Ela Desatinou

Chico Buarque's song 'Ela Desatinou' paints a vivid picture of a woman who continues to dance samba despite the end of Carnival, symbolized by the arrival of Ash Wednesday. The lyrics describe the transition from the vibrant, joyous festivities to a more somber reality, as the 'bandeiras se desmanchando' (flags falling apart) and 'rasgar fantasias' (tearing costumes) signify the end of the celebration. Yet, amidst this shift, the woman remains undeterred, continuing to dance, embodying a sense of resilience and defiance against the inevitable return to normalcy.

The song delves into themes of escapism and the human desire to cling to moments of joy, even when they are fleeting. The woman’s persistent dancing, despite the 'dias sem sol raiando' (days without the sun rising), suggests a refusal to succumb to the mundane and the sorrow that follows the end of a joyous period. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human spirit's resistance to despair and the longing to hold onto happiness, even when it seems irrational or out of place.

Chico Buarque, known for his poetic and often politically charged lyrics, uses this narrative to perhaps comment on broader societal issues. The line 'toda a cidade anda esquecida, da falsa vida, da avenida' (the whole city has forgotten, the false life of the avenue) could be interpreted as a critique of societal norms and the superficiality of public celebrations. The woman's continued dancing can be seen as a form of silent protest, a way to reclaim personal joy and authenticity in a world that often demands conformity and forgetfulness.

The song's melancholic yet hopeful tone resonates with listeners, inviting them to reflect on their own ways of coping with the end of joyful times and the return to routine. It celebrates the strength found in small acts of defiance and the beauty of holding onto one's inner light, even when the world around seems to dim.