Como 2 e 2

The song 'Como 2 e 2' by Caetano Veloso, a prominent figure in Brazilian music and one of the pioneers of the Tropicália movement, is a poignant exploration of the contradictions between internal feelings and external expressions. The lyrics convey a sense of disconnection and the complexity of human emotions through the act of singing and the acknowledgment of surrounding desolation.

The opening lines, where the singer invites the listener to not believe everything at face value, suggest a theme of skepticism and the idea that what is presented outwardly may not reflect the true inner state. The act of singing is portrayed as a personal need, a compulsion that exists regardless of the surrounding circumstances. This duality is further emphasized by the juxtaposition of feeling joy and sadness simultaneously, and the playful yet serious tone of the lyrics.

The recurring line 'Tudo certo como dois e dois são cinco' (Everything's fine like two and two are five) is a clear reference to George Orwell's '1984', where the state manipulates truth and insists that two plus two equals five as a demonstration of power. In the context of the song, it represents an acceptance of absurdity and the recognition of a reality that doesn't make sense, yet is forcefully accepted. This line encapsulates the essence of the song: a world where truths are twisted, and what should be certain is not, reflecting the dissonance between what is felt, what is said, and what is real.