8 ou 80
Ariah
The Intensity of Emotions in Ariah's '8 ou 80'
Ariah's song '8 ou 80' delves into the theme of emotional extremes and the struggle to find balance. The lyrics express a dichotomy of feelings, oscillating between love and hate, without any middle ground. This is encapsulated in the Brazilian Portuguese expression '8 ou 80', which is equivalent to 'all or nothing' in English, indicating a tendency to go from one extreme to another without any moderation. The song begins with a confession of being prone to disaster, which suggests a self-awareness of the artist's intense emotional nature and its exhausting consequences.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of holding grudges ('coleção é de rancores') that can unexpectedly turn into something beautiful ('podem virar flores'), illustrating the unpredictable nature of the singer's emotions. The artist's struggle with self-acceptance and the desire to change is evident, but there is also a resignation to the fact that change is difficult ('Quis me mudar, mas cansei de tentar'). The song conveys a sense of vulnerability and the pain of unrequited love or betrayal, as indicated by the lines 'Meu próprio coração me iludiu' and 'Eu sangrei e você riu'.
Overall, '8 ou 80' is a raw and honest portrayal of the highs and lows of emotional life. Ariah uses the song to communicate the intensity of her feelings and the difficulty in achieving emotional stability. The repetitive chorus 'Te amo, te odeio' (I love you, I hate you) serves as a powerful mantra that captures the essence of the song's message: the challenge of living with extreme emotions and the longing for self-love amidst this turmoil.