Vida

Chico Buarque's song 'Vida' is a poignant reflection on life and the choices one makes. The lyrics convey a sense of introspection and regret, as the narrator looks back on his life and contemplates the decisions that led him to where he is. The repeated phrase 'Olha o que é que eu fiz' (Look at what I have done) suggests a moment of reckoning, where the narrator is taking stock of his actions and their consequences.

The song speaks to the universal human experience of questioning the path one has taken, especially when it involves sacrifices or missed opportunities. The 'fatia mais doce da vida' (the sweetest slice of life) that was left 'na mesa dos homens de vida vazia' (on the table of men with empty lives) symbolizes the narrator's perception that he may have given up the best parts of life for something less fulfilling. Yet, there is a recurring line, 'Mas, vida, ali quem sabe, eu fui feliz' (But, life, there, who knows, I was happy), which introduces a sense of ambiguity and suggests that happiness may have been found in unexpected places or moments.

The latter part of the song shifts to a more hopeful tone, with the narrator calling for 'luz' (light) and expressing a desire for more out of life. The imagery of 'palcos azuis' (blue stages) and 'infinitas cortinas' (infinite curtains) evokes a sense of endless possibilities and a yearning to break free from limitations. The plea to 'Arranca, vida' (Start, life) and 'pulsa, pulsa mais' (pulse, pulse more) is a call to embrace life's potential and to live more fully, despite past regrets or the uncertainty of the future.