De Tentar Voltar

Caetano Veloso's 'De Tentar Voltar' is a poignant exploration of longing, loss, and the elusive nature of time. The song opens with a simple yet profound exchange: 'Um sorriso meu / Troco por um beijo seu' (A smile of mine / I trade for a kiss of yours). This line sets the tone for a narrative steeped in personal sacrifice and the desire for connection. The imagery of water flowing through the eyes suggests tears, hinting at the emotional depth and vulnerability that permeate the song.

As the lyrics progress, the theme of time becomes more pronounced. 'Tarde pra chegar / Tarde pra deixar entrar' (Late to arrive / Late to let in) speaks to missed opportunities and the regret that often accompanies them. The mention of a cloud lying over a place evokes a sense of heaviness and stagnation, as if the past is a weight that cannot be easily lifted. The line 'Uma se perdeu no ar' (One got lost in the air) further emphasizes the idea of something precious slipping away, never to be reclaimed.

The song's chorus, 'Nada vai chegar / Tendo que tentar voltar' (Nothing will arrive / Having to try to return), encapsulates the central theme of the struggle to recapture what has been lost. The repeated references to distance and the unattainable—'Longe do céu de lá / Esse seu olhar' (Far from the sky over there / That look of yours)—underscore the sense of separation and yearning. Veloso's poetic lyrics and melancholic tone invite listeners to reflect on their own experiences of longing and the bittersweet nature of memory.