Essa Mulher
Elis Regina
The Many Faces of Womanhood in 'Essa Mulher'
Elis Regina's song 'Essa Mulher' is a poignant exploration of the multifaceted roles and emotions experienced by women. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman's daily life, capturing her in different stages and moods throughout the day. In the morning, she is a dutiful housewife, performing her chores with a sense of resignation and devotion. She prays for her family and finds a bittersweet happiness in her routine, symbolizing the traditional role of women as caretakers and nurturers.
As the day progresses, the woman transforms into a young girl, full of dreams and aspirations. She adorns herself and revels in the joy of being an artist, a singer. This part of the song highlights the beauty and fulfillment that comes from pursuing one's passions and the duality of pleasure and pain in the quest for happiness. The lyrics suggest that while she finds immense joy in her artistic pursuits, there is also an underlying agony, perhaps stemming from societal pressures or personal insecurities.
In the dead of night, the woman becomes a force of chaos and passion. She sheds her clothes, rearranges her surroundings, and indulges in the madness of love and desire. This nocturnal transformation represents the wild, untamed side of her personality, contrasting sharply with her daytime demeanor. The song concludes with a reflection on the complexity of her identity, acknowledging the blend of light and shadow, purity and sin, that makes her who she is. Elis Regina's powerful delivery and the evocative lyrics create a rich tapestry of the female experience, celebrating its depth and diversity.