Amigo Amado

Alaíde Costa's song 'Amigo Amado' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the silent suffering that accompanies it. The lyrics are imbued with a sense of longing and melancholy, as the narrator grapples with the pain of loving someone who cannot be theirs. The metaphor of the night concealing a fragrant flower beautifully captures the essence of hidden emotions. Just as the night hides the flower, the narrator must hide their love, which fills their inner world with a bittersweet aroma.

The song delves deeper into the theme of unfulfilled love by portraying the beloved as both a friend and an unattainable lover. The line 'Amigo que eu nunca vou ter' (Friend that I will never have) underscores the paradox of feeling a deep connection with someone who remains out of reach. This duality is further emphasized by the phrase 'Amado que o amor não me deu' (Beloved that love did not give me), highlighting the cruel twist of fate that keeps them apart. The narrator's plea to be allowed to dream about the beloved reflects a desperate need to hold onto the fantasy, even if it means living in a perpetual state of longing.

The imagery of the 'noturna flor' (night flower) and the 'jardim' (garden) serves as a powerful metaphor for the narrator's emotional state. The night flower, which blooms in darkness, symbolizes the hidden love that thrives in secrecy. The garden represents the beloved's world, a place where the narrator can only exist in dreams. The final lines, 'Ir-me morrendo de amor' (Going on dying of love), poignantly capture the slow, agonizing process of loving someone from afar, a love that consumes the narrator's very being.