Quadrilha

Chico Buarque's song 'Quadrilha' is a vivid portrayal of a traditional Brazilian festivity, the quadrilha, which is a type of folk dance often performed during the June festivals. The song uses this setting to explore and satirize the social dynamics and hidden desires within a community. The quadrilha, with its structured dance moves and partner changes, becomes a metaphor for the intricate and often hypocritical relationships among the townspeople.

The lyrics describe a seemingly innocent and joyful event where everyone participates in the dance. However, as the dance progresses, the true nature of the relationships between the participants is revealed. The wife of the delegate dances with the bachelor, the peasant lassoes the colonel's daughter, and the mayor's wife pairs up with the opposition leader. These pairings highlight the underlying tensions, desires, and power dynamics within the community. The song humorously points out the contradictions and moral flexibility of the characters, as they engage in behaviors that would typically be frowned upon in their everyday lives.

Buarque's clever use of language and playful tone adds a layer of irony to the song. The repeated refrain 'Não me leve a mal' (Don't take it the wrong way) and 'Não tem nada não' (It's nothing) emphasize the community's tendency to overlook or excuse these transgressions during the festivity. The song ends on a note of acceptance, suggesting that these social games are an annual occurrence, and everyone is complicit in maintaining the facade of respectability. Through 'Quadrilha,' Chico Buarque offers a sharp yet humorous critique of societal norms and the human tendency to indulge in hypocrisy and pretense.