença, a Brazilian singer-songwriter known for his contributions to the musical movement called Tropicalia, often incorporates elements of folklore, rock, and traditional Brazilian music into his work. In 'La Belle de Jour,' he uses simple yet evocative language to paint a picture of a moment captured in time, where the woman's blue eyes are a central image, symbolizing both the beauty of the ocean and the sky on that particular afternoon. The repetition of the memory suggests a longing for the past and the beauty that once was.

The song's structure, with its refrain and verses that revolve around the same memory, creates a sense of circularity, mirroring the way memories often replay in our minds. The use of the word 'blue' in the lyrics could be a play on the musical genre blues, which is known for expressing feelings of melancholy and longing, fitting the song's reflective mood. 'La Belle de Jour' is a tribute to a moment of ephemeral beauty and the lasting impression it can leave on one's heart and mind.