Saiba

Adriana Calcanhotto's song 'Saiba' is a profound reflection on the shared experiences that unite all of humanity, regardless of status, culture, or historical significance. The song's repetitive structure and simple yet poignant lyrics emphasize the commonalities that bind us all. By listing a diverse array of historical and contemporary figures, Calcanhotto underscores that everyone, from the most revered philosophers to the most infamous dictators, shares fundamental human experiences such as childhood, fear, and mortality.

The song opens with the assertion that everyone was once a baby, including figures like Einstein, Freud, and even controversial leaders like Hitler and Saddam Hussein. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the innocence and vulnerability that are universal to all humans. The mention of both revered and reviled figures serves to remind us that no one is exempt from the basic stages of life.

As the song progresses, Calcanhotto delves into other universal experiences, such as having a childhood, feeling fear, and eventually facing death. By including a wide range of individuals—from religious leaders like Maomé and Buda to philosophers like Nietzsche and Simone de Beauvoir—she illustrates that these experiences transcend time, culture, and personal achievements. The repetition of the phrase 'Saiba!' (Know!) serves as a call to awareness, urging listeners to recognize these shared human experiences and perhaps find a sense of unity and empathy in them.

The final verses bring the focus back to familial connections, mentioning that everyone had a father and a mother. This reinforces the idea that no matter how different our lives may seem, we all come from the same basic human experiences. The song closes with the repeated line 'E também eu e você' (And also you and me), driving home the point that these universal truths apply to every single one of us, creating a powerful sense of shared humanity.