From United States of Piauí

Luiz Gonzaga, often referred to as the 'King of Baião,' was a prominent Brazilian folk singer, songwriter, and musician, renowned for his role in popularizing the music of the Northeastern region of Brazil. His song 'From United States of Piauí' humorously addresses the cultural changes and Americanization occurring in the Brazilian state of Piauí, which is part of the country's traditionally rural and culturally rich Northeast region.

The lyrics describe the protagonist's cousin from Piauí who has abandoned local customs in favor of American ones. She no longer makes lace, a traditional local craft, because she is preoccupied with watching soap operas. She has swapped the local sugarcane juice for Coca-Cola and replaced the use of kerosene lamps with electric lights. The song also mentions the switch from traditional leather pants to the American brand Lee jeans, and the cousin's adoption of English phrases over local expressions. Gonzaga uses these examples to illustrate the influence of American culture on local traditions and the gradual loss of regional identity.

The song's playful tone and catchy rhythm serve as a vehicle for a deeper commentary on globalization and cultural homogenization. Gonzaga's work often celebrated the unique aspects of Northeastern Brazilian culture, and 'From United States of Piauí' can be seen as a lament for the erosion of these cultural practices in the face of global influences. The song is a reflection on the importance of preserving cultural heritage while also acknowledging the inevitable changes that come with exposure to different ways of life.