Comportamento Geral

Gonzaguinha's song 'Comportamento Geral' is a powerful critique of social conformity and the passive acceptance of societal injustices. The lyrics are laden with irony and sarcasm, highlighting the absurdity of the expectations placed on individuals by society. The song opens by pointing out the lack of financial resources ('não tem mais tutu') and the need to pretend that everything is fine despite the hardships. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which continues to mock the idea that one should be content with minimal rewards and superficial improvements.

The recurring refrain 'Você merece, você merece' (You deserve it, you deserve it) is a biting commentary on the empty promises and false reassurances given to the working class. Gonzaguinha uses this phrase to underscore the disconnect between the reality of people's lives and the platitudes they are fed. The mention of 'cerveja, samba, e amanhã, seu Zé' (beer, samba, and tomorrow, Mr. Zé) serves to illustrate how distractions like entertainment are used to placate the masses, diverting their attention from more pressing issues such as unemployment and social inequality.

The song also touches on the theme of obedience and submission. Lines like 'Você deve aprender a baixar a cabeça' (You must learn to lower your head) and 'Deve pois só fazer pelo bem da Nação' (You must only do for the good of the Nation) criticize the expectation that individuals should comply without question. The promise of a 'Fuscão no juízo final' (a big car on Judgment Day) and a 'diploma de bem comportado' (a diploma for good behavior) further satirize the hollow rewards offered for conformity. Through 'Comportamento Geral,' Gonzaguinha masterfully uses satire to expose the flaws in societal norms and the exploitation of the working class.