Peixe Vivo

Inezita Barroso's song 'Peixe Vivo' is a poignant exploration of longing and the human condition, wrapped in the metaphor of a fish out of water. The repetitive refrain 'Como pode um peixe vivo viver fora d'água fria?' (How can a live fish live out of cold water?) serves as a powerful metaphor for the singer's own sense of displacement and yearning. Just as a fish cannot survive outside its natural habitat, the singer feels incomplete and unable to thrive without the presence of a loved one. This metaphor is a universal expression of the deep human need for connection and companionship.

The song also delves into the social aspects of this longing. The lines 'Os pastores desta aldeia já me fazem zombaria' (The shepherds of this village already mock me) highlight the societal pressures and judgments faced by someone who is visibly suffering from loneliness. The singer's sadness is not just a personal burden but also a public spectacle, adding another layer of emotional complexity. This public scrutiny exacerbates the singer's sense of isolation, making the absence of the loved one even more unbearable.

Nature imagery is prevalent throughout the song, with references to the sun, moon, and the São Francisco River. These elements serve to contrast the constancy and beauty of nature with the singer's own stagnant emotional state. 'Só o tempo é que não corre' (Only time does not run) poignantly captures the feeling of time standing still in the absence of the loved one. The natural world continues its cycles, indifferent to human suffering, emphasizing the singer's sense of being stuck in a moment of perpetual longing. The recurring 'Zum, zum, zum' mimics the sound of the sea, adding a rhythmic backdrop that ties the emotional and natural elements together, creating a hauntingly beautiful lament.