saudade, saudade

The song 'saudade, saudade' by MARO is a poignant exploration of loss and the lingering feeling of longing that remains. The Portuguese word 'saudade' is central to the song's theme, encapsulating a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. Moreover, it often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never return. MARO uses this concept not just as a lyric but as the cornerstone of the entire song, reflecting on the pain and emptiness left behind.

In the lyrics, MARO speaks about the struggle to move on from the absence of a loved one, indicated by the lines 'I've tried to write a million other songs, but somehow I can't move on.' The repetition of 'saudade' emphasizes the weight of this feeling, too profound for other words to express. The bilingual approach, mixing English and Portuguese, not only highlights MARO's cultural background but also serves to express a sentiment very specific to Portuguese-speaking cultures, making the song resonate more deeply with those who understand the term 'saudade' in its full context.

The song also touches on the universal experience of grief and the search for signs or connections with what has been lost, as seen in the plea 'E se não for demais, peço por sinais.' This line reveals a deep yearning to retain a bond with the departed, showcasing the difficulty of letting go and the complex layers of human emotional resilience and vulnerability in the face of loss.