Aquele Frevo Axé

Caetano Veloso's song 'Aquele Frevo Axé' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, unfulfilled promises, and the lingering impact of past relationships. The lyrics are imbued with a sense of longing and reflection, as the narrator grapples with memories of a past carnival and a love that remains unresolved. The opening lines, 'Meu pensamento está preso àquele carnaval,' immediately set the tone of the song, indicating that the narrator's thoughts are trapped in the past, specifically during a festive and vibrant time that now feels distant and unattainable.

The song's title, 'Aquele Frevo Axé,' combines two distinct musical genres from Brazil: frevo, a fast-paced dance music from Pernambuco, and axé, a popular music genre from Bahia. This fusion symbolizes the blending of different cultural elements and the complexity of the narrator's emotions. The lyrics further delve into the narrator's internal struggle, as they attempt to 'refazer a trama' (redo the plot) of their past but find that the outcome remains unchanged. This repetition highlights the futility of trying to alter what has already transpired and the inevitability of certain endings.

The recurring question, 'E você?' (And you?), directed at the absent lover, underscores the uncertainty and lack of closure in the relationship. The narrator wonders if the lover still sings the 'frevo axé' in silence or if they have lost faith in the promises made. The imagery of walking through an empty square and waiting for the sunset evokes a sense of solitude and the passage of time. Despite the melancholy, there is a glimmer of hope as the narrator believes that their love will not disappear, symbolized by the stars beginning to shine in the 'noite da Bahia preta' (night of black Bahia). This juxtaposition of darkness and light reflects the enduring nature of love amidst the shadows of the past.