Peter Gast

Caetano Veloso's song "Peter Gast" delves into the dichotomy of being an ordinary man while experiencing profound, poetic solitude. The lyrics open with the declaration of being a "homem comum" (common man), navigating the spectrum of pain and pleasure that life offers. Despite this ordinariness, Veloso's heart as a poet thrusts him into a unique solitude, where he witnesses grand wars and celebrations, and even possesses the ability to fly. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between the mundane and the extraordinary, suggesting that no one is truly common, as everyone harbors a unique inner world.

The recurring mention of Peter Gast, a pseudonym for Heinrich Köselitz, a close associate of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, adds layers of meaning. Gast, described as the "hóspede do profeta sem morada" (guest of the homeless prophet), symbolizes a silent, profound music that transcends the noise of everyday life. This silent music represents an inner peace and clarity that Veloso finds amidst the chaos of modern existence, even in mundane settings like being stuck in traffic. The reference to Gast as the "rosa do crepúsculo de Veneza" (rose of the Venetian twilight) evokes a sense of beauty and melancholy, further emphasizing the depth of this silent symphony.

Veloso's blending of musical genres, from samba-canção to rock'n'roll, mirrors the blending of his ordinary life with his poetic soul. The song suggests that even in the most common experiences, there is a profound, silent music that can be heard if one listens closely. This silent music of Peter Gast serves as a metaphor for the inner life that each person carries, a life that is rich, complex, and far from common. Through this song, Veloso invites listeners to recognize and embrace the extraordinary within the ordinary, finding beauty and meaning in the silent symphonies of their own lives.