Loucura (Sou do fado)

Carlos do Carmo's song "Loucura (Sou do fado)" is a heartfelt ode to the traditional Portuguese music genre known as fado. The lyrics express a deep connection to fado, portraying it as an intrinsic part of the singer's identity. The opening lines, "Sou do fado / Como sei / Vivo um poema cantado / De um fado que eu inventei," reveal that the artist lives through a sung poem, a fado he has created himself. This suggests a personal and creative relationship with the genre, highlighting its importance in his life.

The song delves into the emotional depth of fado, a genre known for its melancholic and soulful nature. Carlos do Carmo sings about the inability to express himself through words alone, but finds solace and expression in singing: "A falar / Não posso dar-me / Mas ponho a alma a cantar / E as almas sabem escutar-me." This line emphasizes the power of music to convey emotions that words cannot, and the connection between the singer's soul and the listeners' souls.

The chorus, "Chorai, chorai / Poetas do meu país / Troncos da mesma raiz / Da vida que nos juntou," is a call to the poets of Portugal, acknowledging their shared roots and the life experiences that have brought them together. The song attributes the pain and beauty in his voice to these poets, suggesting that their influence is what makes fado and fadistas like him possible. The repeated phrase, "É loucura / Ouço dizer / Mas bendita esta loucura / De cantar e de sofrer," reflects on the perceived madness of living a life intertwined with singing and suffering, yet it is a blessed madness that the artist embraces.

"Loucura (Sou do fado)" is a poignant reflection on the essence of fado, its emotional intensity, and the cultural and poetic roots that sustain it. Carlos do Carmo's tribute to the genre and its poets underscores the deep connection between personal expression and cultural heritage in fado music.