Por Que a Gente É Assim?

Cazuza's song 'Por Que a Gente É Assim?' delves into the complexities of human relationships and self-destructive behaviors. The lyrics open with a question that sets the tone for the entire song: 'Mais uma dose?' (One more drink?). This line immediately introduces the theme of indulgence and excess, suggesting a night that never ends, filled with continuous consumption. The repetition of this question throughout the song emphasizes a cycle of behavior that the singer seems both resigned to and questioning of.

The lyrics also explore the dynamics of a tumultuous relationship. Phrases like 'Agora fica comigo / E vê se não desgruda de mim' (Now stay with me / And see if you don't unstick from me) and 'Vê se ao menos me engole / Mas não me mastiga assim' (At least swallow me / But don't chew me up like this) paint a picture of a love that is intense and consuming, yet fraught with tension. The metaphor of being 'canibais de nós mesmos' (cannibals of ourselves) before the earth consumes us further underscores the self-destructive nature of their relationship, as if they are devouring each other emotionally before their inevitable end.

Cazuza's lyrics also touch on the fleeting nature of time and the urgency of love. Lines like 'Você tem exatamente / Três mil horas pra parar de me beijar' (You have exactly / Three thousand hours to stop kissing me) juxtapose the seemingly endless night with the finite moments they have together. The urgency is heightened with 'Mas você tem apenas um segundo / Um segundo pra aprender a me amar' (But you have only one second / One second to learn to love me), suggesting that while they have a lifetime to be together, the crucial moments of understanding and love are fleeting and precious.

The song's repetitive questioning of 'Por que a gente é assim?' (Why are we like this?) serves as a poignant reflection on human nature, our tendencies towards excess, and the complexities of love and relationships. Cazuza's raw and poetic lyrics, combined with his emotive delivery, make this song a powerful exploration of the human condition.