Retrato Em Branco e Preto

João Gilberto's 'Retrato Em Branco e Preto' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil it brings. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is deeply familiar with the path of a love that leads nowhere. The opening lines, 'Já conheço os passos dessa estrada / Sei que não vai dar em nada,' suggest a sense of resignation and inevitability. The speaker knows the journey well and understands that it will not result in anything meaningful, yet they are unable to resist the pull of this love.

The recurring theme of familiarity and repetition is evident in lines like 'Já conheço as pedras do caminho / E sei também que ali sozinho / Eu vou ficar tanto pior.' The speaker is well-acquainted with the obstacles and the loneliness that accompanies this love, yet they are drawn to it despite the pain it causes. This love is described as an 'encanto,' a spell or enchantment, that the speaker tries to resist but ultimately cannot escape. The metaphor of an album of photographs, 'Que num álbum de retratos / Eu teimo em colecionar,' symbolizes the memories and moments that the speaker clings to, even though they bring sorrow.

The song also delves into the cyclical nature of this unrequited love. The speaker acknowledges their own foolishness in returning to a love that only brings 'desconsolo,' or heartache. The imagery of 'Novos dias tristes / Noites claras / Versos, cartas' evokes a sense of longing and the futile attempts to communicate their feelings. The final lines, 'Vou colecionar mais um soneto / Outro retrato em branco e preto / A maltratar meu coração,' encapsulate the essence of the song. The speaker continues to collect these monochrome memories, knowing they will only cause more pain, yet they are unable to let go.

João Gilberto's musical style, characterized by its gentle bossa nova rhythms and soft, intimate vocals, enhances the melancholic beauty of the lyrics. The song captures the essence of a love that is both enchanting and tormenting, a love that the speaker cannot escape despite knowing it will only lead to more heartache.